DOUBLE DOWN BLACKJACK STRATEGY: WHEN TO DOUBLE DOWN?

The vast majority of players love casino games like blackjack, where there are so many different components to learn about.

Blackjack is the perfect example of a card game that, despite being quite simple, has a lot of nuances and moves to learn about.

The double down blackjack move will be our focus this time around, so here’s what you need to know to add another weapon to your online blackjack arsenal!

When to Double Down in Blackjack: A Comprehensive Guide

Some players use doubling down in blackjack as part of their basic blackjack strategy, but only in very specific situations. Before diving in to that, let’s establish what doubling down in blackjack means.

When you double down, you place an additional bet equal to your original bet and receive one more card.

The catch is that, after doubling down, you can only receive one additional card and then must stand.

Generally speaking, it’s best to double down when you have a strong hand and the dealer is showing a weak upcard.

This means you have a good chance of getting a strong total and beating the dealer’s total.

Double Down Bet: How to Place and Win Big

Placing a double down bet in blackjack can be a good way to potentially win big, but it’s important to understand how to do it properly.

Here are the double down rules that you should keep in mind:

1. Wait for the right hand: As mentioned earlier, it’s generally best to double down when your first two cards are promising and the dealer’s face-up card is weak.
2. Inform the dealer: The only time this can be done is when you’re playing blackjack at land-based casinos. You can inform the dealer of your decision to double down in blackjack by placing an additional bet equal to your original wager next to your initial bet and raising one finger.
3. Examine your new card: Once you’ve placed your double down bet, you’ll receive one new card next to your original two cards. This third card can significantly improve your hand and increase your chances of winning.
4. Stand: After receiving your new card, you’ll need to stand and hope that the dealer’s hand is weaker than yours.

The Pros and Cons of Double Down in Blackjack

As does everything in life, the double down in blackjack has its own pros and cons. Here’s a quick rundown of the advantages and disadvantages of the blackjack double down.

Advantages

1. Win potential increase: By placing a double down bet, you can potentially win double the amount of your initial wager if you win the hand.
2. Taking advantage of strong hands: Doubling down can be a great way to capitalise on a strong hand, particularly if the dealer’s face-up card is weak.
3. Balanced betting strategy: Doubling down is a high-risk, high-reward strategy that can help balance out a more conservative betting strategy.

Disadvantages

1. Increased risk: As we’ve mentioned above, doubling down is a high-risk strategy, and if you lose the hand, you’ll not only lose your initial bet, but also the extra bet you have placed!
2. Restricted to just a single card: When you double down, you can only receive one extra card and cannot get more cards after that. This means that if you receive a low card (such as a two or three), you may end up with a weaker hand — which would be a pity, having started in a strong position.
3. Not always allowed: Some blackjack games may have restrictions on when you can double down. Check the table rules and casino rules before considering the option to make a blackjack double down.

Doubling Down on Different Hands – Best Strategies

As we’ve tried to convey thus far, the double down in blackjack is a powerful tool that should only be used in very specific situations.

Using it too often guarantees going bust more than usual, which means lost money!

Here are the best situations where double down in blackjack makes sense:

1. When you have a low hard hand (9, 10, or 11): These are considered strong hands, since receiving one more card is a must-do. This is particularly true when the dealer’s face-up card is weak (2 through 6).
2. When you have a soft hand: Soft hands, which include an Ace and a lower card, are also good candidates for doubling down. Soft totals like a soft 17, for example, can be a good hand to double down on when the dealer shows a weak face-up card.
3. When you have pairs: In some blackjack games, it’s possible to double down after splitting a pair. This can be a powerful betting strategy, particularly when you split Aces and then double down on each hand.

When to Avoid Doubling Down in Blackjack?

It’s no secret that the blackjack double down can be a good option in some cases, but you definitely shouldn’t use it with any initial two cards.

Here are a few situations in which doubling down in blackjack can be classified as a bad move.

