Blackjack Variants in Las Vegas Casinos

There are eleven blackjack variants spread in Las Vegas in 2021, outside of the traditional single deck, double deck, and six/eight deck blackjack games.

Most of these variants are worse than the standard Vegas blackjack games.

If you’d like to find out more about the best blackjack in Las Vegas, check out the following pages.

Our Las Vegas blackjack survey covers all forms of the game, so below you’ll find details of the various “exotic” Las Vegas blackjack variants in 2021.

One exception to the being worse rule is Double Attack Blackjack. That game is spread at Bally’s.

The minimum bet is $5 or $10, depending on the time of day. It has a house edge of 0.62%.

Blackjack Switch is another great blackjack variant. It has a house advantage of 0.58%. However, it is a difficult game to learn, and skill is required to get anywhere near that return. Many Las Vegas Strip casinos offer this game. Four Queens has it in downtown Las Vegas.

Casinos seem to think Blackjack Switch is falling out of favor or do not want to spread it anymore. There were 21 tables of it in Las Vegas in 2019. There are just 11 tables today. No casino has more than one table of Blackjack Switch these days.

Spanish 21 gained an install this year. It is now available at Circus Circus, as well as Palazzo and Venetian.

There are no tens in a Spanish 21 deck. Players may double down on any number of cards, as well as surrender after hitting or doubling down. A player 21 always wins. There are also bonus hands for types of 21 hands. These are possible because the ten decreases the chances of the dealer busting.

Free Bet Blackjack is available in two forms. Most casinos pay 6:5 on a blackjack. This game has a house edge of 2.42%. Golden Gate, M Resort, Plaza, and The D pay 3:2. The edge here is 1.02%.

Players get a free split on any pair except ten-value card and a free double on any 9, 10 or 11. The dealer pushes any live hand on a 22 to offset this.

Bonus Spin is the worst blackjack variant. Players are forced to make a side bet of $1 with every hand. The house edge on this bet is well into the double-digits. The game is spread at 4 Queens, Binion’s and Golden Nugget. All are in downtown Las Vegas.

4 Queens and Binion’s proudly proclaim that the game pays 3:2. This does not offset the forced side bet for normal bets. Golden Nugget pays 6:5 at this table. These are the two worst blackjack games in Las Vegas.

Down Under Blackjack is offered by Excalibur. The dealer notifies players a card range by checking the house’s hole card before players act. This helps the player determine how to play marginal hands.

To offset this, the dealer pushes live hands on a 22. Blackjack pays 6:5 at Down Under Blackjack.

Double Up Blackjack is spread at Binion’s. The game allows players to double the bet and stand. In exchange for this, a player with 17, 18, 19 or 20 pushes if the dealer makes a 16.

The player loses the double up portion of the bet on a push.

Lucky Cat Blackjack is a traditional blackjack game with a special rule. If the dealer makes a 22, four dice are rolled. There is one lucky cat per die. The player pushes unless the dealer rolls at least one lucky cat.

One cat pays even money. Two pays 2:1. Three pay 10:1. Hitting all four Lucky Cat dice pays 50:1.

Most Liberal 21 is a game spread by Plaza. It was once the pride and joy of the now-defunct Las Vegas Club.

The rules of the game have changed over the years. Blackjack pays even money, except suited ones pays 2:1. Players may double down on 2, 3 or 4 cards, even after a split. Split aces may be hit. Surrender is permitted.  A six-card Charlie automatically wins.

Quick Pay 21 is found at Planet Hollywood. Players must make two wagers to get a hand. One covers the blackjack hand and the other is a ‘surrender or play.’

The blackjack bet plays as normal and the surrender or play bet goes into action on hands where the player has 18, 19 or 20. Players may book a win there and make side bets as to what the dealer might make.

Super Fun 21 offers the players a variety of advantageous rules in exchange for paying even money on blackjacks. Diamond blackjack pays 2:1. Player blackjack always wins.

Players may re-split and hit split aces. Double down and surrender are permitted on any number of cards. A five or more card 21 pays 2:1. There is also a six-card Charlie.