Guide to Blackjack Variants and Rule Variations

Multiple blackjack variants are available to play at both online and land-based casinos. Depending on where you play, you may find games like Pontoon, Blackjack Switch, or Progressive Blackjack. Some games come with slight alterations from standard blackjack, while others may incorporate side bets or bonuses.

This guide covers many types of blackjack you can play and how they work. We explain how to find some of the best blackjack variants online and the importance of adapting your strategy to each one. This valuable information is key for anyone looking to try new variants of this popular casino game.

Most casinos have at least one version of standard blackjack. But not all games called “blackjack” will have identical rules and pay tables. Some of these games have alterations to the rules, such as dealer’s standing on soft 17 or restrictions on re-splitting. These can greatly influence the casino house edge and may affect your long-term profits.

We recommend checking the rules of any standard blackjack game before you play. Here are some important ones to look out for.

It is not uncommon to find different types of blackjack at a casino. Most online casinos with blackjack tend to have a couple of different versions of standard video blackjack. Those with online live casinos may also host multiple blackjack games that replicate the in-person casino experience. You should check the rules for any variant you play, even at the same casino.

Several additional blackjack variants exist, and each one has different rules, payouts, and house edges. We have broken down some of the best blackjack variants into three categories – common alternatives, variants with interesting rules, and blackjack games with side bets and bonuses.

Single Deck Blackjack is available to play online at Bovada. A natural blackjack pays at 3:2 and the dealer must hit a soft 17. This variant of blackjack is widely popular given the lower house edge and because the lower number of decks makes it easier to predict which cards will come up next.

Double Deck is another common blackjack variant, which is available to play at BetUS. This version has two decks of cards and comes with different odds. The house edge can be lowered to 0.35% when using optimal strategy.

Two other blackjack types that are really enjoyable under this category are Pontoon and Spanish 21. Pontoon, formerly known as “Vingt-Un,” has some slight differences from traditional blackjack. The most crucial is that a “pontoon” (five-card hand) is the best you can get, but the dealer winning all ties is also important. You can try this game at Blood Moon Casino.

Another one of the blackjack variants you may want to consider is Spanish 21. Leading software developer Microgaming has a version of this game that is fun to play. This type uses a Spanish deck, which means 10s are removed. Cards with a value of 10 – such as Jack, Queen, and King – retain their number value. This makes the odds rather different from standard blackjack. One thing we do like, however, is that blackjack pays out at 3:2. You can try Spanish 21 on some of our recommended sites for blackjack, including Fun Casino.

Invented by Geoff Hall, Blackjack Switch gives players two hands instead of one. They then have the chance to switch the second cards dealt from one hand to the other. The idea is that players can make stronger hands doing so, providing they make the right calculation. We like the Playtech Blackjack Switch variant, which comes with an RTP of 99.87% with perfect strategy. The dealer typically stands on soft 17 in this variant.

Blackjack Double Exposure, available to play at BetUS, is also worth trying. In this variant, the dealer’s cards are both face-up. This allows players the chance to see what they are up against. However, the odds in this game change for this concession, with blackjack only paying at 1:1. Furthermore, ties go in favor of the dealer, who usually hits on soft 17.

21 Burn is another variant with interesting rules. It is available to play at Wild Casino. In this game, you are permitted to “burn” your second card for another from the pack. This is done by making a burn bet, which involves paying half of your initial wager. This is another game where blackjack pays out at 1:1. Another interesting rule of 21 Burn is that an A-10 after a burn card counts as a blackjack, but the payouts are different. Here is how the pay table may look.

Zappit, also created by Geoff Hall, is a blackjack variant where you can discard (zap) your first hand if you get 15 to 17. The player would then receive a replacement hand with two cards from the pack. This game can be found at Ignition Casino and is a lot of fun. As with any of the games on this list, it pays to look at how the odds are changed by the rules when compared to standard blackjack.

Progressive blackjack is a catch term for many different progressive blackjack games. These variants all have an optional side bet that can be placed for a chance to win a progressive jackpot. You can find progressive blackjack at many of our recommended sites, including All British Casino.

Super 7 is a blackjack variant with a side bet that can pay out depending on what the first three cards are. Also known as Super Sevens, Lucky Sevens, and Crazy Sevens, the game pays various prizes depending on the hand. For instance, if your first card is a 7, you may receive up to 5-1. If you get a 7-7-7 of the same suit in your first three cards, the prize may be as high as 5000-1. Our recommended site, 20Bet, pays 5000-1 for the top hand.

