Different Types Of Blackjack

admin 4/14/2022

Blackjack Variants: 8 Different Types of Blackjack Variations One game that you will surely find in any traditional or online casino is blackjack, which explains why a variety of different versions of the game ha. Blackjack Variations - Different Types Of Blackjack Games. Blackjack is one of the greatest games in the world. Love of the game is why we made this website. Blackjack does, however, come in a lot of variations, and that means that there are a lot of different rules to cover. Each of the variants of blackjack is unique in its own right.

Different Types Of Craps

Ever since its invention in the 1700s, Blackjack has almost exploded in terms of popularity. The world famous card game is enjoyed by players from all walks of life from across the globe, and there's no signs of its reputation waning.

The Canadian regulatory environment is just as cloudy Different Types Of Blackjack as the United States, and in fact, in some ways, it is even more confusing. When all the changes happened in the U.S., many professional real money gamblers moved to Canada to take advantage of staying in the Different Types Of Blackjack same time zones but being able to keep playing at their favorite sites. Blackjack, also known as “21,” is the most popular type of blackjack in the world. The goal in blackjack is to get as close to 21 as possible without going over. You can check out my blackjack rules page to learn more about the rules of blackjack. The rules for blackjack can change a little from one casino to the next. Different types of Blackjack There is umpteen number of Blackjack variants some of which are examined below. Blackjack Switch – This is a Blackjack game where the player plays two hands of Blackjack. They can switch the top cards of each hand and are mandated to make two.

The idea of the game is simple enough, you need to come as close to 21 as possible without going bust. But there's a variety of different blackjack versions which we'll run you through, starting off with the classic game.

Classic BlackJack

This is the easiest blackjack game you can play. Classic blackjack, which is one of the oldest in existence, pits you against the dealer and/or other players whereby whoever gets to 21 or the closest to it without going over, wins.

It's possible to win on relatively low card totals, but you must ensure you're boasting a higher tally than those also playing.

European Blackjack

This differs slightly from the classic game whereby there are two decks of cards to play from. The two cards dealt to the players are done so facing up, with one facing up to the dealer. His hole (down-facing) card is not dealt until the player makes a decision on his cards. From there, the cards can be split, hit, stand or doubled.

Spanish 21

The Spanish version sees the game being played with either six or eight decks of cards, but all the ten valued cards are removed from each deck to leave 48 cards in total in each pack. What this will do is increase the house edge.

From here, the dealer can take a glance at their hole card and they'll win if they score 21 or blackjack. The player can also get blackjack or 21 and this would result in a tie, with insurance and late surrendering being allowed in the Spanish game.

Blackjack Switch

Blackjack switch is a very popular version that is typically compared to the Spanish one in some ways. The players are allowed to switch between two pairs of cards. The 'switch' part means that you can receive the alternate set of cards and they're dealt facing up, providing a better or worse chance of winning.

The overall chances of winning are better than any of the classical games, so it's well worth a try.

Super Fun 21

This game of blackjack does exactly what you'd come to expect, it's super and it's fun! Played with a single deck, super fun 21 follows the same rules as the classic version but it offers some slight alternatives. The standout difference is that a players blackjack will always outweigh the dealers, if they have it of course.

Furthermore, the blackjack in this version pays out more than the usual pay out and there's also the chance to gain a diamond blackjack. This simply means that if you get a diamond ace and a 10, Jack, Queen and King of diamonds, you'll receive the maximum pay-out for winning.

The game you know and love is… American

But god knows everyone has their own version, though finding them at online and mobile casinos isn’t easy. Still, here’s some of the variations and what to expect of each type.

Technically, calling it ‘American’ is a little bit of a lie, as no one knows quite sure who invented the original 21, or how it became popular.

What we know for sure is that when twenty-one was introduced in the United States, the gambling houses at the time tried to draw in the crowd with this new ‘craze’ of a table game by using ‘bonus bets’.

One of those bets was a ten-to-one payout if the player hand consisted of the Ace of Spades and a Black jack (so jack of clubs or jack of spades.)

And so the name Blackjack was born, and with it, the American’s dominion over this game.

Online and mobile blackjack games will usually fall within two categories; American or European.

And even the second is really just a more challenging version of the first.

The difference between European and American blackjack:

At this stage, we are hoping you’ve either read our ‘how to play blackjack guide‘ or have a rudimentary knowledge of the game.

If you haven’t, get reading and then come back here. Don’t worry, we will wait.

Ready? Ok.

So you know the basics, here are what makes each slightly different.

Want something totally different?

Try players choice Blackjack at Mr Green Casino.
Head to Mr Green »

European Blackjack Rules:

You cannot surrender.
When doubling you can only do so when you have a total of either 9, 10, or 11.
The dealer must hit on a soft 17. (Ace and 6 point cards)

American Blackjack Rules:

You can surrender at the beginning of your turn.
You can double down regardless of the value of your card.
The dealer must stand on a soft 17. (Ace and 6 point cards)

What’s up with those nasty Europeans hey?

