As blackjack is a game of skill, it allows players who have the necessary knowledge and strategy to gain an advantage over the casino and win in the long run. There are many factors that play a crucial role during the course of the game and, in order to emerge as winners, they need to focus on every single aspect.
One essential requirement for players who strive constantly to improve their game, rather than play recklessly, is to be familiar with the possible options each hand affords them. Following a reliable strategy and having money management skills are also among the prerequisites if they want to succeed in winning. Players who have thought through every situation are able to make better choices and moves, and this is reflected in their play.
One of the important decisions they need to make during the game is when to split. Although many inexperienced gamblers adhere to the adage that they should split whenever their first two cards are of the same rank, this is often not the optimal move.
There are some occasions when it is best to refrain from such a move and proceed differently instead. In this chapter, we will consider situations in which players are dealt a pair of 4s.
When to Split a Pair of 4s
As already mentioned, it is crucial to know when to split a particular pair, as this can make a huge difference in the long run. Every move gives players new options and possibilities and, if they want the best of these, the only way is to make the appropriate choices.
When dealt a pair of 4s (a hard 8), blackjack players are presented with three viable basic strategy moves: they can hit, double down, or split. Standing is not an option, as refraining from hitting a hard 8 is clearly nonsensical; the only way such a hand can win is if the dealer busts.
Playing conditions are the single most essential consideration before you pick a strategy chart to employ at the tables. This is because the optimal playing strategy is affected by different factors such as the number of decks in play, the value of the dealer’s exposed card, and the availability of doubling down after a split (DAS). Assuming the house rules support DAS, the correct time to split your pair of 4s in double-deck and shoe-dealt blackjack is whenever the dealer’s upcard is a 5 or a 6.
The odds are that eight out of thirteen cards will be beneficial for the player. Six cards in the deck will place them in a standing position while the dealer is in a disadvantageous one, and two other cards will leave them with a total of eleven or ten.
Another reason players should split 4s in these cases is that this move can result in a situation suitable for doubling down. This allows them to increase their stake and make the most of the opportunity.
You should hit your hard 8 (4-4) when the dealer exposes any of the other possible cards (2, 3, 4, 7, 8, 9, 10 and ace). The reason is that a hand starting with a 4 performs better against the dealer’s 6 or 5 compared to a hard total of 8, which yields a lower expected value on average.
The logic behind splitting 4s against a 6 is that it earns the most substantial winnings in the long term compared with hitting or doubling. In other words, players can expect larger profits on average by starting two individual hands with a total of 4 than by hitting or doubling down on a hard total of 8.
| EV of 4-4 vs. 6 in Shoe-Dealt and Double-Deck Games with DAS | |
|---|---|
| Splitting | +0.151377 |
| Hitting | +0.114960 |
| Doubling Down | +0.087015 |
It is apparent that splitting is the best strategy here, since it translates into 4 pence more per £1 wagered than hitting and 6 pence more than doubling down. Given that house rules prohibit DAS, you should opt for the next best play, which is obviously hitting.
| 4-4 Basic Strategy for Double-Deck and Shoe-Dealt NDAS Games | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Player’s Hand | Dealer Upcard | |||||||||
| 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | Ace | |
| 4-4 | H | H | H | H | H | H | H | H | H | H |
Here is another example with a pair of 4-4 when the dealer’s exposed card is a 3. This is still considered a weak card for the dealer, but in this case both doubling down and splitting produce long-term losses for the player. Hitting is the most effective play with 4s versus a 3 because it is the only option that gives the basic strategist positive expected value.
Strategy for Paired 4s in Single-Deck Blackjack
The situation is different when a player joins a table where the cards are dealt from a single deck only. This requires several adjustments on the part of the patron. Regardless of whether the game uses the S17 or the H17 rule, single-deck blackjack players are advised to split their 4s versus the dealer’s 4, 5 and 6, and to hit against the remaining possible exposed cards (2, 3, 7, 8, 9, 10 and ace), but only on condition they can double after they split.
| 4-4 Basic Strategy for Single-Deck Games with DAS | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Player’s Hand | Dealer Upcard | |||||||||
| 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | Ace | |
| 4-4 | H | H | Ph | Pd | Pd | H | H | H | H | H |
Assuming the single-deck table abides by the NDAS rule, all possible plays (other than standing) yield a positive expected value with 4s against the 5 and 6. However, doubling down is considered the most effective play because it ensures the largest profits in the long run.
