Regardless of whether blackjack is played online or in a land-based casino doubling down is a highly advantageous play to make. The key is knowing when to double down and why those times are the best to do so.
First the double down play is a blackjack play in which the player doubles his or her original bet and receives only one more card before standing. Because only one more card is received it is important to already have a good starting hand total.
Doubling down, per basic strategy, should be done when dealt the following hard hands against the specified dealer up cards:
- Hard 9 vs. dealer’s 3-6
- Hard 10 vs. dealer’s 2-9
- Hard 11 vs. dealer’s 2-10
The reason it is most advantageous to double down on these hands is because, statistically speaking, this hands have good potential of becoming strong hands with one card. And even if the blackjack player receives a low card and their hard hand becomes a stiff hand, the dealer still has a decent shot of busting—which is what is desired when faced with a stiff hand.
Doubling down allows a blackjack player to earn double their payout if they win. It is taking full advantage of being dealt a good starting hand total.
If you had bet $10 and been dealt one of the above hands, would you rather be paid $10 for winning or $20?
If a blackjack player is in the position to take full advantage of their hand and make the more on a payout, then he or she should. And that is the point of doubling down in blackjack.