- When To Double Down And Split In Blackjack Real Money
- Blackjack Double Down Chart
- What Is Splitting In Blackjack? | When To Split In Blackjack
Basic blackjack strategy charts can help make it easy to learn the basics of when to hit, when to stand, when to double down and when to split pairs in any situation. Basic blackjack strategy charts are tables that list possible hand values on one axis and possible dealer upcard values on the other axis. Typically, you won't be able to double down after splitting, however, you will find some online casinos that allow this to happen. If you can double down after splitting, use the same. Sep 14, 2017 Split cards in play Most styles of blackjack will let you double down on split hands, and also re-split your hands further if the possibility arises. However, as explained, some casinos have rules which restrict additional options. Here are the two common rule variations.
Even though blackjack is one of the most popular games in the online casino industry, there's still a large number of iGaming fans that don't completely have a full grasp of the game. Some people are not even too sure of what certain blackjack terms mean, so we've decided to discuss all about doubling down in blackjack in this article.
Widely known as one of the most common and profitable plays in blackjack when played correctly, doubling down forces you to get one extra card and double your chances of a larger profit.
As you can imagine doubling down is a very risky move and one that we only recommend you to do if you know what you're doing.
In any case, if you want to know all about the best blackjack tips and tricks which will also tell you scenarios where you should double down or split, you can check out our full blackjack guide to help you get started in one of the world's most popular card games!
What Does it Mean to Double Down in Blackjack?
Doubling down is a blackjack play that allows you to ask the dealer to give you one more card, and one more card only, but with the added condition of you having to double your bet as well. This is a very risky play that veterans tend to use consistently whenever they have a better hand than the dealer or a hand that can get close to 21 with one card.
If the dealer has a low hand, then playing a double down could be considered a good play. However, you cannot double down after asking the dealer to hit once. You must do it in your first play, which means that you must know how to read the game properly if you intend to make the best of it.
5 Key Moments Where You Must Double Down in Blackjack
As tough as doubling down may seem at first glance, there are actually 5 main situations in blackjack where doubling down is a good move to make. You don't even need to know much about the game to know that doubling down would be a smart choice, so we're going to tell you some very simple guidelines to follow in order to always call a double down to perfection.
When To Double Down And Split In Blackjack Real Money
If You Have an 11 in a Table Where the Dealer must Hit Soft 17
There are some blackjack tables where the dealer must hit a soft 17. Even though this is not the norm (the majority of blackjack tables make the dealer hit up to 16), sitting at one of these tables will change the perspective that you have on doubling down in blackjack.
Always hit with an 11 if you're sitting at a table where the dealer hits a soft 17. There is no hand in which you will be on a probabilistic disadvantage. Chances are that most of the time, you're going to win. This is, of course, if the dealer has a low hand, to begin with. If the dealer's initial card has a value of 10, you may still double down, but it's a risky move.
Play at Wildz CasinoA 9 Against the Dealers 2 to 6
If the dealer opens up a hand with anything from 2 to 6 as its first card in a table where the dealer will hit a soft 16, then you must opt to double down if you have a 9, a 10, or an 11. Chances are that you'll get extremely close to that 21 given the number of symbols that are on the deck, so you might be doing yourself a favor by doubling.
Of course, you may have that extra inch of bad luck and get a very poor card to go alongside your 9 (a 2 would be the worst-case scenario), but with the dealer having something low, there's a very good chance that they will bust anyway.
This is especially true if you draw a card of a very low value – that's one less of those in the deck, which means that the deal could very well draw two high cards in a row and bust.
Facebook slot machine games. One of the reasons why doubling down is such a good idea when the dealer has something so low is because there's a good chance that the dealer will bust and, even if they don't you may end up with a very high value high. You may even tie with the dealer, which wouldn't be ideal, but you could set yourself up for a big win otherwise.
Low Dealer Cards Against Your Soft 16, 17, or 18
Does the dealer have a low hand and you have an Ace and another number that gives you anything from 16, 17, or 18? If so, then go ahead and double down. Worst case scenario, you end up with a low-value hand, but the dealer has a very good chance of busting anyway if they have something below 6 in their initial hand.
This is a very similar principle as to why you should double with a 9 if the dealer has anything from 2 to 6. It just makes sense to do it. There is a very good chance that you will either end up with a hard 16. 17, or 18, or that the dealer would bust.
