Splitting In Black Jack

Pictures and instructions of how to separate cards or pairs in Black Jack.

Here is how splitting in Black Jack works:

If your first two cards are of the same number value, you are allowed to separate them. In other words, if the cards are a pair you can separate them and you are playing two separate hands now.

For instance, you can separate two Nines, two Tens, two Jacks and so on. Suits do not matter. If you separate Aces, you receive only one card on each one. That's it.

Some Casinos let you separate cards up to Three times. Others let you separate cards as many times as you want to. Separating cards up to Three times work out to be Four independent hands.

Illustration with separating of cards in Black Jack:

Your first two cards are a pair of Fours. You separate them. That's the first split-up, so you have two hands. You receive another Four. You separate it again. That's the second split-up, and you are playing three hands. You receive another Four. You separate it too. That's the third split-up, and you are playing four independent hands now.

Examples:

#1. You bet $4. Your first two cards are a pair of sevens.

You put an additional $4 bet next to the first $4 bet.

Don't put the additional $4 on top of the first.

You separate those sevens. You play these two hands the same way you play a single hand at a time. You finish with one hand first, then you go to the next one.

#2. If your first two cards are Aces, you bet the additional $4, remember, place it next to the first bet. You separate the Aces. You will receive only one card on each of the Aces. So, if you receive an additional third Ace, you cannot separate it again or add more cards to that particular hand.

Also, if you receive a Ten value card on one or both Aces, it is a regular twenty-one. And it pays even money. It is not a Black Jack, which pays three to two or one and a half or six to five. Why not? Because they are not the very first two cards you received. You received these Ten value cards on the third and fourth draw.

Note:

However, In Vegas, some casinos let you re-split Aces, up to three times (You receive only one card on each). That's four separate hands altogether.

If you get a Face Card on the first Ace, you get paid 3 to 2 like a Black Jack. But if you receive a Face Card on any of the other three Aces, you just receive even money.

Some casinos let you double down after you separate two cards. Some let you re-split after double down, some don't. Some let you separate ten value cards, like a Queen and a King. Some let you separate any first two cards.

In Atlantic City, you may double down after a split-up, but you are not allowed to re-split. You receive one card on Aces.