When to Split Pairs in Blackjack

When you are dealt two cards of the same rank, you can split them into two separate hands. Done right, splitting turns bad hands into good ones and presses your advantage when the dealer is weak. The rules are easy to memorize — and two of them never change.

What splitting is

Splitting takes a pair — two cards of the same value — and separates them into two independent hands, each with its own bet equal to your original. The dealer gives each new hand a second card, and you play them out one at a time. Splitting is the only move that lets you put more money down and escape a bad starting total.

The two rules that never change

Always split Aces. A pair of Aces is a weak 2 or 12 together, but split they become two hands each starting at 11 — the best base in blackjack. (Note: split Aces usually receive just one card each.)
Always split 8s. A pair of 8s is 16, the worst hand in the game. Splitting turns one terrible hand into two reasonable hands starting from 8 — even against a strong dealer card, it loses less.

And the pairs you should never split: 10s (a winning 20), 5s (a strong 10 — double instead), and 4s (a fine 8 — just hit).

The full pair-splitting chart

Pair	Split against dealer	Otherwise
A, A	Always	—
10, 10	Never	Stand (it is a 20)
9, 9	2-6, 8, 9	Stand vs 7, 10, A
8, 8	Always	—
7, 7	2-7	Hit
6, 6	2-6	Hit
5, 5	Never	Double (treat as 10)
4, 4	5-6 (if DAS)	Hit
3, 3	2-7	Hit
2, 2	2-7	Hit

Ranges assume a standard multi-deck game. “DAS” means double-after-split is allowed, which widens a few splits. The exact thresholds appear in the full basic strategy chart.

Practice it free

Splitting decisions come up constantly, so they are worth drilling until they are automatic. Play a few hands on our free blackjack games and watch how splitting Aces and 8s changes your results over a session — no money required.

Frequently asked questions

When should you split in blackjack?

Always split Aces and 8s. Never split 10s, 5s or 4s. Split 2s, 3s, 6s and 7s against a weak dealer upcard (roughly 2 through 7), split 9s against everything except a 7, 10 or Ace, and treat a pair of 5s as a hard 10 to double instead.

Should you ever split 10s?

No. A pair of 10s is a 20 — one of the strongest hands in the game and almost certain to win. Splitting it breaks a near-guaranteed winner into two weaker hands. Basic strategy never splits 10-value cards.

Why do you always split Aces and 8s?

Two Aces total either 2 or 12 — both poor — but split into two hands each starting with 11, the strongest base. A pair of 8s is 16, the worst hand in blackjack; splitting gives you two hands starting from 8, each far better than a 16. Both are split regardless of the dealer's card.

What is "double after split"?

Double after split (DAS) is a rule that lets you double down on a hand created by splitting. When DAS is allowed, splitting becomes more valuable, so basic strategy splits a few more pairs (such as 2s, 3s and 6s) against a wider range of dealer cards.