Double deck blackjack doesn't have the sexiness or allure of single deck blackjack, which many players look for as the ultimate in blackjack games. Having only two decks helps the player, but not as much as having just one deck; you can make adjustments based on the cards you see in your hand when playing double deck blackjack, but not as much as you can in the single deck game.
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But despite this, double deck blackjack is often a much better game for the player than single deck blackjack! This is because many casinos are careful to only offer single deck blackjack games with rules that are designed to hurt the player. The most common of these is the 6-5 blackjack rule, in which blackjacks pay 6-5 odds instead of the standard 3-2 payout. While a single deck game does give some advantages to the player, the 6-5 blackjack rule counteracts this advantage and actually makes the game worse than your typical blackjack game with six or eight decks.
The most common multi-deck blackjack I've seen is six-deck, but the same strategies apply for 4-8 decks. You'll see that the charts are extremely similar to those for single deck. Again, the first set is for tables where the dealer is required to stand on a soft 17 and the second set is for tables where the dealer is expected to hit on a.
These rule changes are less common in double deck blackjack, which means that a double deck game can often be the best blackjack option in a given casino. Sure, some live casinos have been known to try to tilt the odds slightly by adding rules that only allow the player to double down on 10 or 11, and allowing the dealer to hit on soft 17s. However, even with these rules, the games are at worst similar to standard blackjack games, and there are tons of double deck blackjack games that don't take anything away from the player – especially online.
Sometimes, double deck blackjack will even give you advantages that you can't find in a single deck game. As with single deck blackjack, double deck blackjack (in live casinos) is usually dealt face down to the players to help avoid giving away too much information during a hand. However, because there are two decks involved, the casino will often deal a few hands before reshuffling, meaning that you can actually get some meaningful information about the cards that have been removed from the shoe. Even for non-card counters, this information can come in handy, and for counters, double deck blackjack can be a real boon, especially if the casino normally deals through half or more of the shoe before reshuffling.
- Double deck blackjack follows standard blackjack rules for the most part. Players and dealer are still required to reach a hand total as close to 21 are possible without exceeding 21. Only two major differences occur with double deck blackjack, which includes double down only on hand total of 10 or 11 and the dealer stands on a soft 17.
- The reason casino blackjack tables have a maximum bet is exactly to counter the Martingale strategy. For example, a $10 minimum Table typically has a $500 maximum. Playing the Martingale strategy, if you lose only 6 hands in succession, then you would need to bet above the maximum on the 7th hand in order to keep the cycle going until you win.
- You can get the edge at blackjack in single- and double-deck games by: Playing in games that have good rules, including a 3-2 payoff for a blackjack. Using the basic playing strategy for playing ever hand dealt to you. Varying your bets based on the running count.
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Double Deck Blackjack Strategy
Double deck blackjack is mostly played similarly to a standard blackjack game (Try out a free blackjack game). Because of the smaller pool of cards, taking one card out of the deck can greatly impact the odds of receiving another card of that rank, which does change some of the close decisions; however, most of the basic strategy rules you know for standard blackjack games still apply. Where there are changes, they can vary based on the exact rules being used in your favorite local or online casino.
In the end, just how big is the impact of double deck blackjack on your chances? Compared to playing eight deck blackjack, double deck blackjack reduces the house edge by about 0.19%. This is a significant change, though not as dramatic as the 0.48% reduction seen in single deck blackjack games.
Let's be honest. You'll probably never make it as a card counter.
If you're serious about winning more when you play blackjack, then I encourage you to utilize the following Best Blackjack Strategies I'm about to share with you.
Note: The following strategies can be used in all games unless stated otherwise. The strategies discussed below also assume you are a recreational player, and not a card counter.
Still, blackjack offers relatively good odds for players who understand a few simple rules.
I tapped into my inner circle to find out how rookies can win at the table.
Training Wheels
The cards, the cash, the cocktails. As a game, blackjack just looks cool. In casino movies from 'Rain Man' to '21' to 'Vegas Vacation,' Blackjack plays a major role and is one of those iconic casino games everyone wants to give a shot.
If you're new to the game or a casino veteran in need of a refresher, here's what every blackjack player needs to know about basic strategy. Hopefully your luck is a bit better than Clark Griswold's.
To start a game, each player is dealt 2 cards, usually face up, from a shoe usually with four, six, or eight decks. You can find single- and double-deck blackjack at higher stakes. The dealer also is dealt 2 cards with only one of those face-up. The dealer has a major advantage in getting to act last.
A player dealt an ace and a 10 or face card hits a 'natural' 21, also known as blackjack. The player is paid immediately in most circumstances at 3-to-2 (bet $200 and win $300), although more casinos have gone to the inferior 6-to-5 payout (bet $500 to win $600).
If the dealer is also dealt a blackjack, however, the hand is a push. No win, no loss.
Blackjack strategy is pretty simple: If your hand is closer to 21 than the dealer's, then you win. Also, if the dealer happens to bust (go over 21), you win. It sounds easy, but there are more caveats and things to remember.
