Blackjack Splitting Guide: How to Play Every Pair at the Table

Always split aces and 8s. Never split 10s or 5s. Every other pair comes down to the card the dealer is showing, and this blackjack splitting guide walks through all of them.

Here is why it matters. You’re at a blackjack table at Riverwind Casino, and two 8s land in front of you. The dealer turns up a 10. Your 16 looks like trouble no matter what you do next. You’ve lost this exact hand before, and you still aren’t sure which choice cost you.

You glance at the player beside you, and they just shrug. The dealer waits. The chips in front of you suddenly feel heavier, and every second makes guessing more tempting.

What Does Split Mean in Blackjack?

Splitting allows you to divide a matching pair into two individual hands. You can choose this option whenever your opening deal includes two cards with the same value, such as two 8s or two Kings.

Each hand is treated as its own separate bet and plays out independently against the dealer. That means one hand can win while the other loses or ties.

The goal of splitting is to fix a bad starting card total. For example, two 8s together give you a weak total of 16, but playing each 8 by itself gives you two much better starting hands.

You can only split on your very first turn. Dealers cannot split their own cards because this option is just for players. If the basics are still new, start with how to play blackjack at a casino and come back to this.

Blackjack Split Chart

This chart assumes the setup you will find at most tables: a multi-deck shoe, the dealer standing on soft 17, and doubling allowed after a split. Find your pair, check the dealer’s upcard, and the last column covers every hand where the answer is no.

Your Pair	Split Against These Upcards	Otherwise
A-A	Every upcard, 2 through Ace	No exceptions
10-10	Never split	Stand on your 20
9-9	2 through 6, plus 8 and 9	Stand on your 18 against 7, 10 or Ace
8-8	Every upcard, 2 through Ace	No exceptions
7-7	2 through 7	Hit your 14 against 8 or higher
6-6	2 through 6	Hit your 12 against 7 or higher
5-5	Never split	Double your 10 against 2 through 9, hit against 10 or ace
4-4	5 or 6	Hit your 8 against everything else
3-3	2 through 7	Hit your 6 against 8 or higher
2-2	2 through 7	Hit your 4 against 8 or higher

One rule changes four of these rows. If your table does not allow doubling after a split, split 2s and 3s only against 4 through 7, split 6s only against 3 through 6, and leave the 4s alone entirely. The aces, 8s, 9s, 7s, 10s and 5s stay exactly as they are.

Blackjack Split Rules at Most Tables

These vary by casino. At Riverwind, read the table sign or ask your dealer before you sit. Most tables follow these basics:

• Any two cards of the same value qualify for a split, even a king with a jack.
• Your second bet must match your original bet.
• When you split aces in blackjack, each ace gets one card, and you can’t hit again.
• Drawing a 10 to a split ace gives you 21, which pays 1:1 instead of a blackjack payout.
• Most shoe games let you re-split up to four hands.
• Many tables let you double down after a split, written as DAS on the table sign. It matters more than the acronym suggests, because putting more money on a strong hand after the pair breaks up is what makes four rows of the chart above worth splitting at all.
• Most casinos don’t let you re-split aces, though some do, so ask before you play.

How to Split in Blackjack

Once you know when to split in blackjack, the move itself takes a few seconds at the table.

1. Place a Second Bet: Put a stack of chips matching your original bet directly beside your first stack. Do not put them on top.
2. Signal the Split: Hold up two fingers in a “V” shape on the table so the dealer sees your signal.
3. Receive New Cards: The dealer separates your original two cards into two separate hands and deals one new card to each hand right away.
4. Play Hand #1: You begin with the far-right hand, choosing whether to hit, stand, or double down until that hand ends.
5. Play Hand #2: Once the first hand is finished, you move on to play the hand on your left the same way.

If you’re unsure of the signal, just say “split,” and the dealer will guide you.

Blackjack Splitting Guide: Common Mistakes That Cost You Money

These habits turn promising sessions into short, frustrating ones.

• Splitting 10s because you feel lucky gives away a hand that only loses to a dealer 21.
• Splitting 5s throws away 10, one of the best totals for doubling down.
• Skipping the split on 8s against a 10 feels safer, but 16 loses more.
• Ignoring the dealer’s upcard leads to bad splits, like 6s against a 9. It is worth knowing how often the dealer busts with each card showing.
• Skipping the rule check before you buy in leaves you playing the wrong strategy for that table.

Trust the math over your gut on every pair, and you’ll stop second-guessing yourself at the table.

Frequently Asked Questions

What pairs should I always split?

Never hesitate to split a pair of Aces or 8s, regardless of the dealer’s face-up card. Two Aces give you a soft 12, while two 8s leave you stuck with a hard 16. Splitting gives each card a fresh start.

Can I hit after splitting in blackjack?

Yes, for every pair except aces. Each split hand plays just like a regular hand, so you can hit as many times as you want. Split aces are the exception, since each one gets a single card and nothing more.

Is splitting a good idea in blackjack?

Absolutely, provided you hold the right pairs. Basic strategy places Aces and 8s at the very top of what to split in blackjack. Splitting them breaks up a soft 12 and a hard 16, two of the weakest starting totals. Pairs like 2s, 3s, 6s and 7s work best against a dealer 5 or 6.

Can I split a 10 and a jack?

At most casinos, yes. Any two ten-value cards count as a pair. A few tables allow splits only on matching ranks, such as two jacks. Either way, you shouldn’t split them. Keep the 20.

Should you split 10s in Blackjack?

No. A pair of 10s is already a 20, and 20 wins far more often than two fresh hands starting from a single 10.

Do you split 8s against a 10?

Yes. Hard 16 is the worst total in blackjack, and splitting loses about 48 cents per dollar against a dealer 10, where standing loses 54.

Do I split 6s against a 10?

No. Keep the 6s together and hit your 12, because two hands starting from a 6 against a dealer 10 are both too weak to be worth the second bet.

Should you split 7s against a 7?

Yes. Your 14 is weak, a dealer 7 often finishes on 17 and each split 7 has a decent chance to reach 17 or better. Against an 8 or higher, hit the 14 instead.

Should you split 9s in Blackjack?

Yes, against 2 through 6, 8 or 9. Stand on your 18 against a 7, 10 or ace, where the dealer most often lands on 17 or better.

Make Your Next Blackjack Split Count

Choosing whether to split always depends on two simple things: the pair you’re holding and the card the dealer shows. Once that clicks, this blackjack splitting guide turns a nerve-racking moment into an easy call.

Your next pair is waiting at the blackjack tables at Riverwind Casino. Grab a seat, trust your read, and turn that next pair into two winning hands.