Blackjack Double Down Vs Split

Do you want to bring in as much profit as possible when playing blackjack? To do so, you need to have a thorough understanding of the moves you can make, and when you should use each one. In this guide, we’re going to take a closer look at doubling down in blackjack. Is it a good idea? When should you use it? Keep reading to find out.

1. Blackjack Double Down
2. Hands To Split In Blackjack
3. Blackjack Double Down Vs Splitting
4. Blackjack Double Down Vs Split Rail Fence
5. Double Down Blackjack Game

The Definition

First, let’s take a look at what doubling down means in blackjack. Essentially, it is a wagering option that gives you the chance to double the value of your initial bet, but you must stand after taking one additional card. Standing holds your total and ends your turn, so you need to have confidence in your hand before doubling down. When this strategy is used correctly, it can help you quickly increase your profits.

Splitting Cards In Blackjack - When To Split Cards In Blackjack. A very common strategy used in online blackjack is the process of splitting cards. Players get the option to split cards when they are dealt two of the same initial cards, known as a pair. 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. Double Down or Split – Add a second bet in a separate pile next to your first wager. Do not touch the cards as touching the cards is only done on games played with the hands down. Then hold up one finger to double and two to split. Hit – Scrape the table. This is a light gesture usually with the index finger.

When to Double Down in Blackjack

Some players feel nervous about doubling down. After all, it does come with some inherent risk. Since you can’t hit again, if you are dealt a low card, you could risk losing twice as many chips. However, if you keep these tips in mind, it will be much easier for you to determine when to double down in blackjack.

There are three scenarios in which we would recommend doubling down.

1. Hard 9 vs. Dealer’s Low Cards

When you are dealt cards that have a total value of 9, you should double down when the dealer reveals a card between 2 and 6 (not including the Ace). This needs to be a hard 9, meaning that you don’t have an Ace in your hand. The possible combinations could be 4-5, 3-6, or 2-7. If you have A-8, also called a soft 9, you should stand no matter what the dealer reveals.

Blackjack Double Down

2. Soft 16 – 18 vs. Dealer’s Low Cards

In this scenario, you need to have a 5, 6, or a 7, along with an Ace, thus giving you a soft total of 16 to 18. When the dealer reveals a card from 2-6, this would be a great time to double down. However, if you have an Ace and a 2 or a 4, it’s better to hit.

3. Hard 10 or 11 vs. Dealer Lower Card

In this case, you’d want to have a hard 10 or 11, which puts you in a great position. If the dealer has a lower total than you, go ahead and double down.

Doubling Down FAQs

Can you double down after hitting?

You can’t hit and then double down. You’ll only get the option to double down after the first two cards have been dealt. At that point in time, you must decide whether you want to try to increase your potential profits by doubling down.

Can you split and double down?

Players can split their cards into two hands if they are dealt a matching pair, such as 7-7 or J-J. The player must cover the second hand with the same bet size as the first hand, and then the dealer will deal out an additional card to complete both of the player’s hands. Whether or not doubling down on a split hand is permitted is up to the individual casino. Be sure to check the rules, whether you are playing blackjack online or in a physical venue.

Should you always double down with 11?

Since the main goal of blackjack is to get as close to 21 as possible, you are in a strong position with a hard 11. If the dealer has a card that’s lower than 10, doubling down is a good strategy. If the casino’s rules state that the dealer must hit soft 17, then you should double down on 11 regardless of what the dealer’s revealed card is.

Do you really have to double your wager?

Hands To Split In Blackjack

You don’t necessarily have to double your wager in order to double down on a hand. Many casinos will allow players to double for less, meaning that your double down wager is less than your original bet. This strategy is good for players who aren’t comfortable with doubling down strategies, as it minimizes the amount of money you will lose. On the other hand, it also limits the amount of profit you could earn. If you are truly confident in your hand, we would recommend doubling down on the full wager amount, thus optimizing the amount of profit you gain.

Pay Attention to the Rules

While our strategies for doubling down should work in most blackjack games, it’s important to pay attention to the casino’s rules. Some casinos allow you to double down with three or more cards, which would open up new possibilities for you. On the other hand, there may be rules that dictate that you can’t double down on soft hands.

Where to Practice Doubling Down

If you’re ready to put your newfound knowledge to practice, you can play blackjack for fun or for real money at Bob Casino. We offer a huge variety of games. Gamblers of all experience levels are sure to find something they’ll love. Create an account at Bob Casino today and take advantage of our generous welcome bonus!

In order to win at blackjack, players need to have solid knowledge of the game along with a reliable strategy. Even though the needed preparation for the game does require a lot of efforts and time, it surely pays off at the end. This is the reason why it is one of the most played casino games all over the world.

However, it is no secret that there are many gamblers who have been playing for years but lack many of the basic rules and don’t follow a strategy which dooms them to a certain loss in the long term. Even if they get lucky and win a sequence of hands, all of the money will be quickly lost as without discipline and the needed knowledge it’s impossible to keep them.

