Always split aces and 8s, and never split 5s or 10s. The other pairs depend on the dealer’s up card: split 2s and 3s against a 4 to 7, 6s against a 3 to 6, 7s against a 2 to 7, 9s against a 2 to 6, 8 or 9, and 4s only against a 5 or 6 when the table lets you double after splitting. If doubling after a split is allowed, also split 2s and 3s against a 2 or 3, and 6s against a 2.
Those are the pair-splitting rules of basic strategy for the four to eight-deck shoe games used at most live dealer tables, as published by the Wizard of Odds. This guide gives the full chart, explains the logic behind each pair, shows how rules such as double after split and resplitting change the maths, and lists the splitting mistakes that cost the most. For the full game, see our live blackjack guide.
Updated October 2026. Chart and rule values checked against the Wizard of Odds basic strategy and rule-variation pages.
What splitting means
When your first two cards have the same value, you can split them into two separate hands. You place a second bet equal to your first, the dealer gives each card a new second card, and you play each hand in turn with the normal hit, stand and double options.
Any two ten-value cards count as a pair at most tables, so a king and a jack can usually be split. Some tables only allow identical ranks; check the rules.
Splitting does not cost you anything extra in house-edge terms. It is a right the player has and the dealer does not, and it is worth a lot: the Wizard of Odds rule-variation table puts the cost of a table that bans splitting entirely at 0.57% of every bet. Used correctly, splitting is one of the moves that gets blackjack’s house edge down to around half a percent.
The pair-splitting chart (4 to 8 decks)
Y means split, N means do not split (play the total instead), and Y/N means split only if the table allows doubling after splitting (DAS).
| Pair | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | A |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A,A | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| 10,10 | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N |
| 9,9 | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | Y | Y | N | N |
| 8,8 | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| 7,7 | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | N | N | N |
| 6,6 | Y/N | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | N | N | N | N |
| 5,5 | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N |
| 4,4 | N | N | N | Y/N | Y/N | N | N | N | N | N |
| 3,3 | Y/N | Y/N | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | N | N | N |
| 2,2 | Y/N | Y/N | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | N | N | N |
Source: Wizard of Odds basic strategy for four to eight decks, dealer stands on soft 17. The same split decisions apply when the dealer hits soft 17, with one exception: where late surrender is offered in an H17 game, surrender 8,8 against an ace instead of splitting. See when to surrender.
Pair by pair: why the chart says what it says
Aces: always split
Two aces played together make a soft 12, a mediocre hand. Split, and each ace starts a new hand where any ten-value card makes 21. Most tables give only one card to each split ace and do not let you hit again, and a split ace plus a ten counts as 21, not a blackjack paying 3:2. It is still the best play by a wide margin.
8s: always split
A pair of 8s is a hard 16, the worst total in blackjack. Splitting turns it into two hands that each start on 8, which can reach 18 with a ten. Against a 9, 10 or ace, both split hands are still expected to lose money, but they lose less in total than the single 16 would. That is a defensive split: you are cutting losses, not chasing a win.
10s: never split
Twenty already wins most of the time. Breaking it into two hands that start on 10 gives up a strong position for two weaker ones. Splitting 10s against a dealer 5 or 6 is a well-known card-counting play when the remaining shoe is rich in tens, but for a basic-strategy player it is a mistake.
5s: never split
Two 5s make 10, one of the best doubling hands in the game. Split them and each hand starts on 5, which tends to finish on a stiff 12 to 16. Double against 2 to 9 and hit against a 10 or ace instead.
9s: split, except against 7, 10 or ace
Eighteen is a good hand, but splitting 9s against a weak up card turns one decent hand into two promising ones. Facing a 7, stand: the dealer’s most likely total is 17, which your 18 already beats. When the dealer shows a 10 or ace, 18 is an underdog, and splitting only doubles the money at risk.
7s: split against 2 to 7
Fourteen is a stiff total. Against a weak or middling dealer card, two hands starting on 7 do better. From 8 upward, play the 14 as a hard total: hit.
6s, 3s and 2s: split against weak up cards
These pairs make poor totals (12, 6 and 4). Splitting them against a dealer 4 to 6 (and 7 for 2s and 3s) puts more money out when the dealer is most likely to bust. The double-after-split rule is what makes the extra spots against a 2 or 3 worth it, because a split 2 or 3 often draws to a total you want to double.
4s: split only against 5 or 6 with DAS
Eight is a fine hitting total. The only time splitting 4s pays is against the two weakest dealer cards, and only when you can double a split hand that draws a 6 or 7.
