Blackjack Strategy for Pairs - When To Split

This is one of our favorite pages to explain here on LegalOnlineBlackjack.com because lots of people want to know how to play pairs in blackjack. When your first two cards have the same value, you have an option that is not available for any other hand: the split. Splitting turns one hand into two independent hands, each with its own bet. Done correctly, splitting at the right times is one of the most powerful tools in a blackjack player's arsenal. Done incorrectly — particularly splitting hands that should never be split — it is one of the most expensive mistakes you can make.

This page covers the correct strategy for every pair combination in blackjack, from Ace-Ace to 2-2. For the full strategy reference, see our Basic Strategy Chart. For the academic foundation behind these decisions, Wikipedia's blackjack strategy section provides useful background.

The Full Pairs Strategy Table

Pair	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	A
A-A	P	P	P	P	P	P	P	P	P	P
10-10	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S
9-9	P	P	P	P	P	S	P	P	S	S
8-8	P	P	P	P	P	P	P	P	Rp	Rp
7-7	P	P	P	P	P	P	H	H	H	H
6-6	Ph	P	P	P	P	H	H	H	H	H
5-5	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	H	H
4-4	H	H	H	Ph	Ph	H	H	H	H	H
3-3	Ph	Ph	P	P	P	P	H	H	H	H
2-2	Ph	Ph	P	P	P	P	H	H	H	H

Aces – Always Split

Splitting Aces is one of the most universally agreed-upon plays in blackjack. Always split Aces against every dealer card, no exceptions.

Why: A pair of Aces held together counts as soft 12 (one Ace as 11, one as 1). That is a mediocre starting position. Split them and each hand starts with the best card in the deck. With 16 out of 52 cards (31%) worth 10, there is a meaningful probability of completing each Ace into a 21. Even when you do not hit 21, starting each hand with an Ace gives you a flexible, strong foundation.

One caveat: Most casinos only deal one additional card to each split Ace. You do not get to continue hitting the way you would with other splits. If your Ace receives a 10-value card, it is typically paid at 1:1 (not 3:2 as a natural blackjack would be) because it is a "21 from a split" rather than a natural. This still does not change the decision — split Aces every time.

Tens (10-10) – Never Split

A pair of 10-value cards gives you a hard 20 — the second-best total in the game, losing only to a natural blackjack. Never split 10s. Stand and let your 20 win.

Why players make this mistake: There is a temptation to split 10s against a dealer's weak card (5 or 6) to "double your winnings." But you are turning a near-certain win (20 beats almost everything) into two hands each starting at 10, which may or may not improve. The expected value of standing on 20 is dramatically higher than splitting in every scenario. Hard 20 is not a hand to tinker with.

Nines (9-9) – Usually Split, But Not Always

A pair of 9s counts as hard 18 — a decent total. But splitting creates two hands each starting at 9, which offers meaningful improvement potential against most dealer cards.

Split against dealer 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9: Against these cards, two separate nines produce better expected value than a hard 18.
Stand against dealer 7, 10, or Ace:
- Against dealer 7: Hard 18 beats the dealer's most likely total (17, since 7 underneath = 17 and the dealer stands). Two hands each starting at 9 creates two uncertain outcomes when your 18 was already winning.
- Against dealer 10 or Ace: The dealer is too strong for splitting to provide an advantage. Stand on your 18.

Eights (8-8) – Always Split

Always split 8s against every dealer card, including the most intimidating dealer up cards (9, 10, Ace). This is the most counterintuitive "always" rule in basic strategy for many players.

Why: Hard 16 (the alternative to splitting 8s) is statistically the worst hand in blackjack. You will lose more than 50% of the time no matter what you do with hard 16. Splitting turns one terrible hand into two hands each starting at 8 — a significantly better starting position. Even when the dealer shows a strong card, the expected loss from two 8s is lower than the expected loss from hard 16.

Against dealer 9, 10, or Ace: The chart shows Rp (surrender if available, otherwise split). If late surrender is an option at your table, surrendering 8-8 against a dealer's 9, 10, or Ace saves half your bet in situations where even two 8s will lose more often than not. If surrender is not available, split anyway — it is still better than playing hard 16.

Sevens (7-7) – Split Against Weakness

Split against dealer 2 through 7: Two starting hands of 7 versus a weak-to-moderate dealer card is better than playing hard 14.
Hit against dealer 8 through Ace: Against stronger dealer cards, splitting 7s creates two hands (starting at 7) that are likely to lose to the dealer's probable total. Hard 14 against these dealer cards also hits — but at least you are playing one bet instead of two in an unfavorable situation.

Sixes (6-6) – Split Against Most Weak Dealer Cards

Split against dealer 3 through 6: Against these weak dealer cards, two hands starting at 6 is better than playing hard 12.
Split against dealer 2 (only if Double After Split is allowed): The Ph notation means split if DAS is allowed, otherwise hit. The doubling opportunity after splitting justifies the split when DAS is available.
Hit against dealer 7 through Ace: Hard 12 is not great, but two hands starting at 6 against a strong dealer is worse.

Fives (5-5) – Never Split

Never split 5s. A pair of 5s is hard 10 — one of the best doubling hands in blackjack. Splitting turns a strong doubling hand into two hands each starting at 5, which is weak. Play the hard 10: double against dealer 2 through 9, hit against dealer 10 and Ace.

Fours (4-4) – Rarely Split

Split against dealer 5 or 6 (only if DAS allowed): The Ph notation applies — split only when Double After Split is available, because the ability to double after a favorable card gives the split its value. If DAS is not allowed, simply hit.
Hit in all other situations: Hard 8 is a hand that just needs a hit to improve. Two hands starting at 4 are generally weaker than continuing with hard 8.

Threes and Twos (3-3, 2-2) – Split Against Moderate Weakness

These low pairs follow the same general pattern:

Split against dealer 4, 5, 6, or 7: Against these dealer cards, splitting is the correct play.
Split against dealer 2 or 3 (if DAS allowed): Ph again — split when Double After Split is available, otherwise hit.
Hit against dealer 8 through Ace: Two hands starting at 2 or 3 against a strong dealer is a losing proposition. Just hit the hard 4 or hard 6 and try to build something workable.

The "Always" and "Never" Summary for Pairs

Pair	Rule
Aces	Always split — no exceptions
Eights	Always split — surrender vs 9/10/A if available
Tens	Never split — stand on 20
Fives	Never split — play as hard 10 (double or hit)

For more on individual decision types, see When to Split in Blackjack and the full Basic Strategy Chart.