When to double while playing Blackjack (part one)

August 25, 2006

In the past week I have been playing a lot of blackjack online. I am gearing up for what will the next of many trips to Vegas. Each time I go to Las Vegas, I enjoy a great blackjack playing session. When online gambling, this is also a great casino game to play. We all know it has some of the more favorable odds than most other casino games, too.

In this online gambling article, I want to share some of the issues I typically run into when playing online and offline. I recently wrote an article on blackjack strategy and how to change the way we rely on recommended strategies when it comes to playing blackjack. That article touched on branching out and abandoning the strategy basics when the timing is right.

This article is also about blackjack, but it will cover the topic of doubling and when it is a good idea to do it.

Even though blackjack is a pretty straight forward game when it comes to recommended strategy, I have come to realize that gambling is gambling, but safer gambling will save you money in the long run. But, what about the short-run when playing blackjack at casinos?

Blackjack is a casino game of skill. This makes it a challenge but fun to play. Alas, it is not totally a game of skill, there is luck involved too. I know I mentioned that this game is not totally about the recommended strategy. At least it isn’t in the short run. Yes, you will end up better off in the long run if you stick to the recommended strategy, but why not try to make a lot of money quicker by going gout on that limb?

First, you must figure out what kind of blackjack player you are. One who plays the game while referring to a strategy card or one who takes chances when playing in order to win quick and leave soon.

When playing this casino game when online gambling or even on land, you will notice that the best advantage to this game is that most casinos pay out 3 to 2 when any player is dealt a natural (21) on their first two cards. After you have figured out what kind of player you are, consider the following no matter what kind of player you are anyway – at least when it comes to doubling.

Additionally, you will notice that another good situation for players when playing this casino game is that they get to make their playing decision after they have already been able to see their first two cards as well as the dealer's up card. This is a tremendous help and works in the player’s favor for sure.

In this gambling article, I want to talk about one of those decisions each player at the blackjack table gets to make – doubling. Doubling your bet after you've seen your first two cards is not necessarily tricky, but many gamblers seem to make it complicated. For those of you online gambling article readers out there that are unfamiliar with doubling, here is a quick explanation. If you decide to double your wager after seeing your first two cards you simply place another bet (equal to the amount of your original bet, NEVER bet anything less than the amount that would double your bet. Casinos offer this – never take the bait) next to it on the table. When this is done, the dealer will only deal you one more card.

Many players feel that this type of game play, this bet, is risky. Try to consider it a money maker when the timing is right. You never have to commit to this wager, so it is not considered a defensive move to do so.

There are times when you can buck the system and defy the laws of strategy (probability), but when it comes to doubling, you may want to see it like this – and remember you only get one card after committing to this bet. Only do it when you have the advantage over your dealer. For example, a great time to double is when you have an eleven and the dealer’s revealed card is under that total. You will also want to double your wager when you are holding a ten and the dealer’s revealed card is anything between a two and a nine. If the two cards you are holding equal nine, double when the dealer has a revealed card between three and six.

Most of the recommendations we just went over are simple and pretty well known, but here are some other ways to double when you have soft hands. These recommendations are based on a 6 deck game when the dealer must stand on soft 17s.

Say your two cards are an ace and a three or an ace two. If the dealer has a revealed card of five or six, you should double.

If you are holding an ace and a four or an ace and a five, and the dealer has a revealed card of either four five or six, then double.

Even when you have an ace and a six or an ace and a seven, and the dealer’s revealed card is a three, four, five or six you will want to double.

Keep in mind, if you are playing at a table that the dealer must hit when he or she has a soft 17, you can also when you have an ace and an eight and the dealer is showing a six.

Getting back to the doubling for less syndrome. I have witnessed more blackjack players fidgeting with the chance to bet less on a double because they base there decision on the past. If you have been losing or you are worried that you will get an ace dealt to you on your double, you are basing your future on the past. This is a bad idea all the way around. Besides, if you are scared because doubling your bet will make you uncomfortable with the price tag, then move to a table where it won’t.

Just remember to think of it this way. If you are the type of online gambling blackjack player that would forfeiting the chance to take extra hits when you need them (for example: like an 11 looking to get an ace), then you should actual forfeit that right in order to gain a full value. You don’t want to risk a bet for ten to fifty percent of it actual potential do you? This is simply to say that if you did double for less each time you did double, you are simply forfeiting too much when you actually win the wager.

You must understand that doubling is a fantastic way to win more cash while playing this casino game. Whether you are online gambling or not, it is a faster way to get ahead. Why try to get ahead and then slow your progress by not betting to your full potential?

This of course can only be done at the right time. You must be able to recognize when to double and when not to. Remember, these recommendations are based on the use of 6 decks of cards being used in a game. Check back tomorrow for an article based on single deck and double deck blackjack doubling recommendations.

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