Double Attack Blackjack is a variant of blackjack that is particularly popular across casinos in Atlantic City. It is also available online, through software suppliers like Playtech and IGT.
This variation of blackjack is similar to Spanish 21. It also uses decks without the 10s. Instead of 52, they have 48 cards in play, which paves way for some uncommon rules.
This doesn’t necessarily mean these rules are bad for the player. On the contrary, they are mostly favorable. Here are the necessary guidelines to start playing Double Attack Blackjack.
Acknowledge the Differences between Standard Blackjack and Double Attack Blackjack
If you already master the blackjack basics, you are in a very good position to become a good Double Attack Blackjack player. The traditional version of the games uses complete decks, so you just have to become accustomed to the absence of 10s.
The game uses 8 Spanish decks and blackjack, instead of paying 3:2 odds, pays even odds. Insurance, in this case, pays 5:2.
The name comes from the option to double the initial bet after the dealer’s upcard is at the table. This is referred to as the Double Attack wager. To offset this feature, the round starts with the dealer’s card facing up. Should the player decide to split later, he or she needs to match the Double Attack bet.
Furthermore, Double Attack Blackjack comes with a Bust It side bet which is based on the possibility of the dealer going bust with three cards in hand.
Round Playthrough
When you join the Double Attack Blackjack table, the round starts when the wagers are placed. Put the chips in the main betting circle. This is also the point when the Bust It side bet needs to be placed, if you wish to do so.
The dealer now proceeds to deal one card facing up to each of the players and himself eventually. Now that you know the dealer’s upcard, it is time to decide whether you also wish to place a Double Attack wager (raise the original bet up to double the amount). If you Double Atack, you also need to double that amount if you split.
Each player now receives their second card facing up, and the dealer receives one facing down. If the dealer’s first card was an Ace, the players will be offered insurance. Since there are no 10s in the game, insurance pays 5:2.
The dealer checks for blackjack if the upcard is Ace, Jack, Queen or King. The hand ends if the dealer has a natural blackjack, players with the same outcome push, while others lose.
The Round Proceedings if the Dealer doesn’t have a Natural Blackjack
The hand continues if the dealer doesn’t have blackjack. Players that do will get even money. Other have options to choose from – hit, stand, double down, surrender or split if dealt a pair. When each player acts, the dealer’s face-down card is shown and the house stands on all 17s or hits until its hand reached a total of 17.
The players that have placed the Bust It side bet get their payout if the dealer busts on 3 cards. The size of the payout is determined by the cards themselves. For instance, a suited 888 bust brings a 500:1 payout. If the hand that is bust contains 888 of the same color, the payout is significantly reduced to the odds of 50:1.
