Blackjack is one of the most widely played games in any casino, brick-and-mortar or online. The game is popular for many reasons, including the fact that it is one of the easiest casino table games to learn to play and offers plenty of strategically-based decision-making to enhance winning opportunities.
While the most common decisions you would make in each round of blackjack include knowing when to hit or when to stand, other crucial strategic decisions include knowing when to split and when to double down.
Splitting Cards – What Is it and When Should You Do It?
The opportunity to split cards usually occurs when any player is dealt two identically-ranked cards, known as a pair, in the initial deal. The player can then split them into two new and separate bets and request another card for each. The two new hands will then each get a full bet, the same as if it were just a single blackjack hand.
The player doubles their original bet and is dealt one more card, and it can only be one; Split. If a player is dealt a pair (two 4s for example), or two ten-valued cards, such as a queen and a king, the player can split those cards into two different hands. The hand will auto-stand after this card. Player's short hints: Always double on 11 unless the dealer has an 11 (Ace) up, always double on 10 unless the dealer has a 10, always double on 9 unless the dealer has a 7 or higher up. Insurance gives you a chance to protect yourself in case the dealer has a blackjack. In a 6 deck shoe game if the rules allow you to double down after a split then you should split 4's against a dealers upcard of 5 or 6 best of luck. (Hit if no double after split). ↳ The Hit or Stand Game 144 ↳ Blackjack Experiences & Fu 85.
Should it be on any two same-ranked cards, or is there a better way to go about splitting cards?
As a matter of fact, there is, and it's loosely referred to as the aces and eights 'rule.' In the case of a pair of aces, the player can either see the hand as a 2 (total), which is very bad, or as a soft 12, which can be just as bad. However, if the player splits the aces into two new bets, they automatically give themselves two separate opportunities to potentially hit a 21 or blackjack.
Similarly, if a player receives a pair of eights in their initial round, it adds up to a total of 16, which is considered to be one of the worst hands in blackjack. However, splitting the eights gives the player an opportunity to build on both hands.
If the player should receive either a 10 card or an 11 card, they will have a total of 18 or 19, which are both much better than going up against the dealer with a total of 16 only, should they choose not to split.
Double Down – What Does It Mean?
As the name implies, doubling down entails doubling your initial bet once you have received your first two cards. Of course, doubling down also depends on the rules of the particular game of blackjack that you happen to be playing.
It is always a good idea to ensure that you can double down in the game of blackjack you want to play before actually sitting down (or playing online). The double-down can be risky since you are putting down twice as much on your hand. If you lose, you lose twice as much. However, if you win, you instantly double your profits for very little extra work.
How the Double-Down System Works
To get your double-down going, you will need to signal to the dealer that this is your intention. In order to do this, simply place the same amount of chips next to your original bet. This is generally the accepted signal for a double-down in most brick-and-mortar or online casinos.
Note:Some land-based and online casinos will also allow you to double down for less, meaning that you can still pull off a double-down move, but you won't have to put down the same amount as your initial bet, a bit like a special deal.
Once the dealer has acknowledged your wish to double down, he/she will then place an additional card across your initial two cards. This is where the entire double-down procedure ends, as you will not be allowed to do anything else with this hand. In other words, whatever your total hand is with the three cards is the hand you will be playing, without any additional hits.
Letting the Dealer Know You Are Doubling Down and Not Splitting
In blackjack, the action for a double-down is exactly the same as the action for a split. This is usually not a problem if you are either doubling down or splitting. However, if you want to double down on a pair, you will need to let the dealer know that you are doubling down and not splitting the pair.
In order to do this, you will need to say the words 'double down' when placing your additional bet. This will ensure that the dealer does not confuse your intention.
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Letting the Dealer Know You Are Doubling Down and Not Splitting – Online
Of course, if you are playing blackjack online, you cannot actually say the words 'double down' to the dealer since the dealer is effectively a computer program. However, you can simply hit the double-down button (in most instances of online blackjack), and your additional bet will be placed automatically.
