Double Attack Blackjack Rules and Tactics

Learn how to play Double Attack Blackjack with perfect strategy to hit the casinos where it really hurts – in the wallet!

All of today’s popular blackjack variants got that way for a reason. Some have the lowest house edge. Some are better for card counters. Others offer more player-centric rules to make the game more entertaining. Double Attack Blackjack falls into that last category.

The Double Attack name refers to a player’s ability to double their wager upon seeing the dealer’s face-up card. Unlike most blackjack games, the dealer’s up-card is the first to be dealt. Once it is, the player can choose to double their bet, or leave it be.

Such a rule presents an awfully advantageous scenario for players. To make up for it, other rules have been adjusted, ensuring the casino always has its edge. In this case, following basic strategy brings the edge to 0.62% (RTP 99.38%). However, the option to double your bet lowers the overall element of risk to 0.35%.

How to Play Double Attack Blackjack

The game follows the base rules of ‘Spanish 21‘, wherein all 10s are removed from each deck. Therefore, there are only 48 cards per deck. Consequently, the probability of being dealt a natural blackjack is reduced by 25%. That and a natural blackjack paying 1 to 1 makes up for the favorable double betting option.

The hand starts with each player making a wager within the table limits. Once all bets are placed, the dealer will place one card face up in front of him. This is the dealer’s up-card. At this point, all players must decide whether to “Double Attack” (double their initial bet), or leave good enough alone. After all players have decided, the rest of the cards are dealt, and the game proceeds as usual.

Specific Rules of Double Attack Blackjack

This game can be found in casinos all over North America, and is especially popular in Atlantic City. It’s also available at a number of online gambling sites. Each casino invokes its own set of rules, which may vary from one location to the next. Those detailed below are among the most common.

• Decks: 8
• Soft 17: Dealer Stands
• Doubling: Yes, on any total
• Splitting: Yes, 3x
• Double after Split: Yes
• Resplit Aces: No
• Draw to Split Aces: No
• Surrender: Yes
• Dealer Checks for Blackjack: Yes
• Blackjack Pays: 1 to 1

Double Attack 21 Side Bets

There is one common side bet found in Double Attack Blackjack rules. It’s called the BustIt side bet. It is based on the dealer hand busting with a 6 – 10 showing. Payouts and odds are as follows:

Strategy for Double Attack Blackjack

Due to the double-betting nature of this game, it will come with two strategy tables. The first details when to double attack, and the second a basic decision-making chart.

When to Double Attack

The basic rule of double attacking is to only double your bet when the dealer’s up-card is 2 thru 8. Anything else, don’t do it. By these limitations, you can expect to double your initial bet on 58.3% of all hands.

Next up is our basic strategy detailing how to assess and react to every possible hand, based on the dealer’s up card and the hard, soft, or paired value of your own two cards.

How to Decide a Hard Hand

You have to be careful with hard hand totals. These are hands that do not contain an 11-point Ace. If the total is 12 or higher, a single hit can bust it.

How to Decide a Soft Hand

A soft hand total is much more flexible. It will contain an 11-point Ace, therefore cannot be busted in a single hit.

Conditions for Splitting Pairs

Paired hands are trickier. Use this final chart to learn how to play Double Attack Blackjack when you’re dealt any pair.