Double Exposure Blackjack Strategy

Double Exposure Blackjack is a popular variant of traditional blackjack, where both of the dealer’s cards are exposed. This unique feature offers a significant advantage to players, as they can see the dealer’s total and make more informed decisions. The game, also known as Face-Up 21 or Dealer Disclosure Blackjack, has its origins in Richard A. Epstein’s concept of Zweikartenspiel, and was first introduced in Las Vegas casinos in the late 1970s. If you like different variations of Blackjack we recommend checking out stake.com review.

Double Exposure Blackjack Strategy

Rules

The fundamental rules of the game include:

  • Both dealer cards are exposed.
  • Dealer wins on all ties, except for a natural blackjack (player blackjack pays even money).
  • Players may only split once.
  • Dealer hits or stands on soft 17 (varies by casino).
  • Tied blackjacks may push or favor the player.
  • Players may or may not double after a split.
  • Restrictions on splitting unlike 10-value cards (e.g., queen and king).
Double Exposure Blackjack | Rules, Gameplay

Strategy Overview

To optimize chances in Blackjack Double Exposure, players need to adapt their strategy due to the visibility of the dealer’s cards:

  • Hit on 11 or Lower: Always hit when you have an 11 or lower hand since it’s impossible to bust with one extra card.
  • Hit when Dealer has 20: If the dealer has a 20, you need a blackjack or 21 to win.
  • Double Down on Specific Totals: Double down when you have an 11 or lower while the dealer has 14 to 16.
  • Stand Strategically: Stand when you have 17 to 20, unless the dealer has the same or a higher hand.
  • Splitting Decisions: Don’t split a 10-value hand unless the dealer has a hard 13 to 16. Always split Aces, except when the dealer has an 11, 17, or higher.
  • Consider the Game’s Version: The strategy can vary significantly based on the game’s version, especially regarding whether the dealer stands or hits on a soft 17, and the number of decks used.
Your HandDealer’s Face-up Totals
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11DDDDDDHHDDDDDHHHHHDDDDH
12SSSHHHHHSSSSSHHHHHHSSSH
13SSSHHHHHSSSSSHHHHSSSSSH
14SSSHHHHSSSSSSHHHHSSSSSH
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16SSSHSSSSSSSSSHHHHSSSSSH
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18SSSSSSSSSSSSSSHHHSSSSSS
19SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSHHSSSSSS
20SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSHSSSSSS
21SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS
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A,5HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
A,6HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
A,7SSSSHHHHSHHHHSHHHHHHHHS
A,8SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSHHSSSSSS
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A,10SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS
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4,4HHPHHHHHPPPPPHHHHHHHHHH
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7,7PPPHHHHSPPPPPPHHHSSSSSH
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9,9PPPSPSSSPPPPPSPHHSSSPPS
10,10SSSSSSSSSPPPPSSSHSSSSSS
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HHit
SStand
DDouble if Possible, Otherwise Hit
PSplit (Pair)

FAQ

What is the house edge in Face-Up 21?

The house edge is around 0.67%, which is low compared to other casino games. This means the Return to Player (RTP) is approximately 99.33%​​.

Can I play Double Exposure Blackjack online?

Yes, many online casinos offer the game , with variations from different software providers like Microgaming, Pragmatic Play, and Play’n GO​​.

What makes Blackjack Double Exposure different from other blackjack variants?

The key difference is that both dealer cards are exposed from the start, significantly impacting the strategy and decision-making process during the game​​.

What are the main advantages and disadvantages of playing Face-Up 21?

The main advantage is the visibility of the dealer’s cards, giving players more information to base their decisions on. However, the dealer winning all ties except for tied blackjacks is a significant disadvantage​​​​.