Doubling down is a blackjack bet that allows a player to double his or her original bet after the initial deal. Casinos frequently have house rules that dictate the specific circumstances when a player can double down. Additionally, players should consider basic blackjack strategy before making the decision to double down on the dealt hand.
First basic strategy dictates that a player should double down when dealt two 5’s so long as the dealer is not showing a 10, face card or an ace. When dealt cards totalling 9, the player should double down only in cases where the dealer shows a 3, 4, 5 or 6.
If the player is dealt cards totalling 10, the player should double down in cases where the dealer shows, a 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 or 9. When the player’s initial cards total 11, the player should double down in all cases except when the dealer shows an ace.
A player should also double down when dealt an ace and a 2 or 3 when the dealer displays a 5 or 6. Additionally, players dealt an ace and a 4 or 5 should double down when the dealer displays a 4, 5 or 6. Finally, a player should double down when dealt an ace 6 or 7 when the dealer displays a 3, 4, 5 or 6.
Basic strategy dictates that the abovementioned hand combinations represent the only circumstances when a player should double down. However, in most cases, the casino house rules will not allow players to double down in all the recommended circumstances. For example, the house may limit the player to doubling down in cases where the first cards dealt total 10 or 11.