Know the Rules
Not every game of blackjack will allow you to double down on your hand, and not every casino (brick-and-mortar or online) will follow the same rules regarding doubling down. The most common form of the double-down rule allows players to double down on their initial two-card hand. Let's look at some variations of the blackjack double-down rule:
- The most common double-down rule covers your first two-card hand
- Some casinos will also allow you to double down on a blackjack
- Some casinos will restrict the double-down option to either hard 9, hard 10, or hard 11 – this means that your initial two-card total must be 9, 10, or 11
- Players can also double down after a split – this applies to most brick-and-mortar as well as online casinos
When to Double Down?
Doubling down is an enormously popular strategy in blackjack, and it is used by experienced players to potentially increase their profits very quickly. However, as with any technique or strategy, it is important to know what it is and when to use it for best effect.
There are inherent risks with using the double-down betting option that should be considered as well before attempting to use it in a real money blackjack game. While it does have the potential to instantly double your profits, the reverse is also true in that you could instantly lose twice as much as you would if a regular bet ended up as a bust.
When to Use It Strategically
One of the great things about playing blackjack is that there are plenty of opportunities to employ strategies to help improve your chances of success. Many experienced blackjack players also apply strategy to the double-down betting option, which can be combined with a card-counting technique for added effectiveness.
However, if you're a novice blackjack player and wish to use the double-down betting option in your next blackjack game, you can simply follow these basic double-down guidelines:
- Double down on 11: if your initial two-card hand totals 11, you should probably double down. One of the main reasons for this is that there is always a good chance that you will receive a 10 card as your third card, giving you an instant total of 21
- Double down on a hard 10 if the dealer shows a 4, 5, or 6
- Double down on a hard 9 if the dealer shows either a 5 or a 6
Double Down in Card Counting
Blackjack Double Down Rules
Card counting is one of the most notorious blackjack techniques for all the wrong reasons. Many people believe that this is a form of cheating, but in reality, it is just a smart way of figuring out what the blackjack deck may be holding.
The way that card counting works is actually quite easy to understand. Different cards in the deck are given a value, either a minus value or a positive value (-/+), to determine what the deck may be holding. A negative deck, therefore, means that most of the cards in the deck will be low-value cards, while a positive deck tells you that there are more high-value cards still to play.
Card counting can, therefore, be used to determine when to double down and when to avoid the option. If the deck is quite negative, it tells you that doubling down could be a bad idea. For instance, if you have a two-card total of 11, you would probably normally double down in hopes of receiving a 10 card.
For ExampleOn a negative deck, there is more of a chance of getting a low-value card such as a 4, 5, or a 6. If the dealer is showing a 10 card, your chances of losing your double-down bet are much higher.
Being Safe with Double Down in Blackjack
As you can see, the double-down technique can be very effective in providing instant double profits, should everything go right. However, there is always the chance that things could go horribly wrong (there are no guarantees in blackjack), and you could lose twice as much.
Ultimately, it is all about knowing as much as you can about the game, applying a solid blackjack strategy such as card counting, watching the dealer to see what he is showing as well as what he may be hiding with his hole card, and watching other players to see how strong their hands are (which could tell you how strong or weak the deck is).
When playing blackjack at a physical or land-based casino, the most frequent decision you'll have to make is whether to hit or stand. While you can gain a feel for this over time simply through experience, you can expedite the process by studying up on the best moves to make in any given situation. If you're ready to win more cash during blackjack games, read our handy guide to learn when to hit and when to stand.
Master the Basics
Before we delve into strategies, we want to make sure that you have a firm grasp on the basics of hitting and standing. The main premise of blackjack is to get a hand whose total exceeds the dealer's hand, but without going over 21. When you hit, this means that you want to draw another card to try to improve your hand's total. Conversely, when you stand, you are satisfied with your hand's total and don't want to draw any more cards. If you signal to the dealer that you want to stand, your hand for the round is completed. If you hit and your hand exceeds 21, you've busted.
