Double Deck Blackjack Basic Strategy
Double deck blackjack is one of the more popular variants of blackjack games. When playing this particular game, only two decks are used (shuffled together) and players can double down on hard 11, hard 10, and hard 9. To excel when playing this particular type of game, it’s imperative for players to master the specific double deck blackjack basic strategy.
Understanding What Double Deck Blackjack Basic Strategy is All About
The basic strategy for double deck blackjack entails making use of the basic strategy table. The table has all the steps that players need to take when they are dealt certain cards. The table also goes further to illustrate the actions that players need to take at certain junctures during the gaming session. The presence of the basic strategy table is quite great for all blackjack lovers including the newbies. This is necessitated by the fact that this table will simply inform players of the steps they need to take at each juncture during gameplay. The only skill to master is to read the table which isn’t something to do.
Well, while the blackjack strategy table has all the steps that players take, there are some key gameplay actions to always bear in mind at certain intervals which include the following.
Important Actions on the Basic Strategy Table
- All low-value cards are favorable to the dealer when the dealer holds a soft 17 (An Ace and 6 card). Card counting is therefore an important skill to use to determine the number of low-value cards that may still be on the deck.
- Ace cards are important and the player at all times should be able to decipher the Ace cards still on the deck. Note that this is important because the Ace can be used as an 11 or 1 depending on what’s advantageous to either the player or the dealer. Of course, the only way to decipher the Ace cards still on the deck is to count the cards.
- All 17-hand dealt to the dealer apart from the Ace and 6 is a hard 17. When the dealer receives a hard 17, they will stand. At the same time, any other hand above 17 means the dealer will stand.
- In double deck blackjack, to Hit or Split-D means to double after splitting. If it’s not possible to split, then the only action to take is to Hit.
- The basic strategy table allows players to Surrender. Players however should only take the option to Surrender if they ‘feel’ that there is no other way around to maneuver out of the situation. Apart from the Surrender option, players can also choose to Split/D and afterward, double after the Split.
- When the action on the table is Double or Stand, you first double if permitted to and then Stand. If the action is Double or Hit, the first action you take is double only when allowed to and then proceed to Hit.