Pair Splitting Chart

When to split every pair, against every dealer upcard, based on verified 4-8 deck, dealer-stands-on-soft-17 basic strategy.

Rows = your pair. Columns = dealer's upcard. DAS (double after split) assumed.

Hand	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	A
2,2	Split	Split	Split	Split	Split	Split	Hit	Hit	Hit	Hit
3,3	Split	Split	Split	Split	Split	Split	Hit	Hit	Hit	Hit
4,4	Hit	Hit	Hit	Split	Split	Hit	Hit	Hit	Hit	Hit
5,5	Double	Double	Double	Double	Double	Double	Double	Double	Hit	Hit
6,6	Split	Split	Split	Split	Split	Hit	Hit	Hit	Hit	Hit
7,7	Split	Split	Split	Split	Split	Split	Hit	Hit	Hit	Hit
8,8	Split	Split	Split	Split	Split	Split	Split	Split	Split	Split
9,9	Split	Split	Split	Split	Split	Stand	Split	Split	Stand	Stand
10,10	Stand	Stand	Stand	Stand	Stand	Stand	Stand	Stand	Stand	Stand
A,A	Split	Split	Split	Split	Split	Split	Split	Split	Split	Split

Hit Stand Double Split

Always split: 8s and Aces

A pair of 8s totals a weak hard 16, which is one of the worst hands in the game. Splitting turns one bad hand into two hands starting at 8, which is a much stronger position. Aces are split for the same reason: two hands starting with an Ace beats one soft 12.

Never split: 10s and 5s

A pair of 10s is already a 20, which is one of the best hands possible. Splitting it to chase two hands is a losing play long-term. A pair of 5s totals 10, which is better played as a double-down hand than split into two weak starting cards.

Splitting depends on the dealer's card

Pairs like 2s, 3s, 6s, and 7s are only split when the dealer shows a weak card (2 through 7), since that's when the dealer is more likely to bust and both of your new hands have room to win.

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