Gaming Guru

Splitting Tens

Dear Frank:

I play blackjack in online casinos for fun with other players. I see them breaking all the basic and advanced strategy rules but one has me curious. I know that a player should NEVER split 10's but I have seen this done with the dealer showing a 3, 4, or 5 ( 2 and 6 too risky). They then double on each ten.

Most often it is a push (win one lose the other) but more frequently they win both rather then lose both. I have tried it a few times when I think about it. It is automatic for me stay. I have never seen a player in a casino do this nor have I tried at a real table. I guess that if a player was a competent card counter and knew it was 10 card rich shoe it might make sense. What is your take on this unorthodox strategy?

Paul

Dear Paul:

First, how do they double on a hand with one ten? Unless the casino has weird rules on the game, I have never heard of this.

Next, splitting 10s is always a bad move for a basic strategy player and might even be a bad move for card counters when the count is positive enough to make splitting an economically good thing. Only fools and card counters (rarely) can split tens.

So my advice is to play online just as you play in the casinos.

All the best in and out of the casinos!
Frank Scoblete