Doubling down is a betting option in blackjack that allows players to double their wager, equal to their ante, in exchange for one extra card. This is a risky strategy, but it can significantly increase your payout. In order to maximize your winnings, you need to make the right choice and time your doubling down properly.
The Best Times to Double Down
When you have a hand that totals 11 (no matter what the dealer shows), it is usually a good time to double down. This is because the chance of getting an additional card that could hit 21 or get you close to it is very high. You can also double down if the dealer’s face card is a low number, which increases your chances of maximizing your winnings.
There are several other situations where you may want to double down, though. In these situations, the chances of making a high hand are also quite high.
Holding a soft 16, 17 or 18 is another situation where you should double down. These hands are usually weak and the dealer will have a lower total, so you should take the risk and try to improve your hand with one more card.
Aces are a very powerful card when it comes to playing blackjack, which is why it’s often a good idea to double down when the dealer has an ace in their hand. However, if you have an ace and any other two cards (with the exception of a seven), it’s best to stand and wait for the dealer’s face card to come up.
In addition, you should never double down when the dealer has an ace if they are showing a low card. This is because your chances of going bust are much higher than if the dealer has an ace, and you’ll probably lose.
The worst possible time to double down is when you have a hard nine, which means you don’t have an ace. This is because the probability of going bust is too high to justify a gamble like this, even if you have a good chance of ending with a high hand.
You should also never double down when the dealer has an aces and any other cards in your hand that make nine, because it’s too likely to end up with a low hand. The odds of getting a high hand in this scenario are too poor to justify the risk.
The above tips are just a few of the many strategies you can use to win more money at blackjack. Taking the time to study these techniques and implement them in your game can make you a more successful player. By combining them with the basic strategies for playing blackjack, you can put yourself in the best position to win and enjoy more fun and excitement while you’re at it. With the right strategy in place, you can take home more cash from every session at TwinSpires Casino.