Doubling Down in Blackjack: The Golden Rules
In Texas Hold ’em, a proverb immortalised by Kenny Rogers in the song ‘The Gamber’ states: “You’ve got to know when to hold ’em and know when to fold ’em”. There is no such adage for blackjack, but players must follow an equally golden rule to play the game successfully: “Know when to double down!”
With over 20 different variations of blackjack, there are no hard and fast rules. However, most established games – including the Classic Blackjack, where the dealer normally stands on a soft 17 – allow players to ‘double down’ under the same circumstances.
Doubling down lets the player double their initial bet and take one more card. In some situations, the play is a massive advantage. Other times, doubling is a borderline decision. It can also be a mathematically poor decision by the player. Here, we will look at the times the option should be taken when playing at online blackjack sites.
The Hands You Should Double Down in Blackjack
Some Blackjack variations allow doubling down on any two cards, while others might restrict it to a hard 9, 10, or 11. Ultimately, doubling down can only be considered when the value of your first two cards is 9, 10 or 11 or a ‘soft’ 16, 17 or 18.
‘Soft’ refers to a hand with an Ace in it. And so, a ‘soft’ 16, 17 and 18 is Ace-5, Ace-6 and Ace-7. To gain an advantage by doubling down when playing Blackjack, you should employ the following strategies, which are based on proven blackjack theory and strategy:
Hard 9: Double down if the dealer’s up-card is a 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6. This move gives the player a statistical advantage because the dealer has a higher chance of busting with these cards.
Hard 10 or hard 11: These are the best hands to double down, and you should double down if the dealer’s up-card is a 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, or 9. The reason is that you are likely to improve your hand to a strong total of 19, 20, or 21, which is likely to beat the dealer’s total, or the house could bust!
Soft 16 (A,5): Double down against a dealer’s 4, 5, or 6.
Soft 17 (A,6): Double down against a dealer’s 3, 4, 5, or 6.
Soft 18 (A,7): Double down against a dealer’s 3, 4, 5, or 6. However, some advanced strategies suggest standing on soft 18 if the dealer’s up-card is 2, 7, or 8.
Hands You Should Not Double Down in Blackjack
Never double down when the dealer shows an Ace or a 10-value card (10, Jack, Queen, King), as the house can easily make a strong hand or a blackjack. Similarly, never double down when your total is higher than 11, as there is a strong possibility of busting yourself.
In a brick-and-mortar casino, players instigate a double down by placing an equal amount of chips next to their original bet – and not on top of it. If in doubt, notify the dealer “I wish to double-down”. The best sites to play online blackjack, which offers both virtual and live ‘dealer dealt’ blackjack, streamline this option with a simple option button.
Remember, doubling down increases your bet, so it’s crucial to use this move when you have a favourable hand against the dealer’s likely outcome. For example, consider if the dealer’s up-card is a 5; they must draw at least two cards (as even an Ace will only give them a soft 16).
Should those additional two cards add up to 17 or more, the dealer will bust, and the remaining players will all win. The optimum Blackjack game strategy is to maximise a player’s potential winnings by capitalising on situations such as this, where the dealer is at a disadvantage.
And, of course, there are the debatable plays. Why not double down on 11 when the dealer is showing a 10? Is it a good move? Advanced math strategy papers dictate that if the game rules state that the dealer must hit on soft 17, you should always double down on 11, no matter the dealer’s up card!
Therefore, the moral of the story is: Be sure to know the intricacies of the Blackjack game you are playing and endeavour to employ the correct double-down strategy at all times if playing to win using skills allied to smart Blackjack strategy. If in doubt, why not hone your skills using our blackjack simulator?
