At its core, blackjack is a simple table game, hence its timeless popularity at both land-based and online casinos. However, a key tool in any player’s armoury is knowing when to double down in blackjack. This is a tactic that can save an average hand when used correctly and help you to beat the dealer in getting closer to the all-important 21. On this page, we will break down exactly what doubling down is and guide you in how to use it.
What double down means in blackjack?
When you choose to double down in blackjack, you are taking the opportunity provided by the dealer to take another card for a price of double your initial wager.
At most online casinos, this is offered after you are dealt your initial two cards. At this point, you will know the value of both your cards, as well as the dealer’s upcard — this means you are in a position to determine whether a third card will take you close to the magic 21.
Due to the fact that you will not be allowed to take another card after this, it is considered a high-risk and high reward-move, though it can be used tactically to your advantage. In many blackjack games you are able to double down after splitting; this is known as DAS (double after split), though be sure to check the rules at your chosen blackjack casino website.
Double Down Rules of Blackjack
Exact rules around doubling down in blackjack may differ slightly from casino to casino, but there are some key elements that are universally true. Firstly, you are given the chance to double down after receiving your first two cards; at this point you will be able to work out the total of your hand, and whether it is soft or hard (i.e. if you have an ace).
When opting to double down, the wager you made will be doubled, so if you are playing a round for $10, then this will become $20 and in return you will receive one final card which will complete your hand. At the same time, you can see the dealer’s upcard, which can help you decide whether to double or not.
Variations
At most online casinos, you will be permitted to double down when playing blackjack only after you receive your first two cards. This makes strategy even more important as getting it wrong can see you bust and lose the hand.
Some casinos will also allow you to double after splitting a pair of cards; this is known as DAS and can be favorable. Regardless, if you want to know when to double down in blackjack then we suggest that you utilize our table a little further down the page.
Signals for doubling down
If you have not played much blackjack online then you may be curious about how to double down on a practical level. Clearly it differs from the land-based option, where you place your coins next to your original wager; at an online casino, doubling down is even more straightforward:
- Versus the computer: Here you tap or click the “double down” button; this will automatically double your bet ahead of you being dealt a third card.
- Live casino lobby: The same applies — click the “double down” button and the live dealer will verbally acknowledge your new wager.
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Recommended Strategy for Doubling Down in Blackjack
We have created this table, showing the best double down hands in blackjack. It is perfect to use as an at-a-glance strategy the next time that you are playing a game of blackjack.
| Player Hand | Dealer Upcard – Recommended Action |
|---|---|
| 11 | Double against 2 through 10 (hit against Ace) |
| 10 | Double against 2 through 9 |
| 9 | Double against 3 through 6 |
| Soft 16-18 | Double against dealer 3 through 6 |
Blackjack doubling down strategy can, of course, be a lot more complicated, but following the above guide is an excellent rule of thumb and can help guide you as you get used to it.
Best Hands to Double Down
We have created the table above as a blackjack basic strategy for doubling down. The numbers in the “player hand” column refer to hard hands unless otherwise specified; this means a hand that does not include an ace.
As a simple rule to remember, a hard hand of 11 is good for doubling down if the dealer’s upcard is between 2 and 10 — but opt to “hit” if an ace shows. The logic for doubling down here is that the highest number you can get from your third card is 10, which would put you on 21. Even if you don’t, you will be closer to that number and in a stronger position against the dealer in any case.
Soft Hands: When to Consider Doubling
Soft hands — when you have an Ace, which can be worth 1 or 11 — give you flexibility in blackjack and can be crucial in determining when to double down. We advise doing so when your soft hand is between 16 and 18 and the dealer’s upcard is showing between 3 and 6; this is the ultimate way to remove the risk of busting and give yourself a good chance of beating the dealer.
Considering the Dealer’s Cards
It is usually the case that dealers are required to stand on 17 and they will keep hitting with new cards until they reach this number. With this knowledge, you can choose whether to double down or not accordingly by using our pocket guide above.
When Not to Double Down in Blackjack
Arguably just as important as knowing when to double down in blackjack is knowing when not to. There are multiple occasions where we suggest that you avoid making a second wager on the same hand. One of the most obvious of these is when you have a hard hand of 12 or over as this of course leaves you open to busting with your next card.
You can also choose to not double down upon seeing a strong upcard from the dealer, while as we mentioned earlier, some online casinos may have rules against doubling down on certain hand totals.
Doubling Down Tips
At its core, learning how to double down in blackjack is ultimately about reducing the house edge. At 1%, the game already has one of the lowest house edges of all casino options, but by incorporating the following tips you can try and push the odds in your favor.
Using Strategy Charts
Our focus on doubling down in blackjack on this page has centred around knowing which hands give you the best chance to land a winning hand, and the best way to determine this is through a strategy chart like the one we have included.
This is the easiest way to introduce tactics into your play at online casinos as you can make fast decisions that can genuinely increase your chances of beating the dealer.
Understand the Risk
It is important to know that blackjack strategy for doubling down will not always result in a win; while it can assist you in making smart tactical moves, it is never guaranteed to succeed. While the house edge is lower than in many games, the odds are still marginally in favor of the casino and it is the very nature of 21 that your fortunes can change fast and drastically.
Play in Free Mode First
It should go without saying that before you consider utilizing the double down in blackjack for real money, you practise in demo mode first. This will be available at all reputable online casinos — you will be permitted to play against the computer with virtual funds without having to make a deposit. This is the ideal way to try different doubling down strategies to see which work.
On top of this, remember to gamble responsibly at all times. Stick strictly to a budget and never chase losses.
Summary: Use Double Down in Blackjack Wisely
We hope that this guide to doubling down in blackjack has given you a thorough overview of how and when to use the option when playing a game. Doing so can increase your chances of getting closer to the crucial number of 21, though it is important to note that its success is never guaranteed.
If you are ready to try it for yourself, then we suggest that you head to one of our WIN.gg recommended online casinos and use our strategy table and tips to see if they help your gameplay.
Simon Day
Simon has been writing about Gaming and Sports for over a decade, with his work featured in a variety of well-known gaming magazines. This year, he joined win.gg as an Editorial Specialist, where he continues to share his passion for the industry through insightful and well-crafted content pieces.
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