Can You Double Down on Anything in Blackjack?

In blackjack, doubling down is the option of taking just one more card after the initial two are dealt, in exchange for doubling your bet. The idea behind doubling down is that you have a better chance of winning if you increase your bet when the odds are in your favor.

For example, let’s say you’re dealt a pair of 8s against a dealer’s upcard of 5. In this case, the odds are in your favor to win, so it makes sense to double your bet.

If you hit and get a 10, you have a total of 18 (a strong hand), while if you stand you only have 16 (a weaker hand).

Of course, there are situations where doubling down is not the best option. For instance, if you’re dealt a hard 12 against a dealer’s upcard of 2, it’s actually better to hit because your chances of busting are high.

In this case, you should just take one more card and hope for the best.

Generally speaking, though, if you have a hand with a good chance of winning and the dealer has a weak upcard, doubling down is the way to go. Just be sure to know when to hold ’em and when to fold ’em!.