As you are going to win less than half the hands you play at blackjack, you need to up your bet size on hands when you see the odds are in your favor.

If you want to win at blackjack you will need to learn how to double down and up your bet when the odds are in your favor to win longer term.

Lets look at doubling down in more detail.

While playing blackjack you may be dealt two cards of equal value.

This is a great opportunity and you can then split the cards and 'double down'. This means that after you receive your two cards, you can add an extra bet, and have effectively two hands.

Sometimes and in some casinos, you can double down on anything in your hand.

In other casinos you have to have a ten or eleven to double down, however doubling down is a favorable rule to the player.

An even more favorable rule is when the casino allows you to double after splitting This really affects the house advantage.

Say you are playing blackjack at a table that uses eight decks, and allows you to double on anything. In this case the casino advantage has dropped to -0.55%. It's almost an equal game.

There are additional rules for doubling that can reduce or increase the casino advantage. Here are two examples:

If you double down after splitting you will reduce the house odds .13 % to -0.42

If you double down on a 10 and 11 only.21 so you increase the house odds to -0.76 Discover a basic strategy for blackjack, and use it to determine when you should double down or not.

The strategy must be based on the math and favorable rules. Why is doubling down is so favorable?

Because if you are doubling your bet when you have the best opportunity of beating the dealer and this is the real object of the game.

Knowing when to double down should be done when you know the dealer is weak. A dealer's up card can indicate his probability to bust. See the table below!

So a dealer's worst up cards are the two through six. These card will see the dealer bust more than any other up cards. Knowing this, you can double down and be successful.

How about doubling down when the dealer has good up cards? Say a 9 or 10? These are really more dangerous, but in the end can pay off. You wont be winning as much as when the dealer has smaller up cards, but if your strategy calls for it, double down here too.

Don't be afraid of losing a double bet. If you are, you are at the wrong table, and move down to a lower table minimum. This is the right play if the time is right, so bet correctly and win. A common mistake some players make is doubling down with a bet less than your original one.

Why do that?

If you doubling down, you are pretty certain you are going to win.

So why win less than you can?

Again, if you are nervous about losing a double bet, move to a table who's minimums suit you. There are also times when nothing works. It happens to everyone. Playing blackjack is a long-term play, and you have to see the big picture.

Doubling down will give you some odds advantage, and a chance to start winning. Stick with it.

Doubling down at the correct time is a good idea, good strategy, and can be extremely profitable.

Finally, if you fail to double down at the correct moment, you only increase the casino's odds advantage against you.

Be positive, double down correctly and win!