When you're dealt two cards of the same rank, you can split them into two separate hands. Used correctly, splitting turns bad hands into profitable situations and gets more money on the table when the dealer is weak.
When your first two cards are the same rank, you can place a second bet equal to your original and split the pair into two separate hands. Each hand gets a new second card and plays independently. If you split aces, most casinos only deal one additional card per ace and you cannot re-hit.
| Your pair | Split against dealer | Otherwise |
|---|---|---|
| A,A | Always | — |
| 10,10 | Never | Stand |
| 9,9 | 2–6, 8–9 | Stand vs 7, 10, A |
| 8,8 | Always | — |
| 7,7 | 2–7 | Hit |
| 6,6 | 2–6 | Hit |
| 5,5 | Never | Double vs 2–9, Hit vs 10/A |
| 4,4 | 5–6 only (DAS) | Hit |
| 3,3 | 2–7 | Hit |
| 2,2 | 2–7 | Hit |
6-deck, S17, double after split allowed. DAS = double after split.
An ace is the most powerful starting card in blackjack. Starting two separate hands each with an ace gives you a strong chance of reaching 21 or a high soft total on each. Even though you only get one card per split ace, the expected value of splitting is substantially higher than playing Ace-Ace as a soft 12.
Hard 16 is the worst hand in blackjack. Against a dealer 10, you will lose money whether you hit, stand, or split 8s — but you lose the least by splitting. Each hand starting with an 8 has much better expected value than playing 8-8 as a hard 16.
Splitting 8s vs a 10 is still a losing play — but it's the least losing option.
A pair of 10s is a 20 — one of the strongest hands in blackjack. You will win this hand the vast majority of the time. Splitting turns a near-certain winner into two hands each starting at 10, which is good but not as good as the 20 you already have. Never split 10s, no matter what the dealer shows.
Some players split 10s against a weak dealer upcard hoping to "get more money down." The math doesn't support it. Stand on 20 every time.
Two 5s make a hard 10 — one of the best doubling hands in blackjack. Splitting turns that into two hands each starting at 5, which is weak. Always treat 5,5 as a hard 10: double against a dealer 2–9, hit against 10 or ace.
Blackjack GTO flags every splitting mistake and explains the correct play. Every pair combination is covered with real-time feedback. No money, no sign-up.
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