Casino Blackjack Variations
MULTI-HAND Blackjack is a variation of blackjack that is only found at internet casinos. The game has been offered for a long time and is one of the most common games of blackjack found at web casinos. You can play the card game any time of the day or night! Read more about multihand blackjack. Multi hand blackjack is just a blackjack variation in which you can play more than one hand at a time. This is one of the most popular blackjack variations for players who get comfortable with single hand blackjack. The multi-hand version adds excitement and keeps the game running at a quick pace.
Due to the fact that blackjack is one of the most widespread casino games, it’s no wonder that there are various ways to enjoy it. In order to attract more players and to make the game even more enticing, nowadays most casinos offer the classic game along with some of its exciting variations.
Thanks to this huge diversity, it is possible to experience blackjack like never before as every variation has its special features and rules. Players of all types have the opportunity to try a number of versions and this way diversify their gaming experience significantly. Some blackjack versions have gained in popularity so much that they are almost as famous as the original game.
Most Popular Blackjack Variations
All of the blackjack variations have the same basic rules, meaning that the main objective to reach 21 or to form a total as close as possible to this number, remains. It is fairly easy to distinguish any of the versions straight away since all of them have unique features and subtleties. Some games have been especially created to be more different and challenging, whereas others have been simplified in order to be suitable for novice players. There are a few variations which even alter the way the dealer’s cards are positioned. It is also possible to play a version which is almost identical to the classic game as the only difference in it is that it features additional side bets.
Before trying a particular game, it is essential to get familiar with all of its rules and subtleties in order to be prepared for the possible situations that might occur. Since all of the variations have unique rules, their house edge is different. It should be noted that it can differ from one casino to another which is the reason why players should always take their time to consider it beforehand. Let’s have a look at some of the most played variations of blackjack and their house edge in order to determine whether they work in favor of the casino.
Casino Blackjack Variations Poker
Atlantic City Blackjack
Atlantic City Blackjack is very similar to the classic game of blackjack which makes it perfect for more traditional players. What tells apart this version from the original game is the fact that it is played with eight decks of cards, instead of six. It is possible to enjoy either a single or a multi-hand version which have the same basic rules.
Even though the number of packs is increased, this variation has a very low house edge – 0.35%. It is a Hole card game, meaning that the dealer peeks for blackjack. He is also enforced by the rules to stand on soft seventeen. In this game, it is allowed to double down on any two cards and split a maximum of three times. Late surrender is another move that players can make during the game, meaning that it is possible to give up their hand after the dealer has peeked for blackjack.
European Blackjack
European Blackjack is another very widespread version of the game that can be played in most brick and mortar casinos as well as online. Initially, it was a game played predominantly in Europe, but it became so popular that nowadays it can be found in various casinos all over the world. It is one of the few versions that use only two standard decks of cards. Its house edge is 0.39% and if players apply a basic strategy, they have fairly good chances of winning. It is not a Hole card game, meaning that the dealer doesn’t peek for blackjack.
The dealer is enforced by the rules to stand on soft seventeen and if he goes over twenty one, the result is busting. If both the player and the dealer have blackjack, the result is a Push. It is possible to split a pair only once and the two cards that compose it must have the same rank. For instance, it is possible to split two Queens, however if players have a Ten and a Queen, they cannot take advantage of this move. The rules of the game can differ from one casino to another and therefore it is always a good idea to double check them in advance.
Vegas Downtown Blackjack
Vegas Downtown Blackjack is an exciting version of blackjack whose name comes from the fact that it was predominantly played in the brick and mortar casinos in Last Vegas. It uses only two packs of cards which makes it very beneficial for card counters. The dealer hits on soft seventeen but stands on hard seventeen.
He peeks for blackjack, providing that his up card is an Ace or a 10-valued one. Players are allowed to double down on any two cards and it is also possible to do so after splitting. They can resplit a pair and form up to three hands. The house edge of this variation is 0.38% which is considered to be a very beneficial one. In this version, blackjack usually pays 3/2, however the payout for this winning combination can vary, depending on the casino.
