ุ Resplit Aces Adding this rule allows resplitting of a pair of aces. This rule is less common but more common than most people think. Advantage is 0-.1 depending on other rules. In shoe games, this rule is quite valuable for card counters and is often seen with late surrender games in Las Vegas.
ุ Multiple draw after split Aces Most casinos will allow only one card drawn to each split hand after splitting aces. A few allow additional draws. Advantage is about .1.
ุ Must double down third card on split Ace A new rule in a few American Indian casinos allows a third card after splitting aces, but you must double. You can double for less.
ุ Split tens must be same value In most casinos, tens, jacks, queens and kings all count as ten and can be considered the same for splitting rules. In other words, you can split a jack and a king. A few casinos demand that the cards be exact pairs.
ุ No Ace Splits Some casinos do not allow a split of aces. This Blackjack rule is fairly rare and should be avoided.
ุ Split any time This very rare rule allows you to split a hand after drawing additional cards as long as you have two cards of the same value touching each other. For example, draw 10, 2, 2 and you can split the deuces resulting in hands of 12 and 2. You can then finish each hand.
ุ Split any 16 Such as A5, 97, T6. Great rule as it gets rid of the worst hand. Unfortunately rare.
ุ Discard Split Very good but not common rule that allows you to throw away one of your hands after a split. This requires two strategies. The first strategy specifies when you will split. The second specifies when you will throw out the split hand.
ุ No 4, 5 or Ten Splits. This rule used to be law in the UK. The law has been changed to allow these splits, but many casinos have not changed with the law.
Insurance and Surrender Rules
ุ Insurance This nearly universal rule allows an insurance bet against a dealer face-up ace. Note: Not allowed with Double Exposure (described later).
ุ Even Money If you have a Blackjack and the dealer has an ace, you can call out even money. You will be paid 1:1. This is
© 2009 Norman Wattenberger
