Blackjack is one of the most popular casino card games. Its popularity is related to a variety of factors.
These factors include winning opportunities, competitiveness, and great entertainment. If you are new to blackjack or a veteran player, you need to know the right time to double down.
Below, you will discover more about “doubling down” and when the appropriate time to do it.
What Is “Doubling Down”?
“Doubling down” is the term utilized to describe the act of doubling a blackjack hand. When it comes to doubling down, it is crucial to think about the remaining cards in the deck. Ask yourself are the leftover cards beneficial or non-beneficial for me?
This is just the basics of doubling down, as it only gets more complicated from this point on.
Doubling down at the right time will reward you with double your initial wager. As a newbie, you should not double your until you feel comfortable with your skills.
Single- And Double-Deck
Doubling down works better for players who are involved in a single- or double-deck blackjack game.
So, do not even consider doubling down if you are playing another type of blackjack. The odds of such a move improving your chances of winning will be extremely low if you are not playing a single- or double-deck game.
Double On 9
Many players believe that it is beneficial to double on a 9. However, this will only work in your favor when the dealer has a 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6. Never double when you have two 5s and the dealer has a 5 or 6.
Instead of doubling down, some players will opt to split their 5s and utilize them as separate hands. This strategy has proven to be effective for a few players. And, there is no guarantee that it will play in your favor to utilize the strategy when playing blackjack.
A Hard 9 Or 10
Any time you hear someone talk about a hard hand it means that they are holding a hand with no aces. So, when you have a hard 9 or 10 doubling down is a good strategy, only if the dealer is showing a low card.
The thinking behind this strategy is that your next card is going to be higher than the dealer’s.
If this is the case, you are going to be sitting pretty. Just remember that things won’t always go your way, but with a scientifically proven strategy and good reasoning, you will always come out ahead.
Soft 16s, 17s, And 18s
When you hear some talk about a soft hand it means that they have a card plus an ace. So a soft 16 hand would mean that you are holding an ace with 16. All that aside, this strategy works nearly with the same theory as the hard 9 and 10 strategies.
You should only double down if the dealer is showing a lower card. It is easy to be tempted to want to stay in these situations, but there is always that chance that you could better your hand.