If you’re looking for a casino card game with simple rules and easy gameplay, online Blackjack is the perfect choice. A variant like Double Exposure Blackjack is ideal for those wanting to master the game or try a new twist on the classic. While the rules differ slightly from traditional blackjack, it remains one of the easiest card games to win at the online casino. This guide will cover how to play, outline the rules, and provide blackjack tips to improve your strategy. Don’t forget to check out the FAQ section and real player reviews for more insights.
Double Exposure Blackjack Guide: Learn the Ropes of the Game
The Double Exposure Blackjack game is a great fit for anyone looking to play casino card games, no matter their skill level. The gameplay is simple: get as close as you can to 21 without going over. Our Double Exposure Blackjack Guide will get you there.
Unlike traditional blackjack, where the dealer deals one face-up and one face-down card, here, the dealer deals both cards face-up. Even though this gives players the advantage of immediately knowing what their up against, there are a few variations to other rules that favor the casino.
Since both cards are face-up from the top of the round, players do not place insurance against a dealer’s blackjack. The dealer also does not check for blackjack since there is no need to do so.
At the beginning of each round, each player places their bets. Then, the dealer hands out cards to each player and two face-up cards for himself. Then, each player chooses whether to “hit” or “stand” based on the sum of their cards. When a player chooses to “hit”, the dealer gives them an additional card. To “stand” indicates that a player does not wish to receive another card.
If a player’s total sum surpasses the dealer’s or they hit a 21, they secure the round and earn a 1:1 payout on their bet. If their total is lower or equal to the dealer’s, they lose their bet to the casino. After the dealer completes each player’s payout, a new round begins.
Double Exposure Blackjack Guide | Rules
Double exposure blackjack is based on the traditional card game featured at most casinos. The rules are similar in many ways:
- Players must get as close to 21 without going over
- If the total exceeds 21, it constitutes a “bust”, and you forfeit the bet
- Players can choose to “hit”, “stand”, “split”, or “double down”
- The shoe contains six to eight decks
- The dealer always receives their hand last and is always the last to “hit” or “stand”
Even though some rules are the same as traditional blackjack, there are a few that are unique to Double Exposure Blackjack:
- When players split a pair of aces, they can only hit once on each ace
- Players who blackjack are paid 1:1
- Ties with the dealer lose their bet
- Dealer’s cards are both dealt face-up
- Double downs are only allowed on hard totals of 9, 10, or 11
- Splitting is allowed on cards that are not identical but have the same value, such as a queen and a king
- Surrender is not an option in Double Exposure Blackjack
- Players are paid 1:1 on tied blackjacks, conversely to standard blackjack, where tied blackjacks push
Understanding a Double Exposure Blackjack Hand
Before you can execute an effective double exposure blackjack strategy, you must understand your hand.
Numbered cards are valued according to the number on the card. J, K, and Q cards are worth 10. Ace is worth 10 or 1, depending on your hand.
Any time your hand contains an Ace, it is called a soft hand. Soft hands are beneficial because they offer more flexibility to a player than hard hands due to the Ace being fluid as a 10 or a 1.
Consider this: when dealt a 9 and an Ace in Double Exposure Blackjack, your soft total can reach 20 or 10, with the Ace counting as 11 or 1 respectively. If you decide to “hit” and receive an Ace again, you’ll be awarded a 1:1 payout. Conversely, should you hit and draw a 6, Ace’s value shifts to 1 to prevent a bust, resulting in a soft total of 16.
A hard hand is any hand that does not contain an Ace. Numbered cards and J, K, and Q cards do not have variable values, so what you see is what you get with them.
Double Exposure Blackjack Guide | Strategies
The rule variations make the game’s strategies slightly different than in traditional blackjack. Since the dealer’s hand is dealt face-up to players, the strategy is based on the sum of these two cards.
If you’ve ever played traditional blackjack, you know that no smart player would choose to “hit” on a hand of 18. However, since the dealer’s total is not kept a secret, players are forced to hit in scenarios that might cause a bust. For example, if you have 18 and the dealer has 19, you have to “hit” since an 18 loses.