We have two important gambling terms for you to memorize before learning strategies: hard hand and soft hand. A hard hand is any hand that doesn't contain an ace, or in which an ace's value is only 1. A 10-8 and a 7-A-10 hand are both hard 18s. A soft hand contains an ace that's counted as an 11. For instance, an A-7 hand is a soft 18. If one of the first two cards you are dealt is an ace, you have a soft hand. This gives you an advantage. The ace has a value of 11, but if you take a hit and go over 21, its value reverts to 1. This eliminates the risk of busting after that hit, thus giving you the freedom to make moves that would normally be risky.
Now that you know the basic definitions, we'll go through the circumstances in which you should hit or stand. We'll provide you with the best strategies, as well as blackjack hit/stand tables that you can save for future reference.
Hitting and Standing with a Hard Hand
When playing blackjack with a hard hand, we would recommend the following:
- When you are dealt a total of 5-8, always hit.
- When you are dealt 9, hit if the dealer shows a 2 or a 7 through ace.
- If you have 10, hit if the dealer shows an ace or a 10.
- If your hand is 11, hit only if the dealer shows an ace.
- For a hand of 12, stand if the dealer shows a 4 through 6. If they show a 2, 3, or a 7 through ace, hit.
- When you have a hand of 13 through 16, stand if the dealer reveals a hand of 2 through 6. Otherwise, hit.
- When you are dealt 17 through 21, you should always stand.
Reference Chart
Blackjack hit or stand on a hard hand cheat sheet.
If you're playing a multi-deck game and you have a hard 17, double down instead of taking a hit.
You'll need to make some minor tweaks to our strategy, depending on the number of decks and rules you're playing with. If you're playing in a double-deck game, don't hit when you have a 9 and the dealer has 2. If you have an 11 against the dealer's ace, don't hit either. In both cases, you should double down.
And lastly, if you're playing in a single-deck game, double down under the following circumstances:
- You have 8 and the dealer has 5 or 6.
- You have 9 against the dealer's 2.
- You have 11 and the dealer has an ace.
Hitting and Standing With a Soft Hand
Remember, you can't bust a soft hand with a one-card hit. Taking that into consideration, our strategy for playing with a soft hand is much simpler than our hard hand strategy. Keep the following moves in mind:
Blackjack Double Down Strategy
- If you have a soft 19 or 20, you should always stand. You are unlikely to get a stronger hand than this.
- For a soft 18 against the dealer's 2 through 8, stand. If the dealer shows 9, 10, or an ace, hit.
- If your total is soft 17 or less, you should always hit.
What Are Your Other Options?
Hitting and standing aren't the only options available to you in a game of blackjack. The following moves are also possible:
— Split. If you are initially dealt two cards of the same value, you can split your hand. You'll place an additional wager equivalent to your first one, and then manage two hands rather than 1.
— Double Down.Gamblers can increase their potential profits with this move, but it comes with some inherent risk. To use this move, you must double the size with your bet and then receive one more card. After that, you must stand.
— Surrender. If you are not confident with your chances of winning the round, you have the option to surrender. When you use this move, you will only lose half of your bet.
While the most common decisions you would make in each round of blackjack include knowing when to hit or when to stand, other crucial strategic decisions include knowing when to split and when to double down.
Splitting Cards – What Is it and When Should You Do It?
The opportunity to split cards usually occurs when any player is dealt two identically-ranked cards, known as a pair, in the initial deal. The player can then split them into two new and separate bets and request another card for each. The two new hands will then each get a full bet, the same as if it were just a single blackjack hand.
The player doubles their original bet and is dealt one more card, and it can only be one; Split. If a player is dealt a pair (two 4s for example), or two ten-valued cards, such as a queen and a king, the player can split those cards into two different hands. The hand will auto-stand after this card. Player's short hints: Always double on 11 unless the dealer has an 11 (Ace) up, always double on 10 unless the dealer has a 10, always double on 9 unless the dealer has a 7 or higher up. Insurance gives you a chance to protect yourself in case the dealer has a blackjack. In a 6 deck shoe game if the rules allow you to double down after a split then you should split 4's against a dealers upcard of 5 or 6 best of luck. (Hit if no double after split). ↳ The Hit or Stand Game 144 ↳ Blackjack Experiences & Fu 85.
