The Best Times to Double Down on Blackjack

blackjack

When playing blackjack, the best hand to get is an Ace and a face card, also known as a Natural. If you get a hand like this, you’ll win the game and not the dealer. If the dealer gets the same hand as you, it’s called a Push, and you’ll get your money back. If you don’t want to take another card, you can stand. You can stand for a few reasons.

Insurance

Blackjack insurance is a side bet. You wager on the dealer’s hole card if you have a blackjack. While it may seem like a good idea, Blackjack insurance is not actually insurance. In fact, it is a sucker bet and should not be made by smart players. To learn more about Blackjack insurance, read on. Also, learn more about the strategy of blackjack insurance and avoid making it unless you’re an expert card counter.

Double down

When a gambler has two cards, they can decide to double down, doubling the amount they have bet. The doubling range is the same as the ante, and the gambler must do it when they are ahead by more than the dealer’s hand. However, the double down decision should be made carefully, as making a bad one can cost the gambler money. Listed below are the best times to double down on blackjack.

Splitting

If you’ve ever played blackjack, you’ve probably heard of the concept of blackjack splitting. This mathematical trick can save you from losing your money, increase your profits, and increase your winning potential. To maximize your chances of winning, make sure you understand the rules for blackjack splitting. This way, you’ll be able to determine if you should split a hand when you have a pair of identical cards. Below, we’ll explain when to split your hand and what you can expect.

Aces as 1 or 11

Most casinos treat Aces as either one or eleven in blackjack. This is because they know the Ace is the strongest card in the deck and try to limit situations where the player can gain an advantage by using the ace. When you play blackjack with ten cards, the aces are worth ten times what you bet. Therefore, you should try to hit the Ace with a higher value card. If you fail to hit, the payout is one-hundred-folding.

Taking insurance

While some players argue that it is not wise to take insurance when playing blackjack, it is worth considering the consequences of this bet. The odds are against you, and unless you are a master card counter or use basic blackjack strategy, you will lose money on your insurance bet. In the example given, the odds of the dealer getting blackjack are nine out of thirteen. This would mean that if the dealer has a blackjack, he will have a ten-point card and you have a twenty-card, you would lose your insurance bet.

Taking a side bet

Choosing whether to place a side bet in blackjack will depend on the risk-reward ratio of the hand. Some blackjack side bets offer great payouts while others are more risky. Once you decide which side bets are right for you, it’s important to understand how they fit into your blackjack strategy. To avoid making mistakes while playing blackjack, read this guide to side bets.

Taking a side bet on the dealer getting blackjack

Almost any blackjack player has heard about the Perfect Pairs bet – the dealer getting a perfect pair of cards. This bet is placed on the chance of the dealer getting exactly the same pair of cards, whether it is the same value, the same color, or the same suit. Perfect pairs only occur in blackjack games that have more than one deck. This side bet pays out 100:1 when the dealer gets a perfect pair.

Hitting on soft 17

In most blackjack games, hitting on soft seventeen is a winning strategy. Hitting on soft 17 is a risky option, and it increases the casino’s edge by about 0.22%. If your hand is an eleven, doubling down is the best option. If your dealer shows an ace, doubling down is not a good idea. If your dealer has an ace, hitting on soft 17 can lead to a hard 17.

Standing on soft 17

When the dealer has a soft 17 in blackjack, you should always hit. However, you should always stand when the dealer has a soft 18 or above. You can also stand when you have more than one card that is worth 17 against the dealer. This is considered the more player-friendly strategy. Nevertheless, players must adjust their game to suit the dealer’s upcard and soft 17 situation. Listed below are some tips that will help you play better on soft 17 hands in blackjack.