To Double Down In Blackjack – When You Should Do It
When you play blackjack, there are various rules and methods to double down bet in blackjack that you can use. They will help you to increase your winnings. One of these methods that can help you gain a competitive advantage is known as doubling down in blackjack.
Once you have received your opening two cards from the dealer, and they have revealed their opening hand, it is at this point that by indicating with the tap of one finger, you decide whether to double down or not. For example, if you have opened your betting with A$100, you can make the decision to double your bet to A$200.
BlackJack: When to Double Down
It is important to consider when to double down at the blackjack table. The decision on when to do this is taken after you have received your initial two cards playing blackjack game.
When You Receive a Hard 9 or 10 at the Outset
An opportunity to double your bet occurs when you have received an initial hard nine and the dealer’s face-up cards add up to a total of between two and six.
As far as a double goes, a hard nine is when your hand of two dealer-dealt cards totals nine without an Ace.
When Your Hand Is a Soft 16,17 or 18
Another opportunity to double down playing blackjack occurs when you have received your cards from the dealer, and you are sitting on a soft 16, 17 or 18 total.
An ideal scenario for this outcome is if you receive an ace in your initial deal from the dealer along with a 5, 6 or 7 card.
If the dealer is showing either a 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6 at this point as part of their initial hand, then it can be considered a good opportunity for you to use blackjack double at this stage, as the odds are in your favour at this time and the ace is already in the hole.
When Not to Use the Double Down in Blackjack
Just like there are occasions when you should consider increasing your initial bet, there are also card-dealt scenarios when you should not entertain the idea at all. Knowing this can assist you in your overall blackjack game strategy by reducing your chance of losing in particular card-dealt scenarios and when doubling down at the casino.
When the Dealer Has an Ace Card as Part of Their Hand
If you are playing blackjack and the dealer features an ace card as part of their hand, you should never double down on your initial bet.
This is because there is an increased probability of the dealing hitting 21, which will increase the risk of you losing your own hand or going bust at the casino.
If Your Hard Hand Features a Total That Is Higher Than 11
Likewise, if the initial cards that you receive make up a total that is higher than 11, you should not risk doubling down. This is because the odds of that hand are now in the house’s favour.
The Blackjack Double: More Tips and Tricks for When You Are Playing Blackjack
When you are sitting on a pile of new chips it is a very satisfying feeling to grow your chip pile even more, through a quick win or two after your initial bet.
And this can be achieved by doubling your current wager and increasing your bet by 100% i.e. undertaking a double down your bet.
And there are other opportunities for doubling down in blackjack that we have not mentioned yet.
One example of another double down opportunity is if you have received your initial cards, and you are sitting on a 10 or 11 total, and the dealer’s face up card totals a number that is lower than yours.
If you want to double down in blackjack, you need to hold any of the following combinations: 2 and 9, 3 and 7, 2 and 8, 5 and 5, 4 and 7, 4 and 6, or 5 and 6.
And if the dealer’s face up card is lower than your total, then the probability of a win is now in your favour.
At this stage, you can not go bust, but the dealer is now at risk of going over 21 because they will have to hit and receive a new card until they reach a total of 17.
In this scenario, it is definitely worth considering a double down, as you are at an advantage, and this is a double down strategy that many seasoned players use at the land or online casinos to win real money.