How to play a pair of 4s in blackjack

Blackjack is a popular game for two very good reasons. First, it’s easy to play! There are no complicated rules you must learn before you can dive in – all you need to do is hit until you get a 21, or close to it. Second, there are a lot of blackjack strategies that can elevate your gameplay. Players can put in time and effort to improve their skills, which has tangible benefits for them in the form of increased winning potential and a lower house edge. In this article, we’re going to explore how to play a pair of 4s in blackjack.

A pair of fours in blackjack doesn’t have to be daunting. It does present challenges for players who like to split their hands, but even then, they can split under certain circumstances. We’ll discuss this in more detail below. For now, just know that you could do much worse than a pair of fours. Even if you can’t split them, a hand total of eight is a solid start.

When should I split a pair of fours?

You may be wondering, ‘Do I split a pair of 4s in blackjack?’ The LeoVegas team hears this question all the time. Splitting a pair of fours is tricky. Neither card is worth much on its own and doesn’t provide a particularly good foundation for a split hand – unless the dealer shows a three through six. In this scenario, splitting can be beneficial. This is especially true if the dealer shows a five or six. With that said, note that even under these circumstances, splitting is only a good choice if you can double down afterwards. If the table doesn’t allow double-downs after splits, hitting is always the better choice.

Can I split and then double down with a pair of fours?

The ideal blackjack pair of 4s strategy is to split and double down on a five or six. However, not every game allows this. In general, blackjack games are categorised in two main ways. The first is tables that allow doubling down after splitting (DAS), and the other is tables that allow no doubling down after splitting (NDAS). Evolution and OnAir Entertainment live casino games, for example, do not allow doubling after splitting. Playtech’s table games, on the other hand, do.

This means that if your only table options are Evolution, OnAir or Playtech, you should only ever consider splitting in the latter.

When should I not split a pair of fours?

In blackjack, splitting 4s is only done in very limited circumstances. We’ve discussed what to do with a pair of 4s in blackjack when splitting is possible, but when should you absolutely not split? If you are playing at an NDAS table, you should never split. It just isn’t worth it if you can’t double down afterwards. Hitting is the better choice. Even at DAS tables, hitting is usually the better choice unless the dealer has a three through six, with the latter providing the best odds.

In other words, don’t split a pair of fours if the dealer has a two or seven through 10 or a face card. Hitting is always advisable in these circumstances.

Probabilities of success when hitting with a pair of fours

Are you ready to give the game a shot? Before you dive in, here are some blackjack 4s tips to help you on your way.

In the table below, you can see that splitting is only recommended when the dealer’s upcard is a three through six. Of those possibilities, a three offers the poorest odds (38%), while the six offers the highest odds (43%).

While a pair of fours is weaker than other low pairs, there are factors to consider that can make it a bit better. To sum up the advice we’ve given elsewhere in this article, do not split unless you can double down afterwards! This is true even if the dealer is showing a three through six upcard. If you can’t double down, you should always hit on a blackjack pair of fours.

Blackjack Strategy Table