1. Weak hand: If you have a weak hand, such as a total of 8 or lower, it’s generally not a good idea to double down. Seeing as you cannot hit after doubling down, the chances are that you’ll end up with a low card total.
2. When the dealer’s card is great: If the dealer’s face-up card is strong (9, 10, or Ace), it’s generally not recommended to double down. The likelihood of the dealer having a strong hand is too high, and the potential reward is not worth the added risk.
3. When your bankroll is too low: If you don’t have the bankroll to support doubling down, it’s best to avoid this option. As we’ve mentioned previously, doubling down can be a high-risk, high-reward strategy, and you need to have the financial resources to absorb the potential losses.

How to Calculate Your Winnings in Double Down Blackjack

Calculating your winnings depends on a few factors, but don’t worry; it’s not rocket science!

First off, you must determine your initial bet. If you win the hand, you’ll receive a 1:1 payout, which means that you’ll win the same value as your initial bet.

Now, if you’ve doubled down, you will double your bet, so your payout will also be doubled if you win the hand.

For example, if your initial bet was €5 and you doubled down, your total bet for the hand would be €10 (since you double your bet). If you win the hand, you’ll receive a payout of €20 (double your initial bet).

Splitting Pairs and Doubling Down

Splitting pairs and doubling down are both common strategies used when playing blackjack, but they serve different purposes.

Splitting pairs involves dividing a hand of two identical cards into two separate hands; each split hand will have its own separate bet. The player can then play each hand independently and try to win two separate bets.

Splitting pairs is typically done when the player’s first two cards have a high probability of winning, but the total hand value is not strong enough to stand on its own.

The player may split the pair to increase their chances of winning by creating two potentially stronger hands.

On the other hand, doubling down involves placing an additional bet, equal to the initial bet, after the initial cards have been dealt. The player then receives one extra card, and the hand is completed.

Doubling down is typically done when the player’s initial hand is relatively strong, and they believe they have a good chance of improving their hand with one more card.

This is one of the best-known bets because it can pay well if successful, but also lose you a lot of money if not.

Common Misconceptions About Double Down in Blackjack

Although you should definitely take advantage of the double down when playing at a blackjack table in opportune moments, try to avoid believing the following misconceptions.

1. You should always double down when you have an 11: While an 11 is a strong hand, it’s not always the best decision to double down. If the dealer is showing a good up-card, it may be better to hit or stand rather than doubling down.
2. Doubling down always doubles your winnings: While doubling down can lead to a larger payout if you win, it also means you’ll lose more if you lose the hand.
3. You can double down as many times as you want: In most blackjack games, you can only double down once per hand.
4. Doubling down lowers the house edge: If the rules allow for doubling down on any two cards, and the player uses proper strategy, such as only doubling down on certain hands, it can lower the house edge. However, if the rules are more restrictive and the player uses doubling down too frequently or on weak hands, it can actually increase the house edge.
5. You can double down after hitting: doubling down after hitting is not allowed at a standard blackjack table. When a player chooses to double down, they are only allowed to receive one new card to their hand, and then they must stand.

Double Down Blackjack Variations

You’ll find a few different variations of doubling down at online casinos. Here are some suggestions to take advantage of if your casino offers them:

• Double Exposure Blackjack: In this variation, both of the dealer’s cards are dealt face-up. Players can still double down, but the advantage of having one of the dealer’s cards exposed is lost.
• Spanish 21: In this variation, all of the 10-value cards are removed from the deck. The double down move is still offered, but the odds of getting a 10-value card are reduced greatly. This way, it’s much harder to make a blackjack.
• Super Fun 21: In this variation, players can double down on any number of cards, not just the first two! The catch? The dealer dealer wins all ties, except for the player’s blackjack. In this game, it’s very important to only double down when you really think that the moment is right.

Double Down Blackjack vs. Regular Blackjack: What’s the Difference?

Double Down Blackjack is a variation of the standard game of blackjack, or simply an additional option that players can use.

In regular blackjack, players can choose to hit, stand, split or surrender, but they don’t have the option to double down.

Another difference between Double Down Blackjack and regular blackjack is that in some Double Down Blackjack games, players may be allowed to double down on any two cards or after splitting a pair.

In standard blackjack games, players are usually only allowed to double down on their first two cards.

In both cases, doubling down in blackjack is optional and it should only be used in specific cases, mostly when the dealer is showing a weak card.