Blackjack Double Deck Basic Strategy

• Luckily all 2 deck Blackjack tables come with several basic strategy charts to prepare you for the varying rules applied to double deck games. Below we will walk you through the easy to learn steps you need to take to choose the correct basic strategy chart so you can quickly learn how to play 2 deck Blackjack tables whether you find them at a.
• While double-deck Blackjack gives the player an opportunity to play deck composition strategy, it does not grant the same opportunities that a game such as single-deck often will.
• The goal of Double Deck Blackjack is the same as any blackjack game: Get a higher score than the dealer without exceeding 21. How to Play Blackjack At the start of every round, you and the dealer are dealt two cards each. Both of your cards are dealt face down, whereas only one of the dealer’s cards is dealt face down; the other is visible.
• Before you start card counting, you should learn 'blackjack basic strategy', which is the mathematically correct way to play every move in blackjack to get the best odds. This can lower the house edge to less than 1 percent. When that percentage goes to a negative number such as -1%, then it is you who has the edge over the casino.

The following strategy charts are designed for multiple deck blackjack. Before you begin using these charts, make sure that you are playing in a multi deck blackjack game. These charts slightly vary for optimum performance on a game to game basis. Action: H = Hit S = Stand D = Double P = Split.

Basic strategy for double deck blackjack is slightly different to the single deck version. Again mathematics plays its part in changing the way the game is played. Below you will see the value of the dealers hand noted across the top and the player’s hand going horizontally on the left. With each different version we have also recapped some of the rules just in case you haven’t been over other sections on our website covering the rules that dictate when the dealer must hit or stand.

Basic Strategy: 2 Decks and Dealer Must Stand on a Soft 17

When the dealer has a soft 17, it basically means he/she has an Ace and a 6 card making 17. That basically means the dealer has to stand. In fact, in this style of Blackjack any hand 17 or above the dealer must stand.

• Split-D or Hit means to double after splitting if allowed or if you cannot split, then hit
• Double or stand means to double if you are permitted to do so, otherwise just stand
• Double or hit means double if you are allowed, otherwise hit

Basic Strategy: 2 Decks and Dealer Must Stand on a Soft 17

If the dealer has an A-6 card, then this is a soft 17. On some tables the dealer is forced to hit only when the hand is soft 17; while, any other hand worth 17, the dealer will stand.

• A card between 2 and 4 will be favourable to the dealer as the score will be quite high
• For example, if the dealer is holding an A-6 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
• If the dealer draws another Ace card, then this would be (A-5-A) = 18 because the final Ace drawn would count as 1
• Any other 17 hand dealt to 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 to the dealer that is valued at 17 or above will be will mean the dealer will stand

• Split-D or Hit means to double after splitting if allowed or if you cannot split, then hit
• Surrender or Split/D means to surrender if the table rules allow you to surrender, and if not, then you should split and then double after the split if the double is allowed
• Double or stand means to double if you are permitted to do so, otherwise just stand
• Double or hit means double if you are allowed, otherwise hit

Other rules to take note of when playing basic strategy

As you can see above, with the 2 different types of tables other rules apply that slightly affect your next action on the Blackjack table. For example, you may have a table where the dealer must stand on a soft 17, and the table allows players to double. You could similarly have a table that also states that the dealer must stand on a soft 17, but on this table you are not permitted to double. Then again another table may force the dealer to hit on soft 17, and allow doubles. It entirely depends on the casino you play.

Here some basic strategy tips to go with the above strategy guidelines:

1. Always avoid taking insurance as this bet is heavily weighted in favour of the house
2. If you cannot see a row for splitting; such as, 5s and 10s, you should count your hand as a hard total 10 or 20 and act accordingly
3. When there are limits on splits, and this stops you from re-splitting, then you should count your hand’s total as a hard total and use the tables above to determine your next action

Final Word on Double Deck Blackjack

Basic strategy may seem complicated, but honestly all it is a case of is learning a set of tables and sticking to the suggested move. This way you will lose as little as possible; while, you will win as often as possible. Obviously learning these tables correctly and efficiently takes time and practise – but with experience, you will soon master each basic strategy table and be able to play a variety of Blackjack games according to mathematically proven optimal strategies.

Other Casinos.org.uk Blackjack Articles You Might Enjoy

• Best Blackjack Casinos
• How To Play BlackJack
• Blackjack Rules
• Card Counting
• Blackjack Variants
• Single Deck Strategy
• Double Deck Basic Strategy

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At first glance, it would seem only logical that a smart player will do better at a game that uses fewer decks, but that’s not always the case when you compare double-deck games with six-deck games. A lot of variables come into play, not the least of which are the rules of the games, the minimum bet size required and the amount of scrutiny the games get from casino supervisory personnel. If you do not count cards, it’s very likely that you’ll be better off avoiding the double-deck games out there. I know some of you may be surprised by that comment, but I make it based upon the fact that many casinos have less liberal rules on their double-deck games, yet they require higher minimum bets. As a result, the casino’s overall edge may be similar to that of their six-deck game, but you’ll have to bet more on every hand for the privilege of playing. Because a non-counter cannot get a long-term edge over the casino, you’ll just be betting more on a consistent basis and the casino will eventually get your $$$.

Blackjack Double Deck Basic Strategy Card

Now don’t get me wrong here; if the rules are the same, a game using two decks will have a lower casino edge than one that uses six-decks, yet the strategies are almost identical. If the minimum bets are the same (or are at least within your comfort level), then go with the 2-decker. That’s a key point, by the way. The proper Basic Strategy for a double-deck game closely resembles that of a four- or six-deck game, much more so than a single-deck game. The few differences between a two-deck and six-deck game with the same rules (dealer hits or stands on soft 17, double after split is allowed, etc.) lie mainly in splitting pairs and, since pairs are the rarest hands you’ll get, the impact is negligible. I might be wrong about this, so check, but I do believe that the only change is to split a pair of 7s against a dealer’s 8 in a double-deck game. In a six-decker, you don’t do that. Not a hand you’re going to see everyday, either way.

Blackjack Double Deck Basic Strategy Chart

My point is that you can move back and forth between DD and 6D games and not worry that you’re playing improperly, but the big question is whether or not you should. We’ve already covered the non-counter situation, so let’s turn our attention to those of you who do count. Even in this situation, the double-deck game isn’t necessarily the hands-down choice and I’ll show you why as we go along.

Blackjack Double Deck Basic Strategy

For whatever reason, many casinos treat their double-deck games as “premium” games, so they have higher minimum bets, may have less liberal rules, less favorable penetration and are usually watched more closely by the “pit critters”, as we lovingly call them here. Some casinos seem to think that counters are showing up in droves at their DD games and carting off chips by the box load, but that’s not necessarily the case. I know of some games that are very easy to beat, but they are few and far in-between. The reality is that beating the double-decker takes extra effort and some sharp play by the counter. But you came here for answers and I have them.

The primary advantage to playing a double-deck game is the volatility of the count. Unlike a 4- or 6-deck game, the running count, which is converted to the True Count (count per remaining deck) in a DD game can rise or fall quickly, but it’s gone almost as fast, due to the shuffle. That’s obviously good when the count is negative, but no fun at all when the count is “up”. Things happen quickly in a DD game and the wise counter takes advantage, but it requires good skills at converting to the True Count and almost needs some ability to anticipate what’s going to happen, while remembering that we never make guesses when counting.