Blackjack Strategy: When to Double Down

Doubling down is one of the most thrilling moves in blackjack. It allows you to double your bet in the middle of a hand in exchange for receiving just one card. It’s a risky gamble, as it usually ends your betting—you can’t hit again even if you receive a particularly low second card

This can lead to more timid players avoiding the double bet, and more adventurous players making it far too often. It's important to strike a balance between sensible, safe play, such as using a statistical strategy, and risky double-downs to maximize your potential winnings. 

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What is Doubling Down?

Doubling down in Blackjack allows the player an option to double their wager following receipt of their original two cards. You then get dealt one (and only one) additional card. Then it’s you vs. the dealer to see who wins.

A player doubles down because the situation looks favorable, risking more to hopefully win more. As you can control when to double down, this is a powerful tool for the player who can spot the perfect opportunity. 

When to Double Down

Fortunately, basic strategies for blackjack have been meticulously mapped using mathematical probability, designed to tell you exactly when it is best (in the long run) to double down. There are three situations in which it’s best to double down, as explained below.

In all of these situations, you can’t go bust and are in the most likely position to finish with a high hand, while statistics indicate that the dealer is in the most likely position to lose the hand.

Hard 9 Against the Dealer’s Low Cards

When you are dealt a total of 9, double down when the dealer shows a card between 2 and 6 (any card below 7, not including the Ace). This must be a hard 9; meaning there is no Ace in your hand, so the combinations could be 2-7, 3-6, or 4-5. 

If you have A-8 (a soft 9), it’s best to stand, regardless of what the dealer shows.

Soft 16 To 18 Against the Dealer’s Low Cards

If you have an Ace and either a 5, 6, or 7 giving you a “soft” total of 16 to 18, and the dealer shows a card from 2 to 6, this is a great time to double your bet. 

With an Ace and a lower card (2 to 4), it is better to just hit, as you are less likely to end with a high hand.

Hard 10 Or 11 Against Any Lower Dealer Card

A hard 10 or 11 puts you in a powerful position—that is, with any two cards, not including an ace, that make 10 or 11 (2-8, 2-9, 3-7, 3-8, 4-6, 4-7, 5-6). 

If the dealer has a lower total, it's time to double down.

Pay Attention to the Rules

In almost every Blackjack game, this strategy should stay true. However, be aware that the rules of Blackjack do vary between casinos, which can affect your decision-making. If it’s possible to double with 3 or more cards, then you may find additional hands when you could double down, so pay attention to your total.

On the other hand, you might find situations where the rules say you can’t double when the strategy says you should, such as on soft hands (those with an Ace). If you can’t double down when you'd like, be sure to hit instead. 

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