Blog Posted on 13/11/2019 | Author: Karen Macarthur
When Is It Considered Right to Double Down In Blackjack?
Blackjack is a popular game of cards played at casinos. It is also famously known as “Twenty One”. This article dives into the details of the game and provides tricks like double down in Blackjack to excel in it:
How is Blackjack played?
In Online Blackjack, one or more players can play with the dealer. However, they do not compete against each other. Every player is given two cards; one facing upwards whereas the other facing downwards. He/she has to count the numbers on the cards and add them up. The total score should not exceed 21 points.
What are the card values?
The total of the numbers on the cards is called a hand’s value. Number cards count as their natural value. The three face cards – the Jack, Queen and King, are all counted as ten. Aces can be considered as either one or eleven, according to the player’s wish. More cards can be drawn by the players to improve their hands. If an Ace card is present in hand and valued at 11, it will be considered as one so that the hand does not bust by taking an extra card, as the value might exceed twenty-one.
What is the dealer’s role?
After all, players have dealt their hands; the dealer reveals his card, which was previously facing downwards and must hit until the cards have a total of 17 or more points.
How to beat the dealer?
The gamblers play against the dealer. In order to win, any player requires an aggregate score which is more than the score of the dealer, yet less than 21. Players win by not busting and having a total higher than the dealer, or by not busting and having the dealer bust; or by getting a Blackjack before the dealer gets a Blackjack. If the player and dealer have the same total, the game is considered as a tie, and in such a situation it is called “push” where the player generally neither wins nor loses his money. If not, then the bet is won by the dealer.
How is Blackjack played?
Blackjack can be played with a maximum of 8 players, dealer included. He deals with 5 to 7 other players. In each round, before giving out the cards, up to three players are allowed to bet. They put their decided amount in a betting box in front of their position. A maximum of three players in the given positions at a table can bet. The players can bet in multiple boxes at a single table as per their wish. However, no player is allowed to place multiple bets within a single box. In many casinos, often only one person is allowed to bet on each position. The dealer then deals cards from his left side to his right side. The player’s hand receives their first card facing upwards, and right after receives their second card facing downwards. The dealer can take a look at the second card without revealing it unless it’s a Blackjack. The players’ aim is to win money by having a total score that is less than 21 but is more than the dealer’s hand. If the total exceeds 21, it is considered as “busting” or “breaking”. Another method of winning is to let the dealer take additional cards until he busts. When it is a player’s turn, he can go with any of the given options –
- Hit – take a card
- Stand – end their turn
- Double – taking one card and finishing
- Split – separating two cards if they have the same value
- Surrender – giving up the game and quitting
The dealer can never choose the options of double, split or surrender. If the dealer loses, all remaining player hands win. If not, then each player that has a score higher than the dealer wins and lose of the score is lower.
What is doubling down?
The double down is a very strategic move in Blackjack. It includes doubling the amount of the initial bet in exchange for any one card. After doubling down, the player cannot split or surrender. This is done when the player assumes that he will either beat the dealer as his number will be higher than his or that the dealer will bust in his turn. It can be a risky strategy, but it ensures great pay-outs.
