How To Beat Double Deck Blackjack

1. How To Beat Double Deck Blackjack Poker
2. Best Double Deck Blackjack In Las Vegas
3. How To Beat Double Deck Blackjack Card Game
4. Best Double Deck Blackjack Tables In Vegas
5. How To Beat Double Deck Blackjack Game

In blackjack every card that is played has an impact on the distribution of the remaining cards. The following lists will show exactly how to play your cards immediately after a shuffle in a double deck game where the dealer stands on a soft 17. The table below shows optimal strategy for typical online casino rules - 4 to 8 decks, dealer stands on soft 17, player may double any 2 cards, double after split allowed, and dealer peeks for blackjack.

• Appendices
• Miscellaneous
• External Links

Introduction

In blackjack every card that is played has an impact on the distribution of the remaining cards. The following lists will show exactly how to play your cards immediately after a shuffle in a double deck game where the dealer stands on a soft 17.

To use this guide first go to the list according to the number of cards in your hand. Then note the basic strategy changes and finally the exceptions to the changes. For example if you have a 16 composed of a 10, 4, and 2 against a 10 look under the 3 card list. You will see that with three cards you should stand on 16 against 10. Going further you will see there are some exceptions, for example with a 16 composed of a 6, 6, and 4 you should hit. However 10+4+2 is not listed as an exception so you should stand. It should not be interpreted that this is a card counting guide. Everything is based on exact cards and no numbers represent a count. Some of these plays will not agree with even the best card counting strategies. These tables are always right while card counting is an estimate of the best play. Counting cards does not take into consideration the exact composition of the remaining deck as this analysis does.

Exceptions:

1. 11 (9+2) vs Ace = Hit
2. 11 (8+3) vs Ace = Hit
3. 12 (10+2) vs 4 = Hit

Three Cards

1. 16 vs 10 = Stand
2. Soft 18 vs A = Stand

1. 16 (6+6+4) vs 10 = Hit
2. 16 (7+6+3) vs 10 = Hit
3. 16 (8+6+2) vs 10 = Hit
4. 16 (9+6+A) vs 10 = Hit
5. 16 (10+3+3) vs 10 = Hit
6. Soft 18 (A+A+6) vs A = Hit

1. 16 vs 10 = Stand
2. Soft 18 vs A = Stand

1. 16 (6+6+2+2) vs 10 = Hit
2. 16 (6+6+3+A) vs 10 = Hit
3. 16 (7+6+2+A) vs 10 = Hit
4. 16 (8+6+A+A) vs 10 = Hit
5. 16 (10+2+2+2) vs 10 = Hit
6. 16 (10+3+2+A) vs 10 = Hit
7. 16 (4+4+4+4) vs 9 = Stand
8. 16 (5+4+4+3) vs 9 = Stand
9. 16 (5+5+3+3) vs 9 = Stand
10. 16 (5+5+4+2) vs 9 = Stand
11. 16 (5+5+5+A) vs 9 = Stand

Five Cards

Introduction

In blackjack every card that is played has an impact on the distribution of the remaining cards. The following lists will show exactly how to play your cards immediately after a shuffle in a double deck game where the dealer stands on a soft 17.

To use this guide first go to the list according to the number of cards in your hand. Then note the basic strategy changes and finally the exceptions to the changes. For example if you have a 16 composed of a 10, 4, and 2 against a 10 look under the 3 card list. You will see that with three cards you should stand on 16 against 10. Going further you will see there are some exceptions, for example with a 16 composed of a 6, 6, and 4 you should hit. However 10+4+2 is not listed as an exception so you should stand. It should not be interpreted that this is a card counting guide. Everything is based on exact cards and no numbers represent a count. Some of these plays will not agree with even the best card counting strategies. These tables are always right while card counting is an estimate of the best play. Counting cards does not take into consideration the exact composition of the remaining deck as this analysis does.

Exceptions:

1. 11 (9+2) vs Ace = Hit
2. 11 (8+3) vs Ace = Hit
3. 12 (10+2) vs 4 = Hit

Three Cards

1. 16 vs 10 = Stand
2. Soft 18 vs A = Stand

1. 16 (6+6+4) vs 10 = Hit
2. 16 (7+6+3) vs 10 = Hit
3. 16 (8+6+2) vs 10 = Hit
4. 16 (9+6+A) vs 10 = Hit
5. 16 (10+3+3) vs 10 = Hit
6. Soft 18 (A+A+6) vs A = Hit

1. 16 vs 10 = Stand
2. Soft 18 vs A = Stand

1. 16 (6+6+2+2) vs 10 = Hit
2. 16 (6+6+3+A) vs 10 = Hit
3. 16 (7+6+2+A) vs 10 = Hit
4. 16 (8+6+A+A) vs 10 = Hit
5. 16 (10+2+2+2) vs 10 = Hit
6. 16 (10+3+2+A) vs 10 = Hit
7. 16 (4+4+4+4) vs 9 = Stand
8. 16 (5+4+4+3) vs 9 = Stand
9. 16 (5+5+3+3) vs 9 = Stand
10. 16 (5+5+4+2) vs 9 = Stand
11. 16 (5+5+5+A) vs 9 = Stand