Hit Me
The worst hands you will get at blackjack are hard 12 through 17. The reason is that no matter what the dealer's upcard happens to be, you stand to lose more hands than you will win in the long run.
One exception: in a soft 17 game with two or more decks, a 17 vs. a 6 is a slight winner. In other words, virtually all these hands are overall losers for blackjack players.
Surprised?
Here's one more grave statistic. You are going to be dealt one of these losers about 4 out of every 10 hands.
So what's a blackjack player to do when 40% of the time you are going to get a 12 through 17 whether you like it or not?
Since you can't change the cards that you are dealt, the best you can do is follow the basic playing strategy for hard and soft hands. You'll still take your lumps but you'll lose less money in the long run when you follow the basic strategy than if you depend upon divine intervention, or worse, play by the seat of your pants.
Maybe you've seen someone playing blackjack in a movie say 'hit me.' That means you're taking another card in the quest to get the elusive 21. A tap of the finger or hand also works, and the dealer will deal you another card.
When to Stand
You 'stand' when you don't want any more cards. Usually this happens when you hit a 17 or higher and sometimes even lower depending on the dealer's card.
A simple waving of the hand as if saying 'no' will do the trick. The dealer will then go on to the next player.
Soft 17
If you have a 'soft 17,' that means you have an ace and 6. Because an ace counts as 1 or 11, this hand can be either 7 or 17 and a player isn't hurt by taking a hit as a 10 won't bust this hand.
Dealers must draw until reaching 17 or higher, but usually must hit a soft 17. Staying on all 17s works in the player's favor. Different casinos have different rules dictating the dealer's move on soft 17.
Don't Take Insurance
A bet players can make when the dealer's upcard is an ace. The player can usually bet half of his bet and 'insure' some of his bet against a Blackjack. This is a sucker bet and a loser in the long run.
Splitting Hands
The casino rules for pair splitting are pretty straightforward. When you are dealt two cards of the same value, you may split them into two separate hands.
For example, if you bet $5 and receive a pair of 2s, you have a single hand totaling 4. You could play the hand as a 4 and draw additional cards or you could split the 2s into two hands.
You activate the pair splitting option by placing another equal bet next to the original bet on the layout. If your original bet was $5, then you would place another red chip on the layout. Do not place your chips on top of the original wager. Simply place it next to your original bet.
By doing this, you are signaling the dealer that you want to split your 2s, and play two hands. One hand has a $5 bet and contains a 2, ditto for the second hand. You must play out your first hand (to your right) before you are permitted to play out the second hand.
Got two 10s?
Never split, that 20 already has a high likelihood of being a winner.
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Two fives?
Another hand that's a keeper. That 10 has a nice likelihood to get another high card, hopefully, an ace and the win.
Double down
When a casino allows you the option to double down, it means you can double the amount of your initial bet in return for receiving one, and only one, drawcard.
The best player-friendly doubling rules are when you can double down on any two cards.
The two variables that determine whether or not you should double down are the total of the cards in your hand and the dealer's upcard. As a general rule, the hands you are most likely to double are hard 8, 9, 10, and 11, and the soft 13 (A-2) through 18 (A-7) hands.
Players are allowed to (and should) double their bets on certain hands for an extra score.
The catch to doubling down is the player will only receive one card, so if you pull a 3, and have 13, you're done. Consider carefully before making this move.
It's important to know the best strategy when it comes to splitting and doubling down
Best Double Deck Blackjack Strategy Chart
Play basic strategy
Memorizing the right way to hit, stand, split and double down your hand is a must if you want to win long term. You can cut the house edge from 1 to 2 percent to 0.5 percent by following a few simple rules.
A good base looks like this:
- Stand when your hand is 12-16 when the dealer has 2-6.
- Hit when your hand is 12-16 when the dealer has 7-Ace
- Always split Aces and 8s
- Double 11 versus the dealer's 2-10
- Hit or double Aces-6
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Pro tip: Purchase a basic strategy card in the gift shop so you don't have to memorize all this.
To win at blackjack, you need to get closer to 21 than the dealer, without going over. That sounds simple, but a key to blackjack for beginners is understanding the odds and basic strategy of when to draw another card (hit) and when to stop (stay).
This blog will cover what every blackjack player needs to know about basic strategy. So, you'll get the basic rules, strategy, and lingo so you can feel comfortable playing real money blackjack online or in a brick-and-mortar casino.
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Conclusion
Blackjack is one of the best games in the casino for a player, but it's important to learn basic strategy if you want to take it seriously and have the best odds of winning. With numerous cards valued at a 10 or 11 (10, jack, queen, king, ace), there are a variety of things to consider when it comes to hitting, standing, doubling down, or splitting.
There are numerous resources to check out and learn the best strategy when playing blackjack, and it's highly recommended. Applying the strategy perfectly can reduce that house edge down to as low as .05 percent.
There's also one more thing to remember: Unlike the movies, players are not allowed to touch the cards. Simple hand movements are the norm in most games. Gamble on.
