Blackjack is a funny old game. Of all the decisions that give players pause, none is quite as poignant as knowing when to split a pair and when not to split a pair. Not convinced? Let'
s assume you are busy playing a six-deck blackjack game, and the dealer stands pat on soft 17 (S17). Further, let's assume that doubling after pair splitting is allowed, a.k.a. DAS. Let's continue, shall we?
Splitting Decisions: When to Split After the First Two-Card Blackjack Hands Versus the Dealer’s Upcard?
Be Advised:
* DAS - Doubling after Splitting
* NDAS - No Doubling after Splitting
* H17 - Dealer Hits with Soft 17
* S17 - Dealer Stands on Soft 17
Based on mathematical formulae, the correct method of playing the hands mentioned above is as follows:
Not to worry if you made a few mistakes with your playing decisions. You're not the first and certainly not the last to do so. One blackjack rule typically affects the strategy for pair splitting, and it pertains to the casino rules allowing players to double down after splitting a pair. This is known as DAS (doubling after splitting) or NDAS (no doubling after splitting). The blackjack tables and playing charts referenced below indicate when you should split your pairs, specifically when DAS or NDAS rules are in effect.
Please Be Advised: The strategy I'm recommending here is geared towards multi-deck blackjack games. That means blackjack played with 4, 6, or 8 decks of cards. But it's also good for single/double deck games, without a substantial loss in expectation.
If you're interested in this topic, you'll find a complete library of information on pair-splitting strategies for single-deck and double-deck blackjack games. These are highlighted in Chapter 2 of my Ultimate Blackjack Strategy Guide.
The colour-coded blackjack chart represented below requires you to find your two-card blackjack hand in the first column. Then you will be required to move along the top row of the chart for the entry that represents the dealer’s upcard. When you see the letter P, it means split. Actually, it stands for Pair Splitting. There is a unique rule when you split eights versus a dealer’s Ace upcard, with the Hard 17 rule in effect.
BLACKJACK SPLITTING STRATEGY USING DAS
| Pair | Split Against Dealer Up-Card |
|---|---|
| 2-2, 3-3, 7-7 | 2 through 7 |
| 4-4 | 5, 6 |
| 5-5, 10-10 | Never |
| 6-6 | 2 through 6 |
| 8-8 | Always (except with H17, split vs. ace only if surrender is not permitted) |
| 9-9 | 2 through 6 and 8, 9 |
| Ace-Ace |
Always |
BLACKJACK SPLITTING STRATEGY USING NDAS
| Pair | Split Against Dealer Up-Card |
|---|---|
| 2-2, 3-3 | 4 through 7 |
| 4-4, 5-5, 10-10 | Never |
| 6-6 | 3 through 6 |
| 7-7 | 2 through 7 |
| 8-8 | Always (except with H17, split vs. ace only if surrender is not permitted) |
| 9-9 | 2 through 6 and 8, 9 |
| Ace-Ace | Always |
Whenever you play blackjack games with no doubling after splitting (NDAS) rules in place, you will typically be pair splitting less frequently than when blackjack rules allow DAS. Additionally, if the blackjack rules state that it’s H17 (Hard 17) as opposed to S17 (Soft 17), you will invariably surrender a pair of 8s against the dealer’s Ace upcard. This is done in lieu of splitting.
Below are several examples of how this pair-splitting strategy works.
* Dealer delivers a pair of 4s to you and his/her upcard is 5. If DAS is allowed, you split. If the rules specify NDAS, you hit rather than split.
* You split your cards if you are dealt a pair of 7s and the dealer’s upcard is 7.
* If you are holding a pair of 3s, and the dealer's upcard is 3, you split with DAS rules and hit with NDAS rules.
Now let's change things up a little and assume a DD game. A few minor tweaks to your pair-splitting strategy must now occur with DAS.
* Always Split a pair of 6s when the dealer is holding a 7 upcard, rather than hitting.
* Always Split a pair of 7s when the dealer is holding an 8 upcard, rather than hitting.
* If Doubling After Splitting is permitted, including hard 17, never surrender 8s versus Dealer Ace.
It's a little different with single-deck blackjack games. Nuanced changes to blackjack strategy are required. If you typically play single-deck games, you are strongly encouraged to check out the single-deck pair splitting strategy in my Ultimate Blackjack Strategy Guide.
First published on: 16/12/2019
