Two aces in blackjack: split, always
A pair of aces is the easiest verdict on the chart: split against everything — 2 through ace, no exceptions, no table-rule caveats worth naming. Played as a hand it’s a clumsy soft 12; split, each ace becomes the start of an 11 — the best first card in the game, twice.
Why the math is one-sided
Every ten-value card in the shoe — almost a third of it — turns a lone ace into 21. Keeping the aces together wastes that twice over: soft 12 improves slowly and wins rarely, while two separate aces each draw at the densest part of the deck. That is why the split holds even where casinos deal just one card per ace and forbid re-splitting.
All ten matchups
A,A vs 2Splitwin 57.9%A,A vs 3Splitwin 59.2%A,A vs 4Splitwin 60.5%A,A vs 5Splitwin 61.9%A,A vs 6Splitwin 63.3%A,A vs 7Splitwin 57.9%A,A vs 8Splitwin 55.1%A,A vs 9Splitwin 52.0%A,A vs 10Splitwin 51.1%A,A vs ASplitwin 48.6%
Quick answers
What do 2 aces count as in blackjack?
As dealt, A-A is a soft 12 (11+1) — but you should never play it as 12. Split, and each ace restarts a hand worth 11, drawing toward 21.
Do you always split aces?
Yes — against every dealer upcard, including a 10 or an ace. It is the single most one-sided decision on the whole strategy chart.
How many cards do you get after splitting aces?
Most casinos deal exactly one card to each ace — no re-hitting. Even under that restriction, splitting still crushes hitting or standing on 12.