Double Deck Blackjack Guide

Double Deck Blackjack Guide

If you’re looking for a casino card game that you can learn quickly, blackjack fits the bill. Blackjack is one of the easiest games to learn, and it is well-known by online casino fanatics for its perfect mix of strategy and luck. The house edge is low, often below 1%, so even though you play against the dealer, your chances of winning are still high, especially when compared to other card games like poker, which has a higher house edge. This means that your chances of winning in Blackjack are among the highest when it comes to casino games. In this Double Deck Blackjack Guide, you will learn how to play,  rules, and winning strategies that you can start applying today to win a few hands and hopefully come out a few dollars richer.

Double Deck Blackjack Guide: Learning How to Play Blackjack

The objective of the Double Deck Blackjack game is to get the highest score closest to 21 without going over. Double Deck Blackjack is unique because it only uses two 52-card decks shuffled together to play with.

At the beginning of each round of Double Deck Blackjack, two 52-card decks are shuffled together. Then, the dealer hands out two cards to each player, face-up on the table. Then, they give themselves two cards, one face up and one face down. If the dealer’s top card is an Ace or a 10, the face-down card is flipped to check for blackjack – 21. If the dealer does not have blackjack, the game continues.

Players now have the opportunity to choose what happens next. There are four possible moves in the first round:

Hit

If a player chooses to “hit”, it indicates that they wish to receive another card. This aims to increase their total card value to get close to or hit 21.

Stand

When players opt to “stand”, they refuse to be dealt another card. This is common if there’s a possibility of going over 21, or if a strong hand is already present, such as a 19 or a 21.

Split

A split is possible when a player is dealt two cards with the same value, only on 9, 10, or 11. This allows them to double their bet and in return, they can choose to hit or stand on each card to try to get a high number or 21.

Double Down

Players can double down, or double their bets, before choosing to hit or stand. When a player chooses to double down, they can only receive one more card.

Choosing the right option is essential to winning a hand of Blackjack. If you get overconfident in choosing to hit, you risk going over 21, which results in a “bust” and immediately forfeits your bet and takes you out of the game. On the other hand, if you are too conservative, you risk your cards not having enough value to beat the dealer.

It’s important to be strategic when you play Double Deck Blackjack so that you have the best chance of beating the dealer. Let’s get into more detail about the best online strategies in this Double Deck Blackjack Guide.

Game Rules

Understanding the basics of how the game works plays a big role in mastering the game of Double Deck Blackjack, but there are a few more important rules that you should be aware of:

  • Face cards (K, Q, J) are worth 10
  • Aces are worth either 1 or 11
  • When a hand goes over 21, it constitutes a bust, and the player’s bet is forfeited
  • If a player is dealt 21 in the first two cards, it is called a blackjack
  • Dealer must hit on his hand until his cards reach 17 or higher
  • Players can only double down or split on their first move
  • When splitting Aces, you can only receive one card per ace
  • Blackjack payout is 3:2
  • Players cannot double down after a split

 

You can learn more about the game, and other Blackjack variants, if you follow our online casino guides section. It’s full of tips and secrets for making your game better.

Double Deck Blackjack Winning Strategies

Knowing which strategies are out there and when to play them could have a significant impact on how much money you win at the blackjack table. Perhaps one of the best tips you should remember when choosing the right strategy is to avoid rushing your decision. Resolving to make Blackjack moves based on split-second analysis is likely to be detrimental to your chances of winning and could wreak havoc on your pocketbook.

If you want your Double Deck Blackjack strategy to be successful, you must understand two types of hands in the game: soft hands and hard hands. Luckily, the difference is simple. A hand is considered “soft” when it includes an ace and “hard” when it doesn’t. This is important to know because since an ace can be counted as 11 or 1, a soft hand is more flexible than a hard one, and a different strategy should be implemented.

Soft Hands Strategy

When you are dealt a soft hand, you have more freedom to take risks since if you could bust, the value of your Ace changes to 1 instead of 11. Because of this, you should always hit when you are dealt a soft hand; no matter what happens, you will not bust, so the only result is a higher hand that is more likely to beat the dealer. The only exception to this rule occurs in the event of a soft 19 or 20 since these are close enough to 21 that you still have a good chance of beating the dealer. You should always count Aces as 11 unless the resulting number is a bust.

