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DOUBLING DOWN
After you have looked at your first two cards, you may feel you have a good hand that will become a very good hand with one additional card. This is an ideal time for the double-down bet. The basic double-down play means that you may make a second wager no higher than the amount of your original bet and receive one and only one additional card. This third card is usually dealt down. All casinos permit doubling on a two-card 11, most on 10, 11, and many on 9, 10, 11. Some even permit a double down on any two-card hand.
Where you may double down on any two-card hand, soft doubling comes into play. A soft hand is one that contains an Ace. Depending upon what the dealer up card is, you may wish to double down on A,7, for example.
To signal a double-down play to the dealer, all you need to do is move your double-down second wager into the betting square and set it next to your original bet. If you are playing in a facedown game, you must also turn over your cards so the dealer can verify that you have a two-card total that may be doubled. When you turn them over, place them on the dealer’s side of the betting square.
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