Variations Of Blackjack Games
There are many ways to play the game of Blackjack. One may wonder why a player would wish to play other Blackjack variations, or why a casino would bother to offer them, but there is one simple answer – House Edge. Every Blackjack variation comes with a different house edge – that is, the height of advantage the casino has over the player.
The most common Blackjack variations, ordered by best to worst House Edge, are:
- Single Deck Blackjack – House Edge 0.058%
- Blackjack Switch – House Edge 0.17%
- Vegas Strip Blackjack – House Edge 0.34%
- Atlantic City Blackjack – House Edge 0.35%
- Vegas Downtown Blackjack – House Edge 0.38%
- European Blackjack – House Edge 0.39%
- Atlantic City Blackjack (at Cryptologic casinos) – House Edge 0.49%
- Multi-Hand Blackjack – House Edge 0.63%
- Double Exposure Blackjack – House Edge 0.69%
Blackjack Game Variations – Single Deck Blackjack Rules
Single Deck Blackjack offers the absolute best odds for the player, with a house edge of only 0.058%. Unfortunately, it is very rare to find the Single Deck Blackjack variation available. Single Deck Blackjack can, however, be found at some Online Casinos.
- Decks: 1
- Soft 17: Yes, dealer must Hit Soft 17
- Double on any first two cards: Yes
- Double after Split: Yes
- Splits allowed: 1
- Dealer checks for Blackjack: Yes
Online Blackjack Variation – Blackjack Switch Rules
Blackjack Switch is a Blackjack variation with the second-best house edge of 0.17%. Commonly found at Playtech online casinos, Blackjack Switch is a multi-hand Blackjack variation in which the player places two equal bets, and is dealt two hands. If he wishes, the player may “switch” the second card dealt to his first hand with the second card dealt to his second hand. Blackjacks pay even money, and if the player has 21, the dealer will actually Push with a 22, rather than Bust. Otherwise, 22 is a Bust for the dealer.
- Decks: Variable
- Soft 17: Yes, dealer must Hit Soft 17
- Double on any first two cards: Yes
- Double after Split: Yes
- Splits allowed: 1
- Dealer checks for Blackjack: Yes
Blackjack Variation – Vegas Strip Blackjack Rules
Vegas Strip Blackjack is found – where else? – along the Vegas Strip. It can also be found in a multitude of online casino. The house edge of 0.34% is much higher than the previously mentioned Blackjack variations.
- Decks: 4
- Soft 17: No, dealer must Stand Soft 17
- Double on any first two cards: Yes
- Double after Split: Yes
- Splits allowed: 3
- Dealer checks for Blackjack: Yes
Blackjack Variations Online – Atlantic City Blackjack Rules
Popularized by its appearance in Atlantic City casinos, this is another common Blackjack variation with a house edge of 0.35%.
- Decks: 8
- Soft 17: No, dealer must Stand Soft 17
- Double on any first two cards: Yes
- Double after Split: Yes
- Splits allowed: 3
- Dealer checks for Blackjack: Yes
- Late Surrender optional
Online Blackjack Game – Vegas Downtown Blackjack Rules
Also common in many Las Vegas casinos is this Blackjack variation, with a house edge of 0.38%.
- Decks: 2
- Soft 17: Yes, dealer must Hit Soft 17
- Double on any first two cards: Yes
- Double after Split: Yes
- Splits allowed: 3
- Dealer checks for Blackjack: Yes
Blackjack Variation – European Blackjack Rules
European’s always have their own way of doing things, even when it comes to gambling. Originating in Europe of course, European Blackjack has a house edge of 0.39%.
- Decks: 2
- Soft 17: No, dealer must Stand Soft 17
- Double on any first two cards: No, Double on 9, 10 or 11 only.
- Double after Split: No
- Splits allowed: 1
- Dealer checks for Blackjack: No
- No Surrender rule
Blackjack Variations – Atlantic City Blackjack Rules (At Cryptologic Casinos)
There are only two small variations in the rules of normal Atlantic City Blackjack, and Cryptologic’s version of the game. Players may Split only once, and there is n Surrendering allowed. Even with such a small change in the rules, the house edge jumps from 0.35% to 0.49% in Cryptologic’s online casino version.
- Decks: 8
- Soft 17: No, dealer must Stand Soft 17
- Double on any first two cards: Yes
- Double after Split: Yes
- Splits allowed: 1
- Dealer checks for Blackjack: Yes
- No Surrender rule
Online Blackjack Games – Multi-Hand Blackjack Rules
Found at all Microgaming online casinos, Multi-Hand Blackjack may seem like a much more exciting game, but in fact, the house edge of 0.63% presents the second worst odds of any common Blackjack variation for players.
- Decks: 5
- Soft 17: No, dealer must Stand Soft 17
- Double on any first two cards: No, Double on 9, 10 or 11 only.
- Double after Split: No
- Splits allowed: 1
- Dealer checks for Blackjack: No
- No Surrender rules
- Multiple Hands: 5
Blackjack Game – Double Exposure Blackjack Rules
Double Exposure Blackjack has the worst house edge of all common Blackjack variations, resting at 0.69%. However, many players are drawn to this game because the Dealer must show both of his cards, instead of having one hidden, as are the rules in all other Blackjack variations.
- Decks: 8
- Soft 17: Yes, dealer must Hit Soft 17
- Double on any first two cards: No, Double on 9, 10 or 11 only.
- Double after Split: Yes
- Splits allowed: 4
- Splitting Aces is allowed, but player gets only one card on each Ace (no-Hit Split)
- Dealer wins a Push, except on Blackjack
- All wins pay 1:1, even Blackjack.
Other Blackjack Variations
Blackjack Switch
This is a fun twist on Blackjack as you get two hands to play and, to help you beat the dealer, you can switch the top cards in each of your hands
Blackjack Surrender
Common form of blackjack where if you get dealt a weak hand and don’t like your chancesof winning you can simply surrender your hand and get half of your bet back. It’s better to bet big when you’ve got the best hand right?
Pontoon Blackjack
If you love Blackjack then Pontoon offers a great new challenge. You can hit after doubling, beat the dealer with a five-card trick and pick up odds of 2/1 if you catch a Pontoon.