Spanish Blackjack
Spanish Blackjack or also commonly known as Spanish 21, is considered to be one of the most challenging variations. It has a very distinguishable rules and one of the major differences between this version and the classic game, is that all of ten cards are removed from each deck. It is played with six or eight decks of cards, each one consisting of 48 cards. Even though at first glance, this rule highly favors the casinos, the house edge of this version is fairly low – 0.38%.
One specific rule that is beneficial for players is that whenever they have a hand whose total is 21, they automatically win, regardless of the cards the dealer has. In this version, it is possible to double down after splitting on any two cards, including a pair of Aces. It is also allowed to surrender, even after doubling down. This variation offers different payouts, depending on the particular winning combination. For instance, if players have a total of 21 that consists of five, seven or more cards, the payout is 3/2. In case that they have a total of 21 that consists of 6 cards, the payout is 2/1.
Double Exposure Blackjack
Double Exposure Blackjack is a very interesting variation which offers players the chance to experience their favorite game in a very different way. What sets this version apart from the rest of the blackjack games, is the fact that initially, the dealer is dealt two cards, both of which are visible to all of the participants. Even though this adjustment works in favor of the players, there are some additional rules which are not as beneficial.
For instance, in this version the dealer wins instantly all ties, except for the cases when players have a natural blackjack. Furthermore, blackjack pays out even money just like the rest of the winning combinations, instead of the standard 3/2 payout. It is possible to split a pair only once which is also highly unfavorable for players. The house edge of this version is also moderately high in comparison to other blackjack games – 0.69%. The rest of the basic rules for this version differ from one casino to other which is the reason why they should be considered beforehand.
Perfect Pairs
Another well-known variation of blackjack that is played in a number of casinos is Perfect Pairs. It is the same as the classic game, however with the difference that it offers a side bet. This new feature is one of the main things that make the game so attractive as it gives players the chance to win big by placing an additional wager. However, it is worth mentioning that the odds of this side bet are not always in favor of the players and therefore, they should proceed with caution.
Before the game starts, players have the opportunity to choose whether to place the side bet or not. The amount of the new bet, which they need to place before the dealing of the cards, must be equal to their initial wager. When players receive their first two cards, if they are a pair, the side bet wins. It is possible to form a three different winning pairs – coloured pairs, perfect pairs and mixed pairs. In case that players have placed this side bet, but their initial cards are not identical, the game continues as usual. If gamblers have blackjack, the result is an instant win. The house edge in this version is calculated to be around 0.42%
Blackjack Switch
Blackjack Switch is undoubtedly one of the most outstanding versions as its rules and gameplay are quite different from the classic game. What makes this game so unique is the fact that players have two hands to play with instead of the usual one, and that they have the chance to exchange cards between them. This way they can form winning combinations much easier since the chances of getting a particular card are higher. This variation has one of the lowest house edges among all games – only 0.17% due to the aforementioned rule.
Even though players can switch cards from one hand to another, it should be noted that these two hands are separate and they should be played as such. In this version, all players receive their first two cards face up and they can choose to switch the top cards or hold them instead. Some casinos offer Multi-Hand Blackjack Switch, meaning that players have the chance to play with up to five hands.
Pontoon
Pontoon is an exciting version of blackjack that highly resembles another variation – Spanish 21. In most casinos this game is played with either six or eight decks, however this number can vary, depending on the casino. The main objective of the game and the assigned values of the cards are the same as in the classic blackjack. In this variation, players have to decide who is going to take the role of the banker. At the beginning of the game, all of the gamblers have to place their bets, without being able to see one of their cards since it is dealt face down. In this version, both of the dealer’s cards are also placed face down which is extremely unfavorable for the players.
The best winning combination is called Pontoon instead of blackjack but it consists of the same cards – an Ace and a Ten. Besides the difference of the name of the highest winning hand, the payout for Pontoon is also not the same – 2/1 instead of the regular 3/2. The second best hand that can be formed is called Five Card Hand and it consists of five cards whose total is a maximum of 21. The house edge is the same as in European Blackjack – 0.39%.
Conclusion
Blackjack is undoubtedly one of the most enthralling casino games of all time due to the fact that it has interesting rules and gameplay. Since it is one of the most played games all over the world, it is no wonder that it has a number of entertaining variations. Nowadays, players have the chance to enjoy some of the most popular versions in almost every brick and mortar casino as well as online. Thanks to this huge diversity, they can experience their favorite game in a new, more exciting way and have fun.