On the downside, many single-deck variations of blackjack impose limitations on the two-card totals on which players may double. In many instances, doubling is restricted to starting hands of hard 9, 10, and 11. When this is the case, players should hit their 4-4 (hard 8) when the dealer shows low cards such as 4, 5 and 6.
When the Dealer’s Upcard is 4
Splitting 4-4 is acceptable on occasions when the dealer’s upcard is 4 and you are playing single-deck DAS blackjack. Keep in mind this is a very poor move in variants that utilise more than one full pack of cards, regardless of whether DAS or NDAS is in effect. We already touched upon this subject earlier, but it bears repeating.
In multi-deck blackjack, hitting 4s against a 4 yields average profits of roughly 4 pence for every £1 you wager on this hand. By contrast, splitting this pair against a 4 causes you to lose around 2 pence for every £1 staked. So which option do you prefer: losing £0.02 or winning £0.04 on average? Any person with common sense would choose the latter.
Splitting a Pair of 2’s or 3’s
Splitting a Pair of 4’s
Splitting a Pair of 5’s
Splitting a Pair of 6’s
Splitting a Pair of 7’s
When to Avoid Splitting a Pair of 4s
As mentioned earlier, there are cases when a player’s best choice is not to split a pair of 4s. Instead, they should choose to hit in order to avoid putting themselves in a busting position.
This move should be made whenever the dealer’s upcard is 2, 3 or 7 through ace in single-deck NDAS and multi-deck blackjack. When hitting, players might receive an ace, which would leave them with a total of 19 in their hand. If they draw a 2 or 3, they have the opportunity to double down.
Whenever the dealer’s upcard is a 3, the best decision with a pair of 4-4 is to hit. All basic strategy charts, regardless of the house rules for the dealer or the number of decks, advise against splitting your 4s versus the dealer’s 3. Splitting this pair is entirely inappropriate where player expectation is concerned.
The basic strategy for double- and multi-deck DAS tables favours hitting, albeit by a very small margin, because this is the only play that produces positive expectation under these circumstances and playing conditions.
The same cannot be said for splitting 4s against a 3, which is strictly a negative-EV move no matter how you look at it. In reality, a split of the 4-4 versus the 3 will cost you nearly 11 pence per every £1 bet you make on this hand in shoe-dealt DAS blackjack.
While it is true that there is a chance of ending up with busted hands when splitting your 4-4, you should trust in basic strategy. Show some perseverance, discipline and, above all, common sense. Playing optimally does not guarantee that you will beat the dealer every single time, but it certainly has a positive impact on your long-term results. Arm yourself with patience; you will see that the strategy works if you are consistent enough.
Resplitting and Other Important Things to Consider
Splitting 4s is a situation that should definitely draw the player’s attention, as this move offers the possibility to double down afterwards and thereby increase the stake. However, they need to take into account the fact that some casinos do not allow doubling down after splitting or have certain restrictions regarding that matter. Therefore, they need to familiarise themselves with the house rules in advance, as sometimes they differ from one table to another.
It is important for players to take their time and consider these requirements beforehand, as their strategy may be influenced by them and, if doubling after a split is not allowed, the whole picture changes. Another important point to bear in mind is that in situations where they have a pair of 4s against a 4 as the dealer’s upcard, it is only acceptable to split (rather than hit) in single-deck blackjack that permits them to double after a pair split.
Many online blackjack variants enable players to resplit to a maximum of three or four hands. This is beneficial, so we suggest that you take advantage of this option whenever you catch another 4 after splitting your 4s against the dealer’s 6 or 5. Resplit your 4s against these small upcards as many times as the house rules allow you to.
Conclusion
Having the necessary knowledge when it comes to playing blackjack is crucial if players wish to win in the long run. It is essential for them to know the rules thoroughly and understand the strategy they employ.
If players are familiar with the most common hands and know when and why they should split, this increases their chances of winning significantly. This knowledge can be applied correctly and leads to the desired results only if players also exercise discipline and sound bankroll management.
Splitting a pair of 4s is one move that offers plenty of opportunities to increase your bet afterwards. Such occasions should be valued if players want to make the most of every game and leave the casino as winners.