Knowing when to double down will make all the difference next time you join a session of blackjack at some of the New Jersey online casinos. Therefore, here is what you need to keep in mind. So, the first rule of doubling down in blackjack is: You should NEVER double down if you have anything over 11. In a way, this ‘rule’ is self-explanatory. Double Down In Blackjack - Doubling Down In Blackjack. There is a legitimate reason why so many players double down upon their first two cards when playing blackjack. The practice is a legitimate strategy that can help players quickly put themselves in a winning situation. First, let’s take a look at what doubling down means in blackjack. Essentially, it is a wagering option that gives you the chance to double the value of your initial bet, but you must stand after taking one additional card. Standing holds your total and ends your turn, so you need to have confidence in your hand before doubling down. In blackjack, double down is when you actually double the wager when you get the first two cards. As the cards are dealt out, you will have the option if permitted by the rule. In case you win the bet, you will win double your actual wager.
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.
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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.
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It’s been a little over 60 years since they figured out the optimal strategy for Blackjack. A group of statisticians wrote a paper in 1956, and that paper’s findings were verified in Edward O. Thorp’s 1962 book Beat the Dealer. Now, millions of Blackjack players around the world are learning these strategies, including the option to double down. This is when you double your wager and receive one single card; if you haven’t gone bust after receiving this card, you stand with whatever you’ve got.
If you’re not familiar with doubling down, or you’re still learning the basic strategy, Single Deck Blackjack is the right game to start with. Bovada just introduced a modern version of this game to go alongside the Classic version; try out the following strategies, and you’ll be one step closer to playing perfect Blackjack. At Bovada, you can double any two cards when you play Single Deck Blackjack, and the Dealer must hit on Soft 17.
What Is Double Down in Blackjack?
You can double down after you’re dealt your two hole cards, which means you have the option to double your bet and receive exactly one more card. Then, if you haven’t gone bust already, the Dealer plays, and the winning hand is declared. If you’re playing at a live casino, take however many chips you need to match your original bet, and place them nearby – but outside the betting box. Then use your index finger to point at the doubled bet. Figuring out how to double down at Bovada is much easier: Just hit the “Double” button. No hand signals required.
Blackjack Double Down Rules
In both Single Deck Blackjack variants at Bovada, you’re allowed to double on any two cards you’re dealt – and you can double down after a split. Some live casinos will not allow you to double after you’ve split your hole cards. You might also find games where you’re allowed to double after receiving a third card or more.
When to Double Down
This is where the rubber hits the road. As always in Blackjack, the correct double down strategy will depend on how many decks are in the shoe, and the specific rules for the game you’re playing. Let’s take a closer look at the Single Deck Blackjack games available at Bovada, and how to double down in these games for maximum value. In both the Classic and New versions, the dealer must hit on soft 17, which caters to the following strategies when you’re dealt the following hole cards:
Hard Hands (No Pair)
If you have 11 in your hand (say, Seven-Four), you should always double, hoping to spike that 10-value card to make 21. Otherwise, follow this guide:
10: Double when Dealer shows a Nine or lower
9: Double when Dealer shows a Six or lower
8: Double when Dealer shows a Five or a Six
Soft Hands
With hands containing an Ace, you’ll occasionally double when the Dealer shows a low card (Six or lower). If you’re holding Ace-Six, always double against a low card. Here are the other times to double:
19: Double when Dealer shows a Six
18: Double when Dealer shows a Three, Four, Five or Six
13, 14, 15, 16: Double when Dealer shows a Four, Five or Six
Pairs
In Single Deck Blackjack games where you’re allowed to double after splitting, like the ones at Bovada, there’s only one pair you should double first: a pair of Fives. This should only be done when the Dealer’s up-card is a Nine or lower, just like you would with any other hand worth 10. If you have a pair of Fours, split instead when the Dealer shows a Four as well as a Five or Six, and hit otherwise.
Simplified Doubling Strategies
The doubling plays listed above are mathematically proven to maximize your return playing Single Deck Blackjack at Bovada. They’re part of what’s known as the basic Blackjack strategy – although that’s a bit of a misnomer. Learning all the subtle differences between these optimal moves can take some time. When you’re just starting out, you might want to consider using a simplified Blackjack strategy that’s easier to remember, so you’ll make fewer mistakes trying to implement it. There will be a few plays that you’ll make sub-optimally with a simplified strategy, but only a few.
Here’s one recommended simplified strategy for doubling down in Single Deck Blackjack:
1. Double with Hard 9 or Soft 16-18 if the Dealer shows a low card (2-6).
2. Double with Hard 10 or 11, unless you have 10 and the Dealer shows a 10 or Ace.
That’s it. Again, using this simplified double down strategy will leave a little money on the table, but it should protect you from even greater losses while you’re still learning the game. 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 Expert” status.