I play there a couple times a month. I bet the ploppies loved when you said you were splitting 10s! I'm assuming the dealer upcard was the 5. They turned over the cards incorrectly as the dealer up card should be the middle card not the one on the right. I hate the pen there vs most dealers. You are lucky to get 4.5/6 most of the time. In the case of splitting pairs, basic strategy for a multi-deck game in which the dealer hits soft 17 - the most common game around nowadays - basic strategy tells us never to split 5s or 10s, always split aces and 8s and split 9s if the dealer shows anything but a 7, 10 or ace. That leaves, 2s, 3s, 4s, 6s and 7s.
I am not a card counter, because I don't frequent the casinos with the mind set that my goal should be to always beat the house. Sometimes I just want to play for recreation and not count cards. So personally I think that if more people would split 10's, then this would help take away from the Casinos 'Radar' edge of yelling 'Splitting 10s'.
However then again, I am a small time recreational better, of 5 to 25 per hand. If I were playing a $100 hand, or $1000 hand, then I would definitely not be splitting 10's.
Anyway, just my thoughts. Thanks for all of the Black Jack players who have helped me on this forum.
I always split 10's against a dealers face card of a 5. I do this even if a strategy chart would discourage it. The only thing I dislike about splitting 10's is that the dealer will then bellow out loudly that someone is splitting 10's. As if to notify the pit boss that the person splitting 10's should be on their radar.
I am not a card counter, because I don't frequent the casinos with the mind set that my goal should be to always beat the house. Sometimes I just want to play for recreation and not count cards. So personally I think that if more people would split 10's, then this would help take away from the Casinos 'Radar' edge of yelling 'Splitting 10s'.
However then again, I am a small time recreational better, of 5 to 25 per hand. If I were playing a $100 hand, or $1000 hand, then I would definitely not be splitting 10's.
Anyway, just my thoughts. Thanks for all of the Black Jack players who have helped me on this forum.
SnapBack,
Don't make a hair-brained play like this. What's the matter with you? Never split 10s. It's a big -EV move. If you can't help yourself from doing it quit playing blackjack and just mail the casino a check. Don't make me hurt you!
I always split 10's against a dealers face card of a 5. I do this even if a strategy chart would discourage it. The only thing I dislike about splitting 10's is that the dealer will then bellow out loudly that someone is splitting 10's. As if to notify the pit boss that the person splitting 10's should be on their radar.
I am not a card counter, because I don't frequent the casinos with the mind set that my goal should be to always beat the house. Sometimes I just want to play for recreation and not count cards. So personally I think that if more people would split 10's, then this would help take away from the Casinos 'Radar' edge of yelling 'Splitting 10s'.
However then again, I am a small time recreational better, of 5 to 25 per hand. If I were playing a $100 hand, or $1000 hand, then I would definitely not be splitting 10's.
Anyway, just my thoughts. Thanks for all of the Black Jack players who have helped me on this forum.
I always split 10's against a dealers face card of a 5. I do this even if a strategy chart would discourage it. The only thing I dislike about splitting 10's is that the dealer will then bellow out loudly that someone is splitting 10's. As if to notify the pit boss that the person splitting 10's should be on their radar.
I am not a card counter, because I don't frequent the casinos with the mind set that my goal should be to always beat the house. Sometimes I just want to play for recreation and not count cards. So personally I think that if more people would split 10's, then this would help take away from the Casinos 'Radar' edge of yelling 'Splitting 10s'.
However then again, I am a small time recreational better, of 5 to 25 per hand. If I were playing a $100 hand, or $1000 hand, then I would definitely not be splitting 10's.
Anyway, just my thoughts. Thanks for all of the Black Jack players who have helped me on this forum.
You're fine. I'm not going to knock you for trying to add some excitement by splitting 10s in what can be a tedious and boring game.
As a counter I will split 10s whenever the count calls for it after evaluating for any heat. Here's a little trick that some counters use. Split 10s during a neutral count when you have your minimum bet out. It won't cost a lot and the idea is to get the pit used to the fact that you're an idiot. I can't say that it will always work and you must leave after showing your max bet whether you've made any index plays or not.
SnapBack,
Don't make a hair-brained play like this. What's the matter with you? Never split 10s. It's a big -EV move. If you can't help yourself from doing it quit playing blackjack and just mail the casino a check. Don't make me hurt you!
That's ridiculous. If he enjoys splitting 10's against a 5 (or 6) more power to him. Not everyone thinks they are going to bankrupt a casino by being the worlds best advantage player. He's playing for fun.
When I play, I play for fun as well. I know every house advantage percentage, every 'sucker' bet and every play people that take this too seriously cry about. And despite all of that, I've split 10's, doubled on Blackjack, played a Pai Gow hand differently than optimal, let my bets ride on a hunch in Let it Ride, etc, etc, etc.
Why can't people just play like they want to and have fun without being asked what's the matter with them or being slapped with it being an -EV move? Tipping 25% instead of 15% or 20% on a restaurant bill probably costs more than splitting 10's but you don't see people telling others that's -EV.
