When and How to Double Down in Blackjack

The phrase “doubling down” is quite well-known in blackjack circles.

One of the most famous bets in the game, it occurs when a player doubles his bet in after the first two cards are dealt in order to get one extra card to improve his hand. Upon receiving the third card, the player must wait to see the dealer’s hand and cannot then ask for more cards.

Tricky

Making use of the double down bet can be tricky. Therefore, it is important to be aware of those times in which it can potentially be beneficial to use the method.

For example, the bet is often recommended when a player’s cards have a cumulative value of 10 or 11with no ace and the dealer’s face-up card is lower, because probability is in the player’s favour.

Soft hand

Additionally, a player that is holding a 5, 6, or 7 and an ace, known as a soft hand, that totals 16-18, may want to double down if the dealer has a lower face-up card (2-6). Lastly, a hand that consists of a 9 with no ace (hard hand) may be in the perfect position to double down if the dealer’s face-up card is 2-6, as the player’s hand combination with this one additional card could put them in great shape.