All that you need to learn about doubling down
Whether you’re looking at land-based or online casinos, there is little doubt that blackjack is among the most popular games. Its popularity stems from the fact that it’s great to play, but also because there’s a pretty good chance that you’ll win. That’s because blackjack has the lowest house edge going. If you know what you’re doing, and all about the strategies that you can implement, the house edge can even go below 1%. Read more about doubling down on Blackjack.
Now a sub 1% house edge is certainly appealing, but the thing is that most people never really get to benefit from this. Why? Well, they just don’t take the time to master the strategies that can help them. One of the most effective strategies is doubling down.
In this article, we’re going to explore exactly what is meant by doubling down. We’re going to take a look at when this is a great option and when it should be avoided. By the end, you’ll know all that you need to about this blackjack strategy.
| 21+ | Terms & Conditions Apply | NJ Residents Only | ||
 | $25 FREE on Signup 100% up to $1.000 on First Deposit Hotspot Leaderboard | Visit Casino |
So, what is Doubling down on Blackjack
If you’re not yet familiar with the term, then this seems a good place to start. To double down in blackjack is to double your bet in the middle of a hand. After this, you’d then only receive one more card. It may sound a little on the risky side. After all, if you’re then dealt a low card you won’t hit again and you’ll stand to lose twice as much. However, when you time this correctly you will soon find that doubling down can be extremely profitable.
There are some casinos where you can double down when you’ve split your cards. This effectively means that, if you choose to, you can double down each of your blackjack hands.
The key to success with doubling down is knowing when you should do it. There’s a fine line between taking unnecessary risks and taking calculated ones. It’s vital to find the balance and not to be drawn into just playing it safe. You may be wondering when the right time to double down is. Well, that’s what we’re going to look at next.
Knowing when doubling down on Blackjack is ok
There are three scenarios when doubling down is the right thing to do. In each of these scenarios, your risk is mitigated and you are giving yourself the opportunity to maximise your winnings. Here’s a look at what they are:
If your cards total 11
This scenario probably represents the very best time to double down. There is a pretty decent chance that, while you’re holding 11, that just one more card will see you hit blackjack. If not, then you’re still likely to end up being extremely close to it.
Look at the worse case and say you miss 21. You’re still highly likely to be on 18, 19, or even 20. Any of them are likely to be winning hands. Next time that you’re holding 11, the best advice is to just go for it.
You have a hard 9 or 10
If you don’t already know, a hard hand is one there isn’t an ace. This situation provides you with a great opportunity to double down, providing that the dealer is showing a lower card. If so, you have an amazing opportunity to beat the dealer. This is a tactic that can be used long-term and really increase your winning potential.
A soft hand is one where you have an ace and any other card. Holding an ace in blackjack is generally seen as good news as it makes it much easier to reach 21. However, don’t get too carried away when you spot the ace. The only time that doubling down is the best course of action in this scenario is if the dealer is showing a lower card.
When to avoid doubling down on Blackjack
While there are times when doubling down is just the right thing to do, there are also times when it should be avoided. Here’s a look at two scenarios where doubling down would simply be the wrong thing to do:
If the dealer has an ace
We’ve already seen that an ace is a power card in blackjack. It’s great when you’ve got one in your hand, but bad news when the dealer does. Just as, if you had an ace, you’d have a boosted chance of hitting blackjack, in this scenario the dealer has that same chance. That means that doubling down is, quite simply, a terrible decision to take here.
When you’re hand is bigger than 11
The chances are that you’re next card is going to see you going bust. That’s far more likely to happen than landing the cards that you need. It’s easy to get carried away in the moment and ignore the probability of the game, but that’s what leads to losing streaks. if you exceed 11, just don’t double down.
What else do you need to know about doubling down?
Well, you now know what doubling down is. You also know when it’s the right option and, equally, when it isn’t. There are a couple more things that you need to know before you jump in and start using this effective blackjack strategy:
Casino rules differ
Wherever you’re playing, be sure to check out the rules around doubling down. You’ll find that they vary from casino to casino. Be sure to take the time to read, and understand, the blackjack rules that relate to where you’re playing.
How to show your intention to double down
If you want to double down, you need to know the signal that’s used to show this. Don’t worry, this is as straightforward as it gets. All that you need to do is push chips alongside your original wager. In the rare case where that isn’t accepted, you just need to tell the dealer that you want to double down.
| 21+ | Terms & Conditions Apply | NJ Residents Only | ||
| $25 FREE on Signup 100% up to $1.000 on First Deposit Hotspot Leaderboard | Visit Casino |