ZCore13
SnapBack,
Don't make a hair-brained play like this. What's the matter with you? Never split 10s. It's a big -EV move. If you can't help yourself from doing it quit playing blackjack and just mail the casino a check. Don't make me hurt you!
Wait a minute now, GJ. I assume this statement is meant for this particular non-counter poster. For a card counter, splitting tens is +EV. Pretty big +EV, when done correctly. It is one of the top strategy change plays behind taking insurance at the proper index. Problem is as 1BB alluded too, it draws big attention. And if it doesn't draw initial attention, it might draw what I call secondary attention from the other players at the table making comments and/or a fuss.
There is a common comeback on several BJ sites of 'there are other players at the table?', meaning you should ignore other players and their comments and play should not influence anything you do. BUT, when their comments lead to extra attention in the form of a pit critter walking over to see what is going on, then yes there are definitely other players at the table and their actions/comments can be negative consequence in the form of additional attention.
Splitting 10's is one of a handful of plays that casinos use to identify counters. Just like taking insurance and even hitting 16 vs 10, it is the fact that these plays are made sometimes and not at others that are the big 'tells'.
For a player such as myself, who's whole game is about drawing minimal attention and flying under the radar as much as possible, I have all but given up the +EV play of splitting 10's. It just isn't +EV when weighted against ALL the consequences (extra attention). I say 'all but given up' because like most things in life, there are exceptions. I will still do so, if I think I can get away with it, while drawing minimal attention if the count is real high. I mean significantly above the proper index. Even above the risk-adverse index. Of course, I will exit at the shuffle after such a move, which I would be doing anyway after showing my max bet. I am also a little more 'willing' to do so, when I am out of town, away from my regular rotation of stores.
Can somebody provide some insight as to WHY split tens are always announced by the dealer? It is hardly a good way to identify counters, I would assume that most of the split tens on any given day in a casino come from recreational players. If they wanted to identify counters, they should rather announce things like '5-fold bet increase'..
It isn't that splitting 10's alone identifies card counters. You probably have heard the saying that only idiots and card counters split 10's. So what it does is draw attention. And once someone, pit or surveillance begins to take a look at your play, it usually isn't hard for them to distinguish if you are an idiot or a card counter.
That is basically the situation with all these 'tells' that are used to identify counters. The' tell' itself doesn't prove anything, but it may cause someone to take a closer look and upon further examination....
Can somebody provide some insight as to WHY split tens are always announced by the dealer? It is hardly a good way to identify counters, I would assume that most of the split tens on any given day in a casino come from recreational players. If they wanted to identify counters, they should rather announce things like '5-fold bet increase'..
Pretty sure it's so there's evidence when the play fails and the player tries to claim it isn't what they wanted. Same reason they call out for doubling a hard 12, etc.
And they do also call out for large bets in most shops, especially when it's a break from a player's past betting values. 'black/purple/yellow action' 'Checks play', etc.
Wait a minute now, GJ. I assume this statement is meant for this particular non-counter poster. For a card counter, splitting tens is +EV. Pretty big +EV, when done correctly. It is one of the top strategy change plays behind taking insurance at the proper index. Problem is as 1BB alluded too, it draws big attention. And if it doesn't draw initial attention, it might draw what I call secondary attention from the other players at the table making comments and/or a fuss.
There is a common comeback on several BJ sites of 'there are other players at the table?', meaning you should ignore other players and their comments and play should not influence anything you do. BUT, when their comments lead to extra attention in the form of a pit critter walking over to see what is going on, then yes there are definitely other players at the table and their actions/comments can be negative consequence in the form of additional attention.
Splitting 10's is one of a handful of plays that casinos use to identify counters. Just like taking insurance and even hitting 16 vs 10, it is the fact that these plays are made sometimes and not at others that are the big 'tells'.
For a player such as myself, who's whole game is about drawing minimal attention and flying under the radar as much as possible, I have all but given up the +EV play of splitting 10's. It just isn't +EV when weighted against ALL the consequences (extra attention). I say 'all but given up' because like most things in life, there are exceptions. I will still do so, if I think I can get away with it, while drawing minimal attention if the count is real high. I mean significantly above the proper index. Even above the risk-adverse index. Of course, I will exit at the shuffle after such a move, which I would be doing anyway after showing my max bet. I am also a little more 'willing' to do so, when I am out of town, away from my regular rotation of stores.
I know all about what you're saying. You're entire post that has relevance to what I responded to was your first line, 'Wait a minute now, GJ. I assume this statement is meant for this particular non-counter poster.'
This guy is a beginner. And I'm not trying to encourage him not have fun. But mathematically, for him, it is a crazy-bad play.
Don't get me wrong about the rest of our post. You have, as usual, some great observations.
You have a situation where, if you stand, it is highly likely that you both keep your initial bet, and also win the bet.
