• Blackjack

Should You Split Aces in Blackjack?

Splitting aces in blackjack is one of the fundamental actions of the game, and for good reason. It’s a critical decision that can cost you the hand, so you should brush up on the strategy around splitting aces.  

In this post, we’ll break down why splitting aces makes sense, what the odds look like, and if there’s ever a time you should think twice.

What a Pair of Aces Means in Blackjack

Pulling a pair of aces puts you in a weird spot. If you count both as 11, your hand totals 22, which is a bust. If you count one as 11 and the other as 1, you’re stuck with 12 and very little room to improve.

In single-deck blackjack, the odds of being dealt two aces as your starting hand are just under 0.5%. In games with multiple decks, the chances go up slightly, but it’s still a rare hand. That makes it even more important to play it the right way when it comes around.

Why You Should Split Aces in Blackjack

When you split aces, you’re turning one weak hand into two strong starting points. Each ace gets paired with a new card, giving you two shots at landing a 10 or face card. If you do, you’re sitting on a 21.

Basic blackjack strategy says to always split aces, no matter what the dealer is showing. It’s one of the few rules in blackjack that doesn’t really change. Even if the dealer has a strong upcard like a 10 or an ace, you still split.

You’re not guaranteed a win, but you’re giving yourself a much better shot. A pair of aces played as a single hand is awkward and almost always a loser. Splitting opens the door for two solid hands that can each beat the dealer.

Are There Any Instances Where You Shouldn’t Split Aces?

In nearly every blackjack game, you should split aces without hesitation. But there are a few edge cases where the value isn’t as strong, usually because of house rules.

Some casinos only let you draw one card to each split ace. That limits your upside, especially if you get stuck with two weak hands like Ace-2 or Ace-4. Even in these cases, most blackjack strategy charts still recommend splitting, because a 12 is just too weak to keep.

The only time you might consider not splitting is if you’re in a restrictive game where you can’t resplit aces or draw multiple cards. If the table also has a bad payout like 6:5 on blackjack, then you’re already playing at a disadvantage. Card counters might also pass on splitting in certain low-count situations, but that’s a high-level move for experienced players.

For the average player, these situations are rare. And unless you’re using advanced tracking or stuck with brutal house rules, you’re almost always better off splitting and giving yourself a shot at two strong hands.

Follow Basic Strategy for Optimal Results

When in doubt, stick to the chart. Splitting aces is a core part of blackjack basic strategy for a reason. It gives you the best odds to win or push instead of throwing away a rough 12.

Blackjack has enough variables as it is. When you get a pair of aces, don’t overthink it. Split them and give yourself two chances to come out ahead.

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