When to double while playing Blackjack (part two)

August 26, 2006

So yesterday, we covered this topic in great detail for our online gambling article readers. Only yesterday’s recommendations were based on a six deck game of blackjack. Today, we will be covering doubling again, but based on a single or double deck game.

First of all, not many casinos or online gambling sites provide single deck game play, but a few do. Some won’t allow doubling if they do have these types of games. The same goes for 2 deck games. In Las Vegas there are a few casinos that provide this game of blackjack. If you do find yourself playing a facility that provides casino game players with single deck and double deck game play, be sure to fully understand the actual table rules for they will vary from multiple (more than two decks) game play.

When playing blackjack with a single or double deck, you will want to be more aggressive when doubling. This means more doubling. You will want to do so more often when you have two cards that total nine and the dealer has a revealed card of two. The reason is simple – there are fewer cards that will be getting in your way. The same goes when playing your 11 against the dealer’s ace and your ace and three against the dealer’s four.

Another interesting recommendation of when to double your bet is when dealer hits his soft 17. If this happens, double your ace and eight against the dealer’s revealed six. This is a commonly misread bet. Many players will just see red when they see another player at the table do this – but it is actually the right thing to do statistically. This is only true when the dealer has to hit their soft 17.

When it comes to these so called risks, many players get nervous. Well, that is why this article exists. Here are some things to consider in order to make you better understand the facts behind doubling.

When playing blackjack in general, you will (yes will) win 47% of your wagers. This means the dealer wins 53% of the time. When you double (when it is recommended) you will close this gap for sure.

Any rational player whether they are online gambling players or lands based casino players, will realize that they will not be victorious on every double they bet. Alas, the times you DO WIN will overcome (in monetary value) the times you lose and these times will be more than the money you won from simply hitting. Think of it this way, by your drawing a 10 or an ace, then adding it to your doubled nine or ten land you at a having a 19, 20 or even a 21 enough times to squeeze the house edge out of another half a percent. This is a considerable amount in stats like this casino game holds in it favor.

This is a prime reason for you to search out the very best tables available to you. Be sure to search for online gambling sites or land based casinos that permit players to double as often as they can – this means on any first 2 cards after splitting.

So, if your dealer’s revealed card is a 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6 – they will bust somewhere between 35-43% of the time. Theses are pretty good odds in this game

Another prime example of when to double in a single or double deck game of blackjack is when you are holding nione and the dealer has an upcard of 4. In this actual situation, you are favored to win the hand 3 to 2.

One time, a blackjack player decided not to double in this same situation and was then dealt a ten. He did not double and only won his original bet. SO, on the very next hand hedoubled his starting wager (with even seeing the cards first) and lost the hand. THIS IS A PRIME EXAMPLE OF HOW NOT TO BEHAVE AT THE TABLE. Just double when you should double at the table, when it is recommended, and be done with it already. That player didn’t double when he has awareness of the cards. But then he did double (his original bet) on the very next hand without seeing anything first. Who does this and why?

The above example is a casino’s dream come true. This is exactly how they make great amounts of money. If you want to play a game of skill and win, be sure you have the skill first.

Here is an additional way to look at this topic. You never want double when there is any chance you will bust. Don’t be a player who DOUBLES on a 12 when the dealer has a 7 though ace. Yes, you need to hit in this situation – but you do not want to double in this instance. Taking a hit in this situation is in your defense. Doubling in this instance is not in your defense.

Lastly, never double a soft thirteen when the dealer has a reveled card of 3. A dealer will usually make there hand here. Remember that your ace and 2 will end up a hard hand from 12-16 at about the rate of 5 to 8.

As long as you have the understanding that doubling, whether it be done playing multiple deck games or not, should be where you make money  - not lose it to the online casino or land based facility.

(927)