If you’re wondering how to win in double deck blackjack, you’ve come to the right place. The double deck blackjack strategy we’re going to outline isn’t that much different from the one you would ordinarily use in this classic casino table game. The same optimal plays will still work for you here to bring the house edge down to somewhere near 0.3%. That’s an incredibly slim margin that will really help you earn a profit in many sessions, when your luck runs high.
Before we cover basic strategy blackjack double deck guidelines, let’s cover some of the rules of the game to ensure that all players know what they’re getting into.
Rules of the game – are they different for double deck blackjack?
Double deck blackjack rules are the same as standard blackjack rules, for most variations of the game. Many Bitcoin casinos online offer a few different versions of the game from different developers like BGaming, Mascot, BSG, and Platipus. For that reason, it is important for players to click on each game’s information page and read up on the game rules before making a wager. It’s also advisable to play in demo or free mode to get a feel for a game before putting money at risk.
Basic goal
The goal of blackjack is to get as large a total in your hand as you can without going over 21 (“busting” or “going bust”). Getting 21 exactly is known as a “blackjack.” Players are competing with the dealer, who is subject to a strict set of rules that automatically determine the dealer’s actions. That is, dealers don’t make choices at a blackjack table. Players generally need to get a higher total than the dealer to win.
What are cards worth?
- Number cards (2-10) are worth their face value.
- Face cards (Jack, Queen, King) are worth 10 points.
- Aces can be worth 1 or 11 points, depending on which value benefits the hand more.
Dealing out cards
Each player is dealt two cards, and the dealer also gets two cards. One of the dealer’s cards is face-up (the “upcard”), and the other is face-down (the “hole card”). If both the player and dealer get blackjacks, it’s a “push” and the player’s bet is returned.
The player’s turn – hitting, standing, and more
Players have a number of options when it is their turn to play.
- Hit. The player requests another card. A player can hit as many times as they want, but often stops or “stands” at 18 or above.
- Stand. The player keeps their current hand and ends their turn.
- Double Down. The player doubles their initial bet and receives exactly one more card. This option is usually only available on the initial two cards.
- Split. If the player’s initial two cards are of equal value, they can split them into two separate hands, each with its own bet. Each hand is then played out independently.
- Surrender. Some casinos allow the player to surrender half of their bet and forfeit their hand after the initial deal. Players will do this with difficult hands that present a low chance of winning (e.g. when the player has a 15 or 16 and the dealer has a high card).
The dealer’s turn
To start their turn, the dealer will reveal their face-down card. Then, for most variations of double deck blackjack, the dealer will take hits until their hand totals 17 or higher. In most crypto casino games, however, the dealer must hit on a “soft 17” (a hand containing an ace). This favors the player.
Who wins?
When the player and dealer have completed their actions, the player and dealer’s hands are compared. The hand closest to 21 without going over wins. If the player’s hand is closer to 21 than the dealer’s, the player usually wins even money (1:1) on their bet. If the dealer’s hand is closer, the player loses their bet. If the player and dealer have hands of equal value, the bet is a push, and the player’s bet is returned.
Other rules
Sometimes, if the dealer’s upcard is an ace, players can take “insurance.” This is a side bet equal to up to half the player’s original bet. If the dealer has blackjack, the insurance bet pays 2:1. Most double blackjack double deck strategy gurus recommend avoiding the insurance bet. It doesn’t have a positive expected value in the long run.
These are the basic rules of blackjack. Please keep in mind that each online blackjack game you play may have different rules and payouts, so take a look at the specifics before you wager large amounts of money on a given game.
Basic strategy to win when playing with two decks
For blackjack basic strategy, double deck games don’t require much of an adjustment. You’re still going to follow the same optimal actions that you generally would in a six-deck game. That said, here’s our double deck blackjack “strategy card.” Follow these tips and you’ll be 90% of the way to perfect play:
Hit
Always hit when you have a hand totaling 8 or less. For soft hands, hit when you have 17 or less. Hit on hard 12-16 if the dealer shows a 7 or higher.
Stand
Stand when you have a hand totaling 17 or more, regardless of the dealer’s upcard. Stand on hard 12-16 if the dealer shows a 2-6 (because the dealer’s bust potential is higher, and because you need to escape the risk of a bust on your next card).
Double down
Double Down on 11 when the dealer shows a card between 2 and 10.
Double down on 10 when the dealer shows a card between 2 and 9.
Double down on a soft 13-18 when the dealer shows a 5 or 6.
Split
Split aces and 8s. Never split 5s and 10s.
Does counting cards work in double deck blackjack?
Double deck blackjack counting strategy is absolutely helpful for maximizing your chance to win. In fact, this is one of the biggest factors that make this variation of the game so desirable. The fewer cards in the deck, the easier it is to keep a count and use it to make better decisions.
The basic idea behind blackjack card counting is to keep track of the ratio of high cards to low cards left in the deck. When there are more high cards, your chance of hitting a blackjack increases, which makes it more favorable to increase your bet size. On the flip side, when there are more low cards, the game is tilting in favor of the house, and you should slow down your bets.
Here are the steps to use a double deck blackjack card counting system called “hi-lo:”
In your running count, you must first know the point values for each card:
- Cards 2-6: +1
- Cards 7-9: 0
- Cards 10-Ace: -1
Start the count at zero. Then, for each card dealt (to any player or the dealer), adjust the running count by adding or subtracting the card’s assigned point value.
For example, if the first three cards dealt are 5, king, and 3, the running count would be +1 (for the 5), -1 (for the king), and +1 (for the 3), resulting in a running count of +1.
Double deck adjustment
Since you’re dealing with two decks, you need to convert the running count to a “true count” to account for the number of decks remaining. Estimate the number of decks left in the shoe (e.g., if half the cards are dealt, 1 deck remains). Divide the running count by the number of decks remaining to get the true count.
For example, if the running count is +4 and 1 deck remains, the true count is +4 / 1 = +4.
Bet more when the true count is +2 or higher. This will increase your odds of a profitable session.
FAQ
Is double deck blackjack better?
Double deck blackjack offers the potential for more effective card counting than multi-deck blackjack variations. Many crypto casino players prefer this version for that reason. But there are tons of blackjack games out there, including live dealer blackjack, that might be even more fun even if the house edge is a touch higher.
What is the “3 to 2 rule” in blackjack?
The 3 to 2 rule refers to the payout ratio for a natural blackjack. For most variations, if a player gets a blackjack, they are paid 1.5 times their bet, meaning a $10 bet would win $15. In other variations that are not as player-favorable, the payout is 6:5.
What other deck counts are available?
Single-deck blackjack is offered at some online casinos, as is standard six-deck blackjack.
Are there more blackjack variations?
At mBitCasino, we offer a number of other blackjack games, including 21 Burn Blackjack, European Blackjack, and Super 7 Blackjack (which offers a side bet that pays out up to 5,000x when 7s are dealt in specified ways).