PAIR SPLITTING

admin — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 14:37:52 +0000

When your first two cards have the same point value, you have the option of separating them and playing them as two separate hands (face cards and 10s are usually considered pairs, but you would almost never want to split a 20). You may draw as many cards as you wish to split pairs (except split Aces - see below). Unlike the double-down play, where you can bet any additional amount up to the value of your initial wager, you must double your bet so that there is an equal amount wagered on each hand.

If you are playing in a face-down game, you can indicate your wish to split a pair by placing your two cards face up on the dealer’s side of the betting square. You must then move a second stack of chips equal to the original bet up to the betting square and set it beside your first bet. The remaining cards will be dealt face up. In a face-up game, you need merely move your second
waeer up to the bettine square since the cards are already face up in front of the dealer.

A special case of pair splitting involves Aces. The casino allows you only one more card, dealt face down, for each split Ace because it is such an advantageous card for the player. In addition, if you receive a 10 for a natural on one of the split Aces, it is paid off only as a 21-value hand (one to one) instead of as a natural (three to two).

In some casinos, you can combine doubling and splitting. One option sometimes available is called “resplitting.” If you split a card and receive a third card of the same value, you can create a hand for another wager equal to your initial bet. Certain casinos also allow doubling down after pair splitting. Ask the dealer what is allowed where you are playing. Best best in popular blackjack casinos! Play now!

For example, I was playing at a downtown Las Vegas casino in a two-deck game and tracking cards when the deck turned favorable for me. The dealer’s up card was a 6 (a very bad card for the dealer, good for me) and I held 7,7. My first bet was four units, so I split the 7s and bet another four units. I received a third 7 on the first hand and split again.

At this point I had twelve units on the table. My first 7 drew a 3, which I then doubled down on for a third card. I now had sixteen units bet. My second 7 drew an A, and I doubled again. My third 7 drew a 4, which I doubled down on for a final combined total bet of 24 units. My heart sank when I saw the dealer’s down card was a 5 for a two-card total of 11. The dealer hit with another 5 (16 total) and had to hit again. The fourth card was a 9 for a dealer bust. I collected my forty-eight units from the table and decided it was a good time for a break.

DOUBLING DOWN

admin — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 14:35:05 +0000

After you have looked at your first two cards, you may feel you have a good hand that will become a very good hand with one additional card. This is an ideal time for the double-down bet. The basic double-down play means that you may make a second wager no higher than the amount of your original bet and receive one and only one additional card. This third card is usually dealt down. All casinos permit doubling on a two-card 11, most on 10, 11, and many on 9, 10, 11. Some even permit a double down on any two-card hand.

Where you may double down on any two-card hand, soft doubling comes into play. A soft hand is one that contains an Ace. Depending upon what the dealer up card is, you may wish to double down on A,7, for example.

To signal a double-down play to the dealer, all you need to do is move your double-down second wager into the betting square and set it next to your original bet. If you are playing in a facedown game, you must also turn over your cards so the dealer can verify that you have a two-card total that may be doubled. When you turn them over, place them on the dealer’s side of the betting square.

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