In Double Deck Blackjack (also known as “Pitch” because the cards are pitched face-down to the players, rather than dealt face-up in front of them), the object is to try to draw cards that total 21, or come closer to 21 than those in the dealer’s hand, without exceeding a total of 21.

• Double Deck Blackjack Casinos
• Double Deck Blackjack Odds
• Double Deck Blackjack Las Vegas
• Double Deck Blackjack Rules

Double deck blackjack basic strategy chart from Blackjack Review. Fine points include whether the dealer hits soft-17 and allows double after splits. Double deck blackjack is the game variation most popular with professional players that are able to consistently beat the house over the long run. DoubleDeckBlackjack.com lets you practice your blackjack knowledge with this free double deck blackjack.

Double Deck Blackjack is similar to standard Blackjack dealt from a six-deck shoe, with a few variations. The most exciting difference between Pitch and shoe-dealt Blackjack is that the players get to pick up and hold their face-down cards, with one hand.

To begin a round of play the dealer delivers two cards, face down, to each player. The dealer also gets two cards – one face up and the second face down. All face cards (King, Queen or Jack) count as 10 each. All other cards count at face value except the Ace, which counts as 1 or 11 (whichever one gets the player closer to 21 without exceeding 21). An Ace with any 10-value card on the first two cards is a Blackjack, and gets paid one and one-half times the bet, unless the dealer also has a Blackjack, in which case it is a push and neither wins.

In the event a player does not have a Blackjack, he/she gets the chance to “act” on the hand. When it is a player’s turn to act, he/she has several options: hit, stand, double down or split. By scratching on the table lightly with the cards, a player is signaling they would like to hit, or receive another card. Players may draw as many cards as they wish, until they go over 21, in which case the hand is busted and the cards must be turned face up on the table. If a player does not wish to receive additional cards, the cards are tucked under the bet to indicate that the player is standing.

If a player’s total on the first two cards is 9, 10 or 11, he/she can bet additional money, up to the original wager (“double down”), and receive one additional card face down. If the player’s first two cards are the same value, they may be split; that is, the player may wager the same amount as the original bet and separate the cards into two hands. Pairs may be split three times to make four hands with the exception of Aces, which may only be split once and will receive only one additional card each. Additional cards are delivered face down. A player may also double down on any hand after a split, with the exception of Aces.

After all players are satisfied with their hands, the dealer will then turn over his/her down card and draw or stand as necessary. The dealer must hit soft 17 or less. A soft 17 is any combination containing an Ace that can be counted as 7 or 17. The dealer must stand on a hard 17 or any total above 17.

If, after receiving the first two cards, the dealer’s up card is an Ace, the player may purchase insurance. Insurance is a side bet, up to half the player’s total wager, that the dealer’s hand is a Blackjack. If the dealer has a Blackjack, the player’s original bet loses and the insurance is paid 2 to 1. If the dealer does not have a Blackjack, the insurance bet is taken and the game continues.

Winning wagers are paid even money, except for Blackjacks, which are paid 3 to 2.

Double Deck Blackjack Casinos

The quality of blackjack games in Las Vegas has declined over the past 15-20 years. The availability of strategy information over the internet has forced casinos to drop some of the more liberal rules. Casinos first started hitting on soft 17. Some stopped offering surrender or re-splitting aces in shoe games.

The biggest rule change that goes against players was rolled out first at single deck games. This terrible rule started paying players 6:5 on a blackjack, as opposed to 3:2. This means that a $10 blackjack would pay $12 instead of $15. Once the casinos got away with this at single deck games, the 6:5 rule started infecting double deck and shoe games. Most single deck blackjack tables have disappeared from the Las Vegas Strip because of this. A 6:5 payout on a blackjack adds 1.39% to the house edge.

While some Las Vegas casinos offer terrible rules on blackjack these days, there are still several places where a good game may be found. Some are even on the Las Vegas Strip, although some of the better ones are located downtown and in the locals market. All of the games mentioned below pay 3:2 on a blackjack.

