If you enjoy online blackjack games, then you should try out the titles at Casino777.nl online casino. One of the moves you make when playing at our casino online is splitting. However, it’s not a move you make at every betting round. Let’s discuss the best times to split when playing blackjack.
What Does It Mean to Split in Blackjack?
Splitting in blackjack happens when you’re dealt a pair of cards with the same value. When you split, the dealer gives you another card on each hand. Since you have two hands, you need to place a second wager that’s equal to your first.
The main benefit of splitting is having twice as much money on the table, which is useful if the dealer appears to be vulnerable. That’s a huge increase in your odds of winning. Plus, a bust from the dealer would result in a payout that’s double what you would have received without the second hand.
Keep in mind that the rules surrounding this move depend on the game. For instance, in many blackjack games, you stand immediately after you split.
When to Split Based on Your Hand
Here’s when to split based on the hand you’re dealt
Aces
If you have a pair of aces, you should split your hand. If you don’t, one of the aces will become an 11, and the other will become a 1. This means that you have a total hand of 12, and you can’t take another card that’s more than 9.
Eights
With a pair of eights, you have very little room for error if you play them as one hand. Any number higher than five will cause you to lose. If you separate them, you increase your odds of having a winning hand.
When Splitting Depends on the Dealer’s UpCard
The following are the best times to split based on the dealer’s upcard:
The Dealer’s Upcard is Between Two and Seven
If you have twos, threes, or sevens and the dealer’s upcard is between two and seven, split your hand. While these cards are low value, you have a better chance of winning. However, this also depends on the rules of the blackjack game.
The Dealer’s Upcard is Two, Three, Four, Five, Six, Eight, or Nine, and You Have a Pair of Nines
If you have a pair of nines, hitting is a risky move. However, if you split this hand, you have two hands with nines. If you’re lucky enough to get an ace on one of those hands, you automatically have a 20. That said, splitting is a better option when you have a pair of nines, and the dealer’s upcard is any of those noted above.
When to Avoid Splitting
It’s also important to know when you should avoid splitting, and we have explained them below:
Tens
If you have a pair of tens, you should avoid splitting. That’s because a pair of tens equals 20, which is the closest hand to 21. With one hand, you have a better chance of winning that betting round than when the hands are split.
Fives
Never split fives, as this might leave you with a lower hand or increase your chances of busting later on. Instead, you should hit, which means taking another card.
Fours
Splitting a pair of fours is not a good move. With one hand, you have a total of nine, meaning you don’t have a chance to bust even if you get an ace.