Playing a Total of 8 against a Total of 5 in a Blackjack Game

So you're playing a game of blackjack using multiple decks where you're permitted to double down on two cards. Do you know what the best course of action is when you have a 6 and 2 in your hand and the dealer draws 5?

Obviously you're not about to stand on such a low hand, which leaves doubling and hitting as the other two options available to you.

Let's take a look at doubling, which may seem like an attractive way to play your blackjack hand. But what are your chances of drawing a 10 or an Ace in a game using multiple decks? Generally you have a 49 percent chance of obtaining a desirable card in this situation. You can work out this figure by adding the number of cards that will help you (9's, 10's and Aces) still available and comparing this number to the total number of cards left. Don't forget to subtract your two cards and the dealer's 5 from the equation.

You also need to factor in the dealer's odds. He will bust 42 percent of the time with a 5 as an upcard and will only achieve a total of 19 or higher on just 31 percent of the hands he plays. However, he has a 58 percent chance of winning on this hand. If you double down, your odds are less – your likelihood of making a total of 17 is just 50 percent.

For this reason, the correct way to play the hand is to hit. You will win one percent more hands than if you choose to double. This may not sound like much but in reality, it means you will win eight times more than you will lose for every hundred hands you play.