Doubling and Splitting Hands in Blackjack

Although there isn’t a lot to memorize with the basic strategy chart, two specific strategies if implemented properly, can turn a good hand into a great hand. Knowing when to double down or split your hand is just as important as any decision you make on the blackjack table. Recognizing the hands in which either of these options are available will prove paramount. It’s also significant to note that these options are part of the basic strategy and they should be used while keeping that in mind.

For any blackjack player, the opportunity to double down is highly sought after. The opportunity doesn’t happen often, but when it does, you can begin to shift the odds in your favor. After you receive your first two cards, you have the option of doubling your bet. If you choose to double your bet, you will then receive one additional card on your hand. The main point that you should always remember before deciding to double down is that you should only double your bet when you have the best chance of winning, as dictated by basic strategy.

Usually, if your first two cards total 9, 10 or 11, you have the opportunity to double down, but it also depends on the value of the dealer’s upcard. Doubling on 11 is a common practice unless the dealer is showing an Ace, and you can double on 10 too if the dealer’s upcard is not a 10 or an Ace. If the dealer’s upcard is 3-6, you should double down on a 9. The rules for doubling down vary from casino to casino, so make sure you know the rules before you sit down to play.

If you’re lucky enough to get a pair, this is where you can exercise your option to split your hand. Splitting your hand is just as it sounds; you can take any pair (cards with equal ranking) and split them into two individual hands. If you choose to do this, you must add an equal bet to the second hand to let the dealer know that you plan to split your hand. Once you’ve placed a bet for each of the two hands, you will play each hand separately until you win or bust. Always split pairs of Aces and 8’s, because either of these hands gives you a big advantage, which you must exploit. However, if you get a pair of 10s, you never split them. You should just wait for the dealer to bust and collect your winnings.

By paying close attention to basic strategy, you will know exactly when it’s advantageous for you to double down or split. You can easily turn one hand totaling 16, into 2 hands of 18 and sit back while the house advantage diminishes. Even when you aren’t sure, like in the instance of a pair of 5s, always follow the strategy and double down, rather than split them. After all, a pair of 5s gives you 10, and any 10, J, K, Q, or A, will give you an almost sure winner. That’s much better than hoping you can win with a 15, or praying for the dealer to bust.

The basic strategy allows you to play a steady game with the house, and the probability of you winning is almost 50-50. Many blackjack players just lay low and play an equal game with the dealer for most of the time while waiting for a chance to double down or split. In other words, doubling and split can be considered the opportune moments when you can shift gear to make a winning play. These two options can be the only difference between winning and losing in blackjack.