When Do You Double Down in Blackjack?

• Doubling down in blackjack is when you double your initial wager for the chance to double your winnings.
• You should double down when you have a hard 10 or 11, or a soft 16, 17, or 18 showing.
• The odds aren’t in your favor when the dealer has an ace, so avoid doubling down.

Blackjack is a game that involves a lot of quick math, and not just for card counting. You have to know the best hands on which you should be doubling down, a wager that could help you double your winnings on a single hand. This move can be pretty risky if you don’t play it at the right time, which is why so many newer blackjack players often avoid it.

In most cases, you should double down if your initial hand is statistically more likely to win over the dealer’s hand. But you can only see one of the dealer’s cards, so you have to consider what they could have as their down card when determining if you should double down or just stick out your original wager.

Study up on the hands that are statistically better for a double down move and watch out for them the next time you play. Here’s everything you need to know about doubling down in blackjack and how to take advantage of this blackjack strategy.

What Is “Doubling Down” in Blackjack?

Doubling down simply means doubling your wager after the deal. When you double down, you are only given one more card, and you can’t hit as many times as you want after increasing your bet. Relying on one card to make or break your hand is what makes this betting strategy so risky because you could be dealt a low card, like a 2 or 3, and end up with a lower hand than the dealer. And then you lose twice as many chips.

But if you’re able to double down successfully, meaning double your initial wager and then end up with the highest hand at the table or even 21, then you win double what you would have initially won. So, it can really be worth it, as long as you pay attention to the dealer’s hand and play this strategy right.

Know When You’re Able To Double Down

As mentioned before, you’re only able to double down after the initial deal. You cannot double down after hitting, and you’re often not able to double down after splitting either. However, you can find online casinos that do allow you to double down after you split.

Some casinos may limit players’ ability to double down and only allow the move if the hand is totalling 10 or 11. Any other valued hand may not be eligible for double down, so you’d only have the option to hit or stand. If you’re able to split, you’d place an additional, equal wager to cover the other half of your original hand, but this doesn’t provide the same winning benefits as a double down move. Review the rules for each table you play at, even if it’s at online blackjack tables.

Last, you are not able to double down if you’re showing 21 in your initial hand. It’s common for the dealer to just pay you outright when this happens, so you often don’t even have the chance to try.

When To Double Down in Blackjack

There are three main situations when doubling down is almost always a good idea:

You have a hard 9 against the dealer’s low up card

A “hard” hand is any without an ace. When you’re dealt a hard 9 — so a 4-5, 6-3, or 7-2 — and the dealer is showing a low card, it’s a good idea to double down. Why? The dealer could have another low card that puts them even further away from hitting 21, while you’re closer to hitting 21 on your next (and final) card. And you can’t bust. Why not take the chance?

You have a 10 or 11 and the dealer has a lower up card

It’s almost always a good idea to double down when you have 11 showing, especially when the dealer has a low card. That’s because you have a decent chance of hitting 21 or getting really close to it on your single hit. It’s often a good idea to double down when you’re showing 10, too. However, it depends on what the dealer is showing. For example, if the dealer is also showing 10 or 11, it’s too risky to go for it. But if they have a 6 or lower, then it’s a great time to double down.

In either situation, you can’t bust because you only get one more card to try for 21, but the dealer could bust.

You have a soft 16, 17, or 18 and the dealer has a lower up card

A “soft” hand is any that has an ace. If you’re dealt a soft 16, 17, or 18 — so an Ace-5, Ace-6, or Ace-7, and the dealer has any card 2 through 6, you’re in a decent spot to double down. The lower the dealer’s up card, the further they are away from 21, which means the more times they have to hit and the more chances they have of busting. But your hand is already so high, why would you risk it? Well, you’re not going to bust because you only get one card, and even if it’s another ace, you still can’t bust.

Casinos require dealers to keep hitting until they get to a certain number, like 16, 17, or even higher. You can also use this hit limit to your advantage. If the casino makes the dealer hit up to 17, the more likely they are to bust. Other casinos force dealers to hit up to 16, which reduces their chance of going over 21. The more likely they are to bust, the more seriously you should consider doubling down.

When Not To Double Down in Blackjack

Here are some situations in which doubling down is not in your favor and should be avoided:

• If the dealer has an ace or a 10-value card, it’s probably best to keep your initial wager. However, pay attention to when they check their hand for blackjack. If the game keeps going, then they don’t have blackjack and you can take advantage of this by doubling down. But players beware.
• If you’re showing any value lower than 9, you shouldn’t double down. The odds aren’t in your favor in any significant way if the dealer is showing a low card or at all if their up card is the same as or higher than your hand.
• If you’re over 11, with the exception of the soft hands mentioned earlier, you don’t want to risk doubling down because you have a higher chance of going bust.

How To Double Down at the Blackjack Table

It’s really simple to signal that you’re going to double down at the blackjack table. All you have to do is push an equal stack next to your initial wager. Don’t place these chips on top as this could be considered bet tampering. You can also tell the dealer that you’re doubling down before or while you make your equal wager.

In online blackjack, you may have a button you can click any time you want to double down. This should automatically add an equal stack to the virtual table.
Whether you go to a brick-and-mortar casino or you play at your favorite online casino in New Jersey, you can use these tips and tricks to double down your hands and show confidence at the table. Successfully using this strategy not only doubles your winnings, but it can also send signals to other players that you’re a strong player.