When to Split 10s in Blackjack Explained

Splitting hands is a favorable rule for players that can help turn a losing hand potentially into two winners. But knowing when to split is key to long-term success and whether to split 10s in blackjack is a common situation that may bring some concern among players new to the game.

While some players may feel they have a shot at two winning hands if they split 10s, that may not always be a wise decision. There are some circumstances or hands in which a player shouldn’t split. Keep reading to learn all about the issues surrounding whether to split 10s in blackjack.

Blackjack Splitting Rules

When players receive two of the same card, they are allowed to add a second bet and then split these cards into two separate hands. The player will then receive a second card again on the first hand and can decide whether to hit, stand, double, down, or possibly even split again (known as resplitting and whether this is allowed may vary by casino).

The process is then repeated on the second hand and hopefully the player now has two hands that can beat the dealer – or at least have a better chance than the initial hand. For example, a player dealt 8-8 is always advised to split based on basic strategy.

A 16 is not an ideal hand, but splitting at least gives the player a chance to draw higher hands. Imagine that the dealer has a 7 up. If the player splits the 8-8, another card may deliver a 10 on the first hand for a nice 18. The second hand may then receive an ace for another nice hand of 19.

If the dealer then shows a jack under the 7 for a total or 17, the player has won on both hands. Sometimes splitting is a great option, but not always.

What is a 10 Value Card?

Any 10 is obviously valued at 10, as is any face card – jack, queen, or king. When considering this, almost a third of the entire deck (30.8%) is a face card. These cards, along with aces, are the player’s friend and you have a better chance of finding winning totals when these cards are dealt to you.

A player would love to see hands like A-J or A-K for a blackjack (21), but also hands like Q-J, K-10, and K-Q for a nice total of 20. Even receiving a face card and an 8 or 9 has built a decent hand that has a chance of winning as well.

Can you Split 10s in Blackjack?

Splitting 10s certainly is allowed and players who head to the tables at a casino will certainly see players do this on occasion. But should you split 10s? Not according to basic strategy, which offers the best mathematical decisions for winning in the long run.

When to Split 10s in Blackjack?

Knowing basic strategy allows players to reduce the house edge as much as possible and any basic strategy chart will advise against splitting 10s.

There are rare occasions when a player counting cards may be advised to split based on the count, but this should only be considered by those who are extremely well-versed in this strategy. Counting cards in a busy, bustling casino isn’t easy and requires plenty of practice.

Players also have to look like they are not counting so that casino management doesn;t catch on and remove them from the property.None of this is easy. Those who aren’t counting are always advised to stand when dealt two 10s.

Why Not Split 10s in Blackjack?

Splitting 10s is always a bad idea. A count of 20 is usually a winner and the second-best hand in the game. When you split 10s in blackjack, you have broken up a potentially winning hand with the chance to draw two losing hands. Here’s a quick example of this:

A player is dealt K-Q against the dealer’s 9 upcard.
The player splits these into two different hands.
The K is then dealt a 7 for a total of 17 and the player stands.
The Q then receives a 3 and the player hits and gets a 5 for a total of 18 before standing.
The dealer then reveals a jack under the 9 for a total of 19.

In this scenario, the player would have won on the initial K-Q with a 20 against the dealer’s 19. Instead, this unwise player has made hands of 17 and 18 for two losers instead. This was a critical error that turned a winning opportunity into two losses.

Resplitting 10s in Blackjack

Resplitting is when a player receives two of the same cards and then splits, only to receive one more of those cards and then splits again. The number of times a player can split depends on the casino’s rules.

If a player receives two 10s and is unwise enough to split those 10s, the resplitting another pair of 10s only compounds the potential problems. The player has now divided a second pair of 10s, to create the potential for three hands that are losers instead of sticking with one solid hand. In blackjack, splitting 10s is always a bad idea. That goes for respiting as well.

Conclusion – Play Blackjack at Lucky Block Casino

Splitting allows players to turn two of the same cards into two different hands with an additional bet. This can be a great option at times, but isn’t always advised based on basic strategy.

In fact, it is never advised to split 10s based on basic strategy. Players would be better at playing the hand as a 20 as breaking up this hand presents a better chance at making two losing hands when you would have probably at least had one winning hand.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I split 10s in blackjack?

No, it is never advised to split 10s based on basic strategy. You will break up a highly-probable winning hand with the potential to then lose on two hands.

Do card counters ever split tens?

Occasionally card counters may split 10s when the count is high and in the player’s favor. However, learning to count cards is a difficult process that may require hours and hours of practice to become good enough to count in a casino. Players then have to concentrate while counting in a busy and loud casino while also trying not to get discovered counting by casino management. In the vast majority of cases, players are better advised never to split 10s.

What should you always split in blackjack?

Players will always want to split eights in blackjack. Rather than deal with a tricky 16 that doesn’t play well against many dealer upcards, instead split those cards into two hands for a better chance to grab two winning hands.