Should it be on any two same-ranked cards, or is there a better way to go about splitting cards?
As a matter of fact, there is, and it's loosely referred to as the aces and eights 'rule.' In the case of a pair of aces, the player can either see the hand as a 2 (total), which is very bad, or as a soft 12, which can be just as bad. However, if the player splits the aces into two new bets, they automatically give themselves two separate opportunities to potentially hit a 21 or blackjack.
Similarly, if a player receives a pair of eights in their initial round, it adds up to a total of 16, which is considered to be one of the worst hands in blackjack. However, splitting the eights gives the player an opportunity to build on both hands.
If the player should receive either a 10 card or an 11 card, they will have a total of 18 or 19, which are both much better than going up against the dealer with a total of 16 only, should they choose not to split.
Double Down – What Does It Mean?
As the name implies, doubling down entails doubling your initial bet once you have received your first two cards. Of course, doubling down also depends on the rules of the particular game of blackjack that you happen to be playing.
It is always a good idea to ensure that you can double down in the game of blackjack you want to play before actually sitting down (or playing online). The double-down can be risky since you are putting down twice as much on your hand. If you lose, you lose twice as much. However, if you win, you instantly double your profits for very little extra work.
How the Double-Down System Works
To get your double-down going, you will need to signal to the dealer that this is your intention. In order to do this, simply place the same amount of chips next to your original bet. This is generally the accepted signal for a double-down in most brick-and-mortar or online casinos.
Note:Some land-based and online casinos will also allow you to double down for less, meaning that you can still pull off a double-down move, but you won't have to put down the same amount as your initial bet, a bit like a special deal.
Once the dealer has acknowledged your wish to double down, he/she will then place an additional card across your initial two cards. This is where the entire double-down procedure ends, as you will not be allowed to do anything else with this hand. In other words, whatever your total hand is with the three cards is the hand you will be playing, without any additional hits.
Letting the Dealer Know You Are Doubling Down and Not Splitting
In blackjack, the action for a double-down is exactly the same as the action for a split. This is usually not a problem if you are either doubling down or splitting. However, if you want to double down on a pair, you will need to let the dealer know that you are doubling down and not splitting the pair.
In order to do this, you will need to say the words 'double down' when placing your additional bet. This will ensure that the dealer does not confuse your intention.
Poker gift baskets - whether it be for the gambler in him or for a special occasion - we offer mens Casino Theme Gift Baskets and Poker Gift Baskets. For the WPT wannabe, a card novice or for a fund raiser, these casino theme and poker gift baskets for men make a great gift. Casino Themed Unisex T-Shirt If you are looking for me ill be at the casino. Casino Shirt, Casino Gift, Bachelorette Party Shirt TheWaywardGuide. From shop TheWaywardGuide. 5 out of 5 stars (1) 1 reviews $ 19.00. Favorite Add to Las Vegas Casino Theme Birthday Party water bottle labels NySillybear. From shop NySillybear. Champagne Life Gift Baskets is your one stop gift shop for Las Vegas Gift Baskets, Corporate Gift Baskets, Las Vegas Convention Gift Baskets, Birthday Gift Baskets, Champagne Gift Baskets, Beer Gift Baskets, Wine Gift Baskets, Wedding Gift Baskets, Bachelor and Bachelorette Party Gift Baskets, Real Estate Gift Baskets and Liquor Gift Baskets. Champagne Life can create the perfect custom gift. Casino Night Door Prize Gift Basket: Red Diamond Shiraz, Wine Glasses, Poker Chips, Dice, Cards, Poker Night Party Music CD, Million Dollar Chocolate Bars, casino coins. Poker Gift Baskets Ante up for a little gaming fun! Our poker gift baskets include everything you need for a night of Poker, Blackjack, or Texas Hold'em. Selections include everything from poker chips and card decks, to Poker Night Gourmet Popping Corn and Texas Hold'em Trail Mix.
