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When the Blackjack Double Down is an Advantage for the Player. If we accept that the double down blackjack move is an advantage play, we have to ascertain why this is the case. Firstly, we need some rules for when to double down in blackjack. As a basic guide, you need the following to be true. Blackjack Side Rules. Above, the basic rules of blackjack are described. In addition, numerous side rules allow for more intricate betting strategies. These side rules can only be used immediately after the deal, before you take any more cards. You cannot, for example, take a third card and then decide to double down. Double Down Rules. Double down on 10, 11 - Almost universal, this rule allows doubling down on two cards totaling 10 or 11 without using an Ace. On extremely rare occasions, you might find a casino that only allows double down on 11. These games should be avoided as the penalty is.45.52.
Introduction
Rule variations will have an effect on the player's expected return. The numbers below show the effect on the player's return under various rules and after taking into consideration proper basic strategy adjustments. These changes are relative to the following rules: eight decks, dealer stands on soft 17, player may double on anyfirst two cards, player can double after splitting, playermay split to 4 hands.
Blackjack Rule Variations
| Rule | Effect |
|---|---|
| Blackjacks pay 2 to 1 | +2.27% |
| Triple down on any two cards | +1.64% |
| Five cardCharlie1 | +1.46% |
| Optional half win for 5-card Charlie9 | +0.77% |
| Suited blackjacks pay 2 to 1 | +0.57% |
| Player 21-points is automatic winner | +0.54% |
| Single deck | +0.48% |
| Early surrender against ace | +0.39% |
| Player 21 vs. dealer blackjack is a push | +0.35% |
| 5-card win pays 3-2 | +0.33% |
| Blackjack tie pays 3 to 2 | +0.32% |
| Six-card Charlie pays 3 to 2 | +0.31% |
| Early surrender against ten | +0.24% |
| 5-card (or more) 21 automatically pays 2 to 1 | +0.24% |
| Player may double on any number of cards | +0.23% |
| Ace and 10 after splitting aces is a blackjack (paying 3-2) | +0.21% |
| Player may draw to split aces | +0.19% |
| Double deck | +0.19% |
| Six card Charlie1 | +0.16% |
| Player may double, double for less, or stand after splitting aces | +0.15% |
| Tied blackjack pays 1-2 | +0.11% |
| Ace and 10 after splitting aces is a blackjack (paying 6-5) | +0.11% |
| Double Down Rescue | +0.10% |
| 6-card win pays 2-1 | +0.09% |
| Player may resplit aces | +0.08% |
| Player may double or stand after splitting aces | +0.08% |
| Late surrender against ten | +0.07% |
| Four decks | +0.06% |
| 7-card win pays 5-1 | +0.05% |
| 777 pays 3 to 1 automatically | +0.05% |
| Five decks | +0.03% |
| 777 pays 2 to 1 automatically | +0.03% |
| Six decks | +0.02% |
| Seven card Charlie1 | +0.01% |
| Late surrender against ace | +0.00% |
| Dealer must stop with six cards | +0.00% |
| Late surrender after splitting | +0.00% |
| Split to only 3 hands | -0.01% |
| No-peek: ace showing2 | -0.01% |
| BB+13 | -0.01% |
| Dealer secretly goes first5 | -0.02% |
| OBBO4 | -0.03% |
| European no hole card (splitting)7 | -0.03% |
| European no hole card (doubling)7 | -0.08% |
| Player may double on 9-11 only | -0.09% |
| No-peek: ten showing6 | -0.10% |
| Player may not resplit | -0.10% |
| European no hole card7 | -0.11% |
| Player may not double after splitting | -0.14% |
| Player may double on 10,11 only | -0.18% |
| Player may not split aces | -0.18% |
| Dealer hits on soft 17 | -0.22% |
| Blackkjack pays 7-5 | -0.45% |
| Player may not split | -0.57% |
| Red blackjack pays 2-1, Black blackjack pays 3-2, Mixed blackjack pays 1-1 | -0.57% |
| Blackjack pays 6-5 | -1.39% |
| Player may not double | -1.48% |
| Player loses 17 ties | -1.87% |
| Player may not double nor split | -1.91% |
| Blackjacks pay 1 to 1 | -2.27% |
| Player loses 17,18 ties | -3.58% |
| Player loses 17-19 ties | -5.30% |
| Dealer bust on 22 is a push8 | -6.91% |
| Player loses 17-20 ties | -8.38% |
| Player loses 17-21 ties | -8.86% |
Notes
- A 'Charlie' is an automatic winner. For example the five-card Charlie rule means the player automatically wins with 5 cards, as long as he didn't bust.
- Dealer does not peek for blackjack with an ace up. If dealer has a ace-up blackjack, player loses all bets made, including from doubling and splitting. A 10-up blackjack will be revealed immediately after peeking, and the player will lose only his original wager, except a blackjack tie will push.
