Should You Split 10s in Blackjack?

Blackjack is a game that requires some serious skill, and while the rules are relatively simple to memorize, true mastery takes years of dedication, thousands upon thousands of hours of play, and a tremendous amount of discipline, focus, and endurance. The difference between a beginning player and a master can be subtle, and in many cases a single decision can make all the difference. One of the most important decisions in blackjack is whether or not to split a pair of tens. While most veteran players will tell you to never split 10s, there are a few situations in which this strategy is actually correct.

In the case of blackjack, a pair of tens is considered to be a strong hand, especially when it’s against a dealer’s 6 or lower. However, a lot of beginners will make the mistake of splitting this pair and end up with two weaker hands. This will usually result in a higher count and fewer wins for the player.

This is because splitting the tens increases your chances of drawing a weaker card, which will decrease your overall odds of winning. As such, it’s generally best to leave a pair of tens as they are and double down on the hand instead.

The same rule applies to other pairs of cards, such as fours and fives. These pairs should always be stayed and not split, as the odds of drawing an Ace are much higher if you stay the hand than if you split it.

Splitting tens is also a poor idea in tournament play, as this will only put you at an advantage against the other players in the tournament. This is because the goal of tournaments is not to beat all the other players on individual hands, but rather to dominate the field and finish with the most money at the end of the tournament. Therefore, skilled tournament players will often split their tens in an attempt to gain an edge over the other competitors.

Splitting a pair of tens can also be good in high-count situations, but this is a very specific situation that should be carefully analysed before making the decision. For example, it could be a good idea to split your tens if the count shows that there are lots of high cards left in the deck and you have a good chance of hitting an Ace when you play against a dealer’s 6. However, this is a rare situation and should only be used in very specific circumstances.