Blackjack might be a classic, but you can still find a
baffling number of attempts to improve on it. Most of these are
just simple rules variations, but others are different games
with different names. The difference seems to have something to
do with how many rules variations are used.
We’ll explain the most common rules variations below, and
also provide broad overviews of the most popular blackjack
games.
Please note that some of these games are interesting enough
and offer enough complexity to warrant their own page. In
addition to the overviews below, there are also individual pages
on each of the following games.
The Effect of Rule Variations
Before we explain about all the rule variations in blackjack,
we should start by explaining one of their biggest effects.
There are lots of little aspects of the game that can be varied
by the casino, and most of these changes affect the house edge.
In some cases, it provides the player with better odds, but in
others, it hurts the players’ chances.
If you’re not familiar with what the house edge is, you
should read our detailed article explaining it. For the purposes
of right now, we’ll provide a quick explanation.
The house edge is the percentage of each bet that the casino
expects to keep over the long run. Most blackjack games offer a
house edge of between 0.5% and 1%–assuming you use perfect
basic strategy. So you’re expected to lose an average of between
50 cents and a dollar for every $100 you spend.
Here’s an example.
- You’re playing blackjack for $100 per hand.
- You’re playing 50 hands per hour.
- You’re putting $5,000 into action per hour. ($100 x 50)
- If you have a 1% game, you’re expected to lose $50 per hour.
You’ll win some hands and lose some others, but eventually,
as the number of hands you’ve played grows, you’ll get closer to
the expected results.
Common Blackjack Rules Variations
The following are some of the most common rule variations
you’ll see in blackjack games.
- How Many Decks Are in Use?
- How Does the Dealer Handle Soft 17?
- Can You Double Down After Splitting?
- Can You Split After Splitting?
- Which Hands Can You Double Down On?
- How Much Does a Blackjack Pay?
How Many Decks Are in Use?
Blackjack is normally spread using anywhere from a single
deck of cards to using 8 decks of cards. The more decks in play,
the worse the odds are for the player. The difference between a
single deck game and an 8-deck game is about 0.25%.
How Does the Dealer Handle Soft 17?
You’ll find different rules for how the house plays soft 17
from casino to casino. You’ll even find some casinos which have
different rules for this from table to table.
If the dealer stands on soft 17, that’s better for the
player. If she hits on soft 17, the house gains about 0.2%.
Can You Double Down After Splitting?
You’ve probably heard that you should always split aces and
eights. That’s because if you have an ace as your first card,
you have a good chance of getting a blackjack and the
corresponding 3 to 2 payout. If you can double down after
splitting, you can get more money into action.
You bet $100. You get two aces. You split them, so you now
have $100 on two hands. But you’re also doubling down. So
instead of having just $100 in action, you now have $400 in
action. If you hit your blackjack on both hands, you’ll win
$600.
Not bad for a bet that started off as just $100.
This doesn’t come into play as often as you might think,
though. If you can double down after splitting, you gain a
little more than 0.1%.
Can You Split After Splitting?
In other words, can you split again if you get doubles again?
Obviously, if you can, it’s in your best interest. Here’s
another example:
You get a pair of aces and you split them.
On those two new hands, you also get aces, so you split them
again.
Now you have four hands, each of which is starting with an
ace, so you have four hands with fairly good odds of getting a
blackjack.
Of course, this doesn’t come into play often. It’s rare to
get a pair and then get another pair. So the difference in the
house is relatively small—0.05%. But every 1/100 of a percent
counts.
Which Hands Can You Double Down On?
In some casinos, you’re only allowed to double down on a
total of 10 or 11, or on a total of 9, 10, or 11. Obviously, you
want the flexibility to be able to double down any time you want
to.
This is a significant rule variation. It can result in a 0.2%
change in the house edge.
How Much Does a Blackjack Pay?
For years, the standard payout for a blackjack has been 3 to
2. But enterprising casinos love to take advantage of the
unsophisticated, so they’ve begun spreading a blackjack game
where you only get paid out 6 to 5 for a blackjack.
This is a huge difference.