Remember, if you tie with the dealer, it counts as an automatic loss. You must continue to “hit” until your card total is higher than the dealer’s.
Double exposure blackjack strategy consists of knowing when to hit, stand, double down, or split.
When to Hit
Understanding when to hit, or ask for another card, is essential to solid strategy in Double Exposure Blackjack. Since you know the dealer’s card total, you have an advantage that is not present in standard blackjack casino games.
Here is a complete list of scenarios in which you should always hit:
When the dealer holds a hard hand:
- The total is lower than the dealer’s
- The total is between four and eleven
- The Total is 7-11, and the dealer is 12 or 13
- The Total is 14, and the dealer is 7, 8, or 9
When the dealer holds a soft hand:
- The total is 4-11
- The total is 12 and the dealer is soft 14, 15, or 16
- The total is 13-16, and the dealer is soft 16 or lower
When you have a soft hand, and the dealer has a hard hand:
- Total is 13-17
- The total is 18 and the dealer is not 12-16
When to Stand
Knowing the difference between when to hit or stand is vital to any successful Double Exposure Blackjack strategy. Here are a few situations in which you should opt to stand:
When the dealer holds a hard hand:
- The total is higher than the dealer’s
- The total is 12 or 13 and the dealer is not 7-11
- The total is 14 and the dealer is not 7-10
- The total is 15, and the dealer is not 7, 8, or 9
- The total is 16 and the dealer is not 7
When the dealer holds a soft hand:
- The total is 12, and the dealer is 14, 15, or 16
When you have a soft hand, and the dealer has a hard hand:
- 19 or higher, unless the dealer’s hand is greater
When to Double Down
Doubling down in double exposure blackjack is a great way to increase your winnings. When you double down, you place an additional bet equivalent to your original one when you strongly believe that your hand will beat the dealer.
It’s important to choose when to double down wisely since a loss leads to a higher bet forfeiture.
Choose to double down when:
- Total is 10 versus dealer’s soft 14-16
- Total is 11 versus dealer’s 13-16
- Total is 12 versus dealer’s 14-16
When to Split
Knowing when the appropriate time is to split your hand can improve your chances of winning against the dealer. When executed successfully, split hands rake in extra cash and make the game more fun.
You should choose to split into the following scenarios:
When the dealer holds a hard hand:
- Pairs of ’s or 3’s versus dealer’s 6 or 12-17
- Pairs of 4’ versus dealer’s 12-16
- Pairs of 5’s
- Pairs of 6’s versus dealer’s 4-6 or 12-17
- Pairs of 8’s versus dealer’s 8 or 12-17
- Pairs of 9’s versus dealer’s 4, 6-9, or 12-17
- Pairs of 10’s versus dealer’s 13-16
- Aces, except versus dealer’s 11 or 17+
When the dealer holds a soft hand:
- Pairs of 8’s versus dealer’s 16 or 17
- Pairs of 9’s versus dealer’s 15 or 16
- Pairs of Aces
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Double Exposure Blackjack Guide FAQs
What is the biggest difference between standard blackjack and double exposure blackjack?
The main difference between standard blackjack and double exposure blackjack is that the dealer’s cards are both revealed face-up from the beginning of the round, as opposed to standard blackjack, where one card is dealt face-up and one face-down.
Is a soft hand or a hard hand better?
A soft hand is generally considered to be better since it puts players in a more favorable spot. Since an Ace is valued at either 10 or 1, players have more control over avoiding a bust.
What is the payout structure in double exposure blackjack?
All player wins pay 1:1 in double exposure blackjack.
Is double exposure blackjack difficult?
Double exposure blackjack is one of the easiest casino card games out there, so anyone can learn how to play.
Why is it called double exposure blackjack?
Double exposure blackjack gets its name from the dealer’s cards since both are placed face-up at the beginning of each round, unlike in standard blackjack, where one is dealt face-up and one face-down.