The player doubles their original bet and is dealt one more card, and it can only be one. If a player is dealt a pair (two 4s for example), or two ten-valued cards, such as a queen and a king, the player can split those cards into two different hands. The player is then dealt another card to each hand. Hit, Stand, Double Down or Split? Blackjack is one of the best loved card games in the world. There are many variations, so if you're new to the game see How to Play Blackjack and Pontoon. Like any casino game, Blackjack is designed to return a profit to the dealer. However, against a reasonable skilled player this profit is very low compared to most casino games - typically less than 1%.

• Blackjack Double Down Strategy
• Double Down In Blackjack Rules
• When To Double In Blackjack
• How To Double Down Blackjack

Blackjack Double Down Strategy

• Blackjack- To Double Down Or To Split

  The game of blackjack has entertained a lot of people worldwide. As one of the most widely and wildly played card games in the casinos all over the world, it is of no surprise that they are giving more and more options to players. It is very common nowadays to either upsize or upgrade your merchandise. Fast-food chains, online memberships, and all sorts of other subscriptions are all taking advantage of this marketing strategy. The consumer gets more, so does the company. It is a good investment for both sides.

  In the game of blackjack there are a lot of great options as well. One of them is the 'double down'. To double down is to double your wager, which is to double your original bet. When the dealer gives your first two cards, you always have the option to double down except when your hand is a natural or a blackjack, of course. This provides the players a great opportunity to win more cash when they really are most likely to win. Some casinos only allow you to take advantage of a double down when the total points of your two cards add up to nine, ten or eleven. Generally, you can always double down through your own prerogative. Once you decide to double down, you will be given only one more card and then stand.

  Most expert blackjack players double down when the total points of their two cards is nine and the dealer's open card is three, four, five or six. It is also advisable to double down when you get a ten-value card as long as the dealer's open card is not an ace, a ten or any of the face cards. Double down when you get an ace and the dealer's card is not. You can have it either as a one or eleven.

  Another great option is 'splitting'. You can split your first two cards when they contain the same value. The best cards to split are eights and aces. If you decide to split, you need to place an extra bet similar in value to the original one. Once the cards are split you can now play them as separate hands. If again you get the same value, you are aloud to 'resplit', applying the same procedures as the initial splitting. After splitting, you can also double down on any of your hands depending on the combinations you get.

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It’s been a little over 60 years since they figured out the optimal strategy for Blackjack. A group of statisticians wrote a paper in 1956, and that paper’s findings were verified in Edward O. Thorp’s 1962 book Beat the Dealer. Now, millions of Blackjack players around the world are learning these strategies, including the option to double down. This is when you double your wager and receive one single card; if you haven’t gone bust after receiving this card, you stand with whatever you’ve got.

If you’re not familiar with doubling down, or you’re still learning the basic strategy, Single Deck Blackjack is the right game to start with. Bovada just introduced a modern version of this game to go alongside the Classic version; try out the following strategies, and you’ll be one step closer to playing perfect Blackjack. At Bovada, you can double any two cards when you play Single Deck Blackjack, and the Dealer must hit on Soft 17.

What Is Double Down in Blackjack?

You can double down after you’re dealt your two hole cards, which means you have the option to double your bet and receive exactly one more card. Then, if you haven’t gone bust already, the Dealer plays, and the winning hand is declared. If you’re playing at a live casino, take however many chips you need to match your original bet, and place them nearby – but outside the betting box. Then use your index finger to point at the doubled bet. Figuring out how to double down at Bovada is much easier: Just hit the “Double” button. No hand signals required.

Blackjack Double Down Rules

In both Single Deck Blackjack variants at Bovada, you’re allowed to double on any two cards you’re dealt – and you can double down after a split. Some live casinos will not allow you to double after you’ve split your hole cards. You might also find games where you’re allowed to double after receiving a third card or more.
When to Double Down
This is where the rubber hits the road. As always in Blackjack, the correct double down strategy will depend on how many decks are in the shoe, and the specific rules for the game you’re playing. Let’s take a closer look at the Single Deck Blackjack games available at Bovada, and how to double down in these games for maximum value. In both the Classic and New versions, the dealer must hit on soft 17, which caters to the following strategies when you’re dealt the following hole cards:

Hard Hands (No Pair)

If you have 11 in your hand (say, Seven-Four), you should always double, hoping to spike that 10-value card to make 21. Otherwise, follow this guide:

10: Double when Dealer shows a Nine or lower

9: Double when Dealer shows a Six or lower

8: Double when Dealer shows a Five or a Six

Soft Hands

With hands containing an Ace, you’ll occasionally double when the Dealer shows a low card (Six or lower). If you’re holding Ace-Six, always double against a low card. Here are the other times to double:

19: Double when Dealer shows a Six

Double Down In Blackjack Rules

18: Double when Dealer shows a Three, Four, Five or Six

When To Double In Blackjack

13, 14, 15, 16: Double when Dealer shows a Four, Five or Six

Pairs

How To Double Down Blackjack

In Single Deck Blackjack games where you’re allowed to double after splitting, like the ones at Bovada, there’s only one pair you should double first: a pair of Fives. This should only be done when the Dealer’s up-card is a Nine or lower, just like you would with any other hand worth 10. If you have a pair of Fours, split instead when the Dealer shows a Four as well as a Five or Six, and hit otherwise.

Simplified Doubling Strategies

The doubling plays listed above are mathematically proven to maximize your return playing Single Deck Blackjack at Bovada. They’re part of what’s known as the basic Blackjack strategy – although that’s a bit of a misnomer. Learning all the subtle differences between these optimal moves can take some time. When you’re just starting out, you might want to consider using a simplified Blackjack strategy that’s easier to remember, so you’ll make fewer mistakes trying to implement it. There will be a few plays that you’ll make sub-optimally with a simplified strategy, but only a few.

Here’s one recommended simplified strategy for doubling down in Single Deck Blackjack:

1. Double with Hard 9 or Soft 16-18 if the Dealer shows a low card (2-6).
2. Double with Hard 10 or 11, unless you have 10 and the Dealer shows a 10 or Ace.

That’s it. Again, using this simplified double down strategy will leave a little money on the table, but it should protect you from even greater losses while you’re still learning the game. The Blackjack double down may appear risky in the end, but in very specific situations, it’s the best play to make – and you should learn all these situations if you want to get the most out your Blackjack sessions. Memorize them, try them for free using the Practice Play mode at Bovada, and you’ll be one step closer towards “Blackjack Expert” status.