How to play a Pair of 10s in Blackjack

Blackjack has long been a player favourite. From royal courts to your local pub, the game has been played in all venues and by people from all walks of life. The reason why blackjack is so enduring is simple: the game is straightforward to play on the surface and has a host of effective strategies to maximise the winning chances for players who are willing to dig a little deeper. In this article, we’ll take a look at how to play a pair of 10s in blackjack.

With a blackjack pair of 10s, you are well on your way to winning the round. This is an incredibly strong hand as the total is 20, just one away from a perfect 21. In most cases, you’ll want to stand. In some situations, however, splitting can also be a viable option in this popular table game. 10s are a strong foundation for starting hands, and sometimes doubling your stake and playing two hands can increase your chances of winning big.

When should I split on a pair of 10s?

Are you wondering what to do with a pair of 10s in blackjack? We hear this question a lot. In blackjack, splitting 10s is only viable when the dealer’s upcard is a two through seven. Even then, standing is the better choice. However, if you feel confident and the dealer has a two through seven showing, you can split and then double down with a reasonable likelihood of success. Starting each hand off with a 10 builds strong hands from the jump.

Can I split and then double down with a pair of 10s?

The best blackjack pair of 10s strategy that the LeoVegas team can offer is to stand. Regardless of what the dealer shows, standing gives you the best odds of winning. If you do decide to split, however, you’ll want to limit this choice to games where you can double down after splitting (DAS). This increases your potential win significantly.

Not all games allow players to do this, however, with some tables specifically not allowing players to double down after splitting (NDAS). This makes splitting significantly less profitable. Before you make your choice, ensure that you understand the table rules. Some live games, such as those from Evolution and OnAir Entertainment, don’t allow DAS in any circumstances, while others, such as All Bets Blackjack from Playtech Games, do.

If you do decide to split your pair of 10s, you have the best possible odds to increase the amount of money you win exponentially because it gives you two opportunities to land 20 on the double down.

Probabilities of success when hitting with a pair of 10s

In most cases, keeping your pair of 10s in one hand is the best option. Your chances of winning with a 20 are incredibly high, and it’s not a smart idea to split your hand except in very limited cases. Here are some blackjack 10s tips to help guide your strategy.

In high-stakes games, some blackjack players will split their hand to try to win more money. This is rarely the right move in the long run, however, with most players benefitting from standing. That’s because even at your lowest chance of winning (when the dealer shows an ace), you still have a 70% probability of winning the round. When the dealer shows a six, your likelihood of victory skyrockets to 90%!

So, do I split a pair of 10s in blackjack? In general, no, you don’t. We recommend standing regardless of what the dealer’s upcard shows. This is especially true when the dealer is showing a five or six.

Blackjack Strategy Table