Doubling at blackjack

 

Playing blackjack according to the rules of basic strategy is an essential skill if you wish to keep the house advantage to a bare minimum, but there are two components of the game that are just as important: options known as doubling down and splitting.

For any one who wishes to take full advantage of blackjack by maximizing their profit potential, the options are a must, even if it means stepping beyond your personal comfort level by placing more money at risk in select situations.

Here are brief explanations of the plays:

Doubling down is when you make an additional wager on your two-card hand equal in value to your original bet. The dealer will then "hit" the hand with one card.

Splitting is when you are dealt cards of equal value and you choose to make separate hands by pushing out an additional wager. You then proceed to play each hand.

What follows are the strategies which I use for each of the options playing a multiple deck game at a table where the dealer hits soft 17:

Double down on nine vs. the dealer's up-card of 3, 4, 5 and 6; on 10 vs. a dealer's 2 through 9; on 11 vs. any dealer's up-card.

In the case of "soft" hands, double down on A/2 and A/3 vs. a dealer's 5 and 6; on A/4 and A/5 vs. 4, 5 and 6; on A/6 vs. 3 through 6; on A/7 vs. 2 through 6; on A/8 vs. 6.

Split deuces and 3s vs. the dealer's 2 through 7; 4s vs. 5 and 6; 6s vs. 2 through 6; 7s vs. 2 through 7; 8s vs. anything; 9s vs. 2 through 6, also 8 and 9; aces vs. anything.

Never split 5s or face cards. Treat the 5s as a two-card total of 10 and proceed from there. Treat your faces as a two-card total of 20.

The rationale behind the value of doubling down is that you are attempting to take advantage of the dealer's perceived position of weakness.

The same holds true for splitting, with the exception of 8s, which in some instances is a defensive play based upon the up-card. You're gambling that you can take a bad hand (16) and make two better hands.

Splitting aces is also a defensive play. A pair of aces gives you a two-card total of 12. When you split you're hoping to draw a 10-value card on each one, keeping in mind that if you do they're not "blackjacks" eligible for a 3 to 2 payoff. Blackjack is paid only on your first two dealt cards.

One of the real perks of splitting is when the house rules allow you to double down on the hand(s), or being dealt another card equal in value to your originals and having the opportunity to re-split.

Remember that proprietary house rules governing blackjack games vary from casino to casino, so always make it a point to check with the dealer.

In essence, doubling down and splitting are nearly as important to players as the advantage of being paid 3 to 2 for a blackjack. In each case you're increasing your potential for profits by playing the game to the max.

Incrementally increasing your bets when you're "on a roll" further enhances the value of the options.

Remember, blackjack players are free to make their own decisions. The dealers are bound by inflexible rules, the most important among them drawing to 16 and standing on 17.

Source: http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com

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