17Soft17
DashboardDrillCountingTableCourseLeaderboardAchievementsSettings
Log in →

Course

The GameThe MovesHard TotalsSoft TotalsPairsSurrender & RulesLive HandCard Counting

You're previewing for free

Read every lesson free. Create an account to save your progress, or jump straight into the free Drill.

Try the free Drill →Create free account
←← Back to chapter

Lesson 3 · The Moves

Double Down — Doubling

Double Down means doubling your bet and receiving exactly one more card, then standing. You do it when you are in a strong position.

Doubling at the right moment is the main way to increase your edge (or reduce your disadvantage).

Examples

Hard 11 vs 6
4♥4♥4
7♣7♣7
YOU
VS
6♦6♦6
DEALER
✓ Double

You have 11, dealer shows 6 (very weak). Double Down — high probability of making 21 or 20.

Hard 9 vs 3
4♣4♣4
5♠5♠5
YOU
VS
3♠3♠3
DEALER
✓ Double

You have 9, dealer shows 3. Double Down — the dealer is weak and you can maximize.

Common mistake

Only doubling with 11. Ten against a dealer 9 or less, and 9 against 3-6, are profitable doubles — skipping them leaves money on the table.

Guided practice

Try 5 hands from the category you just studied before the quiz.

Pair
5♠5♠5
5♥5♥5
YOUR HAND
VS
Dealer
5♥5♥5
DEALER

Quiz

Answer 4 out of 5 correctly to continue.

Check this hand on the full chart →