Knowing when to split pairs could make or break you in Blackjack. Getting two cards of one rank as a hand can be tricky, so it’s important to know when/if to split them.
One possible card combination that stumps players is a pair of 7s.
When Players Should Split a Pair of 7s
A few playing decisions are available if you hold a pair of 7s. For example, you can hit, split, stand, or surrender. However, it helps to look at the dealer’s face-up card, their standing total, and the house rules before making your decision. In addition, you can consider whether a late surrender of doubling after a split is possible.
Splitting a pair of 7s can have several results. Two notable examples include:
- It can lead to greater losses if you get a poor draw.
- It may put you in a better position by turning your fairly poor hand of a hard 14 into a better pair.
If the dealer’s face-up card is a 7, it’s considered a weak hand. So it could be a good idea for you to split. If you do, you’ll get one card on each hand, potentially allowing you to have stronger hands than the single one before.
Another scenario where you can split 7s is if the dealer has a face-up card running from 2 to 7 in multi-deck Blackjack. In this scenario, the dealer may land a hard 14 or surpass 21.
Usually, having a total hand of 7 is better than a pair of 7s. However, splitting might help you avoid a bust.
Splitting 7s is advisable in single-deck Blackjack if the dealer’s face-up car runs from 2 to 8. Note that you can split 7s against the 8 if the house rules allow you to double down afterwards.
When Players Should Hit a Pair of 7s
Knowing when to hit a pair of 7s depends on the dealer’s face-up card and your hand total. For example, there could be scenarios where it would be better for players not to split but opt for another move. This would be mostly if the dealer has a strong upcard.
Consider a hit in variations with 4 to 8 decks if the dealer has an 8 as their face-up card. A powerful upcard is a challenge to go up against, so there might be a better play here than splitting hands.
Some players advise hitting your 7s in single-deck Blackjack if the dealer is holding a 9 or Ace, but stand if they’re holding 10s. In addition, if you’re playing a blackjack game where 2 full decks apply, you can hit if the dealer holds a 9, 10, or Ace.
Surrendering a Pair of 7s
Another possible move is to surrender your pair of 7s. Surrendering means giving the casino half your bet and keeping the rest. It’s a useful move if players are likely to go bust. Surrendering allows players to get some money back which they probably would have lost.
However, most casinos and slot sites don’t allow surrendering a pair of 7s. So, it’s important to check the rules before choosing your preferred blackjack casino game. If surrendering is permitted, players should ensure they make this decision on their 1st move since the game won’t allow it as an option after hitting. Note that surrendering 7s is a practical option in single-deck Blackjack only.
The dealer drawing on soft 17 or choosing to stand also impacts your play. For example, if the dealer stands on a soft 17, surrendering your 7s against a 10 face-up card would be a good option. However, if they hit on a soft 17, you may be better off surrendering your pair vs a 10 or Ace. If you’re in a double after a split game, hitting against 9 and splitting against the other face-up cards may be a better move.
How Should You Play a Pair of 7s?
The dealer’s upcard influences how you play a pair of 7s. So, consider the options available, like splitting, surrendering, standing, or hitting, depending on the dealer’s upcard.