If you split, you are doubling your potential loss, while possibly weakening both hands. A dealer 5 or 6 is not only good because the dealer is more likely to bust, he is less likely to get 20's as well. So you really do give up a lot with the 20, and if you end up with 2 18's, even then you have a good chance of losing.
When you are playing blackjack games in a land based casino or online via a multiplayer or live dealer gaming platform, you are going to end up sitting next to players who are both experienced and inexperienced, and their level of experience will soon become apparent when you take a look at how they are playing off each hand dealt out to them.
One way of discovering whether a player you are playing with knows the game of blackjack inside out is in regards to how they will play off a pair of 10 valued cards that are dealt out to them. The correct strategy for playing a pair of 10 valued cards, whether those cards are mixed 10 valued cards or two cards that are the same such as a pair of Kings or a pair of 10's is to stand those hands.
However, as many games are going to allow you to split unalike 10 valued cards as well as a pair of matching 10 valued cards then the temptation to split those cards will be great for an inexperienced player, more so if the Dealer has on display as his or her up facing card a low valued card such as a 3 or a 6 for example.
You should, as a general rule, always stand any pair of 10's irrespective of what the Dealer is showing, even if the Dealer has on display an Ace or a 10 valued card then you should always stand your pair of 10 valued cards. The reason for this is that you are highly unlikely to get dealt out an Ace or another 10 valued card to a split card which initially contained a pair of 10 valued cards, and the Dealer is unlikely to beat those hands.
You will of course find that from time to time the Dealer will, after you have make the decision to stand any pair of 10's manage to match your hand with a 20 valued hand and occasionally the Dealer will beat your hand by getting a 21 valued hand or possibly a Blackjack hand, however never veer off the correct playing strategy for the variant you are playing and that will mean you need to stand every single pair of 10 valued cards dealt out to you.
You will, if you decide to split a pair of 10 valued cards then have to pay an additional stake for the new hand formed with one of those cards, which is going to mean you then are risking twice the amount of money as you originally intended to do. Plus you may then be dealt out an additional 10 card alongside any split 10 valued card and you could then be tempted to split those cards as well, which will mean you incur an even larger cost by having to place an additional stake on the extra hand formed by re-splitting.
Never Split 10 Youtube
One thing to also be aware of in regards to why it is not going to be beneficial for you to split a pair of 10 valued cards is that most variants will have rules in place and also a payout structure that will stipulate if you split any pair of 10 valued cards and one of your split 10 valued cards is then dealt out an Ace card alongside it, those hands are, if they win the game, not going to be paid out at odds of 3 to 2 but instead they will be classed as a standard 21 hand and as such if those hands win the game and beat the Dealers hand your winning payout will be just an even money winning payout.
Blackjack Variants which Call for Players to Split 10's
The only blackjack game variant which is going to have a perfect playing strategy that will occasionally see you being able to split a pair of 10's as the correct playing decision is the game of Double Exposure Blackjack.
The Double Exposure Blackjack game is quite different to any other blackjack game you are going to come across either in a land based casino or when playing online. For when you play this game as well as you being dealt out your initial two card hand facing upwards, both of the dealers two initial cards will also be dealt face up.
When To Split At Blackjack
That does of course mean you are going to see the value of the Dealers hand at all times, and that major player advantage will mean that there are a limited number of times when you are playing this game that you should chose to split your hand when it contains any pair of 10's.
If you do start to play Double Exposure Blackjack and you have been dealt out any pair of 10 valued cards and the Dealers two up facing cards are worth a hard 13 valued hand through to a hard 16 valued hand then those are the only times that instead of standing your hand you should choose to split them.
Also if you do play this blackjack game variant and the Dealer gets a 20 valued hand and you have a pair of 10 valued cards then the correct playing move for those hands are that you should hit your hand, that may seem like a risky playing decision to make when you both hand a 20 valued hand but surprisingly it is the correct perfect way of playing a pair of 10's when the Dealer has a 20 valued hand also.
Please do be aware that in regards to the house edge you will be playing against when playing Double Exposure Blackjack it is a high house edge game and as such even though you get to see just what cards the Dealer is holding you are going to be far better off and have many more winning chances by playing a much lower house edge game instead of the high house edge game of Double Exposure Blackjack.
Splitting 10's in a Las Vegas Casino
Since I've gone through all the serious reasons of why splitting 10's is a sucker move I thought I would finish this article with a fun story from when I visited a Las Vegas casino a couple of years ago.
I was staying at the Planet Hollywood in Vegas and decided to try out their blackjack games so I sat down at a table that had a single seat open. After playing a couple of hands one of the other players at the table gets dealt two tens against the dealers 5 and decides to split his cards. The whole table (myself excluded) then proceeds to mock this player for the rest of his session calling him names like sucker and 'tourist'.
Blackjack Videos Never Split Tens
Now if the -EV from doing this split doesn't deter you from making this move you should probably still avoid it in order not to be mocked by your fellow players for the duration of your session.
