Double Deck strategy exceptions in blackjack

Last update: May 10, 2006

In blackjack every card that is played has an impact on the distribution of the remaining cards. The following lists will show exactly how to play your cards immediately after a shuffle in a double deck game where the dealer stands on a soft 17.

To use this guide first go to the list according to the number of cards in your hand. Then note the basic strategy changes and finally the exceptions to the changes. For example if you have a 16 composed of a 10, 4, and 2 against a 10 look under the 3 card list. You will see that with three cards you should stand on 16 against 10. Going further you will see there are some exceptions, for example with a 16 composed of a 6, 6, and 4 you should hit. However 10+4+2 is not listed as an exception so you should stand. It should not be interpreted that this is a card counting guide. Everything is based on exact cards and no numbers represent a count. Some of these plays will not agree with even the best card counting strategies. These tables are always right while card counting is an estimate of the best play. Counting cards does not take into consideration the exact composition of the remaining deck as this analysis does.

Two Cards

Basic Strategy Changes: None

Exceptions:

11 (9+2) vs Ace = Hit
11 (8+3) vs Ace = Hit
12 (10+2) vs 4 = Hit

Three Cards

Basic Strategy Changes:

16 vs 10 = Stand
Soft 18 vs A = Stand

Exceptions:

16 (6+6+4) vs 10 = Hit
16 (7+6+3) vs 10 = Hit
16 (8+6+2) vs 10 = Hit
16 (9+6+A) vs 10 = Hit
16 (10+3+3) vs 10 = Hit
Soft 18 (A+A+6) vs A = Hit

Four Cards

Basic Strategy Changes:

16 vs 10 = Stand
Soft 18 vs A = Stand

Exceptions:

16 (6+6+2+2) vs 10 = Hit
16 (6+6+3+A) vs 10 = Hit
16 (7+6+2+A) vs 10 = Hit
16 (8+6+A+A) vs 10 = Hit
16 (10+2+2+2) vs 10 = Hit
16 (10+3+2+A) vs 10 = Hit
16 (4+4+4+4) vs 9 = Stand
16 (5+4+4+3) vs 9 = Stand
16 (5+5+3+3) vs 9 = Stand
16 (5+5+4+2) vs 9 = Stand
16 (5+5+5+A) vs 9 = Stand

Five Cards

Basic Strategy Changes:

16 vs 10 = Stand
Soft 18 vs A = Stand

Exceptions:

16 (6+3+3+2+2) vs 10 = Hit
16 (7+6+A+A+A) vs 10 = Hit
16 (10+2+2+A+A) vs 10 = Hit
16 (6+6+2+A+A) vs 10 = Hit
16 (4+4+4+3+A) vs 9 = Stand
16 (4+4+4+2+2) vs 9 = Stand
16 (4+4+3+3+2) vs 9 = Stand
16 (4+3+3+3+3) vs 9 = Stand
16 (5+5+3+2+A) vs 9 = Stand
16 (5+4+4+2+A) vs 9 = Stand
16 (5+4+3+3+A) vs 9 = Stand
16 (5+5+2+2+2) vs 9 = Stand
16 (5+4+3+2+2) vs 9 = Stand
16 (5+3+3+3+2) vs 9 = Stand

Six Cards

Basic Strategy Changes:

16 vs 10 = Stand
Soft 18 vs A = Stand

Exceptions:

12 (4+4+A+A+A+A) vs 3 = Stand
16 (A+A+2+4+4+4) vs 7 = Stand
16 (A+A+3+3+4+4) vs 7 = Stand
16 (A+2+2+3+4+4) vs 7 = Stand
16 (A+2+3+3+3+4) vs 7 = Stand
16 (A+3+3+3+3+3) vs 7 = Stand
16 (2+2+2+3+3+4) vs 7 = Stand
16 (2+2+3+3+3+3) vs 7 = Stand
16 (A+3+3+3+3+3) vs 8 = Stand
16 (2+2+3+3+3+3) vs 8 = Stand
16 (3+3+3+3+3+a) vs 9 = Stand
16 (3+3+3+3+2+2) vs 9 = Stand
16 (4+4+4+2+a+a) vs 9 = Stand
16 (4+4+3+3+a+a) vs 9 = Stand
16 (4+4+3+2+2+a) vs 9 = Stand
16 (4+3+3+3+2+a) vs 9 = Stand
16 (4+4+2+2+2+2) vs 9 = Stand
16 (4+3+3+2+2+2) vs 9 = Stand
16 (5+5+3+a+a+a) vs 9 = Stand
16 (5+4+4+a+a+a) vs 9 = Stand
16 (5+5+2+2+a+a) vs 9 = Stand
16 (5+4+3+2+a+a) vs 9 = Stand
16 (5+3+3+3+a+a) vs 9 = Stand
16 (5+4+2+2+2+a) vs 9 = Stand
16 (5+3+3+2+2+a) vs 9 = Stand
16 (5+3+2+2+2+2) vs 9 = Stand
16 (6+6+A+A+A+A) vs 10 = Hit
16 (6+3+2+2+2+A) vs 10 = Hit
16 (6+2+2+2+2+2) vs 10 = Hit

Methodology

The fine points of basic strategy was determined using a combinatronic and recursive program that made the optimal play at every step considering the exact distribution of remaining cards. This program was also used to create the basic strategy charts for one and multiple decks.

Go back to blackjack.
Go to blackjack appendix 3A, fine points of single deck basic strategy.

The Wizard's other sites: Wizard of Vegas, Wizard of Macau, Math Problems The Wizard recommends: The Bear Growls, Casinomeister, Online Casino Suite