You will either end up with a very solid hand or you're going to win anyway because the dealer will go over 21. It just makes probabilistic sense to take the risk – do it and try it out for yourself.
A Low Dealer Card Versus Your Hard 10 or 11
If you have a hard 10 or 11, there's a very good chance that the next card that comes in the deck will be a high-value card – especially a symbol. Granted, with a hard 11, you probably want to avoid an ace, but chances are that you may get a symbol as your next draw, which would be of massive help to your quest towards glory.
A low dealer card not only gives the dealer a good chance to bust but accompanied by you having a very good initial hand, it could mean an almost guaranteed win. It's a no-brainer to double down if you have a hard 10 or 11 on most occasions, but it's an even better thing to do if the dealer seems likely to bust with a hand from 2 to 6.
Play at Betsson CasinoIn Hands Where You Shouldn't Split and the Dealer Has a Low Card
If you ever find yourself in a situation where you shouldn't split a hand but you still see the dealer having a very low card, you may want to take the risk and double down to try your luck.
Newest free slots. We're leaving this piece of advice for last because it does depend on how the player perceives the game to be going before taking the risk to place the bet. If you're going to double down in a situation where you don't have a high hand and the dealer has a lower one, you're going to be taking a significant risk.
On most occasions, we would advise you not to do this. Be careful and mentally prepare for a loss.
Doubling Down in Blackjack – Expert Talk & Other Reasons to Double Down
Doubling down in blackjack might be seen as a risky move – particularly if you're new to the game and you aren't too sure of how the cards work. You only need to have basic card-counting knowledge to understand why the situations that we presented above would be ideal scenarios for you to double down, as they put you in a probabilistic advantage.
However, there are a few other tips and tricks that you must keep in mind before deciding to double down in a game of blackjack. We bring them here for you, and we urge you to keep them in mind whenever you decide to sit at a blackjack table.
You Can Double Down after Splitting
One of the most common rookie mistakes that we see is for people to be left in awe when they try to double down after splitting in an online game, only to realize that it is possible. You cannot split after doubling down because it wouldn't make sense, but most blackjack games allow you to double down on any hand that you've split.
If you get a pair and decide to split it, what you're doing is fundamentally playing two hands at once. As such, you would be able to double down and try your luck with a couple of pairs. It's a risky move,
Doubling Down Means that the Situation is Positive for You
Always remember that doubling down is not a play to make when you're looking to take risks. If you double down, you need to have an advantage on the table. Hands that may be portrayed as unfavorable are not the hands that you should double down at.
However, some veteran blackjack players may decide to take the added risk of doubling down in situations that we haven't listed in this article. These are very unlikely to happen, but veterans are far more likely to take a risk and make it worth it than players that may depend on beginner's luck.
It's all about taking a huge leap of faith at the end of the day. That's what doubling down is all about, and that's why blackjack is one of the most thrilling card games that you can play in any online or land-based casino.
Remember You Can't Double Down After Hitting
This may seem like a simple piece of advice, but you must be fully aware that you cannot ask the dealer to double down if you have already asked them to hit you with another card. Double down only when you seem to have the advantage of taking the risk of losing! You will fully depend on your first two cards to determine whether it's worth it to do it or not.
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Live Dealer games have become some of the most popular titles in the online casino industry. There's a good reason for that, as well, as these online casino games make players feel like they are in a real casino without having to leave the comfort of their homes.
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We know that live dealer blackjack is not for everyone. As such, we have also collected a list of 3 online casinos that present players with the chance to enjoy virtual versions of blackjack to make the best of their casino experience without the added stress of facing real dealers in a digital table.
Here, you will be able to play blackjack at your own pace and decide when to double down in blackjack without the added pressure of other players waiting for your move. No timer is all it takes for you to make your decision at a slow pace.
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+ 101 Free SpinsAll Blackjack Strategy Cards, Charts on One Page, in Action Color
By Ion Saliu, Founder of Blackjack Mathematics
0. The Best Introduction to Blackjack Basic Strategy
I. Split Pairs Chart
II. Double Down Chart
III. Hit or Stand Chart
IV. Special Blackjack Advice, Tips
V. Blackjack: Software, Content, Resources, Systems, Basic Strategy, Card Counting
0. The Best Introduction to Blackjack Basic Strategy
First captured by the WayBack Machine (web.archive.org) on May 1, 2001.• Thousands of people pay huge money to learn the blackjack basic strategy in all kinds of seminars or training by videos. You don't have to do that. Save your money for real play at casinos. Just learn, memorize, and apply the three color-coded tables in the recommended order. This is the only, therefore the best sequence of learning and applying the blackjack basic strategy to the casino table.
