How to Double Down in Blackjack
Blackjack is a card game in which each player is dealt 2 cards, both face up, and the dealer is dealt 1 card face up and 1 face down. The object is to obtain a hand in which the card values add up to 21 without going over. Face cards count as 10, aces are 1 or 11 and all other cards carry their face values. Players can choose whether to be dealt another card in the attempt to come closer to 21. Blackjack is extremely popular, due to the combination of skill and luck inherent in the game.
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Instructions
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Prepare to Double Down in Blackjack
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Learn the basic rules of blackjack at the Ready Bet Go Web site. The game is quite simple to learn, but challenging to master.
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Practice at home or online. There are many sites that offer free blackjack games, which allow you to gain skill and experience before you actually place a bet. Some sites, like the Hit or Stand Web site, include training tips.
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Determine What It Means to Double Down
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Increase the profitability of your hand by doubling your original bet when you have a good chance of winning.
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Realize that you will get only one more card. You may not hit (ask for another card) again.
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Understand that house rules may vary regarding when you are allowed to double down. Some venues allow you to double on anything, while others allow doubling only on 10 or 11.
Learn When to Double Down
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Double down when you have a hard 11 and when you have a hard 10 if the dealer doesn't show an ace. (Since an ace can be counted as either 1 or 11, a hand that contains an ace counted as 11 is called a soft hand, and a hand that has no ace or uses an ace as 1 is a hard hand.)
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Double down on hard 9 if the dealer's up card is any card from 2 to 6.
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Consider doubling down on a soft hand if the dealer shows any card from 3 to 6.
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Tips & Warnings
If the dealer's up card is any card from 2 through 6, there is a greater likelihood the dealer will bust (go over 21). This is an excellent situation in which to double down.
The cost of playing blackjack is entirely up to you. You can play for free online, for small stakes with friends and family or for thousands of dollars at a casino.
Keep in mind that doubling down does not increase your chances of winning the hand and may well decrease those chances. The benefit of doubling down is that it increases your profit if you do win.
