Understanding Blackjack Split Strategy

Online blackjack allows players to wager with a strategy card in front of them. Online blackjack games from leading software developers like Microgaming have a built in strategy function. The player can play the game in auto play mode without even bothering about a strategy card. Hence many new players are totally unaware of blackjack strategy and what it entails. If they find themselves playing blackjack in a land casino they are likely to lose heavily. Therefore they need to learn blackjack strategy. This article explains the split move in blackjack, the simple split strategy and how that strategy functions.

The split move comes into play when the first two cards dealt to the player are of equal rank. In such a situation the player may split if he wants to or may continue playing normally. Since a decision has to be made strategy comes into play. When a player splits a hand he must place another bet equal to the original one. The two equal cards form the first cards of the two new hands and a second card is dealt to each hand. The two hands so formed are played independently.

The rationale behind splitting a hand in blackjack is to convert a weak hand into two stronger ones. The simple blackjack split strategy says always split eights and aces; never split fours, fives and tens and split other pairs unless the dealer’s up card is eight or higher ranked. The article will now explore how this strategy fits in with the rationale.

Consider the case of the player being dealt two eights. He has a hand value of 16. This is not a good value to stand on because the dealer is likely to get a higher value. It is not a good value to hit because the player is likely to draw a six or higher card and go bust. After splitting the player is most likely to draw a ten value card in each hand because there are more ten value cards in the deck. Therefore he is likely to end up with two hands of value 18. This is definitely a much better position than one hand of 16 and hence this strategy fits in with the rationale.

Consider the case of the player being dealt two fives. He has a hand value of 10. He has to hit because no matter what he will not bust. Again he is most likely to draw a ten value card. Hence the chances are high that he will end up with a hand value close to 20. What happens if he splits? He can expect to have two hands of a hand value close to 15. Hence both his hands will be weaker. Therefore it makes no sense to split in this case.

Now consider the third simple rule of splitting. Do not split pairs if the dealer’s up card is eight or higher ranked. In this case the dealer is likely to end up with a hand value of around 18. This is a very strong hand and usually the player will lose against such hands. Hence there is no point in doubling the potential loss by splitting and playing two hands.

The player has to note that he will not always win if he follows the strategy described in this article. But in the long run he will win much more often than he will lose. And this is what gambling strategy is all about.

• Tools
• Print
• e-Mail
• digg
• del.icio.us
• StumbleUpon

Cryptologic Over Poker - (Added October 16, 2010)

Cryptologic Bonus Video Poker - (Added October 8, 2010)

Cashing Out at Online Casinos - (Added October 1, 2010)

Caribbean Stud Poker Strategy- (Added September 24, 2010)

The History of Blackjack - (Added September 17, 2010)

Rock Music Themed Online Casino Slot - (Added September 7, 2010)

Transparency Builds Online Casino Reputation - (Added September 3, 2010)

All American Video Poker - (Added August 27, 2010)

Unique Roulette Variants - (Added August 20, 2010)

Understanding Probability, Odds And House Edges - (Added August 13, 2010)

Branded Super Hero Slot Games - (Added August 6, 2010)