- BB+1 refers to an Australian rule, in which the player will lose all busted bets, plus one unit, if the dealer gets a blackjack. For example, if the player splits 8's to three hands of a 20, (doubled) 19, and a busted hand, and the dealer get a blackjack, then the player will lose 2 units, one for the busted hand, and one from the remaining 3 units on the table. There is a great deal of confusion for the term for his rule, some sources calling it 'OBBO,' for Original and Busted Bets Only.
- OBBO stands for Original Bets and Busted Only. 'Original Bets' means each original bet per hand. So, if the player bet $5 and split to three hands, he would have three original bets of $5 each. As far as I know, the OBBO rule is confined to some parts of Australia and Malaysia. In the example above, the player would lose 3 units under this rule, one for the busted hand and two for the number of unbusted hands. The term is discussed in depth in the bookThe Pro's Guide to Spanish 21 and Australian Pontoon by Katarina Walker.
- This strange rule is actually followed in Pennsylvania, on Shufflemaster TMS-300 video multi-player blackjack games. State law prohibits one player taking the cards of another player. The way they implement this rule is to give every player, and the dealer, a separate shoe. The dealer plays out his hand first, secretly, and the results stored in memory. Then the cards used by the dealer are removed for each player shoe. When all players have finished acting, the game shows what cards the dealer drew already. According to Shufflemaster, the effect of this rule is 0.02% in favor of the dealer. Shufflemaster wishes to add this rule is part of a patent-pending technology.
- Dealer does not peek for blackjack with a 10 up. If dealer has a 10-up blackjack, player loses all bets made, including from doubling and splitting. An ace-up blackjack will be revealed immediately after peeking, and the player will lose only his original wager, except a blackjack tie will push.
- Dealer does not take a hole card, or never peeks at it if he does. If the dealer has a blackjack, then player loses all bets made, including from doubling and splitting, except a blackjack tie will push. The cost of this rule to the player is 0.08% when doubling, and 0.03% when splitting. This breakdown is important in the case of Galaxy casinos in Macau, where the player only loses the original bet when doubling, but everything when splitting, if the dealer gets a blackjack.
- The push on a dealer 22 rule is a legally protected rule. The rights belong to the owner of Blackjack Switch.
- This rule can be found at the Pharaoh's Palace in Macau. The player may invoke the rule before the dealer checks for blackjack. The effect shown is based on the dealer not taking a hole card.
Written by: Michael Shackleford
Blackjack is a highly popular casino game with gamblers around the world for its simple rules and the possibility to get the advantage over the house with a proper strategy. One of the moves that can change the outcome of a round is doubling down which allows you to double your initial to get the third card for a chance to create a better hand and win a doubled prize. This option is not available in all Blackjack variants, so it is always recommendable to check out the rules of the game you choose to play.
Doubling down is an additional bet that can be risky because you can lose a double wager on a hand. That's why it is important to know when and how to double down to make the most of the game.
Double Down Rules
Once you find a casino and a Blackjack variant that allows doubling down, you should check out the rules of such a bet. Free criss cross poker games. In most cases, you will be allowed to double down on your first two cards while some casinos may allow you to double down on a Blackjack hand. Black casino and the ghost boogeyman lyrics. Another situation in which you can double down is after splitting two cards of the same value while at some casinos you can use the double down option only on hard 9, hard 10 or hard 11.
Blackjack Rules Double Down Rule
If you want to use this option, you should inform the dealer about your move by placing the same amount of chips right next to your original wager. In case you want to double down on a pair, it is important to inform the dealer that you want to double down and not to split the pair. If you play the game at a land-based casino, you have to say 'double down' before you place an additional bet. When playing online, all you have to do is to push the Double Down button and the bet will be added instantly.
The doubling down ends when the dealer places a new card across your cards dealt in the first hand. After you have doubled down, you cannot make any additional moves and your total hand consists of the three cards you have been dealt. At some brick-and-mortar casinos, you may be allowed to double down with an additional bet that is less than your original wager.
Double Down Strategy
There are a few situations in which you should consider doubling down. One of them is when you have hard 9 and the dealer has a low card between 2 and 6. Keep in mind that this applies only to a hand with no Aces, meaning that you can have either a combination of 2 and 7, 3 and 6 or 4 and 5. If you have been dealt a soft 9, the best option is to stand.
Another situation where doubling down is recommendable is when the dealer has a low card from 2 to 6 and you have a soft 16 to 18. If you have a combination of an Ace and 5, 6 or 7, it is preferable to double down. A hand with an Ace and a lower card between 2 and 4 requires hitting as this move can provide you with a chance to create a higher value hand.
Doubledown Casino Blackjack
Finally, when the dealer gets lower cards and you have been dealt a hard 10 or 11 with no Aces, you should double down as you can easily win with such a hand.
Blackjack Rules For Dummies
Advantages of Doubling Down
Doubling down is a risky move as it ends the round and leaves you with no additional moves left, but with an extra card you can beat the dealer and win a double payout. It is more suitable for experienced players who can combine this move with one of card counting techniques to get the edge over the house.
