When to Double Down in Blackjack: A Guide  

The Dos and Don’ts of Doubling Down in Blackjack 

While it’s a fundamental part of the game that can help a player increase their chances of a successful session, many people still don’t know when to double down in blackjack. This action is valid on many variations of blackjack, including ones with rulesets, such as Quantum Blackjack Plus and Lightning Blackjack, to name just a couple. 

Table of Contents:  

• What is Doubling Down in Blackjack?   
• Situations Where You Should Double Down  
• Situations Where You Should Not Double Down  
• Can I Double Down After I Hit?  
• Can I Double Down After I Split?  
• How Much Does My Double Down Bet Need to Be?
• Advantages and Disadvantages of Doubling Down  
• Conclusion  
• Frequently Asked Questions about Doubling Down in Blackjack  

In this article, Heart Bingo touches on all of the above, while also looking at some specific hands that players could consider doubling down in online blackjack if they wish.  

What is Doubling Down in Blackjack?  

First things first, what is double down in blackjack? In simple terms, the doubling down meaning is that players can place an additional bet, the same size as their initial wager, in exchange for another card. However, after the additional card has been dealt, the hand will automatically stand.  

Situations Where You Should Double Down  

So, when can you double down in Blackjack? Well, players can double down on any hand they wish that comprises of two cards; however, here are some of the optimal situations in which to do so:  

When Your Cards Total 11  

Should players have exactly 11 as the total of the cards in their hand, doubling down could be a good idea. This is because there are significantly more cards worth 10 in the deck than any other, giving players a greater chance of achieving 21.  

You Have a Soft 16, 17, or 18  

Statistically, these hands can improve greatly when adding just one more card. In this instance, players would be looking for a low card, such as a 5, 4, or 3. However, these hands also cannot bust, which is another advantage of the double down in blackjack.  

When You Have a Hard 9 or 10  

Again, as cards valued at 10 are more prominent than others in the deck, players have a greater chance of achieving a 19 or 20 in this instance. It’s also worth mentioning that a hard 9 or 10 cannot bust when taking an extra card, which is another positive for doubling on such values!  

Situations Where You Should Not Double Down  

Adversely, let’s explain some of the situations in which players should avoid doubling down their bet:  

When the Dealer Shows an Ace  

This is the best card a dealer can have, so doubling down against it might not be the best decision to make. Fortunately, the option to double down is almost always offered after the dealer has checked for a blackjack.  

When Your Cards Total More Than 11  

Doubling down when with a hand that is valued at 11 or higher is risky, as players can bust and lose their initial bet alongside the additional wager.  

Can I Double Down After I Hit?  

No, players can not typically double down after a hit. With that being said, there are variations of the game that offer this. However, they are incredibly rare and often come with a whole host of other unique rules, too. For players who are looking for table games with a fresh spin, Free Bet Blackjack could be a variant to consider!   

Can I Double Down After I Split?  

While this is more common than being allowed to double after a hit, there is still a very small percentage of blackjack games that have this as part of their rules. Usually, doubling down in blackjack can only be done on the first two cards.  

How Much Does My Double Down Bet Need to Be?  

As the name suggests, doubling down involves the player putting down an additional bet that is the same as their original one. For example, if a player has 1.00 as their main bet, doubling down will require an extra 1.00 wager, making a total of 2.00 on the hand.  

Advantages and Disadvantages of Doubling Down  

Let’s start this section by taking a look at the various advantages of doubling down a hand in blackjack:   

• Players can capitalise on good hands.  
• Can be used when the dealer has a bad face up card.  
• Doubles the potential winnings if the hand is successful.  
• Players can decrease the house edge if they double down correctly, according to basic blackjack strategy.  

Of course, there are also a couple downsides of doubling down when playing blackjack, which include:  

• Greater potential risk for the hand.  

• Players may double down at incorrect moments, increasing the house edge as a result.  

Conclusion  

In conclusion, doubling down in blackjack is an entertaining action that can increase the player’s chances of success, if done correctly. Before doubling down at an online casino, it’s important that punters understand the rules, including the potential advantages and disadvantages.   

Finally, even when doubling down in scenarios that are recommended by basic strategy, players are never guaranteed to win a hand, so always gambling responsibly is key!  

Frequently Asked Questions about Doubling Down in Blackjack