Do NOT gamble online: You will lose regardless how well you play, including perfect application of the blackjack basic strategy. Internet casinos cheat big-time! The software can do whatever the online gambling operators want it to. You can't see a thing!
All your decisions in blackjack should follow the three sequences listed below. Of course, you are, like every gambler out there, an independent mind. You have your own gambling strategy, including alterations of the basic strategy at the blackjack table. You must have had plenty of experiences in that tough environment. This is mostly for those blackjack players who never seemed to be able to grasp the basic strategy.
It is said that a majority of the gamblers do not have a grasp on blackjack basic strategy. It must be so because the training has been absolutely wrong. They put all the decisions in blackjack in one non-intuitive chart, a spreadsheet-like table that is very hard to memorize. I was NOT able to learn the blackjack basic strategy adequately from that one spreadsheet! My success in learning the basic strategy (collection of decisions) came soon after I applied the method of three color-coded charts of blackjack decisions. The average person will learn (near) perfectly the basic strategy in one week or so. It is guaranteed… and it is free.
- #1: Split Pairs Table: If first two cards not applicable, move quickly to the next cheat sheet, #2;
- The first two cards of your hand must be the same for pair splitting to apply; e.g. 7 & 7, or J + J.
- Approximately 3% of 2-card hands should be legitimately split (78total blackjack pairs, counting 10, J, Q, K as different; around 25 hands strongly recommended to be split).
- #2: Double Down Chart: If first two cards not applicable, move quickly to the last cheat sheet, #3;
- The first two cards of your hand must be as shown on the decision chart for doubling down to apply; e.g. the 2 cards sum up to 10 or 11, as 3 + 8; also, soft hands as Ace & 6.
- Around 8% of 2-card hands should be legitimately bet up (262 total total blackjack double-down configurations; 110 strongly recommended to be doubled down).
- #3: Hit (Draw) or Stand Cheat Sheet: A final decision must be made now; a basic strategy player will either stand (stay), or draw (hit the hand).
- If split pairs or double down did not apply to the first two cards, it must be either hit, or stand; some casinos offer the surrender option to the player (e.g. 15 or 16 against Dealer's up-card of 10 or Ace).
#1: Split-Pairs Table, Chart
- The recommended action is colored in red. The non-action is grayed out. For example, your first two cards are 9 & 9; the dealer face card is 6; the corresponding cell (square) is red: You split the pair. If the dealer up-card is 7, the cell is grayed out: You don't split, you move to the next chart (eventually to decision table #3).
- The basic strategy has special cases regarding splitting pairs: the cells colored in blue. They are applicable (action) only if the particular casino allows doubling down after split (DAS). For example: 4+4 and dealer's face card 5 or 6.
#2: Double-Down Chart, Table
- The recommended action is colored in red. The non-action is grayed out. For example, your first two cards are A & 7; the dealer face card is 6; the corresponding cell (square) is red: You double down. If the dealer face card is 8, the cell is grayed out: You don't double down, you move to the last decision chart (#3).
#3: Stand or Hit (Draw) Final Decision Table
- The recommended action is colored in red. The non-action is grayed out. For example, your first two cards are 9 & 7 (a total of 16); the dealer face card is 8; the corresponding cell (square) is red: You hit the hand (draw another card). If the dealer up-card is 4, the cell is grayed out: You don't hit (you stand).
4. Special Blackjack Advice, Tips
Blackjack Double Down Chart
- Always stand on 17 or greater.
- Never split 10 + 10 or 5 + 5.
- Split A + A and 8 + 8 (unless you saw many large cards on the table… without counting).
- Do not take insurance — unless you see very few 10-valued cards on the table (clearly fewer than 1 in 3).
- Buying insurance can be a favorable bet for all blackjack players under special circumstances — if you saw certain amounts of Ten-valued cards in the round.