Imagine you’re playing for $100 a hand. Would you rather get
paid out at $150 for a blackjack, or $120? The difference in the house edge is staggering. You lose 1.3%
by accepting the lower payout for that hand.
Our best advice is to stay far away from any 6 to 5 blackjack
game you come across.
Popular Blackjack Games
Blackjack Switch
In “Blackjack Switch”, players make two bets and get two
hands. The player then has the option of trading the 2nd card of
each hand.
You get two hands. The first hand is an ace followed by an
eight. The second hand is an eight followed by a ten.
You swap the ten for the eight, so now you have a hand with
two eights and another hand with a natural.
With any blackjack variation where the player gets
concessions, the casino makes up for it with other variant
rules. In the case of Blackjack Switch, a dealer 22 is no longer
a bust—now it’s a push.
The strategy implications are many, and we go into more
detail about those on the game’s complete page.
Chinese Blackjack
Chinese Blackjack is a regional variation with multiple other
names, varying based on region. It’s also known as 21-Point,
Ban-luck, Ban-gan, or Kampung Blackjack. It’s played with one or
two decks of cards and multiple players. It’s usually played
among a group, and the person acting as the dealer rotates.
Your goal is to get closer to 21 than the dealer without
going over. But each variation also has special hands which are
also winners.
One example of these special hands is called “Ban-luck”. This
is just what we’d call a “blackjack” or a “natural”, but it pays
off 2 to 1 instead of 3 to 2.
Another example is the “free hand”. This is any two cards
which total 15 points. If the player or dealer has this hand,
she can stop the round and immediately reshuffle. This hand is
an effective counter to a “Ban-luck”.
You’ll find the additional special winning hands and strategy
advice on the page devoted entirely to that game.
Casino Blackjack Variations Video Poker
Double Attack
Double Attack Blackjack is popular in Atlantic City. It has
multiple rules differences from a standard game. It uses what’s
called a “Spanish” deck, which is a 48 card deck where the tens
are removed. The jack, queen, and king are still included,
though, and they each still count as 10 points.
Casino Blackjack Online
The reason it’s called “Double Attack” is because the player
has an opportunity to double his bet after he sees the dealer’s
up card. A natural only pays even money.
The game also offers a side bet called the “Bustit” wager.
This pays off if the dealer busts with exactly three cards. The
payout varies based on which three cards the dealer has—for
example, if the dealer has a suited 888, the payoff on this bet
is 200 to 1.
You’ll find complete details for Double Attack Blackjack,
including the correct basic strategy, on the appropriate page.
Double Exposure
Double Exposure Blackjack is a variation where the dealer
gets both her cards face up. This is a big bonus for the player,
but there are lots of additional rules to compensate for this.
For example, the dealer wins on all ties, and a natural only
pays even money instead of 3 to 2.
The house edge for this game is excellent, but it also
requires multiple adjustments to your strategy. You’ll find
complete details on the appropriate page.
Match Play 21
Match Play 21 is another blackjack game that uses a Spanish
deck. (See our notes on Double Attack Blackjack above.) The big
difference in this version of the game and the traditional game
is the payout structure.
Here are some examples:
- If you get a blackjack, you get paid off 3 to 1 instead of 3 to 2.
- If you get three 7s in your hand, and if the dealer also has a 7, then you
get paid off 40 to 1. - If you get the 6, 7, and 8 of spades, you get paid off at 3 to 1.
Those are just examples of the bonus payouts. You’ll find
complete rules and strategy advice on the page devoted entirely
to Match Play 21.
Perfect Pairs
Perfect Pairs Blackjack plays just like regular blackjack,
but it offers an additional “perfect pairs” side bet. This side
bet has to match your original bet. You win this side bet by
getting dealt a pair.
The payout for this side bet varies based on which pair you
get. For example:
- If you get a pair of jacks that have different colors and suits, your
payoff is 5 to 1. - If you get a pair of jacks of the same color but different suits, the
payout is 10 to 1. - A “perfect pair” is a pair of the same suit, and it offers a 30 to 1
payout.
This barely counts as a blackjack variation, as it’s really
just an available side bet with a relatively high house edge of
6%. You could ignore this side bet entirely and just play
regular blackjack at a perfect pairs table.
