4,4 vs 5 or 6

[MercySakesAlive]

I play 6 deck DAS games using REKO.

Basic strategy says split 4,4 against 5 or 6 while REKO tells me to double down if the count is at the proper index number.

So how should I play 4,4 if the count is high? ... Split or Double Down?

[Bodarc]

Index numbers tell you when to deviate from basic strategy.

[BJGenius007]

I play 6 deck DAS games using REKO.

Basic strategy says split 4,4 against 5 or 6 while REKO tells me to double down if the count is at the proper index number.

So how should I play 4,4 if the count is high? ... Split or Double Down?

Never double. The best hand you can get is 19 and only 1/13th of the time.

[MercySakesAlive]

Right, Bodarc, the answer is right in front of me. Thanks.

[Bodarc]

Mercy....see pg 251 of Modern Blackjack. There is no index for doubling 44 vs 5 or 6 as BJGenius pointed out.

[ZeeBabar]

Never double. The best hand you can get is 19 and only 1/13th of the time.

Right! I. Always split. There is a good chance of a doubling opportunity after splitting. If double after splits is not allowed, I would consider hitting, based on count.

[MercySakesAlive]

REKO says there is an index for 8v5 and 8v6.

REKO also says to hit 12v4 unless you hit the index. I bring this up to highlight how REKO has some plays that BJ3 might not have.

[MercySakesAlive]

Yeah, maybe I'm way off here. REKO says Split the 4,4 against the 5 or 6. Then it says at the index DD on the 8 against 5 or 6.

So I ask you, this should be read as... Always split 4,4 against the 5 or 6. And double down on the 8 (3,5 hand or 2,6 hand) against 5 or 6 at the index.

[Bodarc]

12 V 4 should be hit if the true count is below 0 in hi low and Felt....that is not an unusual play by REKO with a running count of -8.

Anyway, just learn your index numbers and apply them when the running count says to.

[MercySakesAlive]

yeah, shoot, I stand corrected. anyways. thanks for your input bodarc and BJgenius

[BJGenius007]

REKO says there is an index for 8v5 and 8v6.

REKO also says to hit 12v4 unless you hit the index. I bring this up to highlight how REKO has some plays that BJ3 might not have.

The sequence for decision making on playing a hand is:

1. Surrender
2. Split
3. Double
4. Hit or stay

You never reach the third stage because on the second stage, you have decided to split the pairs of four's if TC is very high.

[Three]

Never double. The best hand you can get is 19 and only 1/13th of the time.

Often you are doubling more on the likelihood of the dealer busting than anything else. You don't have to make a good hand to win a double down. If you did you wouldn't soft double much. See next post.

[BJGenius007]

Often you are doubling more on the likelihood of the dealer busting than anything else. You don't have to make a good hand to win a double down. If you did you wouldn't soft double much. See next post.

In this case, he can play up to 6 hands assuming rule allows to split 2 times, and each hand can reach 21. Clearly split is much better than double.