Lesson 8 of 10 · 4 min
Lesson 8: when to split pairs
Key takeaway: Always split aces and eights; never tens or fives. The rest mostly against 2–6.
Always: aces and eights
Two aces are 2 or 12; split, each can make 21. Two eights are 16, the worst hand; split, each starts on 8. At no-hole-card tables there are exceptions: don’t split aces against an ace, or eights against a 10 or ace.
Never: tens and fives
A 20 almost always wins: don’t break it up. Two fives make 10, perfect for doubling.
The rest: against weak cards
| Pair | Split against |
|---|---|
| 2-2, 3-3 | 2 to 7 |
| 4-4 | 5 and 6 (if you can double after splitting) |
| 6-6 | 2 to 6 |
| 7-7 | 2 to 7 |
| 9-9 | 2 to 6, 8 and 9 (not 7, 10 or ace) |
Stand on 9-9 against a 7: a dealer showing 7 often ends on 17, and your 18 beats it. More detail and numbers in when to split.