Letting the Dealer Know You Are Doubling Down and Not Splitting – Online
Of course, if you are playing blackjack online, you cannot actually say the words 'double down' to the dealer since the dealer is effectively a computer program. However, you can simply hit the double-down button (in most instances of online blackjack), and your additional bet will be placed automatically.
Know the Rules
Not every game of blackjack will allow you to double down on your hand, and not every casino (brick-and-mortar or online) will follow the same rules regarding doubling down. The most common form of the double-down rule allows players to double down on their initial two-card hand. Let's look at some variations of the blackjack double-down rule:
- The most common double-down rule covers your first two-card hand
- Some casinos will also allow you to double down on a blackjack
- Some casinos will restrict the double-down option to either hard 9, hard 10, or hard 11 – this means that your initial two-card total must be 9, 10, or 11
- Players can also double down after a split – this applies to most brick-and-mortar as well as online casinos
When to Double Down?
Doubling down is an enormously popular strategy in blackjack, and it is used by experienced players to potentially increase their profits very quickly. However, as with any technique or strategy, it is important to know what it is and when to use it for best effect.
There are inherent risks with using the double-down betting option that should be considered as well before attempting to use it in a real money blackjack game. While it does have the potential to instantly double your profits, the reverse is also true in that you could instantly lose twice as much as you would if a regular bet ended up as a bust.
When to Use It Strategically
One of the great things about playing blackjack is that there are plenty of opportunities to employ strategies to help improve your chances of success. Many experienced blackjack players also apply strategy to the double-down betting option, which can be combined with a card-counting technique for added effectiveness.
However, if you're a novice blackjack player and wish to use the double-down betting option in your next blackjack game, you can simply follow these basic double-down guidelines:
- Double down on 11: if your initial two-card hand totals 11, you should probably double down. One of the main reasons for this is that there is always a good chance that you will receive a 10 card as your third card, giving you an instant total of 21
- Double down on a hard 10 if the dealer shows a 4, 5, or 6
- Double down on a hard 9 if the dealer shows either a 5 or a 6
Double Down in Card Counting
Blackjack Double Down Rules
Card counting is one of the most notorious blackjack techniques for all the wrong reasons. Many people believe that this is a form of cheating, but in reality, it is just a smart way of figuring out what the blackjack deck may be holding.
The way that card counting works is actually quite easy to understand. Different cards in the deck are given a value, either a minus value or a positive value (-/+), to determine what the deck may be holding. A negative deck, therefore, means that most of the cards in the deck will be low-value cards, while a positive deck tells you that there are more high-value cards still to play.
Card counting can, therefore, be used to determine when to double down and when to avoid the option. If the deck is quite negative, it tells you that doubling down could be a bad idea. For instance, if you have a two-card total of 11, you would probably normally double down in hopes of receiving a 10 card.
For ExampleOn a negative deck, there is more of a chance of getting a low-value card such as a 4, 5, or a 6. If the dealer is showing a 10 card, your chances of losing your double-down bet are much higher.
Being Safe with Double Down in Blackjack
As you can see, the double-down technique can be very effective in providing instant double profits, should everything go right. However, there is always the chance that things could go horribly wrong (there are no guarantees in blackjack), and you could lose twice as much.
Ultimately, it is all about knowing as much as you can about the game, applying a solid blackjack strategy such as card counting, watching the dealer to see what he is showing as well as what he may be hiding with his hole card, and watching other players to see how strong their hands are (which could tell you how strong or weak the deck is).
When playing blackjack at a physical or land-based casino, the most frequent decision you'll have to make is whether to hit or stand. While you can gain a feel for this over time simply through experience, you can expedite the process by studying up on the best moves to make in any given situation. If you're ready to win more cash during blackjack games, read our handy guide to learn when to hit and when to stand.