Perfect Pairs is another variant with a side bet. This game pays for regular hands in blackjack as well as for types of pairs if the side wager is activated with a bet. You can find Perfect Pairs at Lupin Casino. A perfect pair is two cards of the same rank and suit, and it pays the highest prize, which is usually around 25:1. Other pairs, such as mixed-suit pairs, pay around 5:1.

Rolling Stack, available at Ducky Luck Casino, is a solid alternative to classic blackjack. The side bet is optional and pays out if you manage to get one of the following hands.

You can choose to add wins from the side bet to your hand or collect them before the dealer’s hand is made.

Buster Blackjack, available at 888 Casino, is a side bet that pays out when the dealer busts. The more cards it takes for the dealer to bust, the higher the payout. For example, if it takes 3 to 4 cards, you may receive a payout of 2:1. 8 or more cards pays circa 250:1, depending on the pay table.

Bonus Blackjack involves betting on whether the player and/or the dealer will bust. The side bet pays out around 15:1 but may be higher or lower depending on where you play. There is also a version that pays out higher odds on a natural, such as 15:1. Top software provider, NetEnt, produced a solid version of this variant.

Finally, Suit ‘Em Up has a really fun side bet. Providing your first two cards are suited, you will receive the side bet payout. This ranges from 2:1 for any suited pair to 50:1 for suited Aces in some versions. Different pay tables exist, however, so check this before you play. You can find Suit ‘Em Up at Red Dog Casino.

Even the slightest variations in rules can affect your return. Depending on the blackjack variant, this could potentially be an advantage. But different blackjack types may have rules written into the game that ultimately increase the house edge. Adjusting your strategy to avail yourself of any potential advantages and lower the casino edge is crucial to your chances of success.

Basic blackjack strategy can be used in most variants, up to a certain point. When you encounter specific scenarios, that’s when you must account for rule changes and adjust your strategy.

Single and double-deck blackjack usually hit on soft 17, but do not permit doubles after splits. In this case, you may want to reconsider certain elements of your game. For instance, flipping the strategy for doubling down against a dealer with a 2 card when on 9. Or splitting when you have a 6-6 and the dealer has a 2. It is also vital to factor in the change in odds when things like surrender and side bets are at play.

It is possible to calculate the impact of each of these rule modifications. For example, blackjack paying at 2:1 results in a +2.27 increase in value. Or if a dealer bust on 22 ends in a push, that leads to around a -6.91% decrease in the long run when playing Blackjack Switch. Other things that need to be accounted for may include the insane house edge for the insurance bet in Spanish 21, which comes in at 24.7% against a 2:1 payout.

It is impossible to remember all the different ways that minor rule changes can affect optimal strategy. Instead of trying to remember all of it, search for a strategy chart that aligns with the specific blackjack variant you are playing. Then, all you have to do is follow what the chart tells you to do.

Trying different blackjack types can inject a little fun and excitement into your session, and it can challenge you to learn new strategies. But you must always remember to exercise good judgment before you play. The most important factor to consider is that these variants may have different rules and conditions – if you are not sure what these are, you may be putting your bankroll at risk.

You can find multiple variants of blackjack at our safe online casinos. Some can be played for free in demo mode, which is a great option. This allows you to practice and gain some valuable, real-time insight into how things ultimately work. A game like Pontoon, where a “five card trick” is the ultimate hand and dealers win all ties, can often make it feel worlds apart from standard blackjack. At the same time, it can be a great challenge that may feel even more exciting.

Other blackjack variants like single-hand, multi-hand, free bet, and high roller blackjack may also appeal to you. Unlike Pontoon or Spanish 21, these games incorporate changes to the game format and betting limits rather than having tangible rule changes. For example, there are several decisions to make when playing multi-hand blackjack that comes down to each hand. This generally requires more brainpower than single-hand blackjack, where there is just one hand to account for.

High-roller blackjack is often exclusive to those who want higher betting limits to match their larger stakes. Such a high-stakes environment may add elements of pressure, which some might find more exciting than low-limit blackjack. Although the odds may not change, in what is still a game of chance, the consequences of winning or losing a hand could be huge.

There are many different types of blackjack to sample. Some might be for you, while others might not. You won’t know which is which until you have tried them. Just remember that any variant is ultimately a game of chance with some skill involved. Always learn the fundamental rules and adapt your strategy to any new variant you sample.