The purpose of this is to increase the casino’s advantage. Some single-deck variations still have rigid doubling down rules, allowing players to make this move only when holding two-card totals of 9 through 11. Nowadays, the casinos allow the rest of the additional moves and players have the freedom to decide when to double. In any other case, players were deprived of the chance to double down and take advantage of this move.īut time changes and so does blackjack. Gamblers were allowed to do so only when they had a two-card hand with a final total of eleven or ten. With the option of the ace to be a one or an 11 there’s a good chance you can improve your hand with one more card.įor those who prefer to have a quick visual reminder of when it’s advantageous to double down in blackjack, we’ve designed the chart below.In the past, when the casinos first started offering blackjack, there were restrictions on when players could double. Got an ace in your initial two-card hand alongside a 5, 6 or 7? Dealer got a 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6? It’s a good time to double down. You have soft 16, 17 or 18 and the dealer’s face-up card is two-six (inclusive) You can’t go bust, but the dealer risks going over 21 because they have to hit until they reach 17.ģ.

If your first two cards are 2 and 8, 2 and 9, 3 and 7, 3 and 8, 4 and 6, 4 and 7, 5 and 5, or 5 and 6, and the dealer’s card is lower than yours, probability is in your favour.ĭouble down. You have hard 10 or 11 and the dealer’s face-up card is lower You have hard nine and the dealer’s face-up card is two-six (inclusive)Ī hard nine is a hand of two cards that add up to nine but don’t include an ace, so either2 and 7, 3 and 6, or 4 and 5.Ģ.

In each one you can’t go bust and are more likely to win the hand than the dealer.ġ. There’s only one point in a game of blackjack when you have the opportunity to double down – directly after your initial two cards have been dealt.Īt this point there are three groups of hands where it makes most sense for you to double down on your initial bet. Already got an 888sport account? Check out all the bookmakers and their latest casino bonus offers.

Blackjack face up or face down