Blackjack Double Down: The Strategy behind it
Blackjack double down is one of the famous gaming options that are available to the players of blackjack. No doubt, this is one of the thrilling parts of the game where you double down your first wager and win a cool profit. You don’t have to be an expert player to know all about double down. As a matter of fact, new players also look forward to the hands that qualify. Blackjack double down can be very exciting and beneficial when utilized correctly. However, if you don’t understand the strategy involved, you might fail woefully when doubling down and this can lead to a loss for you. So to start with, let us understand what Double Down is all about.
What is Double Down?
This is a situation when a blackjack player doubles his original wager after he might have received his first two cards. As soon as the cards are dealt, the player will be given an option to double down. If the player wins the double down bet, he will receive the double of his original wager.
The Rules involved in Double Down
The rules of double down vary from one casino to the other. It is important that you know the rules of the house in respect to double down before you start playing blackjack at the casino. In many casinos, players are permitted to double down on any of their two original cards. Some other casinos allow players to double down a single blackjack card. Note that this rule applies irrespective of whether you are playing online or playing live blackjack. There are some other casinos that restrict double down to a total of nine, ten, or eleven. In such casinos, you will only be able to double down if the first two cards you have totaled the mentioned amounts.
You are also allowed to double down when you split a pair in some casinos; but again, some casinos do not allow double down when you split. Therefore, it is crucial that you get acquainted with the house rules.
When you double down in a blackjack game and you place an extra wager, you will be given one card which is placed over the two original cards that you have been dealt. After this, you are not allowed to do any other thing on this hand. Your total amount with the extra card is the total that you have to play. It is impossible for you to hit your hand when you have already doubled down; you have to stand. There are some casinos that allow players to double for less. What this means is that the double down wager is lower than half of the original bet.
So, how do you Double Down?
To show that you want to double down in a current game, place an extra amount of chips that is equal to or lower than the original wager beside your original bet on the table. This action is the generally accepted technique of doubling down. The Blackjack dealer will know that you want to double down and he will deal you with an extra card. It is important to note that if you want to double down, you must say the word ‘double down’ when you place your wager. This is to ensure that the dealer doesn’t mistake your double down request for a need to split the pair. Generally, the action of splitting and doubling down are the same, so it is important that you inform the dealer about your desire to double down when you have a pair. In case you are playing the game online, simply press the button with the inscription ‘Double Down’ to automatically place your bet.
The Strategy of Double Down
The general belief is that players should always double down when there is a total of eleven. Interestingly, you also have an excellent opportunity to receive a ten for a total of twenty one. There are many players, both professionals and new players, who double down at eleven. However, it doesn’t have to always be like this. Although it is the right play but players that know how to count cards know that there is really no consistency when it comes to playing blackjack. Players who count cards usually utilize the count to know whether to double down or not, even when the total is eleven.
For instance, if a deck has negative count, taking steps to double down on any amount can become a disaster. This is because when your deck is negative, you have more low cards in the park. What this means is that the extra card you will get on your eleven could be a four, five, or six. Now, if you have this card and the dealer shows you a ten, then you are in big trouble. However, when you have a positive count and you double down a range of hands (since you have many 10s in the deck), you have greater chance of making a twenty-one out of an eleven, or a twenty, out of a ten.
The whole idea of the double down strategy is this; if a player is a card counter, he should always allow his count to dictate whether he will double down or not, based on the fundamental strategy to select to employ. On the other hand, players with practically no card counting experience should follow the basic double down rules below:
- Make sure to always double down a hard total of eleven
- Double down your hard total of nine against the dealer’s five or six
- Double down your hard total of ten against the dealer’s four, five, or six.
Conclusion
To make profit out of your doubling down, it is recommended that you stick with these fundamental double down rules until you are able to count cards. As soon as you learn to count cards, you will discover that you will be able to spot more double down opportunities in the game.