Double Down Blackjack
The Blackjack double down may appear risky in the end, but in very specific situations, it’s the best play to make – and you should learn all these situations if you want to get the most out your Blackjack sessions. Memorize them, try them for free using the Practice Play mode at Bovada, and you’ll be one step closer towards “Blackjack. Double down definition is - to double the original bid in blackjack in exchange for only one more card. How to use double down in a sentence.
Double Down Strategy For Blackjack
Players who want to double down must follow a certain strategy and know when exactly the step would be favorable to them. The following information can guide the player well in the process.
When To Double Down
The instances when doubling down is the best option for the player are:
When the player’s two cards total 11
When the two cards dealt total is 11, it is the best time to ask for that additional card because the chance of hitting 21 is very high. If you don’t get a 21, getting close to that number is obviously possible.
When the player has a soft 16, 17 or 18
This already means that the player has a card plus an ace. This is a good situation to double down only if the dealer is showing a weak card. Even with a soft 18, there is a high chance of the player’s hand getting improved with an additional card.
When the player has a hard 9 or 10
This means that the player has a hand with no ace. Doubling down in this situation is favorable again only if the dealer has a low card. An extra card that turns out to be a high one makes the player’s place much better against the dealer.
When Not To Double Down
In blackjack, a player should never double down in the following situations:
When the dealer has an ace
When such is the situation, then the chance of the dealer getting a blackjack is already pretty high. Even if he peeks and find out that he doesn’t have a blackjack, he will probably end up very close to 21 anyway.
When the player has card total exceeding 21
If the cards of the player already have a total of more than 11, the chance of going bust is presumably high. It is better to stick to a lower total than expecting the dealer to go bust.
Doubling Down may not always go as expected by the player. But understanding the situations and avoiding the temptation to place this bet every now and then can prevent unnecessary loss of money and win a better fortune in the long run.
Double Down After Split
Double Down after Split (DDAS) is allowed in most blackjack variations, played in casinos, both land-based and online. This is a blackjack strategy that means that when the player is dealt a pair, he can split it and when dealt to those split cards, the doubling situation becomes stronger.
So, while doubling down after the split, the player places an additional wager, which is equal to the original, and then double the stakes on any half of the split he wants. For instance, if the player has a pair of 7’s and the house has a 4, he can split the 7’s and hope that he receives a 4 to the first seven to come to a total of 11.
Doubling after Split (DAS) gives a fair chance to the player to come to a more advantageous situation. This strategy, when utilized in the right way, can add as much as 13% to the advantage of a player in a game of blackjack.
Card Counting & Doubling Down
Card counting, though controversial (but legal), is actually a good strategy to understand what cards are there in the deck. Whether the deck has most of the high-value cards or weak cards can be determined by card counting.
In the very same way, card counting is a useful strategy to determine whether to double down and when/when not to do so. For instance, if the player has a total of 11, he will usually double down in the hope of receiving a 10-card. But, if the deck is weak, which can be somewhat determined by card counting, he might want to stay back from doubling down.
One of the best and most exciting options available in blackjack is when we have the opportunity to double down on a bet. As a ‘twice the risk, twice the reward’ option, it has the potential to net us a sizeable return, if we know how and when to properly employ such a tactic. As explained on our terminology page, to double is to place another wager on your hand, equal to the amount of your initial bet, in exchange for only one additional card, and the obligation to stand after that one card is dealt.
For example, if you have been dealt a Six and a Four (a total value of 10), you may choose to double your original wager of $100, as drawing a card valued from seven to 11 is a strong possibility and will stand you in good stead to win the hand. If you do win the hand, instead of receiving a $100 profit if you did not double, you will net a return of $200.
Double Down in Play
Doubling is an essential tactic, and if used correctly, helps to lower the casino’s house edge. A knowledgeable player should know when to employ this move for an advantage in the long run, but the decision needs to be carefully considered before commitment, based on a the following important factors:
- The total points value of your current hand
- The dealer’s up-card
- The house rules and edge
- The version of blackjack being played
If you are playing a game with eight decks and you can double on any total, the house edge is 0.55%. If you can double after splitting, this reduces the house edge by 0.13%, but if you can double only on totals of 10 and 11, this increases the house edge by 0.21%. And obviously we want the lowest house edge possible.
