Re-split: blackjack meaning

What re-split means in blackjack

When your first two cards are a pair, you can split them into two separate hands and put out a second stake of the same size. Each hand then gets a new card. If one of those new cards matches again, say you split 8s and receive another 8, some tables let you split that hand too. That second (or third) split is a re-split.

This glossary entry covers the usual limits, the rules on aces, what the rule is worth in house edge terms and how much money it can put on the table. For the decision of whether to split at all, see when to split in blackjack.

Re-split rules and limits

According to Wizard of Odds' blackjack basics (opens in a new tab), you can usually keep re-splitting up to a total of four hands, re-splitting aces is sometimes not allowed, and each split ace gets only one card. Some games also stop you doubling after a split. Named variants set their own rules:

If a game's rules don't mention re-splitting, assume nothing. The help screen or rules page sets the limit, and it can differ between two tables with the same name.

What re-splitting is worth: house edge figures

Re-splitting helps the player, because the hands where it comes up are usually ones where splitting is already the better play. Wizard of Odds' rule variations table (opens in a new tab), measured against an eight-deck game where the dealer stands on soft 17, gives these effects:

• No re-splitting allowed: -0.10% for the player.
• Re-splitting aces allowed: +0.08% for the player.
• No splitting aces at all: -0.18% for the player.
• No doubling after a split: -0.14% for the player.

These are small numbers. On £10 hands, 0.10% is a penny a hand on average, or about £1 over 100 hands. But a table that bans re-splitting and doubling after a split stacks two costs together: about 0.24%, or roughly 2.4p per £10 hand. Our blackjack house edge page puts these in context with other rules.

How often a re-split comes up

Not often. Suppose you split 8s against a dealer 6 and the dealer's card isn't an 8. In an eight-deck shoe there were 32 eights in 416 cards; two are in your hand, so 30 remain among the 413 unseen cards. The chance the next card is another 8 is 30 ÷ 413, about 7.3%. In a single-deck game only 2 eights remain among 49 cards, about 4.1%. Each split hand gets its own draw, so the chance across both hands is a little higher, but reaching four hands is rare.

Re-split example with £10 hands

1. You bet £10 and are dealt 8 and 8. The dealer shows a 6. You split: £20 is now on the table across two hands.
2. Your first hand draws another 8. If the table allows re-splits, you split again and add £10: three hands, £30 in play.
3. Your new hand draws a third 8 in a row. You can re-split once more to reach four hands and £40.
4. If the game allows doubling after a split, doubling on two of those hands would push the total to £60, six times your first bet.

None of this changes the long-run cost of the game, but it does change how much can be at risk on one round. Set your stake with that in mind. See blackjack bankroll and our strategy chart for when each split is right.

Related terms

See double down, splitting aces and eights, basic strategy, hand and what happens if you split and get blackjack.

Blackjack and UK casino offers

Re-split rules matter at the blackjack table, but the offers below are aimed mainly at slots. Blackjack and other table or live games are often excluded or count for less towards wagering, so read the terms and check each casino's table lobby for the rules. 18+ and terms apply.

Casumo offers new customers a 50% first-deposit bonus up to £100 with opt-in and a £20 minimum deposit; the bonus must be wagered 10x within 7 days, with bets capped at £5. 10bet's welcome offer matches 100% up to £25, to be wagered 10x on slots within 3 days, with maximum bonus winnings of £1,000 and Skrill and Neteller excluded. Coral gives 100 free spins at 10p each on selected games once you deposit and bet £10 on slots; accept them within 48 hours and use them within 7 days, and winnings carry no wagering.

18+. Every casino game has a built-in house edge, so over time you should expect to lose what you stake. Set a budget before you play and stop when it’s gone: safer gambling tools and support. Free, confidential help: National Gambling Helpline 0808 8020 133.