When Should I Double Down in Blackjack?

In blackjack, doubling down is when you double your original bet after receiving your first two cards. The option to double down is only available on the first two cards dealt, and you can only do it if the value of your hand is 9, 10, or 11.

For example, let’s say you bet $5 and are dealt a 5 and a 4, giving you a total of 9. You can then double your bet to $10 and receive one more card.

The main reason to double down is because it allows you to increase your potential winnings while only having to risk a small amount of money. In the example above, by doubling down, you’ve turned a $5 bet into a $10 bet.

If the next card dealt is worth 10 points, then you have a total of 20—a winning hand. However, if the next card is not worth 10 points, then you have lost your $10 bet.

You should also double down if the dealer’s up-card is worth 6 or less points. This is because there’s a good chance that the dealer will bust (go over 21) if they hit.

For example, if the dealer has a 3 and you have an 11, then there’s about a 33% chance that they will bust if they hit. In this case, it makes sense to double down because there’s a good chance you will win.

So when should you NOT double down? Generally speaking, you should avoid doubling down if:

-The value of your hand is 12 or higher. This is because there’s a good chance that the next card dealt will not be worth 10 points, meaning you will lose your bet.

-The dealer’s up-card is worth 7 or more points. This is because there’s a good chance that the dealer will not bust if they hit.

In conclusion, doubling down in blackjack can be a great way to increase your potential winnings while only risking a small amount of money. However, there are certain situations where it does not make sense to double down—namely when the value of your hand is 12 or higher or when the dealer’s up-card is worth 7 or more points.