Blackjack: When to Double Down
The Player's Advantage: DOUBLE DOWN!
One of the advantageous rules in Blackjack for players is being able to "Double Down.
To win double your bet, you make a trade. That trade being able to take multiple "hits" on your hand for a SINGLE hit.
You must put up additional money next to your bet. Then, when its your turn, signal to the dealer you want to "double down." This hand signal is made by placing you index finger down on the table (see the hand signal video here).
Here is a breakdown of your ADVANTAGE in common "Double Down Situations:"
Which leads us to our next discussion...
"Doubling For Less"
Lets agree to make a simple rule together, Ok? IF you're going to "double down" ALWAYS double down for the FULL AMOUNT! Why? As you've seen above you're FAVORED to WIN in these situations!
Why would you want to LOWER your edge? The reason is psychological: you've hit a down-turn in luck. You're afraid. You're getting low on chips (which is why you MUST back your play with an adequate bankroll). In short YOU'RE PLAYING SCARED. As I said before, casinos line their pockets with scared players! Don't let it be YOU!
When to Double Down
One helpful idea in learning "Basis Strategy" is to group actions together. Such as learning when to Double Down. You can get more tips here on learning basic strategy.
Here are the situations you would "Double Down" in at the table. We are assuming table rules of: 4-8 decks; Dealer Hits Soft 17; Double After Split (DAS)
Double Your "9" against the Dealer's:
"Soft Hands" (Learn what they are here)
Double Your ACE / 2 or ACE / 3 against the Dealer's:
Summary: Learning when to double is fairly easy. Always double down for the FULL amount!
PRO TIP: The only challenging part of "Doubling Down" is remembering when to double with "soft" hands.
To memorize, force yourself to concentrate. Look for patterns and use memory aids (mnemonics).
Here's How I Easily Remember Soft Double Downs:
You can also get your FREE Blackjack "Cheat Sheet" HERE!
One of the advantageous rules in Blackjack for players is being able to "Double Down.
To win double your bet, you make a trade. That trade being able to take multiple "hits" on your hand for a SINGLE hit.
You must put up additional money next to your bet. Then, when its your turn, signal to the dealer you want to "double down." This hand signal is made by placing you index finger down on the table (see the hand signal video here).
Here is a breakdown of your ADVANTAGE in common "Double Down Situations:"
- 11 vs. 10: 6-5 Favorite
- 11 vs. 6 : 2-1 Favorite
- 11 vs. 2 : 8-5 Favorite
- 10 vs. 9 : 7-6 Favorite
- 10 vs. 6 : 9-5 Favorite
- 10 vs. 2 : 3-2 Favorite
- 9 vs. 3 : 8-7 Favorite
- A/7 vs. 3: 6-5 Favorite
- A/3 vs. 5: 8-7 Favorite
- A/2 vs. 5: 8-7 Favorite
Which leads us to our next discussion...
"Doubling For Less"
Lets agree to make a simple rule together, Ok? IF you're going to "double down" ALWAYS double down for the FULL AMOUNT! Why? As you've seen above you're FAVORED to WIN in these situations!
Why would you want to LOWER your edge? The reason is psychological: you've hit a down-turn in luck. You're afraid. You're getting low on chips (which is why you MUST back your play with an adequate bankroll). In short YOU'RE PLAYING SCARED. As I said before, casinos line their pockets with scared players! Don't let it be YOU!
When to Double Down
One helpful idea in learning "Basis Strategy" is to group actions together. Such as learning when to Double Down. You can get more tips here on learning basic strategy.
Here are the situations you would "Double Down" in at the table. We are assuming table rules of: 4-8 decks; Dealer Hits Soft 17; Double After Split (DAS)
Double Your "9" against the Dealer's:
- 4-6
- 2-9
- 2-ACE (You will ALWAYS Double)
"Soft Hands" (Learn what they are here)
Double Your ACE / 2 or ACE / 3 against the Dealer's:
- 5-6
- 4-6
- 3-6
- 6 (ONLY when dealer hits soft 17)
Summary: Learning when to double is fairly easy. Always double down for the FULL amount!
PRO TIP: The only challenging part of "Doubling Down" is remembering when to double with "soft" hands.
To memorize, force yourself to concentrate. Look for patterns and use memory aids (mnemonics).
Here's How I Easily Remember Soft Double Downs:
- 2+3 = 5; Starting with a Ace/2 I start to double at 5.
- 6/2=3 ; I double my Ace/3 up to 6.
- Ace / 4: Start to double at 4!
- 3 x 2 =6: Ace /6, start to double at 3!
- The Dealer "breaks" most with a six! So as a memory aid let's say dealers' "hate" 6. To remember that I should double down on a Ace / 8 vs. 6, I say to myself, "Dealers' hate Ace 8!"
- Just remember that you'll never double a hard hand past the dealers "breaking" card of 6.
You can also get your FREE Blackjack "Cheat Sheet" HERE!
