Should you double 11 against an ace?
Double. If you can't double, hit. The book doubles 11 against every dealer card.
Why
Doubling puts out a second bet, the same size as the first, for exactly one more card. From 11, 6 of the 13 ranks give you 19 or better: an 8, 9, 10, jack, queen or king.
An ace is a strong card: the dealer ends on 17 or better 79.9% of the time, after checking for blackjack. The book doubles 11 against it anyway. Four ranks make 21 on the spot: the 10, jack, queen and king.
When the answer changes
At the app's table (six decks, the dealer hitting soft 17, double after split and late surrender) the book doubles 11 against an ace. With six or eight decks and the dealer standing on soft 17, the book hits instead. Every other rule set plays it the way the app's table does.
The full basic strategy chart for six decks, dealer hits soft 17, with every other rule set a tap away.
Questions
Should you double 11 against a 10?
Yes. Against a 10 the book doubles 11. A dealer showing a 10 goes over 21 23.0% of the time, after checking for blackjack.
Does the answer change if the dealer stands on soft 17?
Yes. At the app's table with the dealer standing on soft 17, the book hits 11 against an ace.
More hands
- Should you double 11 against a 10?
- Should you double 10 against an ace?
- Should you hit 15 against an ace?
- Should you double 10 against a 10?
- Should you hit 16 against an ace?
- Blackjack hands, one at a time
Guides
Know the book before you sit down.
