If you have a pair of sixes: Split if the dealer has 2 thru 6 - otherwise hit. If you have a pair of sevens: Split 2 thru 7 - otherwise hit. If you have a pair of nines: Split 2 thru 6, and 8 or 9. Stand if the dealer has 7, 10 or Ace. If you have a pair of tens: Always Stand. I think all blackjack players have experienced or seen someone splitting tens. Each picture card becomes a single 10, and the player will receive at least one more card on each 10. Sometimes a player will receive more tens, get even greedier and keep splitting!

• The answer is yes, and that's in a last hand of a blackjack tournament. For example, I recently played in a blackjack tournament and I won my first round by splitting 10s, coincidentally against a dealer 6 upcard. I didn't split my 10s because the deck was 10 rich; I split them for another reason: I needed to win more money to overtake a leader.
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I always split 10's against a dealers face card of a 5. I do this even if a strategy chart would discourage it. The only thing I dislike about splitting 10's is that the dealer will then bellow out loudly that someone is splitting 10's. As if to notify the pit boss that the person splitting 10's should be on their radar.
I am not a card counter, because I don't frequent the casinos with the mind set that my goal should be to always beat the house. Sometimes I just want to play for recreation and not count cards. So personally I think that if more people would split 10's, then this would help take away from the Casinos 'Radar' edge of yelling 'Splitting 10s'.
However then again, I am a small time recreational better, of 5 to 25 per hand. If I were playing a $100 hand, or $1000 hand, then I would definitely not be splitting 10's.
Anyway, just my thoughts. Thanks for all of the Black Jack players who have helped me on this forum.

SnapBack,
Don't make a hair-brained play like this. What's the matter with you? Never split 10s. It's a big -EV move. If you can't help yourself from doing it quit playing blackjack and just mail the casino a check. Don't make me hurt you!

I always split 10's against a dealers face card of a 5. I do this even if a strategy chart would discourage it. The only thing I dislike about splitting 10's is that the dealer will then bellow out loudly that someone is splitting 10's. As if to notify the pit boss that the person splitting 10's should be on their radar.
I am not a card counter, because I don't frequent the casinos with the mind set that my goal should be to always beat the house. Sometimes I just want to play for recreation and not count cards. So personally I think that if more people would split 10's, then this would help take away from the Casinos 'Radar' edge of yelling 'Splitting 10s'.
However then again, I am a small time recreational better, of 5 to 25 per hand. If I were playing a $100 hand, or $1000 hand, then I would definitely not be splitting 10's.
Anyway, just my thoughts. Thanks for all of the Black Jack players who have helped me on this forum.

You're fine. I'm not going to knock you for trying to add some excitement by splitting 10s in what can be a tedious and boring game.
As a counter I will split 10s whenever the count calls for it after evaluating for any heat. Here's a little trick that some counters use. Split 10s during a neutral count when you have your minimum bet out. It won't cost a lot and the idea is to get the pit used to the fact that you're an idiot. I can't say that it will always work and you must leave after showing your max bet whether you've made any index plays or not.

SnapBack,
Don't make a hair-brained play like this. What's the matter with you? Never split 10s. It's a big -EV move. If you can't help yourself from doing it quit playing blackjack and just mail the casino a check. Don't make me hurt you!

That's ridiculous. If he enjoys splitting 10's against a 5 (or 6) more power to him. Not everyone thinks they are going to bankrupt a casino by being the worlds best advantage player. He's playing for fun.
When I play, I play for fun as well. I know every house advantage percentage, every 'sucker' bet and every play people that take this too seriously cry about. And despite all of that, I've split 10's, doubled on Blackjack, played a Pai Gow hand differently than optimal, let my bets ride on a hunch in Let it Ride, etc, etc, etc.
Why can't people just play like they want to and have fun without being asked what's the matter with them or being slapped with it being an -EV move? Tipping 25% instead of 15% or 20% on a restaurant bill probably costs more than splitting 10's but you don't see people telling others that's -EV.
ZCore13

SnapBack,
Don't make a hair-brained play like this. What's the matter with you? Never split 10s. It's a big -EV move. If you can't help yourself from doing it quit playing blackjack and just mail the casino a check. Don't make me hurt you!

