Should you split 5s against a 10?
Hit. The book hits two 5s against a 10 or ace and doubles against the rest.
Why
Two 5s are 10, and the book plays them exactly as it plays 10. Split, and each 5 starts a hand that a 10, jack, queen or king turns into 15.
Against a 10 the dealer ends on 17 or better 77.0% of the time, after checking for blackjack, so the book doesn't even double this 10. It hits, and doubles 10 against every dealer card but a 10 or ace.
When the answer changes
This one doesn't change. Every rule set the chart covers hits two 5s against a 10: one, two, six or eight decks, the dealer hitting or standing on soft 17, with or without double after split and surrender.
The full basic strategy chart for six decks, dealer hits soft 17, with every other rule set a tap away.
Questions
Should you split 5s against a 9?
No. Against a 9 the book doubles two 5s. A dealer showing a 9 goes over 21 22.9% of the time.
Is it different at a single-deck table?
No. At the app's table with a single deck, the book still hits. So does every rule set the chart covers.
More hands
- Should you split 8s against a 10?
- Should you split 9s against a 10?
- Should you split 3s against an 8?
- Should you split 7s against an 8?
- Should you split 8s against an ace?
- Blackjack hands, one at a time
Guides
Know the book before you sit down.
