Double Exposure Blackjack Explained

In traditional blackjack, players are at a disadvantage from the dealer because they always act first and can’t see what the dealer’s downcard is while player cards are exposed. It is a bit of a guessing game whether to hit, stand, double down, or split because the players have incomplete information. But what if you could actually see all of the dealer’s cards?

That’s the key rule change from the traditional game in Double Exposure Blackjack. The game still has a low house edge like traditional blackjack while offering some unique twists along the way. Is it worth giving double exposure blackjack a shot either at a live casino or online?

That may be up to a player’s individual tastes, but keep reading to learn all about this interesting blackjack variant and what to expect when playing.

What is Double Exposure Blackjack?

As the name implies, Double Exposure Blackjack exposes both the player and dealer cards. All players can see exactly what the dealer has right when each hand begins. This obviously creates some key interesting dynamics and some major differences from standard blackjack.

Players can now base their decisions on the entire picture of what the dealer is holding. However, there are a few changes that raise the house edge a bit and make things a bit more challenging for players. Some of those changes include:

The dealer wins on all pushes, except on a blackjack. This is a considerable alteration that affects a player’s bankroll in the long run.
Blackjacks only pay even money – not the traditional 3 to 2 or even the 6 to 5 that’s become more common in many casinos.
Split is allowed only once and sometimes not at all, depending on the house rules.

There are some other changes that vary by casino or online platform. Those include:

Dealer hits or stands on soft 17.
Double after a split is allowed but sometimes not.
Doubling on the first two cards may be allowed but not always.

Obviously whether these more favorable options are allowed or not can affect the house edge. But these are generally what players can expect when playing Blackjack Double Exposure. Additionally, most games in live casinos feature at least six decks.

How to Play Double Exposure Blackjack

When taking a seat at one of a Double Exposure Blackjack table, players will find a similar process playing out as might be found at the traditional game. Here’s what to expect:

The dealer distributes two cards to each player, dealing himself last.
Players will be able to see the complete dealer hand – upcard and downcard.
The first player can then act on his or her hand.
With the dealer’s downcard exposed, players will take more hits as the dealer’s hand is now more defined. There are some basic strategy changes because of that (more on that in the section below).
As the players act on their hands, they can hit, stand, double down, and split based on the house rules.
Players will quickly notice a few payout differences with all pushes going to the dealer, except for a player blackjack, and blackjacks paying out even money.
The dealer will act last on his hand, drawing or standing on soft 17 based on house rules

Obviously there are some serious differences when playing Double Exposure Blackjack and there are some pros and cons when considering this gaming option. Here’s a look at a few of those

Advantages	Disadvantages
Players see all dealer cards.	Players lose all pushes.
Knowing when you need to hit based on the dealer’s exact cards.	Blackjack pays out only even money.
Less guessing based on dealer cards.	Players may be frustrated as there are more chances to bust as they hit with higher totals.
Some rules like doubling down and splitting may be allowed.	These rules vary by casino or online platform.

Double Exposure Blackjack Strategy

As one might imagine, there are some key differences in basic strategy compared to the traditional game. Now that you can see the dealer’s hand, hitting with higher hands will come into play. With the most favorable rules and when using the correct basic strategy, the house edge in Double Exposure Blackjack can fall below 1%.

For example, according to Double Exposure Blackjack basic strategy, a player seeing a dealer with a hard 19 may now see that the dealer also has a 19. Because the dealer now wins on pushes, the player os forced to take an unfavorable hit – hoping for either a 2 to make 21 or an ace to make 20. This is not a great scenario.

At other times, players may see some nice opportunities to win now that they know the exact hand the dealer has. For example, a player with any 12 through 16 will want to double against any dealer 8, 9, 10, or 11. There is now no guessing as to what the dealer might have – you will actually know for sure.

Players should realize this and act accordingly while also using a basic strategy chart based on this game and not traditional blackjack. Here’s a look at basic strategy for Double Exposure Blackjack.

Playing Double Exposure Blackjack Online

A live casino isn’t the only place one can play the game. Double Exposure Blackjack online is another option. This may be an option at online platforms like Lucky Block Casino. This experience may be a bit more favorable for those new to the game and players can also play from anywhere without having to go to a crowded casino.

The game can often be found in the online lobby and you can better utilize a basic strategy chart while playing, giving the best chance to lower the house edge as much as possible. Considering the rules considerations above, look for games with more favorable options such as:

Dealer stands on soft 17.
Doubling down on the first two cards is allowed.
Doubling after splitting allowed.
Splitting hands is allowed.

Some online platforms may even offer player bonuses for making a real-money deposit to fund an account and play, including Lucky Block Casino. This can be favorable for players to test drive the platform and see how they like it.

Conclusion: Is Double Exposure Blackjack Worth Playing?

Double Exposure Blackjack is considerably different from traditional blackjack but can also come with a low house edge. Players can see all dealer cards, so basic strategy comes with some major changes. But is this game worth playing?

That obviously depends on the player’s own tastes and preferences, but it can be a fun and different game than the traditional format. Seeing the dealer cards throws a major twist into the game. And like standard blackjack, the low house edge means players still have a chance at some winnings. Players may enjoy a new challenge and the unique game rules when taking a break from other gaming options.

Looking to play some Double Exposure Blackjack? Head to Lucky Block Casino for a great gaming experience..

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main differences between Double Exposure Blackjack and the traditional game?

Players can see all the dealer’s cards in Double Exposure. This makes for some new challenges and changes in basic strategy. Players may have to hit higher totals based on the dealer’s cards.

What does blackjack pay in Double Exposure Blackjack?

Unlike in the traditional game, blackjack only pays even money. In standard blackjack, players earn 3 to 2 or 6 to 5 on blackjack. The reduced payout is how casinos keep the house edge since players can see the dealer’s cards.

What are some disadvantages to Double Exposure Blackjack?

Players may find less-favorable rules than in traditional blackjack, such as losing to the dealer on all pushes and also being paid only even money on blackjacks.