If you ask experienced players which move is best to pull off in the game of blackjack, they would probably say doubling down. In truth, unable to follow basic strategies is one of the biggest mistakes a blackjack player can make. Another is getting stuck in games where double down in blackjack are impossible to make or unable to do so even when it is an open option.
Why do players double down bets? In blackjack, doubling down is considered as one of the optimum moves a player can make. That is, if you use it right. Once made at the right time, you can definitely acquire the edge and beat the house advantage.
Double Down in Blackjack – Explained
You can easily move your way through the game by standing every hand dealt to you and/or by making hits. However, the rules of blackjack does not necessarily require its players to do anything else.
Double down is profitable to the player once he/she does it right. It is a type of side bet that you can put up in the middle of a hand. This is what makes it an exciting move.
When you double down, three things happen:
- Your bet gets doubled for the current round,
- You get to draw a card, and
- You get to stand your hand
For example, your hand contains a five- and a six-value cards whereas, the dealer’s up card is a seven. Your option is to either make a hit, stand, or double down your bet. In this situation, to stand your hand would mean losing your wager for no reason as there are no cards that would make a bust.
Meanwhile, if you make a hit and receive a ten-value hand, your cards’ worth would sum to 21. This hand is considered as the second best following a natural blackjack. If your original wager is €1, you get a pay out of 1-1, earning yourself €2. However, if you previously opted to double down, your initial bet would have been raised to €2, and you get to win €4.
It is a risky move, but that’s what makes it exciting. Although, if luck is not on your side and you get a low value card, you lose a chance to make a hit. It should be clear that doubling down is not a move you get to use in each game of blackjack.
When You Need to Double Down
Most players who understand the basic strategy of blackjack, know the best time to make a hit, split, stand or double down their bets. The game basically revolves around statistical probability. Once you know the value of your hand, along with the dealer’s up card, you can determine your next move that would give you the best chance at winning.
When Multiple Decks of Cards Are Used
A lot of casinos usually make use of several decks of cards. If this is the case, this doubling down strategy becomes convenient:
- When the dealer reveals a 3, 4, 5 or 6 and your hand contains a hard nine, double down
- The dealer shows a 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, or 9 and your hand contains a hard 10, double down
- When the dealer shows a 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10 and your hand contains a hard 11, double down
If your hard hand is worth nine through ten, you have a good chance of receiving a ten-value card. This makes your hand one of the strongest on the table. Once this happens, it opens an opportunity for you to double your wager and see how the game unfolds.
When you have a soft 13 or 14
When the dealer reveals a five or six and your hand is either a soft 13 or 14, double down
If your hand contains an ace that holds a value of 1 or 11, this offers you more chances to double down since it is a soft hand.
Whereas, if you have a soft 13 or 14 and the dealer draws a 5 or a 6, this signals you to double down your bet and see if the game plays out in your favor.
When you have a soft 15 or 16
When the dealer shows a 4, 5, or 6 and your hand contains a soft 15 or 16, double down
Similar to the previous circumstances, the same strategy applies when you have a soft 15 or 16. Seeing the dealer’s low-value up card should imply that you double your wager. Who knows, you might get a good card and land a 20 or even a blackjack. Should you receive a card that your hand exceeds 21, your ace card will simply be counted as one instead of 11.
