Should you split 4s against a 5?
Split. The book splits 4s against a 5 or 6 and hits against the rest.
Why
Kept together, two 4s are only 8. One card takes 8 to 19 at most. Split, and each 4 starts a hand of its own.
With a 5 showing, the dealer goes over 21 42.0% of the time, and the book would rather have two bets out when that happens than one 8.
When the answer changes
At the app's table (six decks, the dealer hitting soft 17, double after split and late surrender) the book splits 4s against a 5. With two, six or eight decks and no double after split, the book hits instead. With a single deck and no double after split, the book doubles instead. Every other rule set plays it the way the app's table does.
The full basic strategy chart for six decks, dealer hits soft 17, with every other rule set a tap away.
Questions
Should you split 4s against a 4?
No. Against a 4 the book hits two 4s. A dealer showing a 4 goes over 21 39.8% of the time.
Does the answer change with no double after split?
Yes. At the app's table with no double after split, the book hits two 4s against a 5.
More hands
- Should you split 2s against a 7?
- Should you split 3s against an 8?
- Should you split 6s against a 2?
- Should you split 5s against a 10?
- Should you split 7s against an 8?
- Blackjack hands, one at a time
Guides
Know the book before you sit down.
