There will be instances when we get a bunch of really low numbers when the dealer deals those cards. Basic single deck blackjack strategy tells us to keep hitting. The story goes, and we keep hitting until eventually we end up with four cards in our hands.
This might be quite alright with a multiple deck game, but with a single deck game where all you've got are 52 cards in a deck this will have quite a different effect. The correct thing to do is to check the house rules before you sit at a blackjack table to play. Players may have to review basic single deck strategy as well. Final thing a player needs to do is to adjust certain parts of basic strategy to with the current situation.
Here are your strategy adjustments when playing with four cards in your current hand and the dealer hits on soft 17:
If you have a total of 12 and the dealer shows a three for an up card then stand. If you have a total of 16 and the dealer shows an up card of ten then stand.
Here are the other exceptions when dealing with four cards in your hand:
If your 12 consists of three twos and a six against a dealer's three up card then hit. If your 12 consists of two twos, a five, and a three against a dealer's three then hit. If your 12 consists of a two, two threes, and a four against a dealer's three then hit. If your 15 consists of an ace, a four, and a pair of fives against a dealer's ten then stand. If your 15 consists of an ace, a three, a five, and a six against a dealer's ten then stand. If your 15 consists of an ace, a two, and a pair of sixes against a dealer's ten then stand. If your 16 consists of an ace and three fives against a dealer's seven then stand. If your 16 consists of a two, a four, and two fives against a dealer's seven then stand. If your 16 consists of two threes and two fives against a dealer's seven then stand. If your 16 consists of a three, two fours, and a five against a dealer's seven then stand. If your 16 consists of four fours against a dealer's seven then stand. If your 16 consists of an ace and three fives against a dealer's eight then stand. If your 16 consists of a two, four, and a pair of fives against a dealer's eight then stand. Generally you should stand if your hand totals 16 and the dealer shows a nine up card.
You should hit against a dealer's ten if your hand totals 16 and is composed of two sixes and two twos, or two sixes, a three, and an ace, or a seven, six, two, and ace, or an eight, six, and a pair of aces, or a ten, and three twos.
A soft 18 consisting of a three, a pair of twos, and an ace against a dealer's ten or ace, player stands.
This is your single deck blackjack strategy when you're stuck with four cards in your hand. Players should adjust their strategy accordingly.