Blackjack Doubling Down

[BJPenn]

After you’ve been dealt your first two cards in blackjack, you have an option of doubling your initial bet for one additional card. There are 16 different cards with a value of 10 so it's best to do this when your first two cards equal 10 or 11.
It's also best to do this when the dealer is showing a 5 or 6 as the odds are in your favor here.

 

[Dagza]

The dream scenario is to get two aces, split them, and then double down on each ace. Drawing two 10 value cards gives you an instant 21. Quite rare but if you play enough it will happen. Doubling down is a valuable strategy, just remember to keep an eye on whichever card the dealer is showing.

 

[Roseanne]

I've had some decent luck with blackjack, but I seldom double down. I should probably start giving it a try since I do well. I couldn't imagine being in Dagza's scenario with two aces split and then getting two tens. I probably wouldn't know what to do with myself if that happened!

 

[randy]

I have heard other people refer to it as 'reaching deep'. Doubling is of course advantageous if your first two cards have the value of 10 or 11 but I have never had luck so I tend to be rather coy about it.

 

[Fiona]

I wish I could play this way. Where I go to play Blackjack it's house rules that you can't double down your hand. I've played some online games where I could do this, but I'm not that familiar with it so it is one strategy that I've never gotten used to.

 

[ChowYF]

I wish I could play this way. Where I go to play Blackjack it's house rules that you can't double down your hand. I've played some online games where I could do this, but I'm not that familiar with it so it is one strategy that I've never gotten used to.

Wow, I've never heard of the house barring doubling down before. That's a tough one as it limits your options and makes it more difficult to try and outwit the dealer. Thinking about it, you'll still win, just not as big,

 

[Smokey]

I haven't heard of not being allowed to double down, either, but I suppose the house can do whatever the house wants to do. I love taking that extra chance and going for it when I have a 10 or 11.

 

[Stealth]

The dream scenario is to get two aces, split them, and then double down on each ace.

Not possible in any game I am aware of. You split aces which doubles your original bet but you do not have the option of doubling before they deal you a card to the Aces!

 

[hemis]

What about back betting? I know some people that have done extremely well with it

 

[Stealth]

I think back betting is a big Australian option. I am not aware of any US option for back betting. As a card counter I would love the opportunity to stand behind a player and pick when I want to bet on his hand!!! The ultimate advantage play in blackjack and Spanish 21.

The negative is that as a card counter you have an advantage but you are totally dependent on the player to make the right playing decisions and they do not have count information to make correct plays. Bad plays can reduce or even eliminate your advantage.

 

[22doh]

What would be the benefit go back betting? Is that where you can just bet on any player to win?

 

[Stealth]

What would be the benefit go back betting? Is that where you can just bet on any player to win?

If I am a card counter then I stand behind the table and count cards until I know the shoe/deck is in a player positive situation and then, and only then, I place a large bet. This will give me an advantage of 1-3% rather than facing a disadvantage of -.5% to -.8% assuming I am playing perfect basic strategy (which I am).

The downside is that I have no control over playing decisions so I need to bet behind a player that is at least playing at a basic strategy level. Otherwise, a bad playing decision with my big bet out could be disastrous. However, if the player I am betting behind is a fellow team member and I know his skill set, then I am in a great position to gain the advantage over the casino.

 

[Stealth]

Where I go to play Blackjack it's house rules that you can't double down your hand.

This is a highly disastrous rule that will double your disadvantage even if your are playing perfect basic strategy.

Very few amateurs know or play perfect basic strategy. This results in the casino having an advantage of an estimated 2-4% on that type of players. Basic strategy will reduce that to less than a percent. Otherwise you are getting hosed. Blackjack pays 6:5 makes the house edge worse by over 1% alone.

 

[22doh]

You either have an advantage or dont

You change the bet amount and you just change the amount you lose or win

Doubling down would be helpful if you know you are in a good position

 

[statesman]

I would be interested to know from anyone who can honestly say they have made "millions" from blackjack in modern casinos

 

[Stealth]

The dream scenario is to get two aces, split them, and then double down on each ace.

Not allowed in any casino I am aware of. You can split aces (and resplit aces if you hit another one) in some casinos but not double down after split.

 

[Stealth]

I would be interested to know from anyone who can honestly say they have made "millions" from blackjack in modern casinos

There are several. Several of the MIT teams and other teams made millions. However, it is not easy. Lone wolf making a million is extremely difficult. In order to beat the casino you have to have the playing skill to know you have an advantage, the bankroll (and the balls) to bet large amounts when appropriate, playing time and opportunities to get to the "long term". 100,000 plus hands.

Would not recommend as profession, think it can work well as an avocation if you are well prepared.

 

[Monfaire]

I'm new to this and other card games but I'm learning really fast. I read in one of the posts above that some dealers don't allow you to double down. Does this mean that the rules vary from one house to the next?

 

[Koontz]

Is that a strategy all on it's own or is it something that one might do as a part of a bigger plan? I have never done this myself, but I'm intrigued by the idea.

 

[Stealth]

Double down rules are set by the casino for each table. Options include:

double on any 2 cards
double on 10 or 11 only
double after splitting pairs
no double after splitting pairs

Ask the dealer what rules are in effect for the game...