What is Splitting pairs?
Splitting pairs in blackjack means separating a starting hand of two equal-value cards into two hands, each with its own bet equal to the original stake.
If a player is dealt two 8s, a total of 16, they can place a second bet of the same size and play each 8 as a separate hand. Basic strategy says to always split aces and 8s and never split 10s or 5s, with other pairs depending on the dealer's upcard.
Rules on splitting vary between tables: how many times a player may resplit, whether split aces receive only one card each, and whether doubling after a split is allowed. A blackjack made after splitting aces usually counts as 21 rather than a natural blackjack paying 3 to 2.
In roulette, a split is a different thing: a bet on two adjacent numbers. Splitting increases the total amount at risk, so it is used only when the expected value of two hands is better than one.
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