The easy answer is you’ll likely win more money if you split instead of just taking the guaranteed win on your single bet. After all, a nine is a damn good starting hand against most of what the blackjack dealer is going throw at you.

The longer answer starts with some easy math. A basic hand of 18 (whatever combination – 9’s, 10-8 or A-7) has a 55% chance of winning against a five or six. So splitting 9’s gives you two hands each with more than a 55% chance to beat the dealer. That’s just basic law of averages – two hands with a winning percentage are better than one. That’s why you take a calculated risk and split – to take advantage of your favorable odds in that situation.

Of course, card counters will put a disclaimer in there, and say they’d only do it if the true count were this or that, but in reality, you wouldn’t be asking this question if you knew how to count cards, so it’s irrelevant.

Plus, let’s not forget the basic yet unscientific fact that it’s just fun to split cards. Yes, I’m serious, that’s a reason to do it. Enjoying yourself (when you’re obviously not playing to solely grind out a winning purse) is key to staying interested in the game and, thus, keeping your mind fresh and attentive in the process. Doubling down, splitting or hitting a blackjack break up the monotony of the game, and force you to a mid-game decision on whether you want to put up more money. Even those small extra bets get your adrenaline pumping. It has more of an effect if you’re actually in a casino – because you extend that short time where you’re the center of the table’s attention. You could be betting in increments of $5. It doesn’t matter. When you split or double down, even that guy who chewed you out after you hit that 13 five hands back becomes a cheerleader for you.

And if that’s not a good enough reason to split 9’s, what can I tell you? Hit up the Keno pit.