When to Split Pairs in Six Deck Blackjack

One of the options that people have when playing their hands in blackjack is to split their cards. But, of course there are times when one may split cards and there are times when splitting your cards just isn't right if you consider proper basic strategy. In order to know when is it right to split your hand, we'll discuss the different hands in blackjack and if it's ok to split pairs given each hand.

Splitting in blackjack can only be done when you have a hand that has a pair (i.e. two cards of similar face value like a nine of spades and a nine of hearts). Since we don't just split any hand in the game when we check it against basic strategy. In fact, we don't just split any pair just because it's a pair, we also have to consider how many decks are used in a particular blackjack game and what rules are allowed by the casino or blackjack table.

One very common blackjack game we'll find in many casinos is a six-deck blackjack game. We'll check out basic strategy that applies to a six-deck game and when are we supposed to split pairs in this game. In this game the dealer will stand on all 17's, doubles are allowed on the first two cards, doubles are allowed after splitting, and the surrender option is not allowed.

Here's your basic strategy for a six-deck blackjack game.

Always split your hand if it's a pair of Aces. Never split a pair of Tens in this type of blackjack game. If ever you have a pair of Nines then you always split these two cards except if your dealer has an up card of Seven, any Ten value card, or an Ace. You always split a pair of Eight's. You can split a pair of Sevens if your dealer shows card from Seven to Two, don't split if the blackjack dealer has other cards. Split a pair of Sixes if your dealer has a card from Six to Two, don't split this hand if the blackjack dealer shows other cards. Never split a pair of Fives in this type of game. You can only split a pair of Fours if your dealer has a Five or Six card. Split a pair of Threes only if your dealer shows a card from Seven to Two, don't split if your dealer shows other cards. In a six-deck blackjack game, you play a pair of Twos the same way you play a pair of Threes.

This is your blackjack strategy for a six-deck game. To figure out the strategy for other games you may consult an online strategy engine.