HitwiseBeginner
When to double down in blackjack
Doubling down means betting more at the exact moment you're the favourite. It's one of the few plays that genuinely earn money at blackjack — if you know when.
The idea
When you double down, you double your bet and receive exactly one card, then your hand is over. You give up the right to keep hitting in exchange for a payout twice as large. It pays when one card is likely to give you a strong hand, and/or when the dealer is likely to bust.
Doubling hard hands
| Your hand | Double against | Otherwise |
|---|---|---|
| 11 | 2 to 10 | Hit against an Ace |
| 10 | 2 to 9 | Hit against 10 and Ace |
| 9 | 3 to 6 | Hit |
| 8 or less | Never | Hit |
Why 11 is the best hand to double: almost one card in three is worth 10 (10, Jack, Queen, King), giving you 21. And even a 7, 8 or 9 lands you on 18 to 20.
Doubling soft hands
A soft hand contains an Ace counted as 11. It can't bust by taking one card, which makes it a great doubling candidate against a weak dealer:
| Your hand | Double against | Otherwise |
|---|---|---|
| A-7 (soft 18) | 2 to 6 | Stand against 7 and 8, hit against 9, 10, Ace |
| A-6 (soft 17) | 3 to 6 | Hit |
| A-4, A-5 | 4 to 6 | Hit |
| A-2, A-3 | 5 and 6 | Hit |
What about pairs?
A pair of 5s plays like a hard 10: double against 2 to 9, never split it. For other pairs, see when to split in blackjack. After a split, doubling is still allowed at most tables (the "double after split" rule), and the chart accounts for it.
Common mistakes
- Never doubling soft hands. A-6 vs 5 or A-7 vs 4 are very profitable doubles most players miss.
- Doubling 10 against a 10. The dealer too often ends with a strong hand: just hit.
- Doubling 12 or more. With a hard 12 or higher, one card carries too much bust risk.
- Doubling with three cards. Not allowed: if the chart says Double on a three-card hand, hit (or stand on soft 18).
Frequently asked questions
Can you double after taking a card?
No. Doubling is only allowed on the first two cards of a hand (often including after a split).
Should you double 11 against an Ace?
With 8 decks and the dealer standing on 17, no: hit. Double 11 against every other upcard.
Why double A-7 against a 2 instead of standing?
With this chart, soft 18 against a 2 earns slightly more by doubling: one card can't bust you, and the win is doubled.