Split meaning, at the blackjack table: when your first two cards are a pair, splitting separates them into two independent hands, each with a stake equal to your original bet, and each then receives a second card and is played on its own. It turns one weak or awkward hand, such as two eights, into two hands that each start from a better position.
Splitting turns a starting pair into two separate hands, with a second stake equal to the first.
Standard strategy always splits aces and eights and never splits tens or fives.
Split aces usually get one card each, and an ace with a ten after a split counts as 21, not blackjack.
In roulette, a split is a different thing: a bet on two neighbouring numbers paying 17 to 1.
Definition
Dividing a pair into two hands
Extra stake
Equal to the original bet
Always split
Aces and eights
Never split
Tens and fives
Roulette meaning
Two-number bet paying 17 to 1
What does split mean in blackjack?
If your first two cards share a rank, such as two sevens or two aces, you can split them. You place a second bet the same size as your first, the dealer separates the cards, and each card becomes the start of a new hand. Each hand receives a second card and is played in turn: hit, stand and, at many tables, double. Each is then settled against the dealer separately, so you can win one and lose the other.
Most games treat any two ten-value cards as a pair, so a king and a jack can be split, though strategy says you should not. Splitting is one of the core options in the blackjack rules, and you will find the others in our UK casino glossary.
Which pairs to split: the standard chart
Computer-derived basic strategy gives a clear answer for every pair. This version assumes a multi-deck shoe, the dealer standing on soft 17 and doubling after splitting allowed.
When to split pairs in multi-deck blackjack (double after split allowed)
Pair
Split against dealer
Otherwise
A-A
Every up card
Not applicable
8-8
Every up card
Not applicable (some rule sets surrender against an ace)
10-10
Never
Stand on 20
5-5
Never
Treat as 10: double against 2 to 9
9-9
2 to 6, 8, 9
Stand against 7, 10, ace
7-7
2 to 7
Hit
6-6
2 to 6
Hit
4-4
5 and 6
Hit
2-2 and 3-3
2 to 7
Hit
The logic is straightforward. Two aces as one hand make a soft 12; split, each starts with 11. Two eights make 16, the worst total in the game; split, each starts with 8. Two tens already make 20, so splitting breaks up a strong hand.
Split meaning in pounds: an example
You bet £10 and receive 8 and 8. The dealer shows a 10. You split, adding £10, so £20 is now in play across two hands.
Hand one draws a 3 for 11. Doubling after splitting is allowed, so you double, adding £10 (total stakes now £30), and draw a 10 for 21.
Hand two draws a 10 for 18 and you stand.
The dealer reveals 7 for 17. Hand one wins £20 on its doubled £20 and hand two wins £10, so you finish £30 up.
Had the double drawn a 2 for 13 and the dealer reached 20, both hands would lose, costing £30.
Splitting eights against a ten is not about winning that hand; on average both options lose money. It is the option that loses least over time, which is why every chart recommends it.
Split rules that change from table to table
Split aces: usually receive one card each and cannot be hit again.
Ace and ten after a split: counts as 21 and pays 1 to 1, not as a 3 to 2 natural.
Resplitting: many tables allow splitting again if you draw another pair, up to three or four hands; resplitting aces is often barred.
Double after split (DAS): allowed at many tables, and it makes splitting more valuable.
Unlike tens: some games only let you split identical ten-value cards, such as two kings.
Every restriction moves the house edge a little, so the rules panel matters. Multi-seat formats such as Infinite Blackjack handle splits in their own way, so read the help screen before playing.
Split meaning in roulette and other games
In roulette, a split is an inside bet placed on the line between two adjacent numbers, such as 17 and 20. It wins if either number comes up and pays 17 to 1. On a single-zero wheel, the chance is 2 in 37, giving the same 2.7% edge as the other standard bets. Our split bet entry and the roulette bets guide explain the layout.
Elsewhere, players talk about a split pot in poker, when two hands tie and share the pot. In casino promotions, a split can also describe a prize divided between tied players on a leaderboard.
Splitting at UK online blackjack tables
Online blackjack in Britain has had a minimum round length of 5 seconds and no auto-play option since 17 January 2025, meaning a split only ever happens when you press the button. Games must also show session time and net position, which helps when a split takes your total stake well above the starting bet. The Commission’s technical standards (opens in a new tab) contain the requirements and the game design rules page summarises them.
Splitting needs a balance large enough for the extra stake. Keep that in mind when sizing bets, and use the tools listed in the Commission’s safer gambling guidance (opens in a new tab), such as deposit limits and time-outs.
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Frequently asked questions
What does split mean in blackjack?
Splitting means dividing a starting pair into two separate hands. You add a second stake equal to your original bet, each card gets a new second card, and you play the two hands one after another. Each is settled against the dealer on its own, so results can differ. You can split any pair of the same rank, and most tables treat all ten-value cards as a pair. The blackjack rules page explains the full sequence of decisions, and the basic strategy chart shows when to split.
Why should you always split aces and eights?
Because both pairs make poor totals together but strong starting points apart. Two aces count as a soft 12, while each ace on its own starts at 11 and can reach 21 with any ten-value card. Two eights make 16, the weakest total in blackjack, while each eight on its own starts at a more flexible 8. Computer analysis shows splitting both pairs loses less, or wins more, than any alternative against every dealer card in standard rules. Our hard hand entry explains why 16 is so awkward.
Why should you never split tens?
Because a pair of tens already makes 20, which wins or pushes far more often than not. Splitting would replace one strong hand with two hands that each start at 10, and although 10 is a decent start, two of them have a lower combined expected value than a single 20. Some players split tens believing it doubles their chances; mathematically it gives up a near-certain winning position. The gambling myths guide and our best odds casino games page cover similar misconceptions.
Is an ace and a ten after splitting a blackjack?
No. An ace and a ten-value card on a hand created by splitting counts as 21 but not as a natural blackjack, so it pays 1 to 1 rather than 3 to 2. If the dealer also reaches 21 with three or more cards, the hand is a push. If the dealer has a genuine blackjack, it beats your split 21. Our natural entry explains what counts as a blackjack, and the push entry explains ties.
How many times can you split in blackjack?
It depends on the table. Many games allow resplitting up to three or four hands in total if you draw further pairs, while some allow just one split. Aces are often limited to a single split with one card each. Each split adds a stake equal to the original bet, so four hands at £10 means £40 in play before any doubles. The rules panel in each game states the limits. Our table limits guide explains how stake caps interact with this.
What is a split bet in roulette?
A split bet in roulette is a chip placed on the line between two adjacent numbers on the layout, covering both. It pays 17 to 1 if either number wins. On a European wheel the chance is 2 in 37, and the house edge is 2.7%, the same as most other roulette bets. It has nothing to do with the blackjack split. Our split bet entry and the roulette odds page have the full payout table.
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