When to Double Down or Split Pairs

Two of the more uncommon plays you’ll need to use in blackjack is doubling down and splitting pairs. Both are important plays that need to be utilized throughout your play in order to maximize your profits in this game. New players tend to stick with hitting or standing, but you need to widen your range of moves and learn when you should double down and when you should split pairs.

Doubling Down

When you double down it means that you’d like to take one card and double your bet. So you typically want to have a hand that will be able to easily reach 21 without busting. The best hand to double down on is when your two cards total 11, but you should also double down on your hands that total 10. Both hands are likely to win with one more card to come as you’ll usually get a 20 or 21. When the dealer shows a 2-7 you could also double down on your hands that total 7, 8 and 9. It’s a lot more risky, but if you think the dealer is going to bust then you’ll want to double down so you win twice as much as you would have. Doubling down can either make or break your bankroll, and it solely will depend on when you choose to double down. Of course there will be times when you get beat when you shouldn’t, but if you’re consistent on doubling down with only the best hands then you’ll leave the table with a profit.

Splitting Pairs

If you want to play safe and conservative then you’ll want to follow the advice given in this paragraph for splitting pairs. Splitting pairs isn’t always a good play, unless the dealer is showing a 2-6 in there hand. If there showing one of those cards then you could potentially split all your pairs in hopes of the dealer busting there hand. If the dealer isn’t showing a low card though then I recommend not splitting anything except for aces. I never split up tens either because chances are one hand will lose and one will win which would break even whereas if you keep your 20 you should at least profit one unit. You could split your 8’s and 9’s as well as long as the dealer isn’t showing a ten because if they are chances are they’ll hit a 20 and you’d lose generally. Splitting pairs is usually only a good move when the dealer is showing a low card so keep this in mind before splitting your next pair up at the blackjack table. Also keep in mind that you should always split aces and never or at least rarely split tens.

These two plays will be used less often than other plays, but nonetheless you need to use them in your arsenal. They both require using additional chips though so don’t make a living of doing these moves especially if you’re down and just trying to make quick money. Stick to the system and you’ll do fine throughout your blackjack adventure.