How table rules change the value of splitting
The split rules printed on the table or in the help screen matter. These Wizard of Odds figures show each rule’s effect on the player’s return, against an eight-deck baseline where you can double after split and split up to four hands:
| Rule | Effect for the player |
|---|---|
| Player may not split at all | -0.57% |
| Player may not split aces | -0.18% |
| Player may not double after splitting | -0.14% |
| Player may not resplit | -0.10% |
| Split to only 3 hands | -0.01% |
| Player may resplit aces | +0.08% |
| Player may draw to split aces | +0.19% |
Source: Wizard of Odds blackjack rule variations. Double after split is the rule to look for. It is worth 0.14% on its own, and it is the reason the chart above has Y/N cells: without DAS, drop the splits against 2 and 3 for 2s, 3s and 6s, and never split 4s.
Two small numbers help put this in perspective. A table that pays 6:5 on blackjack instead of 3:2 costs about 1.39%, ten times more than losing DAS. So the payout rule comes first, then dealer soft 17, then the split rules.
A worked example: 8,8 against a dealer 10
Say you bet $20 and get two 8s against a dealer 10. Standing on 16 wins only when the dealer busts. Hitting 16 busts on any 6 or higher, roughly 62% of the time in a large shoe. Splitting puts $40 on the table, but each hand starts on 8 and draws to 18 with any ten-value card.
The split hands still lose money on average against a 10. What matters is that their combined expected loss is smaller than the expected loss on a single 16, so splitting is the cheapest of the bad options. If your table offers late surrender and the dealer hits soft 17, surrender only applies against an ace; against a 10, split.
Splitting at live dealer tables
Live tables handle splits the same way as a land-based game, with one practical difference: you play both hands inside the decision timer. The interface plays each split hand in turn and shows the running total for each one.
Rules vary between providers. Standard Evolution live blackjack uses eight decks with the dealer standing on all 17s; read the help screen for its split limits and whether it deals European style (no hole card). In no-hole-card games, splits and doubles against a dealer 10 or ace can be lost to a dealer blackjack, which changes a few borderline plays. Our guide to hole card vs no hole card blackjack explains the difference.
Shared-hand games such as Infinite Blackjack have their own split limits, so check them before applying this chart.
Common splitting mistakes
- Splitting 10s because the dealer shows a 5 or 6. It feels aggressive; for a basic-strategy player it throws away a 20.
- Not splitting 8s against a 10 or ace. Standing or hitting a 16 loses more over time.
- Splitting 5s. Double them instead.
- Splitting 9s against a 7. Your 18 already beats the dealer’s most likely 17.
- Ignoring the DAS rule. The chart’s borderline splits only work when you can double the split hands.
Where splitting fits with the other decisions
Basic strategy checks decisions in a fixed order: surrender first if available, then split, then double, then hit or stand. Once you have split, each new hand follows the normal hit or stand chart and the doubling rules.
No staking system changes the chart. Raising your bet after losses, as in a Martingale, only increases the money at risk on each split; our progressive betting guide shows the maths.
In the US, eight states have legalised online casinos and seven markets are live (New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Michigan, West Virginia, Connecticut, Delaware and Rhode Island). Maine’s tribal-only market under LD 1164 became law without the governor’s signature in January 2026 and took effect on 29 July 2026, but it had not launched as of October 2026. Blackjack keeps a house edge even with perfect splits, so set a budget and use the tools in our responsible gambling guide. The National Problem Gambling Helpline, 1-800-MY-RESET (1-800-697-3738), is free and confidential.
Frequently asked questions
When should you split in blackjack?
Always split aces and 8s. Split 9s against 2 to 6, 8 and 9; 7s against 2 to 7; 6s against 3 to 6; 2s and 3s against 4 to 7; and 4s only against 5 or 6 when doubling after splitting is allowed. Never split 5s or 10s.
Should you split 8s against a 10?
Yes. A pair of 8s is a hard 16. The two split hands still lose money on average against a 10, but less than playing the 16 as one hand.
Why should you never split 10s?
A total of 20 wins most of the time. Splitting it gives up a strong hand for two hands that start on 10, which is worse for a basic-strategy player.
Should you split aces?
Always. Most tables give one card to each split ace, and an ace plus a ten after a split counts as 21 rather than a 3:2 blackjack, but splitting is still far better than playing a soft 12.
What does double after split mean?
Double after split (DAS) lets you double down on a hand created by splitting. It is worth about 0.14% to the player per the Wizard of Odds, and it makes a few extra splits correct, such as 2s, 3s and 6s against a 2.
Does splitting lower the house edge?
Yes. The right to split is worth about 0.57% to the player, according to the Wizard of Odds rule-variation table, but only if you split the right pairs.
Sources
- Wizard of Odds: Basic strategy for 4 to 8 decks (pair splitting rules)
- Wizard of Odds: Blackjack rule variations (split, DAS and resplit values)
- Wizard of Odds: When to surrender (8,8 vs ace in H17)
- Evolution: Live Blackjack
- SBC Americas: Maine legalises online casinos (January 2026)
- NCPG homepage (1-800-MY-RESET)
Spotted an error? Email [email protected] with the page address. Verified corrections are made with a dated note.