Master the Basics
Before we delve into strategies, we want to make sure that you have a firm grasp on the basics of hitting and standing. The main premise of blackjack is to get a hand whose total exceeds the dealer's hand, but without going over 21. When you hit, this means that you want to draw another card to try to improve your hand's total. Conversely, when you stand, you are satisfied with your hand's total and don't want to draw any more cards. If you signal to the dealer that you want to stand, your hand for the round is completed. If you hit and your hand exceeds 21, you've busted.
We have two important gambling terms for you to memorize before learning strategies: hard hand and soft hand. A hard hand is any hand that doesn't contain an ace, or in which an ace's value is only 1. A 10-8 and a 7-A-10 hand are both hard 18s. A soft hand contains an ace that's counted as an 11. For instance, an A-7 hand is a soft 18. If one of the first two cards you are dealt is an ace, you have a soft hand. This gives you an advantage. The ace has a value of 11, but if you take a hit and go over 21, its value reverts to 1. This eliminates the risk of busting after that hit, thus giving you the freedom to make moves that would normally be risky.
Now that you know the basic definitions, we'll go through the circumstances in which you should hit or stand. We'll provide you with the best strategies, as well as blackjack hit/stand tables that you can save for future reference.
Hitting and Standing with a Hard Hand
When playing blackjack with a hard hand, we would recommend the following:
- When you are dealt a total of 5-8, always hit.
- When you are dealt 9, hit if the dealer shows a 2 or a 7 through ace.
- If you have 10, hit if the dealer shows an ace or a 10.
- If your hand is 11, hit only if the dealer shows an ace.
- For a hand of 12, stand if the dealer shows a 4 through 6. If they show a 2, 3, or a 7 through ace, hit.
- When you have a hand of 13 through 16, stand if the dealer reveals a hand of 2 through 6. Otherwise, hit.
- When you are dealt 17 through 21, you should always stand.
Reference Chart
Blackjack hit or stand on a hard hand cheat sheet.
If you're playing a multi-deck game and you have a hard 17, double down instead of taking a hit.
You'll need to make some minor tweaks to our strategy, depending on the number of decks and rules you're playing with. If you're playing in a double-deck game, don't hit when you have a 9 and the dealer has 2. If you have an 11 against the dealer's ace, don't hit either. In both cases, you should double down.
And lastly, if you're playing in a single-deck game, double down under the following circumstances:
- You have 8 and the dealer has 5 or 6.
- You have 9 against the dealer's 2.
- You have 11 and the dealer has an ace.
Hitting and Standing With a Soft Hand
Remember, you can't bust a soft hand with a one-card hit. Taking that into consideration, our strategy for playing with a soft hand is much simpler than our hard hand strategy. Keep the following moves in mind:
Blackjack Double Down Strategy
- If you have a soft 19 or 20, you should always stand. You are unlikely to get a stronger hand than this.
- For a soft 18 against the dealer's 2 through 8, stand. If the dealer shows 9, 10, or an ace, hit.
- If your total is soft 17 or less, you should always hit.
What Are Your Other Options?
Hitting and standing aren't the only options available to you in a game of blackjack. The following moves are also possible:
— Split. If you are initially dealt two cards of the same value, you can split your hand. You'll place an additional wager equivalent to your first one, and then manage two hands rather than 1.
— Double Down.Gamblers can increase their potential profits with this move, but it comes with some inherent risk. To use this move, you must double the size with your bet and then receive one more card. After that, you must stand.
— Surrender. If you are not confident with your chances of winning the round, you have the option to surrender. When you use this move, you will only lose half of your bet.
Where to Play Blackjack Online
Are you ready to put your newfound knowledge to the test? Check out Bob Casino! Our library of online casino games contains numerous varieties of blackjack. You can play for free until you master your hit and stand strategies. When you're confident in your skills, you can even try your hand at winning real money. Come create an account at Bob Casino today for the ultimate gambling experience.
Free Blackjack Hit Or Stand
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