Updated on: January 6th, 2025
Double Exposure Blackjack is one of the most popular versions of Blackjack available online in the USA. This version of the game came into being after players wondered how much easier the game would be if players could see both of the dealer’s cards. Double Exposure Blackjack uses the same rules as the regular version, making it easy to play.
We have compiled this complete game guide if you’ve never played Double Exposure Blackjack. We will take you through the rules and all the aspects that make Double Exposure different. Let’s dive into the game guide!
What is Double Exposure Blackjack?
Double Exposure Blackjack is a unique version of Blackjack that offers some great rule changes for players. The name comes from the most significant change in the rules. In Double Exposure Blackjack, both of the dealer’s cards are dealt face up. In most versions, only one of the dealer’s cards is visible. This is a significant advantage for the player, as it takes the guesswork out of the strength of the dealer’s hand.
This is the biggest change to the rules, but there are a few other tweaks to the rules. For starters, players lose all ties, except when both the player and dealer get Blackjack. There is also no longer a special payout for getting Blackjack (21 with just two cards). Most of the time, Blackjack awards you a 3:2 payout, but in Double Exposure Blackjack, you receive the normal 1:1 payout.
Last but not least, Double Exposure Blackjack only allows pairs to be split once, and you can only double down when your hand is valued at 10 or 11.
Double Exposure Blackjack Rules
Most rules in Double Exposure Blackjack are taken straight from the base game. The goal is to get as close to 21 without going over. Whoever gets closer, the player or dealer, wins the round. The cards share the same values as follows:
- 2 – 10: Card’s Face Value
- Jack, Queen, King: Valued at 10
- Ace: Valued at 1 or 11
How to Play Double Exposure Blackjack Online?
Playing Double Exposure Blackjack follows the same basic process as any other Blackjack game. If you have never played the game, you can follow these steps to play your first few games.
- Step 1 – Start by finding a top Online Casino in the USA that offers Double Exposure Blackjack. We recommend looking through our recommended casino sites to find one to play at.
- Step 2 – After you have chosen your Double Exposure Blackjack Casino, go through the process to create an account and deposit money into it. Feel free to claim any welcome bonus offers, but keep in mind, you may not be able to use it for Blackjack.
- Step 3 – Once you have loaded Double Exposure Blackjack, decide how much you want to bet. Once you click deal, you will receive your two cards, as will the dealer.
- Step 4 – Once you have received your cards, decide how you wish to play your hand. You will need to decide if you want to:
- Hit – Receive an Additional Card
- Stand – Receive No additional cards and end your round
- Double Down – Double your initial bet, but receive only one more card
- Split – If you have a pair of cards, you can split them into two separate hands
- Step 5 – Once you stand, the dealer will play their hand according to the rules that govern how the dealer must play their hand.
- Step 6 – Once the dealer is finished, the game will determine which hand is closer to 21, which is the winning hand.
Double Exposure Blackjack Dealer Rules
When it is the dealer’s turn to play their hand, they must play according to the rules set out for the dealer. This will tell them when they can receive another card and when they must stand. Below are the dealer’s rules in Double Exposure Blackjack:
- If the dealer’s hand is worth 18 or more, they must Stand
- If the dealer holds 16 or less, they must Hit
- If the dealer holds a Soft 17 (17 made up with an Ace), they must Hit
- However, when the dealer has a Hard 17, they must Stand.
Double Exposure Blackjack Winning Strategy
The strategy in Double Exposure Blackjack is a bit different. This is because you are aware of the dealer’s hand total. If you have 18, and you see the dealer has 19, you know you need to hit to stand a chance of winning. Typically, you would never hit on 18, but in Double Exposure Blackjack, you may as well because you have nothing to lose. You will likely go bust, but there is a chance you could get 20 or 21 and still win.
Below is a winning Blackjack Strategy that you can use to give you the best chance of winning in Double Exposure Blackjack.
Dealer Hard Hands
- Always hit when your hand is valued between 4 and 11
- Hit when your hand is valued at 12 or 13, and the has between 7 and 11
- Hit when you hold 14, and the dealer has between 7 and 10
- When you hold 15, hit when the dealer has 7, 8, or 9
- If you hold 16, hit when the dealer has 7
- Hit when you have 17 or higher, provided the dealer’s hand is valued at a higher value
Dealer Soft Hands
- Always hit when you’re holding 4 – 11
- If you’re holing 10, Double Down when the dealer has a Soft 14, 15, or 16. Otherwise, Hit.
- When you’re holding 11, Double Down if the dealer holds 13 – 16. If the dealer has any other value, hit.
- If you hold 12, you should hit, regardless of what the dealer has
- When you hold a hand valued at 13 to 16, hit if your hand is valued at less than the dealer’s hand. Stand if your hand is valued at more than their soft hand.
- If you hold a 17 or higher, stand if your hand is stronger than the dealer’s, but hit if the dealer’s hand is stronger.
Player Soft Hands Versus Dealer Hard hands
- When you hold a Soft 13 – 17, always take another card
- If you are holding a Soft 18, hit when the dealer is holding 12 – 16
- If you’re holding a soft 19, Stand, unless the dealer has a higher-valued hand
Player Soft Hand Versus Dealer Soft Hands
- If the dealer has a Soft 17 or less, you should hit. You should always hit until your hand is valued higher.
Splitting Your Hand when the Dealer has a Hard Hand
- If you have a pair of 2s or 3s, you should Split when the dealer has 6 – 12. Otherwise, you should Hit.
- Split when you have a pair of 4s if the dealer has 12-16. Hit in all other situations.
- Always hit when you have a pair of 5s
- If you have a Pair of 6s, split when the dealer holds 4 – 6, or 12 – 17.
- Split when you have a pair of 7s when the dealer has 5 or 6, or 12 – 17
- Split when you hold a pair of 8s, if the dealer has 5 or 6, or 12 – 17
- Split when holding a pair of 9s when the dealer holds 6, 8, or 9, or 12 – 17
- Do not Split a pair of 10s.
- Always split a pair of Aces
Splitting When Dealer Has a Soft Hand
- Hit when you have a pair of 2s, 3s, or 4s. Do not split these pairs.
- When you have a pair of 5s, Double Down when the dealer has a Soft 14; otherwise, you should hit.
- When you have a pair of 6s, split when the dealer has a Soft 14 – 16; otherwise, you should hit.
- If you have a pair of 8s, you should split when the dealer has a Soft 16 or 17. In all other situations, you should stand.
- When holding a pair of 9s, split when the dealer holds a soft 15 or 16. Otherwise, you should stand.
- Never split a pair of 10s
- Always split Aces, no matter what Soft hand the dealer has