Hard Hands and Totals-Strategy for Doubling Down
In Las Vegas and Atlantic City any hard total may be doubled down, but for purposes of casino blackjack strategy you shouldn't double down on hard totals of less than 9. While there may be times when a hand could be doubled down, we don't suggest this move, since it will attract attention and possibly cause you to be barred.
You take a big risk when you double down on a hard total of 8, for this can be done theoretically with a 4, 4, or 5, 3 against a dealer's upcard of 5 or 6. Even though this move will give you a slight edge, it may jeopardize your future play at that casino, and it just isn't worth it.
Hard Totals-Doubling Down
Hard Total Dealer's up card Decision
9 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, (2-6) D
10 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 (2-9) D
11 Any up card D
The
chart above shows when these hard totals should be double down.
If the dealer's upcard is not shown above, the hand didn't be doubled
down. For example, if the dealer shows an a player with a 9 can't
double down ;and if the dealer shows a player holding a 10 can't
double down, except under certain circumstances, which will be covered
later. But as far as basic strategy goes, this chart prevails and
should be memorized.
certain
circumstances
atlantic
City clubs
especially
when losing
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