Mastering basic blackjack strategies is key to winning. Here are some guidelines worthwhile remembering in order to maximise our chances and avoid unfavourable odds when opting to double:
Take Advantage of 9, 10 & 11 Totals
The best hands to double down on are considered to be those with a value of nine, 10 or 11. We already have the ideal hand to hit on and end with a strong total with just one additional card. If you find yourself dealt a hand with these totals, consider doubling down to maximise your winning payout. There will always be a risk present in every decision you make, but the key to winning more games than losing is to take advantage of an edge while you have it. If you are hesitant to double down because of the size of the bet and your potential loss, you might be playing at a table with too high stakes.
Don’t Split Fives, Go For The High Five: A common tactic for players who find themselves with low pocket pair hands such as Deuces or Treys is to split them and improve their chances of winning with two separate hands, which is fine. But if you find yourself with a pair of Fives, refrain from splitting and consider doubling. A total of 10 points is a strong position to be in (as explained above), so with a pair of Fives and roughly a 24% chance of drawing a card valued at 10 points on the next hit (to give you a total of 20), doubling is in your best interests. You also have a solid chance of drawing an Eight, Nine or Ace, resulting in favourably high hands of 18, 19, or 21.
Double Down Blackjack Game
The Rule of 9
The ‘Rule of 9’ is an established guideline regarding when and when not to double if you are dealt a soft hand (a hand with an Ace). Knowing when to double with a soft hand is crucial, so it is worthwhile understanding the rule’s instructions which explain how to maximise our chances of winning. As always, these are recommendations and you don’t have to double just because these rules say so.
The ‘Rule of 9’ works as follows: if you hold a soft hand, add the value of the dealer’s up-card with the value of your non-Ace card. If the total value is greater than nine, it is suggested to double down. If the total value is less than nine, proceed to hit instead.
For example, if the dealer’s up-card is a Four and your hand contains an Ace and a Seven, you should double because the total sum would be 11. In contrast, if the dealer’s up-card is a Five and you hold is an Ace and a 3, you should hit, as the sum, according to the rule, is eight. There are a few exceptions to this rule: never double down if the dealer’s up-card is above Seven, as they are in a strong position to beat you. If the dealer is showing a Deuce, don’t double either as the odds favour the dealer. Also, when the dealer’s up-card is a Five or Six, you should double down with a hand of an Ace and a Deuce through to a Six, as you are in the stronger position.
Be Mindful of the Dealer’s Up-Card
It may seem like common sense, but plenty of players often forget to keep the dealer’s up-card in mind before opting to double down. All of the above tactics should be dependent on the dealer’s up-card, and while it’s good to be aggressive, it can be unwise to double with a soft hand if your dealer has a Nine or Ten showing. The worst cards for the dealer are up-cards of a Deuce through to a Six because those cards give the dealer the highest chance of busting, and this is when we should pounce and double down. Dealer up-cards of Five and Six give their hand the highest chance of busting at roughly 42%.
Here are the most commonly recommended hands to double down on, taking in to consideration the dealer’s up-card:
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If you are dealt an Ace with a Deuce through to a Seven, this leaves us in a relatively strong position to double (depending on the dealer’s up-card, as specified in the table). If your soft hand is an Ace and an Eight or Nine, then doubling is not favourable; standing is your best bet.
Being dealt an Ace and a Six or Seven is the ideal hand to double down on. Many people may opt to stand with a soft total of 17 or 18 which is fine, but doubling is often advised. As the table suggests, your decision needs to be dependent on the dealer’s up-card. If you do opt to double with a soft 17/18, you have a strong chance of receiving a card valued at 10 (giving you a hard total of 17 or 18) which leaves you in the position you began in, just with the chance to win double the cash. If you are dealt an Ace, Deuce or Trey, you now hold an even stronger total of either 18, 19, 20, or 19, 20 or 21. If you are dealt a Four on the soft-17 hand, that will also leave you with an unbeatable 21. The point is to take advantage of strong starting soft hands, because of the unique value the Ace holds.
Know Which Variant You’re Playing
American blackjack (unlike American Roulette) has more favourable odds for the player, so where possible, play American versions of the game.
Double Down Blackjack Machine Images
American rules are as follows:
– You are not restricted when doubling down; you can have a hand with any value and choose to double.
– You can also surrender at any time, and the dealer must stand on a soft-17.
Double Down Blackjack Meaning
European blackjack has the following rules:
– When offered the chance to double, you may only do so if your hand totals nine, 10 or 11.
– The dealer must hit on soft-17, and you cannot surrender.