WagerWorks is the online casino software wing of the gaming company IGT. It is known for introducing innovative features in its online casino games and Double Attack Blackjack is no exception. This blackjack variant is live at all WagerWorks online casinos like Virgin Casino.

As the name suggests, the player gets to “attack” the dealer two times. The first time is when he places the normal ante wager. Then Double Attack Blackjack deviates from the regular online blackjack game. Instead of the player’s two cards being dealt face up, the dealer’s face up card is dealt first. Based on this card alone the player is given the second opportunity, which is optional. If he wants to then he can place a second bet equal to the ante bet. This is referred to as the Double Attack bet. Because of the Double Attack bet the player has a tremendous advantage, which needs to be neutralized so that the game is viable. This is in part achieved by using eight Spanish decks. A Spanish deck has the four tens removed from the standard deck. A reduction in the number of cards with a value of 10 tilts the odds slightly in favor of the online casino. The significant neutralization is done by reducing the payout for blackjack from 3:2 to even money.

The game play in WagerWorks Double Attack Blackjack thereafter is very similar to regular online blackjack variants. If the dealer’s face up card is an ace then the player can take insurance. The insurance bet is half of the player’s ante wager and pays 3 to 1 if the dealer goes on to get a blackjack. The player’s two face up cards and the dealer’s face down card are dealt. The dealer checks for blackjack. If he has a blackjack the ante and Double Attack bets lose and the insurance bet wins. If the dealer does not have a blackjack then the game proceeds further. The player can double on any two or more cards, even after a split, except in the case of split aces. When aces are split, each hand receives only one additional card. In the case of splits or doubles the player must match his ante bet and Double Attack bet, if he made one. The player can surrender any time and will receive half his ante bet and Double Attack bet. An eight-card hand whose value does not exceed 21 beats all dealer hands except for blackjack. The dealer stands on soft 17.

The important strategy question in WagerWorks Double Attack Blackjack is under which circumstances to place the Double Attack bet. When the dealer’s face up card is from 2 to 8 the player is at an advantage and should place the Double Attack bet. He will win marginally more often than he loses. When the dealer’s face up card is Ace or from 9 to King, he is in a very strong position and the player should not place the Double Attack bet. He will lose many more times than he will win. The player will also need to follow optimum strategy for the other moves of hit, stand, double, split and surrender. Online strategy cards are available for this and the player will need to select the appropriate one keeping in mind the rules of WagerWorks Double Attack Blackjack.