Blackjack Double Down: Chart-Based Strategies for Winning

Master the art of the Blackjack double down with pro-player Peter Nairn. Delve into this comprehensive guide to perfect your game and increase your winning chances.

With years of rich experience and countless games under his belt, Peter is here to unravel the intricacies of one of the most thrilling yet intricate moves in Blackjack - the double down. 

There are a few ‘you must always double down on these’ hands, and of course, a few ‘never double down on these hands.’  There are other scenarios where you may want to consider it, and we’ll talk through those times so you can make the best decision.  

In this guide, you will learn:

• What is a Double Down in Blackjack
• Basic Double Down Strategy Charts
• When to Double Down - The Best Scenarios
• Avoid Doubling Down on These Hands
• How to Double Down in Blackjack
• Expert Advice: What to Keep in Mind When Doubling Down

Let’s hit it!

What is a Double Down in Blackjack?

You can double your initial bet once you have received your first two cards, and in exchange, you get one additional card.

Hmmm, that sounds interesting.  Why would you want to do that?

Because when it’s to your advantage, it makes sense to double down in blackjack because it allows you to get more money on the table.  And sometimes, getting more money on the table is definitely to your advantage.

How do I know when it’s to my advantage to get more money on the table.

Read on . . .

How Double Down Impacts Your Winning Chances

If you choose the right time to double down, you can increase your bet when you have a greater chance to win.  

This will increase your overall opportunity to walk away winning when it’s time to leave the casino.

Basic Double Down Strategy Charts

Below you will find the Double Down Basic Strategy chart.  It is divided into three sections. They are the Hard Totals, the Soft Totals, and the Split Pairs chart.  

These section refer to the cards that make up your hand.

Note: The strategy charts below are for a 6-deck shoe game, with the dealer hitting a Soft 17

How to use a double-down strategy chart

Let’s look at all the ‘double down’ hands on each chart.  

Note that these recommended double downs are if you are not counting cards.  

More on doubling down if you’re counting cards later in the article.  

In each chart below, the top row represents the dealer’s up card, and the hand in the left-hand column represents your hand.

The Hard Totals

Not all casinos allow you to double down on any two cards, so be aware that you may not be allowed to double down whenever you like.  

The recommendations below are if you’re allowed to double down, you should do so.  

However, if you’re not allowed to, then just Hit.

As you can see from the key at the bottom of the chart, you always double down with an 11.  Whatever up card the dealer is showing, you should always double down.

With a 10, you should always double down with a 2 through 9 and hit a 10 or an 11.

With a 9, you should always double down with a 3 through 6 and hit with a 2 and a 7 through Ace.

The Soft Totals

For the Soft Totals below, there are a couple of different options.

The light blue squares recommend doubling if you’re allowed to and Standing if you’re not allowed to. 

Broken down, here is how to approach them:

• Double down if you have a Soft 19 (i.e., an Ace and an 8), and the dealer has a 6.  If you’re not allowed to, then Stand.
• Double down if you have a Soft 18 (i.e. an Ace and a 7), and the dealer has a 2 through 6.  If you’re not allowed to, just Stand.

The purple squares recommend doubling if you’re allowed to and Hitting if you’re not allowed to.

Broken down, here is how to approach them:

• Double down if you have a Soft 17 (i.e. an Ace and a 6), and the dealer has a 3 through 6.  If you’re not allowed to double down, then just Hit.
• If you have a Soft 16 or Soft 15 (i.e. an Ace and a 5, or an Ace and a 4), and the dealer has a 4 through 6, double down.  If you’re not allowed to double down, then just Hit.
• If you have a Soft 14 or Soft 13 (i.e., an Ace and a 3, or an Ace and a 2), and the dealer has a 5 or 6, double down.  If you’re not allowed to double down, then just Hit.

The Split Pairs Totals

Similarly, there are a couple of options for the Split Pairs totals.

The purple squares are only if you have a pair of 5s.  And you would never split a pair of 5s.  

If the dealer has a 2 through 9, you should double down with your pair of 5s.  (Essentially, it becomes a 10, and of course, you should double down with a 10 against a dealer’s up card of 2 through 9).

The light blue squares says to split if you can double down after a split; otherwise, just Hit.

If you have a pair of 4s and are allowed to double down after a split, split them if the dealer has an up card of 5 or 6.

If you have a pair of 3s or 2s, split them if the dealer has a 2 or a 3. Having split them, double down once you receive your additional cards.  

Check the other two charts to see which hands I recommend you should double down. 

When to Double Down - The Best Scenarios

Here are some ‘best case scenarios’ when you should always double down. They are not 100% exactly the same as those listed above because this is a simplified and easy-to-remember list.  

The House Advantage percentage difference between these and the ones above is minimal. 

A few other double-down scenarios are listed in the three sections above, but these listed below are the strongest. 

Double down when the dealer’s up card is a 4 through 6, and: 

1. Your hand totals a Hard 9, 10, or 11.
2. Your hand is a Soft 15, 16, or 17

Double down when the dealer’s up card is a 5 or 6, and your hand is a Soft 13, or 14

Avoid Doubling Down on These Hands

1. If the dealer has an ace or 10-value up card unless you have 11
2. If your hand is a Hard 12 or higher
3. If your hand is a Soft 19 or higher

How to Double Down in Blackjack

The dealer must know your intentions before she pulls any cards.  

To avoid confusion, all casinos employ hand signals to indicate what you want to do to the dealer.  In a noisy casino environment, it minimizes mistakes.

In a shoe game, where your cards are dealt face up in front of your bet, and you never pick them up, simply putting up additional chips to match your bet when it is your turn to play will tell the dealer you want to double down.  Just place the chips next to your original bet.

In a game where the dealer holds the deck in their hand and pitches the cards to you, you indicate that you want to double down by gently tossing the cards in front of your bet and placing the additional bet next to your original bet.  

The dealer may move the additional chips to the other side of the original bet to comply with their house policy.  

They are often moved so the Surveillance camera and supervisors will know, after the fact, which bet was your original bet and which bet is the double down bet, which may be less than your original bet.

Expert Advice: What to Keep in Mind When Doubling Down

Here are my top tips for succeeding with the double down in blackjack:

1. Know the house rules and game variations

Knowing the house rules before you sit down to play is essential.  

Some casinos only allow you to double down if you have a 10 or an 11.  

Some casinos don’t allow you to double down after a split.  These different rules are essential for you to to know.

2. Be mindful of your bankroll

Let’s say you’re playing a hot shoe and have won four hands in a row.  

You’ve been playing a Paroli system and pressing your bet each time you won.  

Your initial $10 bet is now up to $160.

You’ve been dealt a 6 and a 5, for a total of 11.  The dealer’s up card is a 6.

This is clearly a great place to double down.  Except it’s going to cost you $160, which is all you have remaining of your initial $200 buy in.

3. Use basic strategy and card counting techniques

The Basic Strategy chart above will tell you about the right move for whatever cards you and the dealer have.  Make use of the chart, it is the best way to play.

What if I’m counting cards – how does the strategy change? 

If you can count cards, that's great!

Here’s a small table that details what changes you should make to the Basic Strategy listed in the Strategy chart above if you have been tracking the count.

Side note: This is from Blackjack Hall of Famer Don Schlesinger’s book ‘Blackjack Attack: Playing the Pro’s Way’.

Conclusion

Doubling down in Blackjack is a strong part of your game to help you win.  

It allows you to bet more when it’s in your favor to do so.

Don’t be bashful about doubling down, use the chart in this article to help you decide if it’s the right time to do it.

And good luck!