Resist the temptation to double down when the dealer shows a 7. Any card from a 2 to a 7 would lock you into a hand of sixteen or less. The dealer would beat you with a standing hand of seventeen or eighteen if his hole card were a 10, or picture card, or Ace. The percentages prove it's not worth the risk to increase your bet.
Hit nine against the 2 and 7, and, of course, the 8 through Ace. Double down against 3 through 6.
Basic blackjack strategy when you have nine
DEALER'S UP CARD YOU SHOULD
3 6 DOUBLE DOWN
2, 7 Ace HIT
WHEN YOU HAVE TEN
I am a cautious Blackjack player. My conservative moves frequently produce a raised eyebrow or two. One of the critical situations where this is almost a certainty is when you hold a two card total of ten.
In this situation, my Basic Blackjack Strategy chart tells you to double down against the dealer's up card of a 2 through 7 and hit against the 8 through Ace.
Julian Braun has shown that the percentages slightly favor doubling down with a ten versus the 8 and 9, but my objective is to limit your losses with less aggressive moves.
Also, with a poor deck, I won't double a ten against a 2. But you can't know a deck is poor unless you know how to count cards. So, for now, stick with doubling down a ten against a 2 through 7, otherwise, you must hit.
Basic blackjack strategy when you have ten
DEALER'S UP CARD YOU SHOULD
2 7 DOUBLE DOWN
8 Ace HIT
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