Blackjack Appendix 20 — Double after Splitting Aces Allowed

Last Update: Oct 08, 2009

At the Kewadin casinos in northern Michigan, the player has the choices to double or stand after splitting aces. They allow doubling for less, as long as the double bet is at least $5. At most casinos, the player must stand after splitting aces. The 1992 edition of Basic Blackjack by Stanford Wong also addresses this rule, but not the 1995 edition. In the 1992 edition Wong says the rule was offered at the old Treasury Casino in Las Vegas, which was renamed the San Remo in 1989, and later become Hooters.

Proper strategy for doubling after splitting aces depends on whether the player may double for less and if the dealer hits of stands on soft 17. The following table applies if doubling for less is not allowed, whether or not the dealer hits or stands on soft 17.

The next table applies if doubling for less is allowed, and the dealer stands on soft 17.

The next table applies if doubling for less is allowed, and the dealer hits on soft 17.

When the strategy says to "double for less," bet as little on the double as you can, preferably, just a penny. If some kind of respectable double is required, and your initial wager is less than 35 times the double wager, then you should stand on soft 18 vs. 10.

The value of being allowed to double after splitting aces is 0.08% if double for less is not allowed, and 0.15% if it is allowed.