Yes it's basic strat to split low cards and hope for double-down ops..4/6 4/7 4/5 even vs a dealers card under 7
always assuming the dealer has a ten/face card under.
This is a great hand and played well,the way it should work out.Props Barry for doubling the 9!
Had Barry simply played the solid 8 and next card was the 5 giving him 13 vs dealer 6 up.Then the book says absolute stand and hope the dealer turns over a ten for a 16 and break with a 6 or higher..Note the non-hits/pass on the 2 middle 14's /hands...Does not always work that way however..
Had he NOT split-dealer gets that 8 and with the 7 under gets a 21! -$32.50