- When To Double Down In Blackjack Chart 2
- When To Double Down In Blackjack Chart Printable
- Double Down Blackjack Pics
This is also true for knowing when to split or double down in the game. What does Hit & Stand mean in Blackjack? The goal in blackjack is to get a hand as close to 21 as possible without going over. Hence it is also referred to as blackjack 21 or just 21. Looking at the blackjack chart, the blackjack strategy card tells us to stand whenever you have 17 points or more in your hand, regardless of what the dealer is showing for an up card. Reduce the value of your hand by one point to 16, and the chart says to stand when the dealer's up card is a 6 or lower. Double down is the most popular blackjack strategy. In a game of blackjack, the aspects of placing a double down bet are sometimes lowered but even the immature players are aware of how the trick works. Double down bet can be a thrilling gamble which ends you betting instantly and if you land with a low second card, you cannot make a hit again.
When it comes to Blackjack, it is all about the moves you will make. By making the right ones, you can get an advantage over the casino and beat the game. We have covered different Blackjack strategies you can apply to reduce the house edge and presented two Blackjack charts you can use to make the best move on our gaming portal so far. In this article, we want to show you how to use a Blackjack strategy chart also known as a Blackjack cheat sheet.
Each Blackjack strategy chart has a legend that explains what each letter stands for. In most cases, H means that you should Hit, S that you should Stand while D stands for Double Down. You can also have SP or P signalizing that you should Split cards.
What is Blackjack Strategy Chart?
A Blackjack strategy chart is a chart that shows you which is the best possible move you can make based on your hand and the face-up card the dealer has. It is simple to use once you understand its features and how it functions. As you know, the game of Blackjack can be played with a different number of card decks and different rules may apply to it. Well, with strategy charts created for all of them, you got covered. Stay with us to learn how to find the right strategy chart.
Find the Right Strategy Chart
Blackjack can be a single, four or eight-deck game. The soft 17 rule applies differently to different game variants. These are the main features you should take into consideration when searching for the right strategy chart. Keep in mind that you won't find the chart for each and every game variant. So, once you have chosen the variant of the game, make sure to check out how many decks are in play and whether the dealer stands or hits on soft 17. Red stag casino no deposit bonus 2016. Then, look up for the appropriate chart for that particular game variant.
Learn Abbreviations
It's all about abbreviations when you analyze a Blackjack strategy chart. You will see a matrix of columns and rows with different letters and you may be wondering what the hell is going on. Don't let this confuse you. It's easier than you think. Each Blackjack strategy chart has a legend that explains what each letter stands for. In most cases, H means that you should Hit, S that you should Stand while D stands for Double Down. You can also have SP or P signalizing that you should Split cards.
You will also notice a number of combined letters such as SP/H or SU/H which suggest that you should Split or Surrender if it is allowed or Hit otherwise. To analyze strategy charts faster and apply them to the gameplay, learn all the abbreviations first. While online Blackjack allows you to use Blackjack cheat sheets, you cannot take them with you to a land-based casino. If you play the live dealer version of the game, you won't have enough time to check the chart before each move. That's why it is important to learn all the preferred moves for the particular game variant by heart.
Practice Makes Perfect
Find free-play Blackjack games to practice the appropriate strategy and use Blackjack charts that will show you how you should act. It is the best way to learn all the abbreviations and hone your skills. Once you have chosen the game to your liking, find the right strategy chart and play according to it. It may take time until you learn all the stuff, but it's worthwhile. You can switch to the real-money mode once you feel confident enough to risk your hard-earned cash.
One of the best and most exciting options available in blackjack is when we have the opportunity to double down on a bet. As a ‘twice the risk, twice the reward' option, it has the potential to net us a sizeable return, if we know how and when to properly employ such a tactic. As explained on our terminology page, to double is to place another wager on your hand, equal to the amount of your initial bet, in exchange for only one additional card, and the obligation to stand after that one card is dealt.
For example, if you have been dealt a Six and a Four (a total value of 10), you may choose to double your original wager of $100, as drawing a card valued from seven to 11 is a strong possibility and will stand you in good stead to win the hand. If you do win the hand, instead of receiving a $100 profit if you did not double, you will net a return of $200.
Double Down in Play
Doubling is an essential tactic, and if used correctly, helps to lower the casino's house edge. A knowledgeable player should know when to employ this move for an advantage in the long run, but the decision needs to be carefully considered before commitment, based on a the following important factors:
- The total points value of your current hand
- The dealer's up-card
- The house rules and edge
- The version of blackjack being played
If you are playing a game with eight decks and you can double on any total, the house edge is 0.55%. If you can double after splitting, this reduces the house edge by 0.13%, but if you can double only on totals of 10 and 11, this increases the house edge by 0.21%. And obviously we want the lowest house edge possible.
