Double Attack Blackjack

Double attack is another blackjack variant with a number of rule differences from the standard game. The biggest difference is the player’s ability to double their bet after seeing the dealer’s up-card (but before any player cards have been dealt). Around half of the casinos in Atlantic City offer this variant, as well as several online casinos using WagerWorks software.

Game rules:

• Eight ‘Spanish decks’ are used. This means that the four 10 cards have been removed from each deck in use
• Dealer stands on all 17s
• Dealer peeks for blackjack
• Players can double after splitting
• Aces can only be split once and receive only one additional card
• Blackjack pays even money, rather than the usual 3:2
• Players may double or surrender at any time
• Insurance pays 5:2 or 3:1 depending on house rules
• Dealer’s up-card is the first to be dealt to allow for the ‘double attack’ rule.

An optional side bet is available for the player which states the dealer will bust with exactly three cards. This ‘bust it’ side bet is placed after the player has seen the dealer’s up-card. Payouts vary depending on which combination of cards caused the dealer to bust.

Payouts for successful “bust it” side bets are as follows:

• Third card is a ten. Pays off 3 to 1.

• Third card is a nine. Pays off 6 to 1.
• Third card is an eight. Pays off 8 to 1.
• Third card is a seven. Pays off 10 to 1.
• Third card is a six. Pays off 15 to 1.

In order to gain the optimum advantage from the game players should double their initial bet whenever the dealer has an up-card of 2-8. Similarly, bets should not be doubled if the dealer has 9-A. This means that players should double their initial steak 58.3% of the time.

Because insurance pays at 5:2/3:1, insurance is a more favourable proposition for the player. Unlike traditional blackjack where insurance should always be declined, when playing double attack players should buy insurance unless a 10 value card is on the table. For instance in a heads-up game, players should buy insurance with a 9,9 against an Ace but not a K,8 against an Ace.

Click here for our full double attack blackjack strategy card.