Results 1 to 6 of 6

Thread: Is it correct to double soft hands in Europe?

  1. #1


    Did you find this post helpful? Yes | No

    Is it correct to double soft hands in Europe?

    I'm wondering if its right or wrong to double soft hands in european blackjack?

    At my Casino, we are allowed to double any hands so for example A6 against dealers 5. The US strategy card would say to double but I have found strategy cards for European blackjack that say its just a hit. Whats correct?

    Thanks

  2. #2


    Did you find this post helpful? Yes | No
    What difference would it make if you were in Europe or the U.S. when it comes to doubling A,6 vs. 5? What rule in Europe would make you play the hand differently from in the U.S.?

    Don

  3. #3


    Did you find this post helpful? Yes | No
    After having a quick look on the Wizard's site on European blackjack basic strategy, it is true that for soft 13-17 the correct play is to hit against any dealer up-card, but that is because the basic strategy was generated on the basis that the player can only double on hard totals of 9-11. Since you have no restriction on doubling, there does not seem to be any difference with standard US basic strategy.

  4. #4


    Did you find this post helpful? Yes | No
    Quote Originally Posted by DSchles View Post
    What difference would it make if you were in Europe or the U.S. when it comes to doubling A,6 vs. 5? What rule in Europe would make you play the hand differently from in the U.S.?

    Don
    I'm not sure what would differ. I never played in the US. I heard that if you double and loose you dont loose the full bet (initial + double)? In EU you always loose both initial bet and the double amount.

  5. #5


    Did you find this post helpful? Yes | No
    Quote Originally Posted by chonkolonko View Post
    I'm not sure what would differ. I never played in the US. I heard that if you double and loose you dont loose the full bet (initial + double)? In EU you always loose both initial bet and the double amount.
    US and most of Canada, player loses original bet only against dealer BJ

  6. #6
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Dec 2011
    Location
    3rd rock from Sol, Milky Way Galaxy
    Posts
    14,158


    Did you find this post helpful? Yes | No
    Quote Originally Posted by chonkolonko View Post
    I'm not sure what would differ. I never played in the US. I heard that if you double and loose you dont loose the full bet (initial + double)? In EU you always loose both initial bet and the double amount.
    The difference you are speaking of only occurs when the dealer has an upward that could be a blackjack. European games are no hole card so the dealer can't peek to see if he has a blackjack before everyone plays their hand. In peek games if the dealer has a BJ everyone loses their initial bet (except a BJ) and nobody plays their hand. If, in no hole card, you lose your original bet only when the dealer has BJ then there is no difference in strategy but more cards are eaten in no hole card because everyone plays their hand. There are varying degrees of losing more than your original bet for no hole card. Strategy is affected for playing hands against a dealer T or A if you lose more than your original bet.

Similar Threads

  1. Problems with soft hands
    By Leatherface in forum The Disadvantage Forum
    Replies: 11
    Last Post: 06-03-2013, 11:32 AM
  2. Doubling Soft Hands
    By aplus in forum General Blackjack Forum
    Replies: 9
    Last Post: 12-22-2012, 03:01 AM
  3. BJPlayer: Double soft 19 vs. 4
    By BJPlayer in forum Blackjack Main
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 08-23-2011, 09:19 AM
  4. J.L.: soft hands, argh!
    By J.L. in forum Main Forum
    Replies: 15
    Last Post: 08-14-2002, 08:27 PM

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  

About Blackjack: The Forum

BJTF is an advantage player site based on the principles of comity. That is, civil and considerate behavior for the mutual benefit of all involved. The goal of advantage play is the legal extraction of funds from gaming establishments by gaining a mathematic advantage and developing the skills required to use that advantage. To maximize our success, it is important to understand that we are all on the same side. Personal conflicts simply get in the way of our goals.