Blackjack Strategy – When to Double Down in Blackjack
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Blackjack is a casino game where players wager against the dealer. The dealer deals two cards to each player, one face up and the other face down (the hole card). Each player then decides whether to hit (get another card) or stand (keep their current hand). The person with the highest hand wins. The house edge is the casino’s profit on successful bets, even when the players win their hands.
A player can reduce the house edge by strategically playing or choosing a specific blackjack variant. However, the advantage a player gains from reducing the house edge will not materialize in one or few games, as the house edge is an infinite statistical average that works over long periods of time.
Before the game begins, a blackjack dealer will shuffle a deck or multiple decks of cards, ensuring that they are mixed thoroughly. Once the cards are shuffled, the dealer will deal each player two cards, starting with the player to their left and going clockwise. The dealer will also deal themselves two cards, one facing up and the other face down (the hole cards). If the dealer’s up card is an ace, the dealer will offer insurance to players.
The dealer will then move around the table and check each player’s cards to see if they have a blackjack (an ace and a picture card or 10). If a player has a blackjack, they pay the dealer one and a half times their bet amount. The dealer will then collect the bets of all players who do not have a blackjack, and take back their chips.
When to Double Down
The strategy of doubling down in blackjack is an important part of your winning formula. The best time to double down is when you have a total of 12 or less against a dealer’s face up card. The dealer will almost always bust if they are showing a 3, 4, 5, or 6. Double down on these cards will increase your chances of winning by 5%.
It’s also a good idea to double down when you have a weak hand against the dealer. If you have a 2 or 3 against a dealer’s 7 or higher, it is often worth the risk to double down and hope for a card that will make your hand stronger. However, be careful not to over-double, as this can lead to a big loss if the dealer has a strong card.