When a blackjack player is dealt a soft hand, the soft hand can be played many ways. A soft hand contains an ace and in blackjack, the ace holds a value of either one or eleven. A player can choose which of the two the ace will represent as he sees fit. If the ace represents eleven and the player takes a hit, the ace can be changed to represent one if it better suits the hand. This makes the soft hand the most flexible hand in blackjack. When playing blackjack, a player often hits their soft hand in hopes of improving. However, there are certain instances where opting for a double down with the soft hand is more profitable a move than drawing with the soft hand. By knowing the best times to double down with a soft hand, a blackjack player can maximize their profits by playing soft hands optimally.
When a player doubles down in blackjack online, they are saying that they believe they will win by taking only one card. A player who has doubled down is not entitled to any more cards other than their one card. After they receive the card, play moves to the next player in line to act. Like the name might suggest, doubling down requires the better to double their bet. This means if a blackjack player is doubling down on a $50 bet that they have to match that bet with $50 more. If they win the hand, the player wins $100. Should they lose, they are out $100. Doubling down is done profitably when the player’s expectation is greater than one bet.
Generally speaking, when the dealer holds any up cards other than a three, four, five or six, the player is best served either hitting or standing, depending on the situation. However, when the dealer displays an up card of a three, blackjack players who have a soft seventeen or eighteen can double down profitably, as this is the most profitable move given the scenario. If the blackjack dealer has an up card of a four, the blackjack player holding a soft fifteen, soft sixteen, soft seventeen, or soft eighteen will find that doubling down is the most profitable rout to take. If the dealer’s up card is a five or a six, then doubling down is correct for all soft hands ranging between thirteen and eighteen.