Blackjack strategy gives players plenty of intense decisions. The option to split can transform any hand in online blackjack, suddenly turning a weak hand into two strong hands. It’s easy to imagine how dangerous this would be if a dealer could pull a split out of nowhere. But are dealers allowed to split?
This guide will explain exactly what splitting is, how to play blackjack with splits, and how splits apply to the dealer. This is especially helpful to know if you are a blackjack beginner.
Blackjack Splitting Rules
Splitting is one of several actions players can take on their turn in blackjack. But unlike hitting, standing, or doubling down, splits are only allowed in certain circumstances. A starting hand must consist of two paired cards to split. In many casinos, the cards must show the same rank, not just the same value, so a Q-Q hand is splittable but a 10-Q is not.
When a player splits, their paired cards each turn into a new hand. The dealer will pass out another card for each hand, and the player will need to place a second bet. After that, play continues as normal, but the player now makes decisions for each hand in turn.
Learning how to split in blackjack is simple. At in-person casinos, add a new bet and hold up two fingers to form a “V” and indicate that you are splitting the cards. At online casinos, simply hit the “Split” button on-screen.
Casinos or online casino games usually include house rules concerning splits. For example, resplits are often restricted, in which one of the new hands is also paired. Another common rule is that, after splitting a pair of Aces, doubling down is not allowed.
Splits are a great way of turning certain mediocre hands into two stronger hands and increasing the potential blackjack payout. But there are generally only certain situations where splitting is worth the extra bet.
When to Split in Blackjack
There are two overarching rules for when not to split: don’t break up a strong hand, and don’t create two weak hands. To illustrate, imagine a pair of 5s, totalling 10. This would be a poor time to split because 10 is a perfect hand for doubling down, and splitting would result in two new hands ranging somewhere from 6 to 16, hand values which likely won’t win anything.
Instead, here are the standard blackjack tips for when to split based on the dealer’s face-up card:
- Always split Aces and 8s
- Split 2s, 3s, and 7s when the dealer shows 2–7
- Split 6s when the dealer shows 2–6
- Split 9s when the dealer shows 2–6, 8, or 9
Generally, avoid splitting if the dealer’s face-up card is high.
It’s advised that players never split 10s, face cards, or 5s. That’s because these hands are already powerful in their own right. Two 10s or face cards already give players a total of 20, one of the best hands in the game.
Blackjack Dealer Rules for Splitting
So, splitting can be a useful tool in the arsenal of blackjack strategies. But should players be worried that the dealer will use splits against them?
In a word, no. Dealers are not allowed to split.
Unlike players who decide which actions to take on their turn, in whatever order they like, how a dealer plays their hand is governed by strict rules. It’s more similar to a math formula: low totals mean hit, high totals mean stay. The dealer cannot choose to split or double down as a player might.
This makes splitting a powerful advantage for players over the house, which is partly why blackjack has such a high RTP. But in turn, in-person and online blackjack rules often place reasonable restrictions on splitting, so players can’t break the bank too easily.
How Dealers Play Their Hand
Not being able to split or double down makes dealers very predictable. Before betting, players will always know exactly how a dealer will play any hand total. Most casinos use the following rules:
- Hit if the dealer’s hand totals 16 or lower
- Stand if the dealer’s hand total is 17 or higher
As well, some casinos mandate a dealer hits on a soft 17 (total of 17 including at least one Ace valued at 11), while others have the dealer stand on a soft 17.
This makes 17 the sweet spot for the player’s hand. Hitting a total of 17 or higher is crucial to compete against the dealer, unless the dealer is unlucky enough to go over 21 and bust.
Use this knowledge to anticipate when and when not to split. When the dealer’s face-up card is high, they will likely stand and therefore won’t go bust. A strong hand will be needed to beat them, and splitting is a bigger risk. But a low face-up card means the dealer may have to hit and could bust, so smaller, safer hands can still win.
