When to Double Down in Blackjack: Rules and Strategy (2024)

FAQs

When to Double Down in Blackjack: Rules and Strategy? ›

Double down if your cards total 9, 10, or 11 without an ace. You can also double down if your cards total 16, 17, or 18 when you have an ace. Never double down if the dealer has an ace or if your cards total more than 11.

Remember, your double down bet must always match your initial bet amount. For most people, particularly those who are newer to blackjack, it's almost always a good idea to double down when you are showing an 11. Typically, you will not be allowed to double down after splitting.

Do you always double down on 11? Yes, you should always double down in blackjack when you have 11 from the first two cards. Since the most common card value is 10, you are likely to create 21 with one additional card when you start with 11. Doubling the bet will maximize the potential payout.

Double Down

Want to double your initial bet? Place your extra chips next to your initial bet, and it will signal to the whole table your intent to double down and signal to the dealer your need for an extra card. This is one of the most exciting blackjack hand signals as it shows your confidence in your hand.

Having confidence at the blackjack table and doubling your bet has its rewards. When successful, you can win even more money than you would have with your original bet. But there are some risks involved. If you end up being dealt a low hand, you stand to lose twice as much money.

Doubling down is when you double your bet and get dealt one more card. After you're dealt your first 2 cards, you can choose to double your bet if you're confident that your hand will beat the dealer. After you choose to double down, you'll only get dealt one more card and won't be able to hit.

Never split tens.

This is a common rookie mistake in Blackjack. Splitting 10s essentially sacrifices a great hand for a very slim chance at an even better one. See below: If you play a pair of 10s, your hand has a value of 20, which is quite good.

In general, if you have a hand that totals 17 or higher, you should stand. If your total is between 13 and 16, consider the dealer's up-card before deciding whether to hit or stand. If the dealer's card is 6 or lower, then you should hit; if the dealer has a 7 or higher showing, then you should stand.

Split Any Pair When Dealer Shows 4, 5, 6: This is a risky move, but splitting any pair when the dealer shows a 4-through-6 can be an advantage. The dealer has a high chance of holding a 10-card in the hole, which means they'll be hitting and risking a bust if their up-card is 4, 5, or 6.

What is the 2 1 2 strategy in blackjack? ›

The 212 system draws its name from a specific betting pattern. You start by risking 2 units, followed by 1 unit after a win, followed by 2 units after another win. You continue increasing your bet by 1 unit for every successful round after the third win.

The term “3 to 2” can be confusing. What this ratio is telling us is that the player will get paid 3 chips for every 2 chips they bet, or 3 to 2. Another way to think about it is, 3 to 2 is exactly the same as 1 ½. And it's a lot easier to figure out half of the bet and then add that number to the original bet.

When the dealer has an Ace. Here's a pretty obvious one: never double down when the dealer is showing an ace. Quite simply, the chances of them getting blackjack are just too high. Even if they check and don't have blackjack, there's a very good chance that they'll end up with a total close to 21.

These combine to offer the best blackjack strategy according to the math: RULE #1: ALWAYS DOUBLE DOWN ON 11, UNLESS THE DEALER SHOWS AN ACE. RULE #2: WHEN THE DEALER'S UPCARD IS 2-9, ALWAYS DOUBLE DOWN ON AN INITIAL SCORE OF TEN. RULE #3: WHEN THE DEALER'S UPCARD IS A 5 OR 6, ALWAYS DOUBLE DOWN ON A SOFT 13-18.

Opposite to the Martingale Strategy, players using the Winning Streak Strategy double their bet every time they win. For example, if you started with a $5 bet and won, your next bet would be $10. But if you then lost the next hand, you would stay at that $10 amount until you won again.

When holding nine or less or 12-16 it's best to hit, but stand on a total of 17 or more. If the dealer's card is a four, five or six it is vital you do not bust. It is common practice to hit on eight or less, but stand on anything 12 or higher.

However, regardless of the various situations, the common strategic wisdom in the blackjack community is to "Always split aces and eights" when dealt either pair as initial cards. This is generally the first rule of any splitting strategy. Two aces and two eights in a standard deck of playing cards.

You should stop hitting when you have a hard total of 17+. stop hitting if you have a total of 13+ against a dealer 2–6. stop hitting if you have a soft 20 which is an Ace-9. stop hitting a total of 12 if the dealer has a 4–6.

What's The Difference? The difference between 3:2 blackjack and 6:5 blackjack is simple. If you have a winning blackjack hand, you get paid 3 dollars for every 2 that you bet, or 1.5:1 odds. In 6:5 you get paid $6 for every $5 you bet, which is 1.2:1 odds.