Double Attack Blackjack - How To Play Double Attack Blackjack

Free Blackjack Menu

How To Play Double Attack Blackjack

Double Attack blackjack is a variation of another blackjack game known as Spanish 21. The game is very popular among the casinos in Atlantic City. Double Attack uses from six to eight decks of 48 cards each. In Spanish 21, the face cards are removed from the deck but in Double Attack it’s the ten cards in each suit have all been removed.

All of the face cards in Double Attack are still included. The decks are dealt out of what is referred to as a “Spanish” shoe. The card values are the same as in a regular blackjack game. The basics of blackjack are still the same. The object is for the player to get as close to 21 without going over while still having a higher hand than the dealer. Anything over a 21 and the player goes bust.

How To Play Double Attack Blackjack Double Attack blackjack gets its name because it gives the player the chance to raise their initial wager after seeing the dealer’s upcard. The raise may be up to the amount of the initial wager, thus giving the player the opportunity to double their bet. If the player splits, they must match the double attack bet. If the player doubles, they may wager up to the amount of the initial wager and the double attack bet. In addition, the player is allowed to make an additional bonus wager (known as Bust It) that the dealer will bust with exactly three cards.

This wager must be made before the player sees the dealer’s up card. If the dealer busts on three cards, the payout varies depending on what the third card is. If the third card is a ten, the payout is 3:1. If it is a nine, then it is 6:1, an eight pays 8:1, a seven pays 10:1, and a six pays 15:1. An additional rule is if the dealer has an eight in their hand and they draw an eight of the same color or suit, then the payout is even bigger. An eight of the same color pays 50:1 while an eight of the same suit pays 200:1. Unlike regular blackjack, if a player is dealt a blackjack in this variation, the payout is even, not the standard 3:2. Some players recommend that you only raise the bet up to the original wager if the dealer shows a 4, 5, or 6. If the dealer shows a 3, the odds are in the dealer’s favor.

In Double Attack blackjack, a player may hit, stand, double, split, and surrender as normal. The dealer will stand on all 17s, even a soft one. They are also allowed to peek at their hole card for blackjack. A player may double after a split but aces may not be resplit. All other pairs may be resplit to three separate hands but not to four hands. This, of course, is entirely dependent on the casino’s house rules. Split aces receive one card only. The player may double or surrender at any time. If a player surrenders, they receive half of their original wager and double attack bet. As in regular blackjack, player may opt for insurance but in Double Attack it pays a ratio of 5:2.

Because the ten cards have been removed from the decks, standard blackjack strategy cannot easily be applied to this variation of the game. The double attack bet has the possibility of some serious wins and the rule of the dealer standing on all 17s is a big advantage to the player.

See also: