Double deck blackjack is a popular variant of the classic casino game that involves using two decks of 52 cards each. This version of the game is favored by many players due to its relatively low house edge and the increased chances of obtaining favorable hands. However, playing double deck blackjack requires a bit more strategy than standard blackjack, as there are a few key differences to keep in mind.
To begin with, it’s important to understand how the cards are valued in double deck blackjack. Just like in regular blackjack, numbered cards from 2-10 are worth their face value, while face cards (jacks, queens, and kings) are all worth 10 points each. Aces can be counted as either 1 or 11 points, depending on which value would be more advantageous for the player’s hand.
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When playing double deck blackjack, there are a few key rules to keep in mind that differ from standard blackjack. For example:
1. Double down only on hard 9 through hard 11
2.
No surrender
3. Dealer hits soft 17
4. Blackjack pays 3:2
Now that you understand some of the basic rules of double deck blackjack, let’s talk about how to count cards effectively in this variant.
Counting Cards in Double Deck Blackjack
In order to count cards effectively in double deck blackjack, you’ll need to use a system that assigns point values to each card as it is played. The most popular card counting system for this variant is known as the Hi-Lo system.
The Hi-Lo system assigns point values as follows:
– Cards numbered 2 through 6: +1 point
– Cards numbered 7 through 9: no points assigned
– Face cards and tens: -1 point
– Aces: -1 point
To begin counting cards using the Hi-Lo system, you’ll need to start with a running count of zero at the beginning of each shoe (a shoe is a container used to hold the decks of cards). As each card is dealt, you’ll assign it a point value based on the system above and add that point value to your running count.
For example, if the first card dealt is a 5, you would add 1 point to your running count. If the next card is a king, you would subtract 1 point from your running count, leaving you with a total of 0 points. You’ll continue this process throughout the shoe, keeping track of your running count as you go.
When using the Hi-Lo system to count cards in double deck blackjack, there are a few additional rules to keep in mind:
– When the running count is negative, it means that there are more high-value cards left in the shoe. This can be advantageous for players, as high-value cards increase the chances of getting blackjack or other favorable hands. – When the running count is positive, it means that there are more low-value cards left in the shoe.
This can be disadvantageous for players, as low-value cards decrease the chances of getting blackjack or other favorable hands. – The true count is calculated by dividing your running count by the number of decks remaining in the shoe. This gives you a more accurate picture of how many high or low-value cards are left in play.
By counting cards effectively using systems like Hi-Lo and keeping these additional rules in mind, players can significantly increase their chances of winning at double deck blackjack. However, it’s important to remember that card counting is not foolproof and can be difficult to master – so don’t rely solely on this strategy for success!
