BJack Switch rules

The other day at Casino Royale I was playing at the BJack Switch table and was told that a 'switched 21' is not a natural (Which I knew). I then asked if I could double down on it (soft 11) and the dealer said no. She asked the floor, who looked at me like I was high and also said no.

My question is, since a switched 21 isn't a natural and thus not automatically paid, why shouldn't I be allowed double down? (Or hit for that matter?)

Please ignore the fact that doubling a soft 11 is probably insane, but it was 3am, I had a few cocktails, and I had just small-cashed in a Venetian Deepstack Extravaganza event so I had $ to burn... :)

Generally, casinos will let you double down on a 'soft 21' and I always advise them to allow the players to do it.

However, some casinos have this 'no doubling soft 21' option as part of their regular blackjack rules - I really don't know why. I'll see if I can get the answer from Nevada Gaming as I would be interested in the answer myself.

Quote: slyther

My question is, since a switched 21 isn't a natural and thus not automatically paid, why shouldn't I be allowed double down? (Or hit for that matter?)

Well, since you bring it up, hitting would be the stupidest thing to do, since the best result is a hard 21. I.E. No better than where you started.

Therefore, the rule probably exists to protect stupid people.

Kinda odd, since in every other instance, from offering free booze, to offering a game like Big Six, the casino doesn't try to protect the stupid.

Be that as it may, if they're not gonna let you hit a soft 21, they're not gonna let you double down either.

a soft 11 seems like the only choice, some have replied 'soft 21'. Hitting a soft 21 would mean hitting on, say, 2 face cards and an ace, right? The hard value would be 31, soft 21, hitting means ruining a 21 for sure. I suppose hitting soft 11 means trying to get lucky doubling down, the only possible reason?.

Sorry, to clarify: what I was looking to do was double down on a switched 21 (aka soft 11) versus a dealer 6 since I knew that a switched 21 does not get automatically paid.

The situation did not come up (I asked about the rule when I sat down at the table).

Quote: odiousgambit

Hitting a soft 21 would mean hitting on, say, 2 face cards and an ace, right?

No, Ace, 6 is considered as 'Soft 17' so Ace, 10 would be 'Soft 21' if it was switched in 'Blackjack Switch' for example.

Quote: slyther

Sorry, to clarify: what I was looking to do was double down on a switched 21 (aka soft 11) versus a dealer 6 since I knew that a switched 21 does not get automatically paid.

The situation did not come up (I asked about the rule when I sat down at the table).

I know that some (I thought most) casinos allowed this but I will check this out with NGCB.