Double Deck Blackjack Basic Strategy
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
Table of Contents
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:
- Always avoid taking insurance as this bet is heavily weighted in favour of the house
- 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
- 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.
