Blackjack Double Down Strategy - Use It Like A Pro

Reports show that 2 out of 5 blackjack players don’t know how to use the double-down strategy to their advantage. Read the guide made by our team of experts and find out the secrets behind this strategy! 

How the Blackjack Double Down Bet Works

Supposing you play at the best online casinos with live dealers, there is only a button to press when you wish to double down. Yet, the universally accepted method in local casinos is to signal your wish to make this bet in blackjack by pushing a stack of chips next to your initial bet. The dealer will understand your intent and give you an extra card. The added amount must equal the original value of the wager you’ve placed at the table.

The land-based casino etiquette requires you to call “double” if you plan to go for this move while holding a pair because the actions for the blackjack double down and split bets are identical.

Extra Tip: when gambling at a brick-and-mortar casino, ensure you don’t place your extra chips on top of the initial wager. The croupiers are against this move because it could mean you’ve tampered with the bet amount.

Players gambling at all online casinos just need to click the DOUBLE button, and their bet will be placed instantly. Doubling down is all about using the information you have on the dealer. Essentially, when the croupier has a card that can potentially result in him going bust(e.g., a hard 2), it is a good opportunity for you to hit double. 

When to Double Down: Use This Bet Like a Pro

Using mathematical probability, experts have found the best blackjack double-down strategies to increase your winnings in the long run. There are 3 situations in which you can’t go bust, and you are in a position where you are likely to finish with a high hand while the dealer has a high chance of losing.

Hard 9 Versus the Dealer’s Low Cards

When your cards add to a total of 9, you should double if the dealer shows any card below 7, excluding the Ace. A “hard 9” means you have no ace, so the possible combinations are 2-7, 3-6, and 4-5. If you get an A-8(also called a soft 9), it’s recommended to stand, no matter what hand the dealer has.

Soft 16, 17 or 18 Versus the Dealer’s Low Cards

A good moment for doubling down is when you get an Ace and either a 5, 6, or 7 (meaning you will have a “soft total” of 16 to 18), and the croupier has a low card from 2 to 6. If you have an Ace and a lower card (2-4), your chances of finishing with a high hand decrease significantly, meaning the best move would be to hit.

Hard 10 or 11 Versus Any Lower Dealer Card

The most powerful position in blackjack is getting two cards, not including an ace, that add up to 10 or 11(2-8, 3-7, 4-7, 5-6, etc.). You can safely double your bet and win if the dealer’s total is lower. Professional players recommend doubling down on 11, as you have a high chance of landing a 10-point card.

When Not to Double Down: Pitfalls to Avoid

 Whenever you feel unsure about doubling down, it’s highly recommended to go for the safe option and maintain your bet value. On top of that, using this move too often can result in great losses, and it is recommended only to take the risk when you’ve got an advantage over the dealer. Here are two situations in which you should never use this move:

The Dealer is Holding an Ace

When the dealer gets an ace, their odds of getting a blackjack are very high. Therefore, you shouldn’t risk going for a double because even if they check and don’t instantly get blackjack, there is still a solid chance that they will end close to 21. 

You’re Holding a Hand Higher Than 11

You shouldn’t be doubling down in this situation because your odds of going bust are too high to risk it. You can hit or hold on to a lower total and hope the dealer goes bust.

Carefully Read the Rules of Any Blackjack Variant

This strategy is available in most Blackjack real money casino games. Still, some operators might have different rules affecting your decision-making process, so it is important to read those in advance.

Some casinos only allow players to go for a double when their total card value is 10 or 11. There are also situations when the rules might say you can’t double on soft hands. If that’s the case, you should hit instead.

KingCasinoBonus.com Expert’s Verdict

The Blackjack double-down move is a great strategy, but the opportunities to apply it successfully aren’t as common as expected. Choose your bets right, and you can go home a winner. But always remember that the house still has an edge over the players, meaning that no matter your strategy, the casino will profit in the long run.

We recommend trying this strategy in a live blackjack casino using a casino bonus, to get used to it. You will go through some trial and error, and the safety of the bonus balance will help you. We suggest you take a look at Platinum Reels’ bonuses, and choose from there. 

Is the Double Down in Blackjack Strategy Worth it? Pros & Cons

Pros

• It doubles your potential winnings;
• Using a proven strategy increases your odds;
• You can combine it with other moves to maximize your payouts.

Cons

• The risk is higher;
• After doubling, only one extra card will be dealt;
• Not applying a strategy can result in greater losses in the long run.

Doubling Down Blackjack Strategy FAQs

Can you go for a double after a split?

Players can usually split after doubling down, but they must understand the optimal situations for performing this move. The players can choose to split if they are dealt an identical pair. The second hand must be covered with a bet the same size as the initial wager. The croupier will deal two cards to complete both hands.

You now have two hands and can use the doubling-down technique on either. However, you should read the rules beforehand to know if this combination of moves is allowed.

Should you always double down on eleven?

The answer is yes. This is the most efficient way to make money as a casual blackjack player because it has the highest chance of getting a card value higher than the dealer.

How many cards do you get after doubling?

Once you choose this move, you will only receive one additional card. A common mistake new players make is that they think they will receive as many cards as they want. This is one of the reasons why this bet is risky, as you could end up with a low total card value if the next card dealt is low.

Is doubling down allowed after you hit?

The doubling-down move can only be performed after the two initial cards were dealt. Therefore, players must decide immediately if they want to double or not. The opportunity for this move is limited to your first decision, so doubling down won’t be allowed if you choose to hit a third card.