Blackjack Options Double Down

To double down in blackjack is to double your initial bet. It is possible to double down when you have already been dealt two cards, and are planning to draw only one more card from the dealer.

The bet does not have to equal the initial bet placed, but can be either equal to or less than the amount placed for the initial bet on the hand. Usually, however, players place the full amount that they are able to since doubling down should only be done when a player holds a good and safe hand. A good hand value for doubling down is when the initial two cards equal either 10 or 11.

When a players hand equals either 10 or 11, they are able to receive another card, with no possibility of going bust. It is expected that if you have a hand of two good cards, that adding one more card to the hand will make it a better hand.

Some online casinos will allow players to double down on any hand value that they may choose. Most online casinos, however, usually allow players to double down with hands of the values 9, 10, or 11, while yet others only allow doubling down for values of 10 and 11.

It is possible to double down on a hand that has been split, since each hand is played as a new hand. If the game is a face-down game, players need to turn their hands face-up when they decide to double down.

Doubling down is a part of the basic blackjack strategy that can move the house edge down to flat and even negative if you are a perfect player.