- Insuring your natural blackjack can be even worse than taking insurance on a stiff hand. It all depends on the amount of Tens and total cards remaining in the deck.
- See mathematical formulas to calculate house edge on insurance, probability, odds for blackjack, natural 21.
- Keep in mind, the insurance bet is not a big deal. The dealer gets a natural 21 about 5% of the time (once every 21 hands). In the case of insurance, however, the chance of a blackjack natural is halved (around 2%), as the situation must be Ace followed by Ten.
- Also importantly, the odds for a simultaneous natural for Dealer and Player are 0.2% (one in about 500 BJ hands).
When my bet is at the minimum, I play fancy sometimes and hit, even double, a 12 or 13 against dealer 5 or 6 only and only when I consider the probability be high to get a low card! I admit it, I had no choice but double up 12 against a dealer's 6 when the dealer made a serious error. The player prior to my hand was not a basic strategy player and stood on less than 11! The Asian dealer turned a 9 card, while the player had said 'Stand!' Rocket science for this very Parpaluck, who doubled down and won (less than $50!!!) The morale: You should never, ever be ashamed if winning because of dealer's gross mistakes! Also, beware of dealers' tendency to cheat by miscounting. If that happens, you could win big time in courts of law! Always look closely at dealers' hands!
- The three blackjack strategy charts are graphics (split-pairs.gif, double-down.gif, hit-stand.gif). You cannot highlight, copy, then paste into a file. You might want, however, to right-click on each image and save to your computer. The images are totally free and non-copyrighted by anybody, although a link to this Web page would be highly appreciated.
- Right-click on each image to print the corresponding blackjack basic strategy (BS) chart. Always print in vivid color, axiomatico/axiomaticule!
- The most important aspect of gambling mathematics, casino gambling especially, is record keeping. The streaks are the most important parameter in gambling. The infamous gambler's fallacy is the only counterpoint employed by casinos: Player will lose forever.. but not the house — ever! You might want to do the real mathematics of blackjack streaks by running my probability software, Streaks.
- You can see a reduced version of my blackjack gambling system based on streaks, progressions. I call it blackjack mental system because the records are kept in memory (as in human brains). The full-version requires recordkeeping on paper. The casinos don't like it and they may take adverse measures if you open a notebook and start writing. Read one of my experiences: Casinos Bar, Ban Winning Gamblers, Skilled Players.
5. Blackjack: Software, Content, Resources, Systems, Basic Strategy, Card Counting
Click the link to visit a directory of pages and materials on the subject of blackjack, software, systems, basic strategy.Of major interest: Blackjack; Charts, Tables, Probability, Odds, Software.
- Split Pairs: Blackjack Basic Strategy Card, Table, Chart.
Color-coded chart to learn the best Split Pairs strategy. When you get your first two cards, look at this table first. The pairs occur the least in a blackjack game (5.9%). If your hand is not a pair, move to the next chart: Double Down. - Double Down: Blackjack Strategy Table, Card, Chart.
Color-coded chart to learn the best Double Down strategy. After consulting the Split Pairs table, look next at this table. The Double Down situations occur more often than pairs at blackjack (8% recommended to double). If your hand is not a Double Down situation, move to the next chart: Hit or Stand. - Hit or Stand: Blackjack Strategy Chart, Card, Table.
Color-coded chart to learn the best Hit or Stand strategy. After consulting the Double Down table, finally look at this table. The Hit or Stand decisions are by far the most frequent and important situations in blackjack. - Blackjack Basic Strategy: Free Card, Table, Chart, Spreadsheet: Split Pairs; Double Down; Hit Stand.
The traditional method of learning the BJ basic strategy: all decisions in a table. The dealer up-card is listed across (horizontally), while the player's first two cards are listed vertically in the leftmost column. For example, dealer's face-card is 5. Player's first two cards: A+4; the right move: D (double-down). It makes it more difficult to learn the best blackjack decisions accurately and quickly. It is best to combine similar situations that require the same action — as the blackjack cheat sheets on this page. - Gambling Mathematics in Blackjack Proves Deception of Card-Counting Systems.
- ABC: The Best Blackjack Card-Counting System by Ion Saliu — the only system founded on mathematics and formulas.
- The Best Blackjack Strategy, System Tested with the Best Blackjack Software.
- Download Casino Gambling Software: Blackjack, Roulette, Baccarat.