What is Double Down in Blackjack and Best Strategies for Success
Most basic online Blackjack players know when to hit vs. when to stand, but do you know when to double down in blackjack? If not, you may be leaving money on the table each time you play. A double down in Blackjack involves doubling your wager and receiving one additional card before being forced to stand off against the Dealer. It's a risky gambling move that pays dividends when it's done right.
Incorporating the Blackjack double down strategy into your arsenal of moves will let you take your gambling game from basic to the next level and potentially increase profits at the table. If you're new to the game and are curious to learn a new Blackjack strategy, we'll guide you on how to become a double down expert by explaining blackjack double down rules to live by, hands to watch for, and the math behind the strategy. Once you've learned the theory, you can practice this new move on the felt by using any of our 14 online Blackjack games as training grounds.
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What Does Double Down Mean in Blackjack?
Doubling down involves putting a second wager on the table that's equal to your original wager. For example, if you put $10 on the table, your double down wager would bring your total bet up to $20, meaning you would win $20 on a standard winning hand, and $30 if you get a natural (Ace and 10-value card) hand.
Once your second wager is on the table, you'll receive one more card, and then be forced to stand off against the Dealer. Keep in mind, this move is available only with your original two-card hand, so if you hit, you won't get the option of doubling afterward.
When to Double Down in Blackjack – Guide and Rules to Live By
Certain scenarios in Blackjack beg for a double down strategy, and knowing how to recognize these scenarios should be part of any Blackjack beginner's guide. Keep in mind these eight rules when playing multi-deck Blackjack (with the Dealer hitting on soft 17), and you'll be ahead of the game.
Double Down Rules for Hard Hands
1. Always double on 11.
2. Double down on hard 10, unless the Dealer shows a 10 or Ace.
3. Double down on 9 against all small Dealer upcards (up to and including 6)—except for 2.
Double Down Rules for Soft Hands
4. Double down on soft 13 and 14 when the Dealer shows a 5 and 6.
5. Double down on soft 15 and 16 when the Dealer shows a 4 to 6.
6. Double down on soft 17 against all Dealer small cards (up to and including 6).
7. Double down on soft 18 against all Dealer small cards (up to and including 6)—except for 2.
8. Double down on soft 19 against a Dealer 6.
When Do You Double Down in Blackjack?
As you may have gathered from our guide and Blackjack rules to live by, the best time to double down is when receiving a 10-value card which would get you close to 21 points. That's why the top hand to double down on is an 11, and the second-best hand is a 10.
The second part of the double down equation is the Dealer's upcard. When the Dealer is more likely to bust, the doubling range is wider (i.e. doubling on a score of 9 when the Dealer has a Three to Six). Conversely, the doubling range is tighter when the Dealer has a competitive upcard, such as a 10 or Ace, which calls for a double down play only on a score of 11 and nothing less.
Can You Double Down After Hitting?
Double Down can be used only as a first move, so you can't double after hitting. Other restrictions include only being able to double down on hard totals of 9 to 11 when playing European Blackjack. All of our other online versions of Blackjack let you double on any two cards.
Should You Always Double Down on 11?
No matter what version of online Blackjack you're playing, always make a double down play on a score of 11. Your odds of landing Blackjack are just over 1 in 3. The only time seasoned Blackjack players won't make this move is if they're counting cards and know that the remainder of the deck has a higher-than-average number of low cards.
The Math Behind Doubling Down
In the 1960's, Edward O. Thorp, a math professor who devised probability theory, changed the nature of Blackjack by establishing what's now known as basic strategy. With the use of computers, he determined the expected Return to Player on every possible hand combination, between the player's score and Dealer's upcard, and suggested the appropriate play (hit, stand, double, etc.) based on the numbers. For example, a score of 11 vs. a Dealer 6 has a 0.333 Return to Player when you hit, and a 0.667 Return to Player when you double down, making double down the optimal play.
Last Words
There is a great divide between Blackjack players when it comes to the doubling down strategy. Aggressive players love this strategy, while conservative ones veer away from it—simply because of the limitations of receiving just one additional card. If you find yourself in the latter camp, hopefully you'll feel more confident now that you've learned the theory behind it, as well as the best scores to support a successful double down play. Experiment with this new move on our online casino Practice Play mode and note how it improves your win percentage. We're certain you'll quickly see why seasoned Blackjack players can't live without it.