Five Cards

How To Beat Double Deck Blackjack Poker

1. 16 vs 10 = Stand
2. Soft 18 vs A = Stand

1. 16 (6+3+3+2+2) vs 10 = Hit
2. 16 (7+6+A+A+A) vs 10 = Hit
3. 16 (10+2+2+A+A) vs 10 = Hit
4. 16 (6+6+2+A+A) vs 10 = Hit
5. 16 (4+4+4+3+A) vs 9 = Stand
6. 16 (4+4+4+2+2) vs 9 = Stand
7. 16 (4+4+3+3+2) vs 9 = Stand
8. 16 (4+3+3+3+3) vs 9 = Stand
9. 16 (5+5+3+2+A) vs 9 = Stand
10. 16 (5+4+4+2+A) vs 9 = Stand
11. 16 (5+4+3+3+A) vs 9 = Stand
12. 16 (5+5+2+2+2) vs 9 = Stand
13. 16 (5+4+3+2+2) vs 9 = Stand
14. 16 (5+3+3+3+2) vs 9 = Stand

1. 16 vs 10 = Stand
2. Soft 18 vs A = Stand

Best Double Deck Blackjack In Las Vegas

1. 12 (4+4+A+A+A+A) vs 3 = Stand
2. 16 (A+A+2+4+4+4) vs 7 = Stand
3. 16 (A+A+3+3+4+4) vs 7 = Stand
4. 16 (A+2+2+3+4+4) vs 7 = Stand
5. 16 (A+2+3+3+3+4) vs 7 = Stand
6. 16 (A+3+3+3+3+3) vs 7 = Stand
7. 16 (2+2+2+3+3+4) vs 7 = Stand
8. 16 (2+2+3+3+3+3) vs 7 = Stand
9. 16 (A+3+3+3+3+3) vs 8 = Stand
10. 16 (2+2+3+3+3+3) vs 8 = Stand
11. 16 (3+3+3+3+3+a) vs 9 = Stand
12. 16 (3+3+3+3+2+2) vs 9 = Stand
13. 16 (4+4+4+2+a+a) vs 9 = Stand
14. 16 (4+4+3+3+a+a) vs 9 = Stand
15. 16 (4+4+3+2+2+a) vs 9 = Stand
16. 16 (4+3+3+3+2+a) vs 9 = Stand
17. 16 (4+4+2+2+2+2) vs 9 = Stand
18. 16 (4+3+3+2+2+2) vs 9 = Stand
19. 16 (5+5+3+a+a+a) vs 9 = Stand
20. 16 (5+4+4+a+a+a) vs 9 = Stand
21. 16 (5+5+2+2+a+a) vs 9 = Stand
22. 16 (5+4+3+2+a+a) vs 9 = Stand
23. 16 (5+3+3+3+a+a) vs 9 = Stand
24. 16 (5+4+2+2+2+a) vs 9 = Stand
25. 16 (5+3+3+2+2+a) vs 9 = Stand
26. 16 (5+3+2+2+2+2) vs 9 = Stand
27. 16 (6+6+A+A+A+A) vs 10 = Hit
28. 16 (6+3+2+2+2+A) vs 10 = Hit
29. 16 (6+2+2+2+2+2) vs 10 = Hit

Methodology

How To Beat Double Deck Blackjack Card Game

Internal Links

• Blackjack main page.
• Appendix 1:Total dependent expected return table for an infinite deck.
• Appendix 2a:Dealer probabilities after dealer peeks for blackjack.
• Appendix 2b:Dealer probabilities before dealer peeks for blackjack.
• Appendix 3a:Composition dependent exceptions to single deck basic strategy where the dealer stands on soft 17.
• Appendix 3b:Composition dependent exceptions to double deck basic strategy where the dealer stands on soft 17.
• Appendix 3c:Composition dependent exceptions to single deck basic strategy where the dealer hits a soft 17.
• Appendix 4:Details on the standard deviation in blackjack.
• Appendix 5:Infinite deck expected return according to player hand and dealer up card.
• Appendix 6:Fine points of when to surrender.
• Appendix 7:Effect of card removal.
• Appendix 8:Analysis of some popular blackjack side bets includingSuper Sevens, Streak, Royal Match, and a tie.
• Appendix 9:Composition dependent expected returns for 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, and 8 decks.
• Appendix 10:The effect on the house edge of the continuous shuffling machines vs. the cut card.
• Appendix 11: Value and strategy for 678 and 777 bonuses.
• Appendix 12:Risk of ruin statistics.
• Appendix 13:Probabilities in the first four cards. May be used to test for the number of decks in online blackjack.
• Appendix 14:Value of each initial player card.
• Appendix 15:House edge using total dependent vs composition dependent basic strategy
• Appendix 16: Basic strategy when dealer exposes both cards.
• Appendix 17: The Ace-Five Count. Possibly the easiest way to count cards.
• Appendix 18: Basic strategy exceptions for three to six cards.
• Appendix 19: Blackjack splitting strategy when a back-player is betting.
• Appendix 20: Blackjack doubling strategy, when doubling after splitting aces is allowed.
• Appendix 21: Details on the Wizard's Simple Strategy.
• '21' Movie — Truth and Fiction : My comments on the movie '21.'
• Australian Blackjack: Rules and odds for blackjack down under.
• Rule Variations: The effect of just about every known blackjack rule change.
• Automatic Winner Charlie Rule in Blackjack.

Best Double Deck Blackjack Tables In Vegas

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 $$$.

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.

How To Beat Double Deck Blackjack Game

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.

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.