Splitting Pairs in Blackjack: Every Pair and What to Do

Split when your first two cards are a pair – two cards of the same rank – and the chart says to split against the dealer's up card, the dealer card that is face up. Under standard rules you always split aces and 8s, you never split 10s or 5s, and you split 2s, 3s, 4s, 6s, 7s and 9s only against certain dealer up cards.

• What does split mean in blackjack?
• Blackjack split rules
• The pairs chart: when to split each pair
• Why you always split 8s and aces
• Why you never split 10s or 5s
• Splitting when the dealer has no hole card
• Practice your split decisions

01What does split mean in blackjack?

Splitting means you turn one pair into two separate hands. A pair is two cards of the same rank, such as 8 and 8.

1. You place a second bet. It is the same size as your first bet.
2. The two cards are moved apart. Each card starts a new hand.
3. Each new hand gets a second card.
4. You play the first hand to the end, then the second hand.

Each hand wins or loses on its own against the dealer. One hand can win while the other hand loses.

02Blackjack split rules

Online tables follow a short set of split rules. The table's rules page shows the exact version.

A king and a queen are not the same rank, but both count as 10. Many tables also let you split any two ten-value cards like these.

• Same rank. Both cards must have the same rank, such as 8 and 8. Many tables also let you split any two ten-value cards, such as K and Q.
• Extra bet. The second hand needs a bet equal to your first bet.
• Re-splits. If a new hand gets another card of the same rank, many tables let you split again, usually up to 4 hands.
• Split aces. Each split ace gets one more card only. You cannot hit those hands. Many tables do not let you re-split aces.
• 21 after a split. An ace and a ten-value card after a split count as 21, not blackjack. That hand pays 1:1, not 3:2.
• Double after split. Many tables let you double down on a hand after a split. If the table does not allow it, the house edge – the share of each bet the house keeps on average – goes up by 0.14 percentage points.

Victoria's tip

Before you play, open the table's rules and check two lines: how many times you can re-split, and whether you can double after a split.

For the full list of table rules, see blackjack rules.

03The pairs chart: when to split each pair

This table is for standard rules: 6 decks, dealer hits soft 17, double after split, no surrender, dealer peeks for blackjack.

A pair of jacks, queens or kings plays the same as a pair of 10s.

The row for 9s has a gap. You split against 2–6 and 8–9, and you stand against 7, 10 and A.

To see the pairs next to the hard and soft hands, open the full blackjack strategy chart.

04Why you always split 8s and aces

Two 8s make hard 16. A hard 16 often busts when you hit, and it often loses when you stand.

Here are the average results against a dealer 10. Per first bet means the result is measured against your original bet, even though splitting puts two bets on the table.

Both plays lose money on average, but splitting loses less. Each new hand starts with an 8 instead of a 16.

Aces

An ace counts as 11 unless that would bust the hand, then it counts as 1. Two aces make soft 12: one ace counts as 11 and the other as 1.

When you split, each ace starts a new hand worth 11. Each split ace gets one more card, and a ten-value card on an ace gives you 21.

05Why you never split 10s or 5s

Two ten-value cards make 20. A 20 is a strong total, so you stand.

Standing gives the better average result, even against a 6. Splitting breaks a 20 into two hands that each start from 10.

5s

Two 5s make hard 10. You play them as a 10, not as a pair.

Double down against 2–9, or hit if the table does not let you double. Hit against 10 and A.

Learn more on the double down page.

Victoria's tip

When you get two 5s, read them as hard 10 and use the hard 10 row of the chart.

06Splitting when the dealer has no hole card

In some online games, the dealer takes a second card only after you finish your hands. This is called a no-hole-card game, and European blackjack often works this way.

• Dealer peeks (standard rules): If the dealer has blackjack, the round ends before you act. You never put out a split bet against a dealer blackjack.
• No hole card: You may split first, and then the dealer gets blackjack. At many tables you lose the split bets too. Some tables return the extra bets. Check the table rules.

Because of this, some split plays change in no-hole-card games: 8s against a dealer 10 or A, and aces against a dealer A. The chart on this page is for games where the dealer peeks.

A 6-deck no-hole-card game where the dealer stands on soft 17 has a house edge of about 0.52%. Read more on the European blackjack page.

07Practice your split decisions

Pairs are easy to spot. The hard part is remembering which dealer up cards change the play.

The row for 4s is a good example. You split only against a dealer 5 or 6, and you hit against every other up card.

• Blackjack trainer – you get hands, choose a move, and see if it matches the chart.
• Blackjack simulator – you play many hands with the rules you choose and see the results.

Victoria's tip

Practice the pairs that change with the dealer card first: 9s, 4s, 6s and 7s.

Basic strategy lowers the house edge to about 0.62% under standard rules. It does not remove the house edge.

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