Can someone explain?

[markhsp]

I've been looking at a lot of strategry cards on a lot of sites (to include the strategy engine on this site), and I've observed something that just doesn't make any sense to me, unless there's something blatently obvious that I just don't know.

Supposed I've got Ace-6, and the dealer is showing a 4. Strategy cards (including the engine on this site) say Double-Down. No ifs, no ands, no buts, no conditions. Just a "D." Double-Down.

But if I've got Ace-7, and the dealer is showing a 4, the same strategy cards (to include the engine on this site) say Double-Down if allowed, otherwise stand.

I don't get it. What rule says that I may not be allowed to Double-Down on an Ace-7?

Does that make sense? If I'm disallowed from doubling-down on Ace-7, then should I not also be disallowed to double-down on anything? Why is there a distinction made on Ace-7?

 

[ccibball50]

I've been looking at a lot of strategry cards on a lot of sites (to include the strategy engine on this site), and I've observed something that just doesn't make any sense to me, unless there's something blatently obvious that I just don't know.

Supposed I've got Ace-6, and the dealer is showing a 4. Strategy cards (including the engine on this site) say Double-Down. No ifs, no ands, no buts, no conditions. Just a "D." Double-Down.

But if I've got Ace-7, and the dealer is showing a 4, the same strategy cards (to include the engine on this site) say Double-Down if allowed, otherwise stand.

I don't get it. What rule says that I may not be allowed to Double-Down on an Ace-7?

Does that make sense? If I'm disallowed from doubling-down on Ace-7, then should I not also be disallowed to double-down on anything? Why is there a distinction made on Ace-7?

It is all based on the game you are playing. Some games only allow DD on 9, 10, and 11, or a combination of the three. If you read at the bottom, it usually says that D mean Double Down if allowed or else hit. Then of course there is the other one that says Double down if allowed or else stand. If it only says Double Down, then always hit unless otherwise specified.

 

[markhsp]

If you read at the bottom, it usually says that D mean Double Down if allowed or else hit.

That's the part I was missing. I see that on the engine on this site now, but many other sites make no mention of hitting if DD is not allowed. Rather confusing... seemed to make the cards say two different things...

OK, thanks. That answers my question.

 

[sagefr0g]

I've been looking at a lot of strategry cards on a lot of sites (to include the strategy engine on this site), and I've observed something that just doesn't make any sense to me, unless there's something blatently obvious that I just don't know.

Supposed I've got Ace-6, and the dealer is showing a 4. Strategy cards (including the engine on this site) say Double-Down. No ifs, no ands, no buts, no conditions. Just a "D." Double-Down.

But if I've got Ace-7, and the dealer is showing a 4, the same strategy cards (to include the engine on this site) say Double-Down if allowed, otherwise stand.

I don't get it. What rule says that I may not be allowed to Double-Down on an Ace-7?

Does that make sense? If I'm disallowed from doubling-down on Ace-7, then should I not also be disallowed to double-down on anything? Why is there a distinction made on Ace-7?

well, like for multiple deck s17 games where doubling soft hands is allowed.

if you can double a soft 18 vs 4 you do, but if you can't you stand.
for example your dealt A7vs4 then you double
but if you are first dealt A3vs4 you wouldn't double, you would hit and say you get a 4, then you would stand instead of hitting.
but if your dealt an A6vs4 you would double, but say you are dealt an A3vs4 you wouldn't double, you would hit and say you get a 3, then you would hit because you can't double.
but the thing is soft 18 if you can't double against a four then you stand.
like look at this link:
http://www.blackjackinfo.com/bjbse.php
notice near the bottom where the D for double is and it explains if you can't double then hit. but not so for the case of soft18 where it has the Ds demarcation.

 

[callipygian]

many other sites make no mention of hitting if DD is not allowed. Rather confusing...

Often, the second best option is assumed to be obvious. If you can't double, usually the second best option is to hit. If you can't surrender, usually the second best option is to hit. Most sites don't bother specifying because it's obvious to the author.

Only in select cases is standing the second best option to doubling or surrender is there a special mark. Once you play for a while, though, when to stand and when to hit become second nature.

 

[Mimosine]

I don't get it. What rule says that I may not be allowed to Double-Down on an Ace-7?

Does that make sense? If I'm disallowed from doubling-down on Ace-7, then should I not also be disallowed to double-down on anything? Why is there a distinction made on Ace-7?

In addition to all the comments above i.e. D10, or D9 games only. There is a SIGNIFICANT DIFFERENCE between A-7 and A-6.

In multi card soft hands, sometimes the IF Double allowed clause means something different.

A-6, double 3-6 if allowed, else HIT
A-7, double 3-6 if allowed, else STAND

having a soft 17 or 18 is possible with not just two cards. You should remember this, and remember to hit your A,3,3 v dealer anything
and stand your A3,4 v Dealer 2-8. This is why some strategy tables have different entries. sometimes you will see D (meaning double or hit) side by side with DS (meaning double or stand). Perhaps this is what you mean.

e.g. http://www.blackjackinfo.com/bjbse.php

Basic strategy tables are meant to encompass more than just 2 card hands, in doing so it requires some special instructions for some hands. Some BS tables even have composition dependent decisions, i.e. hard 16 v 10 with 4 or 5, stand; hard 16 v 10 with no 4 or 5, hit.


M.

 

[cedgarnolan]

double down on A-7

Rules in Reno prohibit doubling down on anything except 10 and 11 when playing single deck. This rule also applies in Canadian and English casinos.

However, in Reno there are certain variations that allow doubling down on any first two cards, but there's always a trade-off -- like a six to five payoff on a blackjack.

 

[DonR]

Rules in Reno prohibit doubling down on anything except 10 and 11 when playing single deck. This rule also applies in Canadian and English casinos.

In Canadian casinos, at least those in Ontario, you can double down on any two cards. It's for shoe games; as far as I know there are no single deck games in Canada.

 

[bj bob]

Rules in Reno prohibit doubling down on anything except 10 and 11 when playing single deck. This rule also applies in Canadian and English casinos.

However, in Reno there are certain variations that allow doubling down on any first two cards, but there's always a trade-off -- like a six to five payoff on a blackjack.

Oh yeah? Try playing at Rail City, Boomtown or Grand Sierra. Theyll take that action all day, it's DOA, 3:2 BJ.

 

[HarryKuntz]

Rules in Reno prohibit doubling down on anything except 10 and 11 when playing single deck. This rule also applies in Canadian and English casinos.

However, in Reno there are certain variations that allow doubling down on any first two cards, but there's always a trade-off -- like a six to five payoff on a blackjack.

Sorry to nitpick but in most UK casino's the rule is now DOA, some casino's still offer D9-11 only (which used to be a rule set by the UK gaming commission, but was changed a few years back) but I've never seen D10-11 only.