Doubling Down in Blackjack

Doubling Down: A Key Blackjack Move for Strategic Play

One reason for blackjack’s popularity among many casino players is the ability to influence the game by using the correct strategy. Because it often offers an extremely low house edge, blackjack requires players to make the optimal move on every hand to reduce the casino’s advantage to the lowest possible rate. Implementing a blackjack strategy requires a good knowledge of all basic moves and of the correct situations in which to use each one.

Depending on whether you stand, hit, split, or double down, you can completely change how each betting round will end. Doubling down is one of blackjack’s basic moves and can reward players with increased returns when it is used correctly. While you can use basic blackjack strategy to learn when it is advisable to double down, we suggest you start with our Doubling Down in Blackjack article, which provides detailed information on this fundamental move and how to execute it properly.

Overview

Doubling Down

Pair of 5s

Rule Variations

Overview

Doubling down is one of the most exciting moves you can make in the game. Thanks to this option, you can double your original wager, giving you the opportunity to win more money when you are holding a better hand than the dealer. To indicate this move, you must place the extra bet next to your initial wager, outside the designated betting area, and point to the amount with one finger. Once you are dealt your first two cards, you will receive one additional card. The size of the additional bet varies from one casino to another.

Some games allow you to stake only half of your initial bet, whereas others require you to match it in full. Even though the amount that needs to be placed is not fixed, it should be noted that this wager can never exceed the original bet under any circumstances. The rules regarding this move can vary depending on the casino and the particular version of the game. Some casinos allow doubling down on any two cards, while others have certain restrictions. Thus, it is essential to double-check the rules in advance so you are prepared for any situations that might occur.

Doubling Down for Less

Some casinos allow patrons to double down for less than their original wagers. Although this may sound appealing because it reduces the risk of losing a lot of money, you will never see a basic-strategy blackjack player take this bait. After all, when you double down you want to maximize your potential winnings.

Let us assume that you are dealt a hard 11. If you are familiar with basic strategy, you know that the optimal move in this situation is to double down when the dealer’s upcard is a ten. Your original wager is $50, but the casino allows you to double down for less than that. Regardless of the approach you choose, if you double down you will receive only one more card. From a mathematical perspective, you are expected to win 54% of the time. So, if you decide to double down, you will have a total of $100 in action. In other words, you will have 54 wins over 100 hands at $100, which equals $5,400. On the other hand, 46% of the time you will lose. A simple calculation shows that you will lose a total of 46 x 100 = $4,600 and end up with a net profit of $800.

If you have a hard 11, another optimal move is to hit. In that case, your chances of winning are slightly higher—approximately 56%. If your bet is $50, you can potentially win 56 x 50 = $2,800, while your losses may amount to 44 x 50 = $2,200. This will result in net winnings of $600 ($2,800 – $2,200). Since you are choosing to hit rather than doubling down, you can potentially land a bigger win without increasing your stake. However, if you double down for the full amount of your wager, you will win more money in the long haul.

When to Double Down

Doubling down can be a very beneficial move, but only if you know when it is appropriate to use it. While it is true that whether a particular hand will win or lose cannot be predicted, it is possible to influence the outcome to a great extent by applying a basic strategy. This playing system contains valuable information about the situations in which it is best to perform a particular move, including doubling down.

You should decide whether to double down by taking into account the dealer’s upcard and the total of your hand. Usually, it is advisable to make this move when the dealer is in a visibly unfavorable position. When the dealer has low-valued cards, you have a very good chance of winning; thus, it is essential to get the most out of such situations. For example, if you have a soft 13 through 18 and the dealer’s upcard is 3, 4, 5, or 6, it is best to double down. If doubling down is not allowed, basic strategy advises players to hit on soft 13 through 17. However, if you have a soft 18, it is better to stand, as the risk of busting is high.

• Hard 9 against 3 through 6
• Hard 10 and 11 against low-valued cards

It is essential to become familiar with all of the cases in which it is best to double down; in this way, you will be able to win enough money to offset the times when you lose.

Doubling Down on a Pair of 5s

Usually, when players receive two cards of the same rank, they choose to split them to form two new hands, thereby increasing their chances of winning. In most cases, it is a good idea to do so. However, there are several exceptions that should be considered. One of them occurs when you receive a pair of 5s and the dealer’s upcard is 2 through 9; in this case, you should double down instead of splitting.

Although two 5s form a very decent total, if they are separated they won’t make two strong hands. In fact, if you split such a pair, you will have the opposite effect: you will end up with two hands whose chances of winning are fairly low. That is why you should double down instead; the dealer is in a weak position and the odds are in your favor. It is important to make the most of such favorable situations, as they offer valuable opportunities that shouldn’t be missed.

Rule Variations of Doubling Down

As already mentioned, the rules for doubling down depend strictly on the particular version of the game and the casino. Every rule change, even a seemingly insignificant one, can have a significant impact on the house edge. Thus, you should always take the time to consider when you are allowed to double down and when this move is forbidden, as this will, to some extent, determine your chances of making a profit.

For instance, if doubling down is allowed after splitting, the house edge is reduced by approximately 0.13%. If you are permitted to double down only on 10s and 11s, provided that the game is played with six decks, this works in favor of the casino as it increases the house edge by 0.61%. Let’s consider the same situation, but instead of six decks, let’s assume that the game is played with two decks of cards—the house edge increases by approximately 0.26%.

Conclusion

Blackjack is a casino game that requires both skill and luck, and thus the final outcome of every hand can be influenced significantly. By applying a reliable strategy, you can drastically increase your chances of winning. However, strategic play never guarantees a 100 percent success rate. While doubling down can boost your potential winnings, it is often a move chosen by more adventurous players who enjoy an extra rush of excitement and adrenaline.