Players Edge 21
Players Edge 21 is almost identical to Spanish 21, but the
differences are great enough that it warrants its own entry and
its own page. Look further down this page for an overview of
Spanish 21, or check out the complete details for Spanish 21 on
its own page.
When you finish, realize that Players Edge 21 has the
following additional rules:
- Insurance pays 5 to 1 for a suited blackjack.
- Two cards of the same suit and rank are automatic winners no matter what.
You can find more details, including an analysis of the
game’s probabilities, detailed rules, and strategy on the
appropriate page.
Pontoon
Pontoon is an Australian variation of blackjack that
resembles Spanish 21. You’ll also find an online blackjack game
called pontoon, but it’s a completely different game. The
overview here is for the land-based, Australian version of the
game.
Pontoon uses Spanish decks (see my notes on Double Attack
Blackjack above). You also get bonus payouts for the following
hands:
- Any five card hand that totals 21 pays out 3 to 2.
- Any six card hand that totals 21 pays out 2 to 1.
- Any seven (or more) card hand that totals 21 pays out 3
to 1. - Any hand of 678 or 777 with mixed suits pays out 3 to 2.
- Any hand of 678 or 777 with the same suit pays out 2 to
1. - Any hand of 678 or 777 of spades pays out 3 to 1.
- Any hand of 777 of the same suit pays out extra if the
dealer also has a 7 showing. - The bonus payout is $1,000 on bets of less than $25.
- It’s $5,000 on bets of $25 or more.
In the event of the big bonus payout, all the other players
at the table get a $50 envy bonus regardless of how their hands
play out.
You don’t get any of these bonus payouts if you double down
on your original hand, though.
You’ll find more details about the rules, house edge, and
appropriate strategy for pontoon on the appropriate page.
Internet pontoon is available at most online casinos. The
five card 21 pays out 2 to 1, but the dealer doesn’t show an up
card. The dealer also wins all ties. The Internet variation has
multiple other rules changes which are covered in detail on our
main pontoon page.
Spanish 21
Spanish 21 is a popular blackjack game that sometimes offers
a player better odds than regular blackjack. It depends on the
rules variations at the casino where you play. Like pontoon and
Double Attack Blackjack, Spanish 21 removes the 10s from the
deck, leaving 48 cards.
Of course, removing four of the 10s from the deck decreases a
player’s chances of getting a natural, but Spanish 21 makes up
for it with other generous rule variations. Most of the rules
variations are just the most generous aspects of standard rules,
like allowing doubling after splitting and allowing re-splitting
aces.
A player blackjack always beats a dealer blackjack, too,
which is a big improvement over a push. In fact, a player 21
always beats a dealer 21.
Spanish 21 also offers a number of bonus payouts for various
hands. These are similar to the bonus payouts in pontoon.
You’ll find complete details, rules, and strategy advice on
the Spanish 21 page.
Super Fun 21
Super Fun 21 is a popular game in Las Vegas casinos.
Blackjack only pays even money, but the game offers lots of
other rules that are favorable to the players.
A player total of 20 always wins if the player has six or
more cards. A player total of 21 always wins when it’s made up
of five or more cards—in this case, it pays out 2 to 1, too.
Player blackjacks always win, and player blackjacks of diamonds
pay 2 to 1.
Super Fun 21 doesn’t offer the best odds in the casino, but
it can be an entertaining variation to try. You’ll find detailed
strategy advice, all the rules, and how to play on the Super Fun
21 page on this site.
Summary
Blackjack comes in a lot of different varieties with a lot of
different rules. One blackjack game might have significant
differences from another game, based on how the dealer has to
play her hand or which options the player has available to him.
Other blackjack games feature rules that are significantly
different enough to warrant their own names.
Many of these games offer interesting side bets or bonus
payouts for specific hands. Sometimes they’ll also change the
nature of the game by allowing the player to see the dealer’s
hole card or allowing the player to play two hands and swap
cards from either hand.
But in all cases, when a casino giveth, it also taketh away.
Often this takes the form of a lowered payout on a natural—even
money payouts on a blackjack are common in these game
variations. Strategy decisions vary based on the options in
play. This site offers additional pages with specific strategy
advice for the games with significant changes.