The game of blackjack is a very interesting casino table game, as it offers players the opportunity to increase their chances of winning by making smart choices. This is possible thanks to blackjack professionals who have mapped out the best decisions for every card combination. One of the most important choices players have to make is whether or not to split or double down a hand. The best way to make these decisions is to take the dealer’s card into consideration. If the dealer has a weaker up card, it is often a good idea to double down. However, it’s important to remember that doubling down is also a risky move, and can lead to large losses if done recklessly.
When to Split
Splitting pairs in blackjack is a very useful tool for improving your chances of winning. Essentially, this involves taking two cards of the same value and splitting them into two separate hands. This makes your bet twice as big, and gives you two more chances to beat the dealer’s hand. In general, you should always split a pair of fours or fives, and should never split pairs of threes, sevens, sixes, or eights.
You should only split aces when the dealer is showing a weak upcard, as these are very strong hands and you have a very good chance of beating them. You should also split any other pairs of the same value, such as two sevens or threes, but not eights. These are not strong enough to be worth the extra investment.
When to Double Down
Doubling down in blackjack can be a great way to win more money, but it’s also a dangerous move that should only be used if the dealer has a low upcard and you have a strong hand of at least ten or eleven. If the dealer has a strong hand, like a 10, it’s usually better to just hit and hope that they go bust.
It’s also not a good idea to double down on any pairs of 4s or 5s, as they will only give you 15 or 16 against the dealer’s upcard. You should also avoid doubling down on any other pairs, as they will not improve your odds of getting close to 21. Finally, you should never double down on any type of ace, as it will only decrease your chances of beating the dealer.