Splitting and Doubling Down: A Guide to Blackjack Advanced Betting Moves

Splitting and doubling down are betting moves you can make while playing blackjack in an SG online casino. These advanced strategies are not just optional tricks – they are compelling tools you can utilise to improve your odds and boost winnings. They can influence the outcome of a hand significantly, adding layers of excitement and interest to the classic casino game.

By delving into the fundamentals of when and how to employ splitting and doubling down, you can modify your gameplay. You will also have the stimulating experience of making calculated decisions to pursue that elusive 21.

Here is a guide to how these two distinct betting blackjack techniques works:

What is Splitting?

Splitting refers to dealing with a pair of identically ranked cards. You can split them into separate hands and deal two extra cards for each hand. Once you split your two cards into two hands, you place your original bet with one hand and an equal wager on the second.

When to Split:

One of the most basic splitting strategies is aces and eights, which encourages players always to split when dealing with pairs of aces and eights. This strategy is good because a couple of aces usually have poor value, of two or twelve, not very ideal hands. Moreover, with as many as 16 cards with a value of 10, the chances of getting a blackjack twice when splitting aces are exceptionally high.

Likewise, a pair of eights equals 16, which could only lead to a blackjack if you are dealt a 5. The possibilities are not high, but splitting the eights gives you more potential success than keeping them together. 

You may also consider splitting a pair of nines since this can be advantageous when the dealer presents a moderately favourable face-up card. When you split nines, you establish two hands with a solid initial total of 9, allowing you to outdo the dealer’s hand.

                                         

When Not to Split:

To succeed in your online casino Singapore blackjack endeavour, it is vital to not only learn when to split your cards but also when not to. Below are certain scenarios where splitting is not advisable:

• Splitting 10s already gives you a strong hand with a total of 20. If you split 10s, you increase the chances of having a weaker hand.
• Another betting move to avoid is splitting 4s, which only enhances each hand with a few cards. As such, hitting on 8 is a safer option.
• Splitting 5s is not ideal as it results in two hands totalling 10, which is favourable for hitting. Splitting can lead to risky situations, such as getting subpar hands or exceeding the desired total.

What is Doubling Down?

Doubling down allows you to double your bets during a hand, with the compromise being the recipient of a single additional card. This gambling move holds an inherent risk, which involves the culmination of further Singapore betting actions. Therefore, you become unqualified to request another card, even in an unfavourable second card draw.

When to Double Down?

You can opt to double down in blackjack when faced with certain situations, including:

• A good indication to double down is when you are dealt with two cards that total 9. Such cards should not include an Ace, meaning they could be any card, such as 2 and 7, 3 and 5, or 4 and 5, if it is not the Ace card.
• If you have an Ace along with a 5, 6, or 7, creating a “soft” total between 16 to 18, and the dealer’s card falls from 2 to 6, that is another opportunity to double your bet. However, if you own an Ace and a lower card, such as 2 to 4, it is better to hit since this boosts your chances of not going over 21 with a high hand.
• When you possess a hard total of 10 or 11 and the dealer shows a lower total, it’s a solid position. Doubling down is wise since you can’t go bust, and the dealer might risk going over 21 as they hit until they reach 17.

When Not to Double Down

One evident rule is to never double down if the dealer presents an Ace because there’s a high possibility they have blackjack. Even after they confirmed for blackjack, they may still finish with a total closer to 21 than yours.

You should also avoid doubling down if your hand exceeds eleven, as this can increase your chances of going bust. Instead, you can ask for another card without raising your stake or stick to your lower-valued card and hope the dealer goes bankrupt. Essentially, if you become unsure of whether to double down, it is best to stick to the safe side and leave your bet as is.

Try These Advanced Betting Moves

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