Why Is the Double Down Card Dealt Face Up or Face Down?

At some casinos, the double-down card is dealt face down. At others, it's dealt face up. When I ask dealers and floorpeople why this is, all I get is, "That's the way it's done here. I can't speak for the way it's done in other casinos." So I'm asking you. Why the difference in the double-down card?

That's a good question. The answer is, unfortunately, not quite definitive. But we can say that dealing the double-down card face down is one of the oldest of blackjack traditions.

The most often-told story about it goes something like this. Back in the early days, a Horseshoe floor supervisor was watching a game where a player pushed out a double-down bet on his 9-2. Before the dealer put out the double-down card, the boss said, "I’ll bet you your double-down card isn’t a ten-value."

The player replied, "You’re on."

The boss then instructed the dealer to place the double-down card face down, rather than the usual face up, to build suspense over their side bet.

Thus, a blackjack tradition was invented. And today, dealing the DD card face down is, supposedly, a holdover from that moment in time.

You’re permitted to look at the card if it's dealt face down, but most players get a thrill out of waiting for the dealer to turn over their DD card.

Dealing the double-down card face down doesn’t give the casino any advantage, nor is it used to thwart cheaters. It’s just a way to make the game more exciting. In fact, if you're playing at a casino that deals them up and you'd like to get yours down, the dealer will almost always oblige if you ask.

No rule dictates whether the double-down card is dealt face down or up, though it's likely to be dealt down in single- and double-deck games, where the original two cards are also dealt down and players handle the cards, and dealt up in shoe games where the original cards are dealt up and touching the cards is prohibited.

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Kevin Lewis Jul-17-2024

Spanish 21

This rather fun BJ variant is prevalent all over the Pacific Northwest but rarely (if ever) seen in Vegas. One of the many unique rules is "double down surrender," where if you don't like the double down card you get, you can surrender half your bet and end the hand. It's actually the best strategy if you double against a high card and wind up with 17 or less, or even 18 or less against a face or Ace. So in order to give you that option, the double down card is always dealt face up.

Another reason the double down card is face up is that you can redouble. Double down on hard 9, get a 2, redouble on your hard 11.

The game is much more interesting than standard BJ, and the house percentage is quite low if you know the somewhat odd basic strategy.

O2bnVegas Jul-17-2024

I always ask for it

I can't exactly say why, but I like it dealt face down.  I almost always ask for it, and eventually the dealer will start dealing it to me face down without me asking.  Yeah, either prolonging the inevitable (at least the hand is a winner for a few seconds longer) or just a few more seconds of excitement.

I don't recall ever playing where re-doubling was allowed, though I just may not have asked or known.  Not sure I would have.

Candy

Jon Miller Jul-17-2024

Always ask for it down

Why not a bit more suspense….plus a huge relief seeing the dealer bust and then simply not caring!   I will say I played in AC last week at HARRAHS and the dealer said they “weren’t allowed” to deal it down.  Don’t think I’ve ever heard that in Vegas.  Maybe add that to the list of why Vegas is infinitely superior to AC.

Llew Jul-18-2024

AC face up

All BJ cards in Atlantic City are dealt face up except, of course, the dealer’s first card.  
At least, that’s what they taught us at dealers’ school.  😉

John Pitcher Jul-18-2024

Always Up

At Caesars Windsor they will NOT place the double down card face down.  No reason given.

Question of the Day - 17 July 2024

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