FR EN
Play
Home › Learn › When to double down

When to double down in blackjack

Doubling is the most profitable play in the game when you use it at the right time. Three rules cover 95% of cases.

What is doubling down?

After your first two cards, you can double your bet. In return you get exactly one more card, and your hand ends. You put more money in play exactly when you are the favourite.

Example: you bet 10 and get 6 and 5 (11); the dealer shows a 6. You double: your bet is now 20. You draw a king: 21. The dealer busts: you win 20 instead of 10.

The 3 rules to remember

  1. 11: double against everything except an ace (6 or 8 decks, dealer stands on soft 17).
  2. 10: double against 2 to 9. Against a 10 or an ace, just hit.
  3. 9: double against 3 to 6. Otherwise hit.

With 8 or less, never double: even the best card only gets you to 18.

Doubling soft hands (with an ace)

A soft hand can't bust with one card, which makes it ideal for doubling against the dealer's weak cards.

  • A,2 and A,3: double against 5 and 6.
  • A,4 and A,5: double against 4, 5 and 6.
  • A,6: double against 3 to 6.
  • A,7: double against 3 to 6; stand against 2, 7 and 8; hit against 9, 10 and ace.
  • A,8 and A,9: stand (except A,8 against 6 when the dealer hits soft 17).

The doubling chart

Green cells (D, Ds) = double. Rows: your hand. Columns: dealer's up card.

H HitS StandD Double (else hit)Ds Double (else stand)P SplitRh Surrender

Hard hands

Hard hands
Hand2345678910A
17+SSSSSSSSSS
16SSSSSHHRhRhRh
15SSSSSHHHRhH
14SSSSSHHHHH
13SSSSSHHHHH
12HHSSSHHHHH
11DDDDDDDDDH
10DDDDDDDDHH
9HDDDDHHHHH
8HHHHHHHHHH
7HHHHHHHHHH
6HHHHHHHHHH
5HHHHHHHHHH

Soft hands

Soft hands
Hand2345678910A
A,9SSSSSSSSSS
A,8SSSSSSSSSS
A,7SDsDsDsDsSSHHH
A,6HDDDDHHHHH
A,5HHDDDHHHHH
A,4HHDDDHHHHH
A,3HHHDDHHHHH
A,2HHHDDHHHHH

Why it works

With 10 or 11, nearly one card in three is worth 10 (10, jack, queen, king): you have a big chance of ending on 20 or 21. Meanwhile a dealer showing 5 or 6 busts more than 4 times in 10 (see the odds). You are the clear favourite, so that is when you want more money on the table.

Doubles are the main reason basic strategy beats "careful" players: someone who never doubles gives the casino about 1.5% more in the long run.

Common mistakes

  • Not doubling 11 against a 10 out of fear. It is a profitable double.
  • Doubling hard 12 or more: one card only, too much bust risk.
  • Forgetting soft doubles: A,7 against 4, A,4 against 5… winning plays most players miss.

Test yourself on 20 random hands.

Take the quiz

FAQ

Should you double 11 against an ace?

With 6 or 8 decks and a dealer who stands on soft 17, no: just hit. If the dealer hits soft 17, or with 1 or 2 decks, double.

Can you double after taking a card?

No. Only on your first two cards, or on the first two cards of a split hand if the table allows doubling after split.

What is "doubling for less"?

Some casinos let you add less than your original bet. It is almost always a bad idea: if a double is right, double for the full amount.

What about European blackjack (no hole card)?

The dealer doesn't check for blackjack, so if he has one you lose the doubled bet too. You double less against a 10 or ace: 11 against 10 becomes a hit.