Yes, undoubtedly, American Blackjack is just a little bit friendlier to players.

But if you look at the rules a little closer, it just makes things a dash more challenging, but hardly awful.

For one, you only really want to double on a 10 or 11 anyway. So they are just stating the obvious.

And for two, it’s not that often we’d use the surrender, as there’s usually always a chance of winning with Blackjack.

That said, the fact the dealer can continue to hit on a soft 17 gives them a slight edge – it means that if you’re on 18 points or more, the computer will try and beat it or go bust.

Bear in mind that many times, different games will use some of these rules, but possibly not all. It’s why we write Blackjack game reviews, so you know what’s what.

The number of decks played is important

Perhaps this is one of the biggest blackjack variants to the odds of you winning, if not how you play.

Basically, normally the less deck of cards you play with, the better your odds of beating the casino.

Here’s the good news for online blackjack players: in real casinos that means that single deck blackjack is incredibly rare. Or, if you find it, they tend to make the rules so ridiculous (no doubling on soft hands, no re-splitting, higher minimum bets etc..) that it makes you not want to play.

Hey, mobile casinos, like to win too, you know?

Want to play Live Blackjack on Mobile?

Royal Panda casino has the best selection along with exclusive live blackjack tables.

Why playing online beats playing offline

However, single deck online blackjack isn’t as rare. Reason being, there’s no human having to shuffle the cards after each go, and sweating over the odds.

It’s all done automatically and generated randomly, so the rules will be the same as either the American or European Blackjack rules.

The good news is that even at it’s worst (8 decks), blackjack still has one of the better return to player rates out of all the casino games around – including slots and roulette.

Single deck – house edge: 0.17%
Double deck – house edge: 0.46%
Four decks – house edge: 0.60%
Six decks – house edge: 0.64%
Eight decks – house edge: 0.65%

What is ‘house edge’? If a game was 100% house edge, the house would win 100% of the time. Here the house wins only 0.17% of the time, meaning you have the advantage.

What about Super Fun 21 or Pontoon?

Perhaps you’ve seen these names and wondered what they were about. Or maybe you’re not from around here.

There are a number of different blackjack types that are close enough to classic blackjack to deserve, if not the name, then at least a casual nod to being in the same family.

These are hard to find online or on mobile casinos. So don’t get your hopes up high. But if you do, at least you’ll know what they are.

Spanish 21 or Pontoon: A far more ‘liberal’ game, with a variety of rules and variants. The main difference is that all the 10’s have been removed from the four to eight card shuffle. To make up for this, they provide a host of bonuses and favourable rules for the players, such as: doubling down on any number of cards, payout bonuses for five or more card 21’s, late surrender, player blackjacks and 21’s always winning etc… One worth having a look for, as even though the 10’s is to your disadvantage, this can be a very friendly game with high side bets.
Multiple-Hand Blackjack: Only found in online blackjack casino games, You can basically bet on up to 5 ‘spaces’ – or get 5 hands. Each for a different bet amount.
“Vegas Style” Blackjack or 21st Century Blackjack: Very rare online, but fun to find, as you don’t automatically lose if you bust. Instead, if the dealer ‘busts’ you can still get your bet back.
Double Exposure Blackjack: Both your and the dealers cards are dealt face up. As you get the advantage here, it means that Blackjacks only pay even-money rather than 3:2, and players lose on ties. Not our favourite.
Double Attack Blackjack: We’ve never seen this type of blackjack online, but we can hope, right? Reason being, you get to increase your bet after seeing the dealer turns his down face card, but before he decided to hit or stand. The payoff to this is that blackjack only pays even money.
Blackjack Switch: Here you get dealt usually two (sometimes more) hands, and you can swap, or switch, the second card between your hands. A great variation, but the cost of having more choice means that natural blackjacks pay 1:1 instead of the standard 3:2, and a dealer 22 is a push.
Multiple Action Blackjack: It’s like backward multi-hand blackjack. Instead of you being allowed to play several hands, you can make 2 or 3 bets on a single hand, and the dealer gets a new hand for each of the bets you’ve places.
Super Fun 21: This almost doesn’t deserve a name of it’s own, but does, so we will use it. It basically allows you to split a hand up to four times – a rare event as you can imagine. The nice thing here is that if you hit and get a total of 6 six cards totalling 20, you automatically wins, regardless of what the dealer gets.

Think you know what you love? Got all the Blackjack glossary terms down pat?

Great. On to the real heart of our Blackjack guide; how to win.

Up next:Get to know the Blackjack terms and glossary »