Yet, that doesn’t mean there isn’t a time and place to double down. It’s widely acknowledged that the best hand to double down on is 11. With a ten card giving you the chance of the magic 21, a high card the probability of a win and zero chance of going bust, it’s about as risk free a call you can make. Let’s look at some variations of the blackjack double-down rule: The most common double-down rule covers your first two-card hand; Some casinos will also allow you to double down on a blackjack; Some casinos will restrict the double-down option to either hard 9, hard 10, or hard 11 – this means that your initial two-card total must be 9, 10. When evaluating a game, you should assume Las Vegas Strip rules which include double on any first 2 cards, re-splits to 4 hands, dealer stands on soft-17, insurance allowed and, of course, a natural blackjack pays 3 to 2. Assume all one- and two-deck games are dealt face down and all multi-deck games are dealt face up. What does double down mean in blackjack? The concept of blackjack is simple – to get as close to 21 as possible without going bust, and to beat the dealer’s total. After you receive your two cards, and see the dealer’s face-up card, you have a choice to stand (do nothing), hit (take another card) or double down. Blackjack Double Down Rules Rules can vary slightly between casinos, but generally Doubling Down can be used after the player draws their first two cards. Some venues, both online and real-world allow Doubling Down on a Blackjack, whilst others can restrict its use to totals of 9; 10; or 11.
Winning at blackjack requires taking advantage of every opportunity the game offers, and one of the most favorable situations for the player is the double down. When you double down, you get to double your original wager in exchange for a single card. Most casinos allow you to double down on any two cards, while some casinos limit your doubling to hands that total 10 or 11. Some casinos even allow players to double down after splitting a pair. Whenever you can, play where the rules are best.
On a shoe game with eight decks where you can double on anything, the house edge is a little more than half of 1 percent. These other rules relating to doubling will increase or decrease the house edge:
- Allowing double downs after splitting reduces the house edge by 0.13% to -0.42.
- Restricting double downs to 10 or 11 increases the house edge by 0.21% to -0.76.
By using basic strategy, you can determine when you should double down based on the mathematics of the game. Doubling down is so favorable because you are doubling your bet when you have the best opportunity of beating the dealer. Most of the time, this is when the dealer is at their weakest, such as having an up card of 2 through 6, 6 being the weakest.
When the dealer must hit, they will bust more times with 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6 showing, so your double down will be most successful against these cards. There are other situations in which you will double down with a 10 against the dealer's 9 or an 11 against a dealer's 10. These are close calls, and some newer players hesitate to do this. In the long run, however, you will earn more by doubling down than by just hitting because you get to wager more.
Why It's Worth It
Some players hesitate to double down because they are afraid of losing more money. If the size of your bet makes you sweat, then you are playing with table stakes higher than you should be.
Most casinos will let you double down for less than your original bet, providing it meets the table minimum. This is foolish. You only double in favorable situations, and it is to your advantage to double for the maximum. If it's available, you might also consider playing Free Bet Blackjack, where the casino puts up the double down wager for you.
Double down hands are likely to make or break you during your evening, as there will be times when you run into a bad streak of cards. It can be frustrating, but negative fluctuations do occur. If you are a new player and this happens, you might be tempted to deviate from correct strategy and skip your double downs. That would be a mistake unless your bankroll is too small to continue.
Free slot machines win real money. Doubling down is extremely profitable for the player, and it is factored into the figures that are computed for the house edge. When you don’t double down at the right time, you are not playing correct basic strategy and you increase the house edge against you. Seize the moment and double down when you can.
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A few months ago, we told you about common mistakes made in blackjack. This week, we are going to cover a basic strategy that many beginners struggle with. You’ll often face multiple situations in a session of blackjack where you can opt to double down on a hand. However, knowing the proper times to do so can make a huge impact on your long-term profitability in the game.
Today you’ll learn more about doubling down in online blackjack at online casinos in Australia and some simple strategies for doing so.
What Does it Mean to Double Down in Blackjack?
When playing blackjack online, you’ll come across certain situations where you can double down on a hand. Doubling down allows you to place an additional bet on your hand that’s equal to your initial bet. However, the catch is that you only get one additional card.
You’ll only have the option to double down after the initial deal. If you split a pair, you cannot double down in most games. After you hit, you can no longer double down.
If you win the double down bet, you will win 1:1 on both bets.
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Basic Strategy For Doubling Down
Some online blackjack games will allow you the option to double down after any dealt hand. Doubling down whenever you wish without employing a proper strategy will drain your bankroll quickly. Below are the times you should double down in most blackjack games:
Hard 10 or 9 – If the dealer shows a low card and your cards total nine or ten without an ace, you can double down.
Soft 18, 17, or 16 – When your hand totals 16, 17, or 18 with an ace in your hand, double down when the dealer shows a low card.
11 vs Low Card – When the dealer has a six or under and you have an 11, double down. The reason is that a dealer must hit until they have 17. They will bust more often, giving you better odds for winning.
Don’t Double Down in These Situations
The above strategy is a solid double down strategy for most blackjack games. Like any strategy, there are exceptions. Here are some times where you should avoid doubling up, even if you have the hands listed above:
Dealer Showing an Ace – If the dealer has an ace, don’t double up. When the dealer has blackjack, the best you can hope for is to hit 21 and push. When they don’t have it, chances are they will have a high hand close to 21.
Dealer Shows 7 or Higher – You’ll hear conflicting recommendations here. Some strategy experts say to avoid doubling down when the dealer shows a nine or better. That’s still a bit too loose a strategy. With a 7 or 8, the dealer could have 17 through 19, and you’ll lose your bet more often.
What Does It Mean To Double Down In Blackjack Games
Additional Tips for Doubling Down in Blackjack
When playing blackjack online, pay attention to the table rules. Australian online casinos offer multiple blackjack variants, so don’t assume the rules are all the same.
![What Does It Mean To Double Down In Blackjack What Does It Mean To Double Down In Blackjack](https://www.allstargambling.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/108-EN-Image-Article-A-Guide-To-Double-Down-In-Blackjack-Strategy-Of-Double-Down.gif)
For example, if your game has the dealer hit up to 16 instead of 17, the dealer will bust less often. As such, the profitability for doubling down drops.
![Card Card](https://www.888casino.com/blog/sites/newblog.888casino.com/files/2019-01/double-down-blackjack.jpg)
Also, there are some online blackjack games that only permit you to double down when holding 10 or 11. That takes away most of your options for the move and increases the house edge against you. Pick a different game.
All online casinos in Australia offer blackjack, so you’ll have plenty of opportunities to practice your new double down strategy. If you would rather practice without risk, several online casinos such as Joka Room offer free blackjack games. Once you’ve mastered doubling down, you can graduate to real money online casino games. Using the above tips will help you win more while playing blackjack online.