When to Double Down in Blackjack
At LeoVegas, we treat the double down as a strategic tool: you place one extra bet after your first two cards and take exactly one more card, aiming to capitalise when the dealer’s position is weak.
Using it well comes down to recognising the right totals, reading the upcard, and knowing the house rules that change the maths.
What we’ll cover: when doubling down adds value on common hard and soft totals, rule variations that affect your choice (including doubling after splits and total limits), practical examples that show risk and reward, and the most frequent mistakes to avoid in online and live casino play.
Table of Contents:
- Learning the Basics of Doubling Down
- How to Double Down in Blackjack
- Knowing When To Double Down
- Rules and Variations to Consider
- Common Mistakes to Avoid When Doubling Down
Learning The Basics Of Doubling Down
A clear foundation makes every later decision easier, so this section explains what doubling down actually is, how it functions at the table or in the app, and why players choose it when conditions look favourable.
First comes the formal definition, then a plain-English look at the reasons to use it, setting you up for the when-to-double guidance that follows.
What Does "Double Down" Mean In Blackjack?
Doubling down is an option available after your first two cards: you match your original bet and receive exactly one additional card, after which the hand is locked.
Availability depends on house rules; some tables allow any two-card total, others restrict to 9 to 11, and some permit doubling after a split, but the core action is the same online and live at LeoVegas.
Simply put, add one bet, take one card, then resolve against the dealer.
Why Do Players Use "Double Down"?
Players use double down to amplify returns when conditions are favourable and the single extra card is likely to create a strong finishing total.
The move also streamlines play by committing to one decision, and it fits sensible bankroll management because you add risk selectively rather than every hand. LeoVegas interfaces make the option clear and confirm the total at risk before you commit.
How To Double Down In Blackjack
This section walks through the exact steps for doubling down at LeoVegas online and at a physical table, from eligibility to placing the wager and what happens next:
- When can you double down: After your first two cards, before any hits. Rules may allow any total, limit to 9 to 11, and may or may not permit doubling after a split. Your stake must remain within table limits.
- How to place the bet: Online at LeoVegas, tap Double to match your stake and review the new total before confirming. At a physical table, place an equal stack beside your original wager so it is clearly visible.
- How to signal at a table: Slide the extra chips next to your bet and say "double". Follow any venue-specific signal the dealer requests.
- What happens next: You receive exactly one card, and the hand is locked. If doubling after a split is allowed, each doubled hand gets one card. The dealer completes their hand and wins are paid at even money on the total stake; pushes return both portions.
Knowing When To Double Down
Good double downs come from recognising when a single extra card and a matched stake create more value than a regular hit.
Decisions centre on your total, the dealer’s upcard, and whether the next draw is likely to produce a strong finishing hand before the dealer reaches a safe total. The aim is to back your advantage in clear spots and avoid committing extra chips when volatility outweighs the gain.
Doubling Down On Hard Hands
Hard totals remove the safety net of an Ace counting as 1, so doubling only makes sense when the next card frequently pushes you to 19 to 21 or leaves the dealer under pressure.
Hard 11
This is the classic double because any ten-value makes 21, and most other draws keep you competitive.
Against a dealer Ace, many tables prefer a regular hit; follow your posted rules. For example, holding 6 and 5 against a dealer 6, many draws lift you to 18 to 21 while the dealer must take cards and is more likely to bust, which supports the extra stake.
Hard 10
Double against dealer 2 to 9 because a ten-value makes 20, and smaller cards still leave you ahead of typical dealer finishes. Against 10 or Ace, the dealer’s made totals are too frequent.
Hard 9
Dealer 3 to 6 creates pressure to hit into potential busts, and many draws push your hand to 18 to 20, where you can out-finish weak dealer totals. Outside this upcard window, a regular hit is usually safer.
Doubling Down On Soft Hands
Soft hands include an Ace counted as 11, which means the next card cannot bust you and makes doubling attractive when the dealer shows a weak upcard. The play works because many draws convert to strong totals while the dealer is still required to take cards.
Soft 18 vs Dealer 3, 4, 5 or 6
A wide range of draws improves soft 18 to 19-21, and even small cards keep you in comfortable territory while the dealer must act.
The combination of upgrade potential and dealer risk makes this a high-quality double. For instance, a 2 or 3 moves you to 20 or 21, and even a 9 leaves 17 while the dealer must act.
Soft 17 vs Dealer 3, 4, 5 or 6
One extra card often lifts soft 17 into 18 to 20, and weak dealer starters increase the value of committing the second stake. If you draw low, the Ace can drop to 1 to keep you alive, but the hand is locked after the double, so you are betting on a single improvement.
Soft 16 vs Dealer 4, 5 or 6
Improvement cards are plentiful, with many paths to 18 to 20, while the dealer faces a higher bust rate. The value is thinner than soft 17 or 18, which is why the upcard window is tighter.
Soft 14 vs Dealer 5 or 6
This is a narrow, situational double that leans on the dealer’s weakest starters. The extra card aims to lift you into the high teens while the dealer remains vulnerable to busting on forced hits.
Rules And Variations To Consider
Before committing the extra stake, confirm the table rules because they directly change which doubles are available and how profitable they are:
- Double After Split (DAS): Allowed to double on split hands, which increases upside on strong third cards. Split Aces are usually limited to one card and typically cannot be doubled. LeoVegas tables only show Double when the rule permits it.
- No Double After Split: Expected value drops on many split scenarios, so post-split play becomes more conservative. Borderline splits are less attractive, especially against dealer 4 to 6, and you will often take a standard hit instead.
- Restrictions On Doubling: Some tables limit doubles to 10 to 11 or 9 to 11 only. This removes many soft-double spots and tightens hard-hand options. Default to a hit when a preferred double is not allowed and check the felt or on-screen rules summary.
- Dealer Hits Or Stands On Soft 17 (H17 vs S17): H17 slightly increases the house edge, making marginal doubles weaker and some soft doubles too thin. S17 improves the value of soft doubles a little. Use this rule as a tie-breaker, while strong staples like hard 11 (most upcards) and hard 10 (2-9) remain solid.
- No-Hole-Card (European) Games: The dealer does not peek for blackjack. If the dealer later completes blackjack, the player wagers for that round usually lose in full, including doubles and splits. This makes doubling against a dealer 10 or Ace riskier than in peek games, so treat those spots more cautiously and check the posted rules.
Common Mistakes To Avoid When Doubling Down
Check the table rules first; they directly change which doubles are available and how profitable they are.
Hands like hard 11, hard 10 against 2 to 9, and selected soft totals versus 3-6 often gain from one extra card and a matched stake. If the situation fits your table rules, take it confidently instead of defaulting to a routine hit.
Over-aggression drains a stack even faster. Doubling thin hands, pushing against dealer 10 or Ace without a clear edge, or forcing soft doubles outside the recommended upcard ranges turns a solid tool into a leak. Let close spots remain hits when the maths is not on your side.
Ignoring the dealer’s upcard is another expensive habit. The card you face dictates the plan: 2 to 6 tends to be vulnerable, 7 to Ace demands caution. Keep an eye on whether the dealer hits or stands on soft 17 and use that rule as a tie-breaker on marginal decisions.
Poor bankroll management magnifies every mistake. Doubling doubles your exposure, so set a unit size you can sustain, avoid chasing losses, and respect table limits. If the extra stake would break your plan, do not double.
Learn about other blackjack strategies in our guides: