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In blackjack, getting dealt two cards of the same value can be both good and bad. You can split the cards and play them both as separate hands if you wish but it is not always a great idea to do so. Knowing when to split and when not to split your first two cards if dealt a pair is a key part of any strategic approach to playing blackjack. As well as the pair you have been dealt, take note of the dealer’s card as the value of that is a further consideration in your decision making. Although that said there are some cards it is suggested you always split, some never to split and some to split depending on the dealer’s card. However ultimately it is your decision whether to split or not. All I can do in this article is offer some pointers for you to take in to account. If you are dealt two aces then always split them. If you get dealt a ten or a face card (jack, queen or king) as the next card on either of them you are sitting pretty. However contrast that to if you do not split the aces and get a lowish value card next up – say a five. Now you’re in a bit of trouble and have a tricky decision to make as another card may well bust you. Split the aces and have two chances of making at least one of them in to a blackjack. Perhaps even both. It is suggested that you never split a pair of pair of cards with a value of ten – so no splitting a pair of tens, a pair of jacks, queens or kings. Why do say that? Simply because you are already sitting on a hand with a total value of twenty and that’s going to be very hard for the dealer to beat. You ca only improve it by one and for that to happen your next card would have to be an ace. The odds are very much against you. Stick on your twenty and make the dealer try to beat you. Pairs of a lower value than ten are a bit more difficult when deciding whether to split or not. This is when taking in to account what the dealer has is important. For example if you have a pair of nines or eights you already have quite respectable hand. Although if the dealer has a face card and draws another one then you will be beaten. Under such circumstances then splitting might be a good idea to give you an additional chance to hit a ten on one of your next cards and improve that pair of nines. However if the dealer has say a six or a seven then you might consider not splitting your nines. This is because the dealer has to stick on 17 so if he draws a ten next to make seventeen you have him beaten. Even lower value pairs – fives and lower – are probably not worth splitting. Certainly not splitting a pair of fives is suggested as you have a total of ten so another high value card next up for you and you are in with a chance particularly if that next card is say a nine or a value of ten. Pairs of fours, threes or twos perhaps best not split also as for example you split your pair of threes it’s tough to improve both of them significantly and you are doubling your stake to play the split remember. Taking a view on whether to split your cards or not if dealt a pair is something you must do as a blackjack player whether you are playing for fun or profit. The general opinion being the higher value the pair, the less likely splitting should be done, never split a pair of cards with face values of ten, always split aces. Ultimately it is your decision of course although perhaps this article has given you some food for thought. I hope you found this article helpful. You can read more about blackjack strategy in a free ebook available from http://www.perfectblackjack.co.uk. Or if you like to play blackjack with a unique twist you might enjoy a further free ebook from http://www.exchangeblackjack.info. No charge for either ebook.
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