A Quick Guide on Blackjack Variants
Blackjack is widely known as the go-to casino card game for many punters. Simply because it is easy to learn and straightforward, if you have been playing blackjack for a while now, you must be very well-rounded with the basic rules and strategies of the card game, but a quick refresher wouldn’t hurt. Here is complete details about Blackjack Variants.
For beginners who are still hovering over the idea of playing blackjack, the variants are a great way to get immersed and more familiar with the different strategies to begin with. For the most part, the blackjack variants alter the basic rules of hit, stand, split, double-down, or surrender, and card deals. Insurance is allowable sometimes, which depends on the house.
The online blackjack real money variants may differentiate how it impacts the overall strategy you can employ and the house edge. It is best to know which variant is offered before playing online or land-based casinos.
Different Variants of Blackjack
More than twenty variants of blackjack played both land-based and online casinos. However, let us get familiar with the most commonly played variants.
European Blackjack
The rule variations in European blackjack don’t differ much from the standard blackjack. The decks could be 6-8. The dealer cannot check a blackjack with an ace and 10s. It is also a must to hit on a value of 16 but always stand with a soft 17.
Players can’t split among 4s, 5s, or 10s but can double down on 9s, 10s, or 11s. They can also resplit, double after split, or surrender. They will lose their wager if the dealer gets a blackjack, but the wager is pushed if both of them have blackjack. The pay for this variant is 3 to 2 with a house edge of around 0.4% to 1%.
European blackjack is good for those who like to take a more cautious approach in blackjack. The dealer cannot check their hole card adds to the riskiness of the game.
Vegas Strip Blackjack
The Vegas Strip Blackjack is famous among casino goers with rules comparable to European Blackjack. However, The differences are with the number of decks which can only be four in Vegas Strip, and the dealer can check for a blackjack if the face-up card is ace or 10s.
Players can only double on any pair and double down after a split and resplit. The downside is that surrender is not allowed. Beginners should watch out for Vegas Strip because the house edge is only second to standard blackjack, with the lowest at less than 1%. The payout for the Vegas Strip is 3 to 2.
Atlantic City Blackjack
Like the Vegas Strip, Atlantic City is a type of American blackjack. Also, The major difference in the rule variations is the number of decks eight, and players can surrender. The rest of the variations are pretty much the same with Vegas Strip. The house edge is around 1.31%.
Blackjack Switch
The Blackjack switch may only be limited to a few walk-ins casinos and can be mostly played online. This variant of blackjack is fun and more strategic. Most experienced players will opt for it because it offers more gameplay than the classic.
Players are dealt two cards for each hand and stakes individually on each. They also have the liberty of switching cards between the hands to create a more advantageous hand, while dealers can check their hole card if they have up card aces or 10s and mostly stand on a soft 17.
The payout is 1 to 1, and if the dealer busts exactly at 22, all bets are pushed, but it is countered if the player’s hand has a blackjack or natural.
Blackjack Double Exposure
Blackjack Variants double exposure is unique in terms of how the cards are dealt with for the dealer. Both cards of the dealer are exposed before they have made their deals. Sounds like a huge advantage for the player. However, this is countered by the rule that the dealer wins all ties. The only exception is when a player has a blackjack. Insurance and surrender are not allowed.
The player wins 1 to 1, and the house edge is around 0.67 to 1%. As fun as double exposure sounds, this variant is not recommendable most of the time. The house edge rises when players do not know the basic strategies.
Blackjack Perfect Pairs
Blackjack perfect pairs are a side bet with multiple hands at play. Also, This variant can be incorporated into other variants, depending on the house or platform. It has six decks of cards which increases your odds of getting the ‘perfect pair,’ which is two identical cards.
Other pairs you can get are mixed pairs. These are two cards of the same number and any suit. Another is colored pairs, two cards of the same color and number. The better pairs you have, the better payout you get. The rest of the rules are almost the same as the standard blackjack.
The player pay is 1 to 1 for every hand with a house edge of around 0.42% in perfect pairs. Perfect pairs blackjack is great for players who crave more risk and excitement with their bets.
Final Thoughts
There are reasons why blackjack is one of the most played casino games and why it is the go-to game by most punters. One of those is the availability of variants you can choose from. Blackjack has straightforward and easy rules to follow, and the tweaks on the rules present in the variants make the card game more exciting.
The next time you think of playing blackjack a little more exciting, check this guide first for your convenience.
