Playing Blackjack can seem intimidating but the rules for pair splitting aren’t that difficult to figure out.
Let’s explain why. You’re dealt with two cards of the same face value, which gives you the option to split them into two separate hands. Suppose the first cards are of the value of 2; you have the option to either play it as a four or single deckhand or split it into two hands for your bets.
You have to place a bet equal to the original bet for the second hand. Your first hand will be the card on the right, and your second hand will be on the left of it. You need to play your first hand before you play the second.
Here is the logic for splitting the basic strategy chart:
There are three reasons behind splitting, and each reason is specific to a situation. You split when you can:
· Win more money
· Minimize your losses in a losing hand
· Convert a losing hand to a winning one
The Math of Pair Splitting
Suppose you’re dealt 2-cards of value eight, and your bet amount is $10. Without splitting, the total value is 16. If you hit in this situation, the dealer might bust. But you cannot win with this hand as it is lower than the dealer’s card value cap. So, you split the card (you have the option as both cards are of the same face value) into two hands. You place another $10 wager apart from your original wager.
The first hand receives a second card of value 3, taking the hand’s total to 11. The second hand receives a second card of value 6, taking that hand to 14. You can take any actions you like with each of the hands.
Doubling Down: Blackjack Strategy Chart
Single-Deck Game Hard Hands Basic Strategy (no double cards of value four each). Double down if:
· You have a total value of 8 in your hand, and the dealer shows values of 5 or 6
· You have a total value of 9, and the dealer shows values from 2 to 6
· You have a total value of 10, and the dealer shows values from 2 to 9
· You always double down when you have a total value of 11 in your hand
Single-Deck Game Soft Hands Basic Strategy. Double down if:
· You have an ace, and a card of values from 2 to 5. of 8 in your hand, and the dealer shows values 4, 5 or 6
· You have Ace and 6, and the dealer’s upcard is from values 2 to 6
· You have an Ace and 7and the dealer shows values from 3 to 6
· You have an ace, and eight and the dealer has an upcard of value 6
Single-Deck Game Pairs Basic Strategy. Double down if:
· Your hand has a pair of 4, and the dealer has a five or a 6( in case of NDAS)
· Never double down if your hand has a 4 when DAS is allowed
· Your hand has a pair of 5, and the dealer’s upcard value is from 2 to 9
Double and 4/6/8 decks with hard hands and H17 basic strategy. Double down if:
· You have 9 in your hand, and the dealer has an up card from 2 to 6 (double deck)
· You have 9 in your hand, and the dealer has an up card from 3 to 6 (4/6/8 decks)
· You have 10 in your hand, and the dealer has an up card from 2 to 9
· Always double down when you have 11 in your hand in double-deck
· You have 11 in your hand, and the dealer’s upcard value is from 2 to 10 (4/6/8 decks)
Double and 4/6/8 Decks with a soft hand and SOFT 17 basic strategy. Double down if you have an Ace and a card:
· of either 2 or 3 value and the traders’s upcard shows 5 or 6
· of either 4 or 5 value and the trader’s upcard shows 4,5 or 6
· of either 6 or 7 value and the dealer has an up card from values 3 to 6
Double and 4/6/8 decks with soft hands and H17. Double down if:
· You have an Ace and a 2, and the dealer has a five or a 6
· You have an Ace and a 3, and the dealer has a 4,5 or 6 (double-deck)
· You have an Ace and a 3, and the dealer has a 5 or 6 (4/6/8 decks)
· You have an Ace and a 4 or 5, and the dealer has a 4,5 or 6
· You have an ace and a six, and the dealer has the card of values from 3 to 6
· You have an ace and a seven, and the dealer has the card of values from 2 to 6
· You have an Ace and an 8, and the dealer has a 6
Pairs in double and 4/6/8 decks
You double down against your dealer only if you have a pair of face values five each, and the dealer shows an upcard from values 2 to 9.
That’s all that you need to know when it comes to pair splitting!