This move, part of the double down in blackjack strategy, can potentially double your winnings or losses. 'Splitting' is a key blackjack strategy where you divide your pair of hole cards into two hands, doubling your original bet. If the dealer has a lower total, it's time to double down. Hard 10 Or 11 Against Any Lower Dealer CardĪ hard 10 or 11 puts you in a powerful position - that is, with any two cards, not including an ace, that makes 10 or 11 (2-8, 2-9, 3-7, 3-8, 4-6, 4-7, 5-6).

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. 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. Soft 16 To 18 Against the Dealer's Low Cards If you have A-8 (a soft 9), it's best to stand, regardless of what the dealer shows. 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. When you are dealt a total of 9, double down when the dealer's upcard shows something between 2 and 6 (any card below 7, not including the Ace). 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. There are three situations when it's best to double down, explained below. When to Double Downįortunately, 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. This offer is not available for players residing in Ontario.

Blackjack when to split and double down