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The Best Way to Split Cards in Blackjack

Splitting cards is a great feature that makes online blackjack in Malaysia more enjoyable and profitable. However, in excitement, getting carried away and splitting every paired card you receive can be easy.

If you want to take advantage of the split mechanics, you need to learn blackjack strategies for splitting cards and the reasoning behind them. But first, you should have a clear definition of what splits are.

What is a Split in Blackjack?

In blackjack, a split is when you have two cards of the same value in your hand and decide to separate them into two hands. This means you can play each card separately. For example, if you have two eights, you can split them and play them as an individual hand.

When you split, you must place an additional bet equal to your original bet. Then, the dealer will give you another card for each hand you have.

The idea behind splitting is to increase your chances of winning. You can potentially turn a weaker hand into two stronger hands. It can be useful when the dealer’s up-card (the card you can see) is not so strong.

When Should You Split Cards?

Splitting cards is governed by these few rules:

Always Split

  • ·         Aces

Splitting aces is the best decision when given a pair of aces. As it can be counted as 1 or 11 (depending on what favours your hand the most), an ace makes for a great base hand.

It is important to note that a 10 dealt to a split ace is 21, not blackjack. Since most cards have a value of 10, the chances of hitting 21 are significantly higher when starting with an ace.

When you proceed with a pair of aces instead, the total count of the hand is considered 12. This means you will need a 9 to hit blackjack, which has lower odds than if splitting aces.

  • ·         Eights

In blackjack, a card value of 16 is a weak hand. Any card valued above a 5 can result in a bust, which is very likely. Although having a base hand of 8 is not considered strong, it gives you more opportunities than having a pair of eights.

Never Split

  •  Fours

Starting with a pair of fours, you can never bust on your next hit. This means you can comfortably take another card without worrying that you will be going over. The highest you can go with this hand is 19, which has better chances than if you split them.

  •  Fives

A starting hand value of 10 is a great hand. You can easily get blackjack by getting an ace. Another 10-valued card would not hurt either, as 20 is a great hand. In this case, doubling down on a pair of fives is much better than splitting them, as it can result in two weak hands.

  • Tens

Splitting a pair of tens might be tempting, but standing is more reliable than doing so. This is because you already have a 20, which means you will likely win the hand. Splitting them risks losing both hands. Even if you win one of them, it would not have been worth jeopardizing a high winning odd.

Split According to Dealer's Up-Card

  • Twos, Threes, and Sevens When Dealer Shows 2-7

Since these cards are likely to bust in one or two hits, they are better played split. Unless the dealer shows a card aside from 2-7, an ace can produce a low value, which you should capitalize on. An 8 and above has a higher chance of busting than you do.

  • Sixes When Dealer Shows 2-6

Statistically, you are more likely to win against an up-card in this range if you split your sixes than if you try to play them as a single hand. Split sixes can get a 10, which puts you in a better position than the dealer who could bust.

  • Nines When Dealer Shows 2-6

When you have 18, hitting is likely to result in a bust. Although high, the hand value is beatable. Splitting nines can go either way, but if you want to split them, do it when the dealer shows an up-card of 2-6.

Conclusion

Splitting cards is an exciting aspect of blackjack. To make the most out of it, consider the tips and tricks on how best to split cards when playing blackjack in an online live casino in Malaysia. Although these do not guarantee wins, they offer great guidance on playing pairs in blackjack.

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