Wait a minute now, GJ. I assume this statement is meant for this particular non-counter poster. For a card counter, splitting tens is +EV. Pretty big +EV, when done correctly. It is one of the top strategy change plays behind taking insurance at the proper index. Problem is as 1BB alluded too, it draws big attention. And if it doesn't draw initial attention, it might draw what I call secondary attention from the other players at the table making comments and/or a fuss.
There is a common comeback on several BJ sites of 'there are other players at the table?', meaning you should ignore other players and their comments and play should not influence anything you do. BUT, when their comments lead to extra attention in the form of a pit critter walking over to see what is going on, then yes there are definitely other players at the table and their actions/comments can be negative consequence in the form of additional attention.
Splitting 10's is one of a handful of plays that casinos use to identify counters. Just like taking insurance and even hitting 16 vs 10, it is the fact that these plays are made sometimes and not at others that are the big 'tells'.

Blackjack Never Split Tens

For a player such as myself, who's whole game is about drawing minimal attention and flying under the radar as much as possible, I have all but given up the +EV play of splitting 10's. It just isn't +EV when weighted against ALL the consequences (extra attention). I say 'all but given up' because like most things in life, there are exceptions. I will still do so, if I think I can get away with it, while drawing minimal attention if the count is real high. I mean significantly above the proper index. Even above the risk-adverse index. Of course, I will exit at the shuffle after such a move, which I would be doing anyway after showing my max bet. I am also a little more 'willing' to do so, when I am out of town, away from my regular rotation of stores.

Can somebody provide some insight as to WHY split tens are always announced by the dealer? It is hardly a good way to identify counters, I would assume that most of the split tens on any given day in a casino come from recreational players. If they wanted to identify counters, they should rather announce things like '5-fold bet increase'...

It isn't that splitting 10's alone identifies card counters. You probably have heard the saying that only idiots and card counters split 10's. So what it does is draw attention. And once someone, pit or surveillance begins to take a look at your play, it usually isn't hard for them to distinguish if you are an idiot or a card counter.
That is basically the situation with all these 'tells' that are used to identify counters. The' tell' itself doesn't prove anything, but it may cause someone to take a closer look and upon further examination........

Can somebody provide some insight as to WHY split tens are always announced by the dealer? It is hardly a good way to identify counters, I would assume that most of the split tens on any given day in a casino come from recreational players. If they wanted to identify counters, they should rather announce things like '5-fold bet increase'...

Pretty sure it's so there's evidence when the play fails and the player tries to claim it isn't what they wanted. Same reason they call out for doubling a hard 12, etc.
And they do also call out for large bets in most shops, especially when it's a break from a player's past betting values. 'black/purple/yellow action' 'Checks play', etc.

Wait a minute now, GJ. I assume this statement is meant for this particular non-counter poster. For a card counter, splitting tens is +EV. Pretty big +EV, when done correctly. It is one of the top strategy change plays behind taking insurance at the proper index. Problem is as 1BB alluded too, it draws big attention. And if it doesn't draw initial attention, it might draw what I call secondary attention from the other players at the table making comments and/or a fuss.
There is a common comeback on several BJ sites of 'there are other players at the table?', meaning you should ignore other players and their comments and play should not influence anything you do. BUT, when their comments lead to extra attention in the form of a pit critter walking over to see what is going on, then yes there are definitely other players at the table and their actions/comments can be negative consequence in the form of additional attention.
Splitting 10's is one of a handful of plays that casinos use to identify counters. Just like taking insurance and even hitting 16 vs 10, it is the fact that these plays are made sometimes and not at others that are the big 'tells'.
For a player such as myself, who's whole game is about drawing minimal attention and flying under the radar as much as possible, I have all but given up the +EV play of splitting 10's. It just isn't +EV when weighted against ALL the consequences (extra attention). I say 'all but given up' because like most things in life, there are exceptions. I will still do so, if I think I can get away with it, while drawing minimal attention if the count is real high. I mean significantly above the proper index. Even above the risk-adverse index. Of course, I will exit at the shuffle after such a move, which I would be doing anyway after showing my max bet. I am also a little more 'willing' to do so, when I am out of town, away from my regular rotation of stores.

