The objective of the double-deck blackjack game is to get a higher score than the dealer by scoring closer to 21, without achieving a total of more than 21. When you draw cards totaling more than 21, the hand breaks and you lose. You will be paid 2 to 1 if the dealer has a blackjack hand.
If you and the dealer’s score is a tie, the outcome is a push, and your bet is returned. All the cards in the deck have a face value except the following:
- The Ace card is worth 1 to 11 points depending on your hand.
- King, Queen, Jack, and Ten are all worth 10 points.
Tips for Winning at Double-Deck Blackjack
To win at double-deck blackjack, there are a few things you need to remember.
(1) Learn and apply the basic blackjack strategy
You need to assume that the card you cannot see is a 10 and statistically the odds are high. As said above cards 2 to 9 are counted as face value, but 10s, Jacks, Queens, and Kings are worth 10 points each. Aces are worth either 1 or 11 points.
To play perfectly and win at double-deck blackjack, you should use basic strategy charts. There are two charts depending on whether the dealer hits or stands on soft 17 (S 17).
Double-deck, dealer stands on an Soft 17
When a dealer has an S 17, it means they have an Ace and a 6-card making 17. That means the dealer must stand. In double deck blackjack any hand 17 or above, the dealer must stand.
- H – Hit
- S – Stand
- Dh – Double if allowed, otherwise hit
- Ds – Double if allowed, otherwise stand
- P – Split
- Ph – Split if double after split is allowed, otherwise hit
- Rh – Surrender if allowed, otherwise hit
- Rs – Surrender if allowed, otherwise stand
Double-deck, dealer hits on an Soft 17
If the dealer has an Ace and 6-card, then this is a soft 17. The dealer will hit only when the hand is soft 17, while any other hand worth 17, the dealer will stand.
A card between 2 and 4 is in favor of the dealer as the score is quite high. For instance, if the dealer holds A-6 cards and draws a 2, 3 or 4, then the Ace counts as an 11 giving scores of (A-6-2) = 19, (A-6-3) = 20 or (A-6-4) = 21
However, If the dealer draws another Ace card, then this would be (A-5-A) = 17 because the final Ace drawn would count as 1
Any other 17 hands dealt by the dealer will be a hard 17 and the dealer will stand. For example, 10-7, J-7, Q-7, K-7
Any other hand dealt by the dealer valued at 17 or above, means the dealer will stand.
All the variables are the same as above except the Rp, which means surrender if allowed and double after split not allowed, otherwise split.
(2) Never split a pair of 10s and 5s
Play two fives like a 10 as you have a good chance of getting a 10, which results in a 20 when you are a hit.
(3) Don’t take insurance bets
Betting on insurance can put your money at risk. It means you are wagering half of your total bet in case the dealer forms a blackjack with their two cards.
However, getting a blackjack multiple times is rare during the game, thus placing insurance bets is unnecessary, and it becomes an added expense on your part.
(4) Sign up for reward programs and VIP schemes
Casinos offer reward points to players for how long they play and how much money they bet. So, if you do not sign up for a reward, you are leaving money on the table.
Can You Count Double-Deck Blackjack?
Yes, you can count double-deck blackjack. However, to master the skill you need to practice it a lot.
Here we will walk you through how to count double-deck blackjack in a few easy steps.
Step 1 – Every card has a value
High-low is the most common card counting system where:
- 10, Jack, Queen, King, and Ace are high cards that count as -1 each
- 2 to 6 are low cards that count as +1 each
- 7 to 9 cards count as 0
Step 2 – Establish the running count
When a card is dealt, keep a running count by adding or subtracting every card that you see in each shoe, until the dealer shuffles the cards again.
Step 3 – Calculate the true count
The true count is calculated by dividing the running count with decks remaining.
If you have a running count of 5 with 1 deck remaining, you know that in the remaining 52 cards, there are five extra 10’s and Aces. It puts an edge in the hands of the player.
For example, if your running count is 10 and has 5 decks remaining, the true count is 2 (10 ÷ 5).
Step 4 – Change the bet when the true count rises and falls
Keeping a running count and a true count is crucial to know when the house edge flips in your favor. To benefit from the information you get from counting, raise your bets as the true count rises. You can bet big when the cards are in your favor and small when the count is negative or neutral.
Is Double Deck Blackjack Beatable?
Yes, a double-deck blackjack game is beatable. However, various factors come into play. The key is penetration. The double-deck blackjack uses 104 cards, so a few extra cards of penetration can make a big difference in beating the game.
In double deck blackjack, 65% penetration is acceptable, 75% is fantastic, and 80% or more is phenomenal.
Let us look at an example; if in the double deck blackjack game, the dealer hits A-6, you may double on any first two cards, double after split, etc. You use a 1-8 betting spread, and the casino deals only 50% of the cards, your long-term edge will be about 0.64%. If you have a penetration of 60%, your advantage goes up to 0.95%, and it is 1.47% at 75% penetration.
Is It Better to Play Single Deck Blackjack?
One of the distinct advantages of playing single-deck blackjack is that you get the lowest house edge. The house edge is 0.15% that puts you on a nearly level playing field with the casino and improves your chances of winning. However, to take advantage of the low house edge, make sure to understand the basic blackjack strategy.
Another advantage of single deck blackjack is for card counters. Usually, card counters now deal with six and eight-deck shoes, which means they need to wait longer for favorable counts. On the other hand, with single deck blackjack, when you count cards, you do not have to wait long to get a favorable count. This allows you to bet big sooner.
So, yes, it is better to play single-deck blackjack owing to the advantages above.
What Is DD In Blackjack?
DD in blackjack means double down. It is the game’s simplest move and an essential part of the strategy.
When done in the right way, doubling down increases your chances of beating the dealer’s hand and up your winnings.