Here are a few more scenarios to consider when dealing with a soft hand:

Hit if:

  • The dealer’s face-up card is 9, 10, or ace
  • A soft total is 17 or less

Stand if:

  • The dealer’s face-up card is -8 and the soft hand is at least 18

Double down if:

  • The dealer’s face-up card is 6 and the soft hand is at least 19
  • The dealer’s face-up card is 5 or 6 and the soft hand is 13-18
  • The dealer’s face-up card is 4 and the soft hand is 15-18

Split if:

  • A soft hand consists of two Aces

Hard Hand Strategies

Blackjack strategy gets a little more complicated when you’re dealing with hard hands. Since hitting runs the risk of a bust in the first draw, you must be more calculated in your approach when compared to hitting soft hands. Even though the strategy of playing Blackjack with a hard hand is more complicated than soft-hand strategies, they are still easy to learn.

Here are some strategy tips you should know when dealing with hard hands in the Double Deck Blackjack Game:

Hit if:

  • The hard total is 5-8
  • The dealer’s face-up card is -7 or an Ace
  • The dealer’s face-up card is 10 and the hard total is 10
  • The dealer’s face-up card is an Ace and the hard total is 11
  • The dealer’s face-up card is an Ace, 3, or 7, and the hard total is 12
  • The dealer’s face-up card is 6-10, and the hard total is 13-16

Stand if:

  • The dealer’s face-up card is 4-6 and the hard total is 12
  • The dealer’s face-up card is -6 and the hard total is 13-16
  • The hard total is 17-21

Double down if:

  • The hard total is 11
  • The dealer’s face-up card is and the hard total is 9 or higher
  • The dealer’s face-up card is Ace and the hard total is 11

Split with:

  • A pair of 7s
  • A pair of Aces
  • A pair of 8s

Tips for Success: Double Deck Blackjack

Double Deck Blackjack is easy to learn and is a great way to relax and unwind while hopefully making a few extra dollars. Now that you know the basics of the game and the strategies that you can use to win, you are well on your way to mastering the art of blackjack.

Here are some helpful tips to elevate your Double Deck Blackjack experience even more:

  • Be patient: It can be difficult to keep a calm demeanor, especially if you’re on a losing streak. Remember that when you lose, it doesn’t mean that you’re doing anything wrong. Since blackjack is equal parts luck and skill, you’re bound to bounce back if you can be patient for long enough.
  • Practice, practice, practice: You’re not going to become an expert blackjack player overnight. Learning the best strategies for you takes time and practice. If you stay dedicated to learning, you will reach your goals.
  • Take it one hand at a time: Dwelling on losing hands or constantly remaining on edge waiting for your next blackjack is likely to negatively impact you. Focus on the present and trust that good things are coming.
  • Ask questions: Don’t be afraid to ask questions – that’s the best way to learn. If you’re curious about something, ask a family member or friend for advice. Learning something new is always beneficial to your blackjack game.

Conclusion

Find the best Double Deck Blackjack tables by reading multiple online casino reviews that give you more insight into the game and the betting options and payouts. We will always suggest you play at the best online casino of all, Vegas Aces Casino.

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Double Deck Blackjack Guide FAQs

What is the difference between a soft hand and a hard hand in double deck blackjack?

A soft hand in blackjack contains an Ace, and a hard hand does not.

Why is it never a good idea to split 10’s?

Since 10’s have a chance of blackjack when combined with an Ace, it can be difficult to understand why it’s not a good idea to split them. In reality, a hard 20 gives you a higher chance of beating the dealer, while splitting the 10’s could result in a lower hard hand or even a bust.

Is blackjack rigged in the casino’s favor?

Card games do have a certain percentage of advantage in favor of casinos, and blackjack is no exception. However, the game is not rigged in favor of the house - especially when multiple decks are used, games are fair.

What does a bust mean in blackjack?

When a player busts in blackjack, it means that the sum of their cards adds up to be more than 21. When this happens, they lose their bet and must wait until the next round to play again.

Can you really win money playing double deck blackjack online?

Online casinos are becoming increasingly popular across the world. This is due to the instant entertainment that they offer and the promise of real money. The answer is yes, you can win real money playing double deck blackjack online.