Doubling Down Strategy
The advantages of basic strategy kick in when the player has an opportunity to increase his bet, by doubling down or splitting. It is important to know the double-down situations in which the player has the advantage, becasue this is the chief method through which players reduce the house edge. Three basic rules govern this play for hard hands:
1. Double down when the player’s cards total 11 and the dealer shows a Ten of less.
| Player’s cards | Dealer’s upcard |
  |
 |
| DOUBLE DOWN | |
2. Double down when the player’s cards total nine and the dealer shows a Four, Five or Six.
| Player’s cards | Dealer’s upcard |
|
|
| DOUBLE DOWN | |
3. Double down when the player’s cards total 10 and the dealer shows a Nine or less.
| Player’s cards | Dealer’s upcard |
 |
 |
| ALWAYS DOUBLE, NEVER SPLIT | |
For soft hands, three rules also are essential:
1. Players double down with a soft 13 and a soft 14 when the dealer shows a Fix or Six.
| Player’s cards | Dealer’s upcard |
  |
|
| DOUBLE DOWN | |
2. Players double down with a soft 15 and soft 16 when the dealer shows a Four, Five or Six.
| Player’s cards | Dealer’s upcard |
  |
|
| DOUBLE DOWN | |
3. Players double down with a soft 17 and soft 18 when the dealer shows a Three through Six.
| Player’s cards | Dealer’s upcard |
  |
 |
| DOUBLE DOWN | |
Any other situation should be handled by the rules for standing and hitting.
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