About Double Exposure Blackjack
How to Play Double Exposure Blackjack
If the dealer has blackjack and you don't, the round ends immediately and you lose your bet. Otherwise, you can choose Hit to take another card or Stand to keep your total.
You can Double on a two-card hard 9, 10 or 11, adding to your wager in exchange for exactly one more card. If you don't have enough chips for a full double, you can double for less.
You can also Split any pair of the same rank into two separate hands, up to a maximum of four hands. Split Aces receive one card each and cannot be split again. Doubling after a split is allowed on qualifying hands, except split Aces.
Once you've finished playing, the dealer draws cards if their total is below 17. The dealer stands on every 17, including soft 17.
A winning hand pays 1 to 1, including blackjack. Unlike regular blackjack, the dealer wins every other tie, even when both hands total 21. Going over 21 loses immediately.
Paying out
Suppose you bet $20 and both you and the dealer finish on 19. You lose your $20 because the dealer wins ties. But if you have blackjack and the dealer also has blackjack, your blackjack wins and pays $20 in profit.
Double Exposure Blackjack Strategy and Tips
Use both of the dealer's cards
You can see the dealer's complete starting hand, so there's no need to guess what their hidden card might be. Base your decisions on their actual total rather than treating the game like ordinary blackjack. This extra information is particularly useful when deciding whether to hit or stand.
Don't settle for a tie
The dealer wins every ordinary tie, so matching their total isn't enough. The game's calculated strategy recommends hitting 19 against a dealer 19 and even hitting 20 against a dealer 20. Both hands would normally look strong, but standing on a losing tie gives you no chance to win.
Let the dealer take the risk
When the dealer shows a total between 12 and 16, they must draw another card. This gives them a chance of going over 21, so you don't always need to improve your own hand. The recommended strategy includes standing on hard 12 against a dealer 16.
Know when the dealer must stand
The dealer stands on every 17 or higher, including soft 17. That means you already know the total you need to beat when the dealer starts with 17 or more. For example, the game's strategy recommends hitting hard 16 against a dealer 17.
Choose your Doubles carefully
You can only Double on a hard 9, 10 or 11, and you'll receive exactly one more card. Seeing both dealer cards helps you judge whether increasing your wager makes sense. Remember that you can also Double after splitting, provided the hand qualifies and isn't a split Ace.
Consider splitting against a weak dealer
Splitting can give you a better chance against a dealer who must draw. Against a dealer 16, the game's calculated strategy even recommends splitting a pair of tens. That's an unusual decision compared with ordinary blackjack, where keeping a total of 20 is generally preferred.
Remember the blackjack exception
Blackjack pays 1 to 1 rather than the usual 3 to 2, but it has one important advantage. Your blackjack beats a dealer blackjack instead of pushing. Other hands totalling 21 still lose when the dealer also has 21.
Use the Coach while learning
The Coach explains important rules as they come up, including losing ties and restricted Doubles. The Hint uses the dealer's full hand to calculate the best move for this table's exact rules and explains why. You can turn Coach off once you're comfortable making those decisions yourself.
Double Exposure Blackjack FAQs
What is Double Exposure Blackjack?
Double Exposure Blackjack is a variation where both dealer cards are visible from the start. In exchange for that information, the dealer wins ties and blackjack pays 1 to 1.
Who wins a tie in Double Exposure Blackjack?
The dealer wins every tie except when both hands have blackjack. In that case, your blackjack wins. Even matching the dealer on 19, 20 or 21 means losing your bet.
What does blackjack pay in Double Exposure?
Blackjack pays 1 to 1 rather than the usual 3 to 2. A $20 bet returns $20 in profit when you win with blackjack.
Does the dealer hit soft 17?
No. The dealer stands on every 17, including soft 17, and must draw when their total is below 17.
When can I Double in Double Exposure Blackjack?
You can Double on a two-card hard 9, 10 or 11, including qualifying hands after a split. You receive one more card, and if your balance is too low for a full double, you can double for less.
What is the house edge in Double Exposure Blackjack?
The house edge is approximately 0.84% with the best strategy, based on 10 million hands tested using this game's engine and confirmed by an exact calculation.
Is insurance or surrender available?
No. Double Exposure Blackjack doesn't offer insurance, even money or surrender. Both dealer cards are already visible, so there's no hidden card to insure against.
Can I save my Double Exposure Blackjack game?
Yes. Your progress is saved in your browser, allowing you to return and resume the hand you were playing.