Though the whole concept of online gambling is quite popular, with countless websites provide a plethora of casino games and betting services, there are games that enjoy more popularity as compared to others. A lot of card games are very popular with gambling enthusiasts the most popular amongst which are Blackjack and Poker. The popularity of these games is so great that there are a number of popular blockbusters today based on Poker and Blackjack. There are even those movies where the whole plot is based on card games and the interesting concept of card counting. There are even movies based on real-life situations, memoirs, and experiences.
Star-status of Blackjack and the popularity of card counting
Several popular movies including a few James Bond movies have featured Blackjack and the interesting concept of card counting. There are even a few popular movies and blockbusters that were shot based on real-life stories of people involved in Blackjack and card counting. Watching people use the various strategies of card counting and winning against the house advantage is certainly high! Blackjack isn’t something that can be enjoyed just in the form of movies and TV shows. When you have the right skill, and sufficient knowledge playing the game can be quite enjoyable too.
Understanding the popular concept of doubling down in Blackjack
Doubling down is a very popular concept in Blackjack. The whole attraction of the concept is the inherent risk that it involves. When used properly, the concept of doubling down will double the profits in exchange for an extra, but if not used properly, it can lead to the player being unable to make a hit. What does the term doubling down means and when and how to use this strategy?
Doubling down is the concept where once the dealer deals the cards, the player can decide to double his initial bet in return for a single card. Doubling down can be done in the middle of your hand and depending on the extra card you will have the opportunity to hit or stand. The basic attraction of this move is that it is very risky. Though players have the option to potentially increase their winnings, on the other hand, doubling down can also remove the option of a hit in case the card you get is too low. Hence, to get the best of this exciting move you have to have a proper strategy in place.
What are the situations when doubling down is a great option
There are two ways in which people can ensure that they succeed in the game of Blackjack. Firstly, people have to be great at card counting, or they have to have a fool-proof strategy in place to ensure success. Doubling down is one move that can be planned for ahead; if there is a need for it, you can even make a detailed strategy and follow it to get the best out of this exciting move. So, what are some of the situations where doubling down can lead to success? It is important to note here that since Blackjack is basically a game of player vs the dealer, whether you should double down or not depends on the cards you hold vs the card the dealer shows:
- Hard 9 vs low cards: One of the situations when doubling down is a valid step is if you have a total of a nine and the dealer has a low card. Any card which is less than 7 can be considered a low card, except the Ace. So, if you have cards that result in a total of 9 and the dealer has anything from 2 to 6, you can double down. If you have an Ace and an 8 you should stand.
- Ace and high count cards vs. low cards: When you have an Ace with a high card which is a 5, 6 or 7 this is the best opportunity to double down. Conversely, if you have an Ace and a low count card it is better to stand.
- Hard 10, 11 vs. low count cards: If you have a total of a 10 or an 11 that in itself propels you to a powerful position. And if in addition to this the dealer has low count cards you can confidently double down. It should be noted here that when we talk about a total of 10 or 11 we aren’t considering the Ace.
A word of caution
A well-designed strategy is as effective as being an expert at card counting. But before implementation, ensure that the strategy is according to the rules of Blackjack as it is common to experience a slight difference in in-game rules at various casinos.