I know all about what you're saying. You're entire post that has relevance to what I responded to was your first line, 'Wait a minute now, GJ. I assume this statement is meant for this particular non-counter poster.'
This guy is a beginner. And I'm not trying to encourage him not have fun. But mathematically, for him, it is a crazy-bad play.
Don't get me wrong about the rest of our post. You have, as usual, some great observations.Thinking about it without the math, or in other words: trying to explain the math...
You have a situation where, if you stand, it is highly likely that you both keep your initial bet, and also win the bet.
If you split, you are doubling your potential loss, while possibly weakening both hands. A dealer 5 or 6 is not only good because the dealer is more likely to bust, he is less likely to get 20's as well. So you really do give up a lot with the 20, and if you end up with 2 18's, even then you have a good chance of losing.

Whether you play blackjack at a land-based or online casino, there is a moment that irrevocably may define the outcome. The decision is called splitting. It is the situation when you’re dealt with two hole cards and have an option to split the hand into two. Doubling your initial bet and raising the stakes, you can make such a strategic decision once, right after the first cards are dealt. An enticing and exciting opportunity, indeed, is something you need to know when, how, and why to use.

Splitting in blackjack may be compared to the tuxedo.

As one of the most elegant garments of all times, it dates back to 1865 and the Prince of Wales, future King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain Edward VII, as the Business Insider tells the story.

Looking for a bit more formal suit, a Savile Row tailor created the “dinner jacket,” for his highness. Intended as an ensemble to be worn during dinners at the Sandringham House, it was “a more formal than a lounge suit,” yet appropriate enough for informal Royal evenings.

Twenty years later, American millionaire James Brown Potter and his wife Cora visited the future king. Not acquainted with proper dressing code, Potter inquired at the Prince’s tailor what he should wear; he got his own dinner jacket as an answer.

On his return to New York, Potter wore it at the first annual Autumn Ball, social elite gathering at the exclusive country club called Tuxedo Park on October 1886. As upper-class gentlemen and magnates like William Waldorf Astor and JP Morgan donned traditional ensemble of black tailcoats, heavily starched white shirts, and formal bow ties, Potter showed up in the dinner jacket.

The suit instantly took off and was eventually named by the club where it premiered.

Enjoying quite an interesting evolutionary journey thus far, the tuxedo distinguishes itself from other garments by firm rules on when and how to be used.

To wear it right will result in being noticed in a potentially beneficial way; the princess you’re eyeing may realize her prince has just arrived while a businessman you’re pitching will, if nothing else, listen to you seriously — always a potent start.

Then again, to wear the tuxedo at high noon in the street or at the pool party or at night club might make you look quite strange, maybe even provoking — all eccentricities aside — and your social interactions will probably suffer. Though nothing is impossible and you still may get it right, you’d fare much better if you select your wardrobe a bit more properly.

The same is with blackjack splitting: there is when and how to use it.

Rules Dictate Your Strategy

Play it right and you might double your winnings; do it wrong — well, the outcome is obvious. Luckily, blackjack strategy covers splitting extensively, thus at least you have a theoretical baseline when it comes to one the most difficult aspects of the game.

Your initial moves and options are, of course, defined by rules.

When the first hand you’re dealt with consists of same denomination cards — such as two 4s or 9s — you can split them into two separate hands. Your standard bet will be placed on each hand, in effect doubling your wagering amount.

Upon the split, each hand is treated separately. You can play both independently and employ whatever tactics you deem proper at each one.

When it comes to online blackjack, splitting rules might vary depending on games variants.

For instance, if you split 10s and get another 10 on one hand, you can split that too; it’s known as resplitting. Majority of variations and house rules allow it for up to three times (totaling four hands), but some don’t. This one is important; by depriving you of this option, casinos in effect increase their house edge by 0.4 percent.

Same is with splitting cards with the same value. Some games will let you split a 10 and a Queen, others won’t, allowing only for identical cards to be split.

You may also stumble upon an online blackjack variant which does not allow doubling down after splitting. In the example, you split a pair of 6s and receive 5 at one hand; some games will let you double down on 11 after the split, others will not.

Therefore…

Don’t miss the opportunity to read or inquire on blackjack rules carefully.

They will define what you can or can’t do when it comes to splitting, and influence your strategic decisions.

In addition, when you play blackjack at a land-based casino — there is a way to signal split to the dealer. You simply place the next bet close to your original wager and form the letter V with your index and middle fingers. It won’t hurt to also say ‘split’ if you consider it necessary or the casino employs such alternate rules.

Whatever you choose, don’t touch your initial bet or cards at the table.

Your Strategy is Governed by Principles

Now, splitting pairs wisely can be a huge boost for your game. It is one of the most common moves in the game and to know when and how to do it is super-important for the outcome of your game.

