Doubling down in blackjack is a risky but potentially profitable play that increases your chances of hitting a high hand while also increasing the amount you can win on each bet. However, it’s important to double down only when the opportunity presents itself, as doing so too often will lead to you losing more money than if you simply hit every time.
The best time to double down is when your cards total 11. This gives you a fantastic chance of hitting 21 and even if you don’t, you’re likely to get very close to that number with just one more card. It’s also a good idea to double down when the dealer shows a weak card, as this means they will need to draw another card and there is a strong chance of them going bust.
There are a few other hands that it’s wise to double down on, but it’s important to be careful and know that there are some situations where it’s not beneficial. For example, it’s not a great idea to double down with a hard 9 against the dealer’s 2 or 3, as this will give you too much of an advantage. Doubling down with a soft 17 is another smart move, as it can increase your odds of beating the dealer’s 18 or 19. You should also double down when you have an ace alongside a 6, 5 or 7 (as long as the dealer doesn’t have a 2, 3 or 4) as this will give you a great opportunity to improve your hand.
If you’re playing a game with different rulesets, it’s always worth checking to see which hands are favourable to double down in, as this will make your decisions for each hand much easier. In the vast majority of cases, you should only double down when the dealer has a weak card and you have a strong chance of winning with a small bet.
When it comes to the mechanics of doubling down, all you need to do is push a stack of chips that is equal to your initial bet next to your original wager. Don’t put the new stack on top of your original bet or this will be considered a tampering and you could be penalised. In addition, you must always point to the new stack with your finger when indicating your intention to double down. This will help the dealers understand what you’re doing and will be more likely to accept your request. You can also choose to signal your double down by pointing with your thumb and displaying a small finger gesture, as this will be more discreet. The dealer will then deal you a single additional card and your bet will be increased accordingly.