Double Exposure

Last update: August 30, 2001

Introduction

Double exposure is a blackjack variation in which both dealer cards are exposed. Naturally there are other rule changes that favor the dealer to compensate. Although the house edge is greater than conventional blackjack, it still ranks as one of the best bets in the casino, if played properly. If you can find the game, this section will tell you how to play it.

Rules

The usual rules are the same as blackjack except:

• Both dealer cards are exposed
• Dealer wins on all ties, except on a natural blackjack
• Player blackjack pays even money
• Player may split only once

Rules that can vary include but are not limited to:

• Dealer hits or stands on soft 17
• Tied blackjacks either push or go to the player
• Player may or may not double after a split
• Player may double on any first two cards or not
• Player may split more than once
• Player may or may not split unlike 10 value cards (for example queen and king)

Following are some actual places that offer double exposure, the specific rules, and house edge. Sometimes the game goes by other names like "Dealer Disclosure" or "Face Up 21."

Tropicana, Claridge, Taj Majal (Atlantic City): 8 decks, dealer stands on soft 17, double only on hard 9-11 and soft 19-20, double after a split allowed, tied blackjack wins, split only once. House edge of 0.66%.

Stratosphere (Las Vegas): 6 decks, dealer hits soft 17, double on hard 9-11 only, double after split allowed, tied blackjack wins, split up to four times. House edge of 0.68%.

Lady Luck (Las Vegas): 6 decks, dealer hits soft 17, double on any first two cards, double after split not allowed, tied blackjack wins, split only once, jack and ace of hearts pays 2:1, suited 6-7-8 pays double. House edge of 0.26%.

Circus Circus (Reno): 6 decks, dealer hits soft 17, double hard 9-11 only, double after split not allowed, tied blackjack pushes, split only once. House edge of 1.47%.

Grand (Tunica): 6 decks, dealer stands on soft 17, double on hard 9-11 only, double after split not allowed, tied blackjack wins, split only once. House edge of 0.96%.

A note about the suited 6-7-8 bonus at the Lady Luck. The only exception to the basic strategy, when the dealer hits a soft 17, is to hit a suited 6 and 7 against a dealer soft 12. Also note that the double exposure tables at the Taj Majal and Circus Circus are only open on weekends.

Strategy

The following tables show the basic strategy for double exposure when the dealer stands on soft 17. To see the basic strategy when the dealer hits a soft 17 see my double exposure appendix.

Key:

S

Stand

H

Hit

Dh

Double if allowed, otherwise hit

Ds

Double if allowed, otherwise stand

S/Ds

Stand on first two cards, double if after splitting and allowed, otherwise stand

P

Split

P/H

Split if allowed to double after a split, otherwise hit

P/S

Split if allowed to double after a split, otherwise stand

P/D

Split if allowed to double after a split, otherwise double

Double Exposure appendix: The basic strategy when the dealer hits a soft 17.