Part of the allure that blackjack has maintained so successfully for centuries comes from the fact that it has been reimagined in so many iterations that it now offers varying experiences for players of all tastes and skill levels.
Double Up Blackjack is one of the newer variants of the game and adds a little bit of spice to its traditional form by offering players the chance to double their original bet and potentially boost their winnings as long as the card gods smile on them and their strategy works.
This variant was introduced by Nevada-based casino games inventor Score Gaming in the early 2010s. It was first trialed by Grosvenor Casino in Durham, England in 2015 and has since then been rolled out across gambling establishments in North America, the UK, and the Philippines.
But how is it played, how its rules differ from the classic game, and what players should watch out for when playing it? Here’s more about this fun rendition.
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How to Play Double Up Blackjack?
The game basically follows standard blackjack rules but with several important exceptions. Most notably, this new spin to the traditional game includes the so-called Double Up option that allows players to double their original wager after they are dealt their first two cards.
However, if the player chooses to double up, they must stand, that is to say they cannot take more cards. This and other tweaks to the original rules ensure that the house maintains its edge.
This variant is played with six ordinary 52-card decks…
… that are dealt from a continuous shuffler or a dealing shoe. The wager limits are determined by each individual casino. We should note that to play this game you should be familiar with traditional blackjack and basic strategy rules.
The game begins with players placing their initial bets. The dealer then deals each player two cards following standard blackjack and house dealing procedures.
Those who are dealt a blackjack are automatically paid at 3:2. The rest of the participating players will be offered insurance, a type of side bet that provides them with the opportunity to cover themselves against a dealer’s 21, if his or her up-card is an ace. It pays at 2:1.
Based on their two cards, players should also choose whether they want to:
- Stand
- Take another card
- Or double up their original wager on any hand except a blackjack
If the player chooses to double up, their hand will stand once doubled and they will not receive any more cards throughout the round. Double upping is allowed on any first two cards except a blackjack. It can also be done on any two-card hand that results from splitting a pair, including split Aces.
After players are done acting on their hands, the dealer then acts on their own per standard game rules and per additional Double Up rules.
The End 16 Rule
If the dealer’s hand totals 16, hard or soft, play will automatically stop and all active wagers on the table will push (they will be returned to the players), except card totals of 21. These win against a dealer’s 16 and are paid at even money (1:1).
Note that if the dealer’s hand totals 16 and they push all player hands, double up wagers are not lost, but are pushed.
Another important thing to take into account is the fact that ALL hands totaling 21, including a blackjack, are paid at even money when the dealer’s hand totals 16.
Under all other circumstances, blackjacks are paid at 3:2, while all other wins are paid at 1:1.
In an alternative version of Double Up Blackjack offered at some casinos, a player’s 21 does not win automatically. If a player gets a blackjack and the dealer doesn’t, the player will be paid at 3:2. However, if the dealer gets a natural, the player’s blackjack will be a push.
According to the rules of that other version, a player’s original and double up bet will be paid at even money if the dealer’s hand totals 16 and the player’s hand totals 21. This includes cases when the player’s hand reaches 21 after they have doubled down, split Aces, or hit.
Additional Unique Rules
If a player’s hand outranks the dealer’s hand or the latter’s hand exceeds 21, the player wins. Both their original wager and double up wager will win and will be paid at 1:1.
When a tie occurs, that is to say when a player’s hand equals the dealer’s, the main wager pushes, but the double up wager loses.
If a player decides to split Aces and is dealt a ten-valued card (a 10 or any face card) for a total of 21, they will be paid at 2:1 on their original wager at some casinos. If the player receives a ten-valued card on both aces, they will automatically be paid 2:1 on each wager.
If the dealer gets a blackjack, the initial wager loses, while all double ups and splits are returned to the players.
In this game variant, the dealer may hit on soft 17. If you want a good strategy for this case, you can check out the The Bonus 16 Side Bet The Bonus 16 is an optional bet that pays when the dealer’s hand totals 16. The more cards the dealer needs to reach a total of 16, the higher the payout becomes for players who have opted to make this side bet. In some cases, the payout also depends on which one of two known Bonus 16 pay tables is used. See below how much a Bonus 16 bet pays depending on the above two factors and the house edge for each of the two pay tables:
| Number of Cards Making a 16 | Pay Table 1 | Pay Table 2 |
| 6 or more cards | 100:1 | 100:1 |
| 5 cards | 50:1 | 50:1 |
| 4 cards | 10:1 | 10:1 |
| 3 cards | 5:1 | 5:1 |
| 2 cards | 3:1 | 4:1 |
| House Edge | 14.64% | 6.94% |
Some casinos pay 500:1 for a total of 16 with seven cards.
Where Can This Variant Be Played?
As mentioned above, this blackjack version was originally trialed by Grosvenor Casino in Durham in 2015. It has since then been released across a number of casinos in different parts of the world.
Score Gaming forged a partnership with gambling operator American Chance Casinos in the summer of 2016 to make the game available at the latter company’s properties across the Czech Republic.
In the spring of 2017, Brass Ass and Bronco Billy’s, both located in Cripple Creek, Colorado, added this variant to their table games offering. The game can also be found at casino properties in Nevada, California, Michigan, New Jersey, and Canada.
Solaire Resort and Casino, one of five integrated casino resorts in the Philippine capital Manila, added Double Up Blackjack to its gaming floor in the spring of 2019. It became an instant hit with the property’s patrons.
Later that year, Okada Manila, which too is part of Manila’s gaming scene, announced that it would trial the game.
Is This Game Worth Trying?
The opportunity to double up your original bet just adds the right amount of spice to one of the most popular card games in the world. On a positive note, doubling up means that if the player wins, they will be paid both on their original wager and their double up one, which is… well, pretty great.
However…
… if the player loses the hand, they lose both wagers. And if the dealer pushes, the player will have their regular bet back, but they will lose the double up one.
So, this option is really nice if you are dealt a great starting hand like 10, 11, or 20. However, it can be incredibly frustrating, to say the least, when you’ve had to hit your way to 20 only to see the dealer’s soft 16 make your hand a push.
Overall, Double Up Blackjack is a fun and entertaining rendition of a beloved casino classic. Also, with the right card counting strategy, players can certainly see some great results playing this game.
