An important aspect of blackjack strategy is to double down on your more favorable cards. Doubling down is explained further in another article. But, for now, here is a very simple explanation of doubling down. As you are learning how to play blackjack, you learn that the dealer has to hit on hands like 12, 13, 14, 15, or 16. If the dealer beats you with any combination, you lose. But, if the dealer shows 14, 15, or 16 against any dealer’s cards, you win with those hands. More importantly, if the dealer shows 9, 10, or Ace when you have a 12, you will win with a 12. This is called “Double-Down! Get it?”

So, the next time you are playing blackjack, you want to learn this blackjack strategy. Sit back and let me explain.

Any time the dealer has a hand that is worth more than a 10 and beats you with a higher ranked card, you are obliged to accept the double down. Sounds simple, right? But, you don’t understand. To double down, you MUST accept the double down. You can’t turn it down. It is a one shot deal. Once you double down, you are “up” one point. You may be confused. There are all sorts of situations when doubling down might be a good idea. But, in the end, doubling down is only good when you feel that the dealer has a very good hand.

Soft hands are hands that contain an Ace. But, an Ace with a King, or an Ace with a 10 are not suitable cards for doubling down. ToDouble down, you need an Ace, or an Ace and a 10.

Some situations may arise when doubling down that call for you to surrender. Generally, if you are not sure about the situation, you should surrender. It islamorous – but it is the correct play. As a practical matter, you probably will not be in a position where you can double down quickly if you are surrendering. So, you should use the opportunity to surrender when you are at edge.

Doubling down is really for the advanced or pro

Doubling down is really for the advanced or pro. But, if you are a novice, you can learn to double down by increments. Doubling down is a process of increasing your wager size. After you have done this, you may hit a hand with two to three cards. That would be a hard hand to call. Some players go all-in. That would be a very good hand to double down on.

Doubling down is good, but you should only double down on hard hands. If you can see the river card, see it. Doubling down with marginal hands is a sure recipe for disaster. So, see the hard way on doubling down when the odds are against you.

Read more on blackjack strategy by visiting my blog, listed in my bio.

awaiting the final community card dealt, which is dealt face up in the middle of the table. This is the time when the players are allowed to show their cards, after which the dealer shows the hole card or the card that was opened by the other player. The final community card is called the “river”. The game ends when the dealer has “blackjack”.