Blackjack has always been one of the most-preferred casino games both in brick-and-mortar casinos and in Internet-based gaming hubs. The great variety of web-based casinos has increased the popularity of the game, which is among the oldest ones in the gambling industry.
Up to date, a great number of blackjack variations are available on thousands of casinos on the web. All of them provide players with excellent features and extras, not to mention the large number of options that players could take advantage of when placing their bets.
For example, blackjack players could split, double down, double down after splitting, make an insurance bet or surrender. Some casinos even offer a special reward for a hand called Five-card Charlie.
Doubling down is a greatly-used option by blackjack players all over the world. After all, the game’s aspects that provide actual thrill and excitement are very few, and the double down option is undoubtedly one of them, not to mention the fact that the option could end up in helping the player generate a nice profit. Of course, it should be used correctly in order for a player to stay safe. Unfortunately, many players do not understand the importance of being sensible and use the option too often, which could lead to some unwanted consequences.
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What is Doubling Down
One of the most thrilling moves that blackjack players are eventually provided with, is doubling down. This move is considered as one of the best ones for the players, as it allows them to double their bet in the middle of a hand and get one extra card only.
When it comes to doubling down, players are provided with the chance to increase their initial bet by as much as 100% in exchange for being forced to stand after receiving one more card only. After the player’s decision to double down, the additional bet is placed next to their original bet in the betting box.
Players should remember that some blackjack variations do not allow customers to increase their bet by more than 100%. As a matter of fact, doubling down is also considered as a risky move, as it usually puts an end to the player’s betting, especially in the cases when they get a low second card that can be hit again.
This is exactly the reason why some more indecisive players normally avoid the double bet. On the other hand, this is one of the most-preferred bets for adventurous players. As a matter of fact, the most sensible thing a player could do is try keeping a balance between safety and risks in order to increase their chances for generating an eventual winning.
When to Double Down
The rules of doubling down could vary at different casinos. This is exactly why players are recommended to always check on the house rules, and especially the ones regarding the double down option before starting to play at the blackjack table, no matter if it comes to a land-based or an Internet casino.
Up to date, the standard rules of doubling down option are applied at most casinos, but there are some gambling venues that even allow their players to double down a blackjack. On the other hand, there are casinos that restrict players from doubling down to a hard total of 9, 10 or 11. Usually, players are provided with the chance to use this option after splitting a pair, but customers should be aware of the fact that doubling down after a split is not permitted in a few brick-and-mortar and web-based gaming establishments.
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Of course, there are various strategies for playing blackjack, which allow casino customers to consider different options while playing. A great number of strategies use mathematical probabilities that are especially designed to tell players when is the best moment for them to double their bet.
The double down strategy should stay unchanged in almost every blackjack game. Still, players need to keep in mind the fact that the game’s rules may vary in different casinos, which would undoubtedly affect their decisions. If it is possible to double with 3 or more than 3 cards, players should pay attention to their total because they may find additional hands when making such a decision.
On the other hand, players could sometimes find it impossible for them to double down while the strategy says they should. This usually happens on soft hands (the ones that involve an Ace). In such cases, blackjack experts recommend players to hit instead of doubling down.
As a whole, there is a total of three situations in which players simply cannot go bust and it is quite possible for them to finish with a high hand, while the dealer is statistically proven to be most likely to lose the hand. These are the cases when blackjack players are highly recommended to use the double down option:
Hard 9 against the Dealer’s Low Cards
If the player is dealt a total of 9, they should take advantage of the double down option in case that the dealer’s up card shows any card below 7, excluding the Ace, or in other words, a card between 2 and 6. In case of a soft 9, which is composed of an Ace and an 8, it is best for the player to simply stand, no matter what cards the dealer shows.
Soft 16 to 18 against the Dealer’s Low Cards
If the player has received an Ace plus either a 5, a 6 or a 7, such a combination is called a “soft” 16 to 18. If that is the case, and the dealer’s up card equals a number from 2 to 6, this would be a great time for the player to double down. If they have received an Ace and a lower card ranging from 2 to 4, players are recommended to simply hit, as such a situation is less likely for them to end up with a high hand.
Hard 10 or 11 against any Lower Card of the Dealer
A hard 10 or 11 gives a great advantage to the player. Such a hand could be composed of any two cards, not including an ace, which total equals 10 or 11. if the dealer’s hand has a lower total, players are recommended to double down.
How to Double Down
After the player makes the decision of doubling down and places their additional wager, they are to get a third card. The latter would be placed across the two original cards the player were initially dealt. No additional cards would be permitted further on this hand, and the total that the player must play is the total of the three cards they have received so far. No hits are allowed after a double down, so the player must stand.
A large number of casinos currently offer the chance to “double for less”, which means that the player’s double down wager equals less than half of their original bet.
When it comes to doubling down, things are simpler at an online casino, because more Internet gambling hubs have intuitive interface that allows players to choose from a number of options in just a few clicks. Players are required to simply click the “Double Down” button and their bet would automatically placed.
However, when playing in a regular land-based casino, players need to be absolutely clear about their intention of doubling down. Normally, they would have to simply place the additional amount of chips beside their original wager on the table. However, when playing in a brick-and-mortar casino there is a case when players need to vocally explain they are to double down. Such is the case when a player wants to double down a pair, so they need to be absolutely clear in order for the player not to mistake their double down for a split, because actions for both options are exactly the same.
