{"id":15271,"date":"2025-04-07T14:09:09","date_gmt":"2025-04-07T11:09:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/7bet.co.uk\/blog\/?p=15271"},"modified":"2026-01-21T11:06:35","modified_gmt":"2026-01-21T08:06:35","slug":"when-to-hit-and-when-to-split-in-blackjack","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/7bet.co.uk\/blog\/when-to-hit-and-when-to-split-in-blackjack\/","title":{"rendered":"When to Split &#038; When to Hit in Blackjack"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Blackjack is a game of skill and decision-making, and knowing the basics of <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/7bet.co.uk\/blog\/how-to-play-blackjack\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">how to play blackjack<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> plus when to split or hit can make a big difference in your overall results. Splitting pairs gives you a chance to play two separate hands, while hitting allows you to take additional cards to improve your total. Understanding when to apply these moves is essential, whether you\u2019re new to the game or refining your strategy.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2>Understanding Splitting in Blackjack<\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Splitting is an option when you\u2019re dealt two cards of the same rank. By placing an additional bet equal to your original wager, you can split the pair into two separate hands, each played individually. The key to splitting well is knowing which pairs to split, which to avoid, and when to consider the dealer\u2019s hand.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>Pairs You Should Always Split<\/h3>\n<h4>Aces (A-A)<\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Splitting aces is one of the most fundamental <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/7bet.co.uk\/live-casino\/blackjack\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">blackjack<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> strategies. An ace can be worth 1 or 11, meaning it gives you the best chance of forming a strong hand. When you split aces, you start two separate hands with a great opportunity to land a 10-value card, resulting in 21.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Example:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You are dealt A-A, and the dealer\u2019s upcard is any number.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you split, your two new hands each start with an ace, giving you the chance to draw a 10, J, Q, or K to reach 21.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you don\u2019t split, you start with 12, which is a weak hand with no strong path forward.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4>Eights (8-8)<\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A pair of eights totals 16, which is one of the weakest hands in blackjack. By splitting, you give yourself a chance to improve your position rather than being stuck with a total that frequently results in a loss.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Example:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You are dealt 8-8, and the dealer\u2019s upcard is 7.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you split, you now have two hands starting with 8, allowing you to draw a higher-value card to improve your total.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you don\u2019t split, you have 16, a difficult hand that often results in a loss whether you hit or stand.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Pairs You Should Never Split<\/h2>\n<h4>Fours (4-4)<\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A pair of 4s gives you a total of 8, which is a reasonable starting point. Splitting means you start two hands with a weak 4, which doesn\u2019t give you much room to improve.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Example:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You are dealt 4-4, and the dealer\u2019s upcard is 5.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you split, you now have two weak hands that require significant improvement.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you hit, you might land a 10 or a face card, bringing you to a solid 18.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4>Fives (5-5)<\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A pair of 5s totals 10, which is a strong number to build on. Rather than splitting, doubling down is often the better choice when the dealer\u2019s upcard is weak.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Example:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You are dealt 5-5, and the dealer\u2019s upcard is 6.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you split, you are left with two weak hands starting at 5.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you double down, you have a high chance of drawing a 10-value card, reaching 20.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Situational Splitting Decisions<\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Some pairs require a bit more thought and depend on what the dealer is showing.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>Sixes (6-6)<\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Splitting sixes is only advisable when the dealer has a weak upcard (2-6). If the dealer has a 7 or higher, hitting is often the better choice.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Example:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You are dealt 6-6, and the dealer\u2019s upcard is 4.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you split, you now have two hands that can easily improve with a 10-value card.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you don\u2019t split, you are stuck with 12, which is difficult to play.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Nines (9-9)<\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Nines total 18, which is a decent hand, but splitting can be beneficial if the dealer is showing 2-6 or 8-9.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Example:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You are dealt 9-9, and the dealer\u2019s upcard is 6.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you split, you could get a 10-value card on both hands, resulting in two strong hands.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If the dealer has a 7, keeping 18 might be the safer option.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>When to Hit in Blackjack<\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hitting is the act of drawing another card to improve your hand. Knowing when to hit is crucial, as taking unnecessary risks can lead to going over 21.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>When Your Total is 11 or Lower<\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There\u2019s no risk of busting when your total is 11 or less, so taking a hit is always the right choice.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Example:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You are dealt 5-6, giving you 11.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hitting could result in a 10-value card, giving you 21.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>When You Have 12-16 Against a Strong Dealer Card<\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A hand totaling between 12-16 is tricky, especially if the dealer is showing a 7 or higher. Since the dealer must hit until they reach 17, your weaker total puts you at risk.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Example:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You have 10-2 (total 12), and the dealer\u2019s upcard is 9.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hitting gives you a chance to get closer to 20.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you stand, you are relying on the dealer busting, which is not a strong position.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Key Considerations for When To Hit &amp; When To Split<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Always split aces and eights to maximise your winning potential.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Never split fives and tens, as they already form strong hands.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Consider the dealer\u2019s upcard before splitting or hitting.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hitting on low totals (11 or less) is safe, while hitting on 12-16 depends on the dealer\u2019s strength.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Doubling down on 10 or 11 is often better than splitting, as it increases the potential payout.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Understanding these fundamental <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/7bet.co.uk\/blog\/blackjack-strategies\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">blackjack strategies<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> will help you make better decisions and approach the game with more confidence. Blackjack is all about balancing risk and reward, and knowing when to split or hit can make a significant difference over time.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><em><strong>Betting is only available to participants above 18 years. Please bet responsibly. BeGambleAware.org<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Blackjack is a game of skill and decision-making, and knowing the basics of how to play blackjack plus when to<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10,"featured_media":15273,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[501],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-15271","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blackjack"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v26.7 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>When to Split &amp; When to Hit in Blackjack - 7bet.co.uk<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Learn when to split in blackjack and when to hit, complete with examples. 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