(Side note. Blackjack schools of thought on splitting vary, depending on rules, calculations, and experience of players. Therefore, you should indeed take all of them as nothing more than opinions, and form your own dos and don’ts based on a good mix of knowledge and personal experience. In gaining both, do not take anything for granted.)

CONSIDER TO SPLIT when you’re dealt with aces and eights no matter what the dealer has.

Why? If you play two aces in one hand, you’ll start with 12, and any 10 or face card will prompt you to play the second ace as a value of one, reverting you to 12. By splitting, you increase your chances for better hand afterward.

Same is with 8s: by playing them as one hand, you start at week 16 where hitting is kind of a risky. By splitting them, you won’t be bust in the next hand (it’s impossible) and you might get a better hand.

The advice to split 8s and As also works for resplitting.

If you get a second pair, treat them as the original hand and consider splitting. One very important reminder: by resplitting, you triple your original wager.

The rest of the split options depends on the dealer’s hand.

If the dealer has any card value between 2 to 6 in up hand and you get 22, 33, 66, 77, or 99 — you might split. With dealer’s card values between 7 to ace, you should consider not to split.

(Side note. You’ll notice that some players advise not to split 9s by default. Pros: it’s already strong hand, 18. Cons: you might get two strong hands in the next hit. Debatable. Thus, we put double 9s in the category depending on dealers up hand.)

Consider NOT TO SPLIT when dealt with two 4s, 5s, and 10s.

Splitting 4s will give you two weak hands. Next card might either give you another less-valuable hand (if you get 2, 3, or 4) or one that might result in a bust on the next hit. If you don’t split, the highest you can get is 19, which is a very good hand.

Splitting 5s is perhaps even worse. If you get 2, 3, or 4, even 6, you’ll have a weak hand quite possible to be busted out in the next hit. But if you don’t, you have 10, which you can’t bust right away while keeping a chance for 21 alive.

Splitting 10s is a rookie mistake. You have a second-best hand in the game which is not worth jeopardizing for any uncertainty, including the theoretical possibility of two blackjacks in the next hit (which is a question of blind luck). By splitting tens you significantly lower your chances and gamble almost certain win away.

Final Notes: Earn & Own Your Principles

Naturally, wherever there are rules, there is a maybe — a very fine line separating win and loss in any walk of life. Sooner or later you’ll find it in blackjack too. As with any game of luck and skills…

Such maybe line should be evaluated in an educated, prudent, responsible, disciplined, and objective manner.

What will you do — short of remembering to split only when the dealer faces the unfavorable situation — is indeed up to you. To make a right call is not easy, of course, but is something we should always strive for, particularly when facing the game with the best house edge in the industry (the credit shared with craps).

At the end of the day…

Listen to yourself, use your knowledge, intuition, tact, style of play, find reputable sources and personal authorities you’ll use as trusted advisors, and make your pick wisely.

In a way, do it as you would choose the tuxedo, readying yourself for that princess.

Blackjack Split Chart

Blackjack Splitting Cards

Ha ha ha... Glad to see that bj21 is now soliciting humor articles! This one was especially funny, especially the line: 'split only when the dealer faces the unfavorable situation', which is in direct contradiction to the prior advice to split 8's regardless of the dealer's upcard. In addition, the numerous (I hope intentional) typos as well as the syntax and grammatical errors also made me chuckle.

Keep up the hilarious work!

Dog Hand

P.S. If by chance this article was meant to be taken seriously, then I hope it is quickly removed before its poor advice is taken to heart by gullible readers.

I agree with Dog Hand. Any of the usual books on Blackjack and the Wizard of Odds will provide charts with the correct splitting strategy.

The tuxedo story was amusing filler.

Ace Hunter

Hi Dog Hand and Ace Hunter,

Thank you for your comments.

Every advice covered in my article is based on Michael Shackleford’s splitting strategy. In effect, I only followed the Wizard of Odds’ rules on splitting. In retrospection, I should have referred it in the article — would probably clarify my source.

Hit Or Split Blackjack

Regarding my notion at the end “to split only when the dealer faces the unfavorable situation” – the idea was to yet again underline all cases except for aces and 8s. In the hindsight, you’re right, it might have been written more clearly.

Blackjack Split Tens

I hope this feedback explain what I meant to say.

Thank you again.
May the blackjack force be with you!

--Dejan

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