It is really important to be familiar with all of the possible hands and their outcomes to play the game efficiently. In many cases whenever players get a pair of 6s, their first thought is to split them. While it is true that splitting is appropriate with such a combination, they need to bear in mind that this is their best choice only in particular situations. In order to find which ones, we must take into account the dealer’s upcard and their two-card holding.

When Players Have a Pair of 6s

In general, getting a pair of 6s as the first two cards is not the best way to start the game. Thus, the most appropriate move in such situations aims at reducing the money loss to the minimum. The reason why is that a pair of 6s leaves players in a breaking position. In other words, their hand’s total is a hard 12, which can result in a bust with just one more hit on their behalf.

If they get any of the face cards or a 10, this will inevitably cause them to go bust and lose the hand. Therefore, having such a pair in their hand is a very delicate position to be in and it is of crucial importance for players to know how to handle it. Splitting should be made only if the dealer’s upcard is weak.

Players who are dealt this card holding have a choice from two viable moves. They can either split the pair and make an additional bet to cover the second hand or hit. Whichever decision they pick is influenced by the strength of the dealer’s exposed card, the deck number used at the table, and the availability of doubling down on pair splits. Consult with the chart below for the recommended basic strategy plays for a pair of 6s in pitch-dealt blackjack.

As you can see, single- and double-deck players must also split against the dealer’s 7 but only provided the house rules allow them to double after pair splits. If NDAS is in effect, you are better off hitting your hard 12 rather than splitting the 6s. The odds tend to slightly favour hitting 6s at NDAS tables instead of splitting.

Best Moves for Multi-Deck Games when the Dealer’s Upcard Is Weak

As already mentioned, a pair of 6s is a breaking hand and thus, it will be best to be split whenever the upcard of the dealer is from 2 through 6, hoping that at least one of the hands will have a strong total. The reason why is that due to the fact the dealer is in a breaking position, hitting will be inevitably their next move.

The odds of winning in this case are in favour of the players and thus, they should split this pair. Moreover, this way they will prevent themselves from going bust and losing the hand. Players can also take advantage of the weak position of the dealer by doubling down their bet as this situation gives them this favourable opportunity.

Splitting the 6s is a viable move against certain dealer upcards since it helps you decrease your average losses, boost your gains while in favourable spots, and transform bad starting hands into potentially winning ones.

One very good example is a player holding 6s against the dealer’s deuce. The 6s are a bad hand no matter how you choose to play them versus the deuce. Nonetheless, basic strategy recommends splitting with DAS rather than hitting since this move yields the lowest negative EV.

It is equally advantageous for players to resplit this pair should they happen to catch one or more 6s after the initial split. For instance, a player gets 6-6 versus a dealer who holds a 4. If another 6 falls on one of the two splits, the player should resplit again to form three individual hands. Many online variations of blackjack permit resplitting to as many as four separate hands. Thus, if splitting your 6s was the optimal play in the first place so is resplitting them against the given upcard.

Best Moves When the Dealer’s Upcard is 7 through Ace

Whenever players have a pair of 6s, there are cases when it is best not to split them and choose another move instead. Such situations occur when the dealer’s upcard is from a 7 through an ace as then, their best choice will be to hit.

This move is applied for the same reason as it is for the rest of the card pairs. Whenever the upcard of the dealer is powerful, players need to take into account their solid position and be extra careful. Splitting in this case will only result in two hands with very low chances of becoming decent ones. Expectation-wise, it is nonsensical to pour more money into splitting versus powerful upcards of the dealer.

Moreover, the odds that they can go bust are low as the only card that can cause them to is a 10, Queen, King, or Jack. If players try to understand the reason behind every move and its logic, it will be much easier for them to remember and apply the strategy.

Doubling Down after Splitting

There are a few important things players should consider before sitting at a table to play blackjack. As indicated previously, doubling down gives them the chance to increase their money bet whenever the dealer is in a weak position. Hence this move is often practised after splitting. You hope to catch a low-value card like 3, 4, or 5 that would allow for a potential successful double down on 10 or 11.

Blackjack Double Down Vs Splitting

It is indeed a good opportunity for players if they know when to make it. This is the reason why many casinos have restrictions regarding doubling down after splitting. Having a pair of 6s in their hand is a very unfavourable position to start with and it is compulsory for players who want to win to be familiar with what their best move in a particular situation is.

One case that is worth mentioning is when the dealer’s upcard is a 2 as then players should split the pair if doubling down if allowed afterwards. The reason why is that whenever the dealer is in a weak position, players need to get as much money as possible and compensate for the times when they face powerful cards.

Blackjack Double Down Vs Split Rail Fence

Conclusion

Prior to playing blackjack, players need to make sure they are familiar with the basic strategy and have the needed knowledge of the game if their priority is to win. There are a great number of things which they can work on and improve in order to master the game.

One of them is knowing the possible outcomes of every hand they can get and how to proceed accordingly. Splitting a pair of cards of the same rank is not an easy situation to be in even though many players underestimate it.

Double Down Blackjack Game

There are many cases where it is best for players not to split but hit or double down instead as splitting will only leave them in an unfavourable situation. Moreover, having a pair of 6s as the first two cards is a breaking hand and it is of crucial importance for players to know what their best move is.