Best Las Vegas Strip Blackjack

Double Deck Blackjack Odds

The Strat is the best Las Vegas Strip casino for blackjack. It offers $5 3:2 blackjack during the day that goes to $10 during busier hours. These shoe games offer double down before and after splitting with surrender and re-split aces. A double deck with double down before and after splitting starts at $15. These games hit soft 17.

A $100 six-deck table in high limit has the same rules as the $5 game but stands on soft 17. This game may require reservations with a host to ensure it is open.

Treasure Island is another great Las Vegas Strip casino for blackjack. Players will find $10 games with great rules at Treasure Island. The shoe games offer surrender, re-split aces, and double down after splitting. These tables start at $10. Double deck starts at $15. Those tables allow double down after splitting. These low limit games hit soft 17.

Players willing to bet $50 can move to the high limit salon. They will get a shoe game with double down after splitting, re-split aces, and surrender. The high limit double deck starts at $50 and allows double down after splitting. The dealer stands on all 17’s at both games. The high limit salon is only open on weekend nights.

Sahara spreads good $15 3:2 blackjack. Players can double down on any two cards and after splitting in the blackjack pit at Sahara. The dealer hits soft 17. This game is offered in the high limit salon for $50 where the dealer stands on all 17’s. This game adds surrender and re-split aces to the rules.

Caesars properties that spread 3:2 blackjack under $25. Bally’s, The Cromwell, Paris and Rio deal $10 or $15 3:2 eight-deck blackjack during slower hours. This game allows double down after splitting and surrender. The Cromwell and Rio also have $15 3:2 double deck game. Double down before but not after splitting is allowed. Otherwise, all other Caesars Entertainment 3:2 blackjack tables start at $25. It takes $100 to get a stand on all 17 game.

Best Downtown Las Vegas Blackjack

El Cortez offers the best blackjack game in downtown Las Vegas. It is a single deck that pays 3:2 on a blackjack. Players can double down on any two cards and the dealer hits soft 17. The minimum bet is usually $10. Be careful in this game as the pit bosses will sweat large action or bet spreads. El Cortez also has $10 double deck and six-deck games for $10. These tables allow double down before and after splitting.

Downtown Grand offers the best shoe games downtown. For a $5 minimum, players can double down after splitting, re-split aces and surrender. The double deck game with double down before and after splitting starts at $10. Low rollers will find an even money $1 blackjack table at Downtown Grand. The pit is open Thursday through Sunday.

Circa, The D and Golden Gate only offer 3:2 blackjack. The minimum bet is typically $10 or $15 at The D and Golden Gate and $15 or $25 at Circa. There is also a $100 stand on all 17 six-deck game in the high limit salon at Circa. Double down before and after splitting is available at these casinos.

All regular blackjacks pay 3:2 at Plaza. Plaza deals a $5 or $10 six-deck game with double down before and after splitting. The double deck game gas the same rules. It has a $25 minimum bet.

Best Las Vegas Locals Blackjack

Double Deck Blackjack Las Vegas

The competition in the off-strip blackjack market is fierce. Players will be able to find shoe games that start at $5 where double down after splitting, surrender and re-split aces are allowed at Cannery andEllis Island.

Double Deck Blackjack Rules

Aliante and Station Casinos have $5 or $10 3:2 blackjack games with surrender but not re-split aces. Club Fortune, Silverton and Tuscany have re-split aces instead of surrender for $10. South Point has $5 3:2 six-deck tables with double down before and after splitting. A $3 table with a continuous shuffle machine at Jerry’s Nugget has the same rules.

Station Casinos properties offer double deck blackjack where players can double down after splitting. It is $5 at Boulder Station and Santa Fe Station and $10 at the others. M Resort offers the same game with a $15 minimum. The dealer hits soft 17. Suncoast, The Orleans, Gold Coast, South Point and Silverton also spread this game. The minimum bet is usually $10 at these tables. A $5 version of this game is dealt at Jerry’s Nugget.

Some locals casinos have a high limit salon with stand on all 17 blackjack tables. M Resort has a $50 minimum with double down before and after splitting, surrender and re-split aces. Green Valley Ranch, Palace Station, Red Rock and Rio have the game for $100 with surrender but no re-split aces.