Mastering basic blackjack strategies is key to winning. Here are some guidelines worthwhile remembering in order to maximise our chances and avoid unfavourable odds when opting to double:
Take Advantage of 9, 10 & 11 Totals
The best hands to double down on are considered to be those with a value of nine, 10 or 11. We already have the ideal hand to hit on and end with a strong total with just one additional card. If you find yourself dealt a hand with these totals, consider doubling down to maximise your winning payout. There will always be a risk present in every decision you make, but the key to winning more games than losing is to take advantage of an edge while you have it. If you are hesitant to double down because of the size of the bet and your potential loss, you might be playing at a table with too high stakes.
Don't Split Fives, Go For The High Five: A common tactic for players who find themselves with low pocket pair hands such as Deuces or Treys is to split them and improve their chances of winning with two separate hands, which is fine. But if you find yourself with a pair of Fives, refrain from splitting and consider doubling. A total of 10 points is a strong position to be in (as explained above), so with a pair of Fives and roughly a 24% chance of drawing a card valued at 10 points on the next hit (to give you a total of 20), doubling is in your best interests. You also have a solid chance of drawing an Eight, Nine or Ace, resulting in favourably high hands of 18, 19, or 21.
The Rule of 9
The ‘Rule of 9' is an established guideline regarding when and when not to double if you are dealt a soft hand (a hand with an Ace). Knowing when to double with a soft hand is crucial, so it is worthwhile understanding the rule's instructions which explain how to maximise our chances of winning. As always, these are recommendations and you don't have to double just because these rules say so.
When To Double Down In Blackjack Chart 2
The ‘Rule of 9' works as follows: if you hold a soft hand, add the value of the dealer's up-card with the value of your non-Ace card. If the total value is greater than nine, it is suggested to double down. If the total value is less than nine, proceed to hit instead.
For example, if the dealer's up-card is a Four and your hand contains an Ace and a Seven, you should double because the total sum would be 11. In contrast, if the dealer's up-card is a Five and you hold is an Ace and a 3, you should hit, as the sum, according to the rule, is eight. There are a few exceptions to this rule: never double down if the dealer's up-card is above Seven, as they are in a strong position to beat you. If the dealer is showing a Deuce, don't double either as the odds favour the dealer. Also, when the dealer's up-card is a Five or Six, you should double down with a hand of an Ace and a Deuce through to a Six, as you are in the stronger position.
Be Mindful of the Dealer's Up-Card
It may seem like common sense, but plenty of players often forget to keep the dealer's up-card in mind before opting to double down. All of the above tactics should be dependent on the dealer's up-card, and while it's good to be aggressive, it can be unwise to double with a soft hand if your dealer has a Nine or Ten showing. The worst cards for the dealer are up-cards of a Deuce through to a Six because those cards give the dealer the highest chance of busting, and this is when we should pounce and double down. Dealer up-cards of Five and Six give their hand the highest chance of busting at roughly 42%.
When To Double Down In Blackjack Chart Printable
Here are the most commonly recommended hands to double down on, taking in to consideration the dealer's up-card:
[table id=1 /]
If you are dealt an Ace with a Deuce through to a Seven, this leaves us in a relatively strong position to double (depending on the dealer's up-card, as specified in the table). If your soft hand is an Ace and an Eight or Nine, then doubling is not favourable; standing is your best bet.
Being dealt an Ace and a Six or Seven is the ideal hand to double down on. Many people may opt to stand with a soft total of 17 or 18 which is fine, but doubling is often advised. As the table suggests, your decision needs to be dependent on the dealer's up-card. If you do opt to double with a soft 17/18, you have a strong chance of receiving a card valued at 10 (giving you a hard total of 17 or 18) which leaves you in the position you began in, just with the chance to win double the cash. If you are dealt an Ace, Deuce or Trey, you now hold an even stronger total of either 18, 19, 20, or 19, 20 or 21. If you are dealt a Four on the soft-17 hand, that will also leave you with an unbeatable 21. The point is to take advantage of strong starting soft hands, because of the unique value the Ace holds.
Know Which Variant You're Playing
American blackjack (unlike American Roulette) has more favourable odds for the player, so where possible, play American versions of the game.
American rules are as follows:
– You are not restricted when doubling down; you can have a hand with any value and choose to double.
– You can also surrender at any time, and the dealer must stand on a soft-17.
Double Down Blackjack Pics
European blackjack has the following rules:
– When offered the chance to double, you may only do so if your hand totals nine, 10 or 11.
– The dealer must hit on soft-17, and you cannot surrender.
