Blackjack Variations

Atlantic City Blackjack

Atlantic City Blackjack is a hole-card game in which the cards are dealt from an 8-deck shoe. Some casinos also offer double-deck versions. Dealers must stand on all 17s, soft or hard, and they peek for blackjack whenever the upcard is an Ace or has a value of 10. The payout for blackjack is normally 3:2, although a few Atlantic City casinos pay only 6:5. Insurance is available, as is Late Surrender – players may surrender after the dealer has already checked for blackjack.

Players may split pairs up to three times per round, including dissimilar 10-value cards. For instance, a Jack and a King are treated as a pair and can be split. Aces, however, may be split only once, and only one card is dealt to each Ace; after that, the player’s turn automatically ends. The rules for doubling are also very liberal, permitting players to double down on any two cards, either at the start of the round or after a split.

Last but not least, all dealer ties are pushes, meaning that in the event of a tie, players get their stakes back. When offered as a full-pay game, Atlantic City Blackjack boasts one of the highest expected returns. Under these rules, the house edge is just 0.35%, which is incredibly low and enables players to achieve solid profits over time, provided they employ basic and composition-dependent strategy.

Double Exposure

Double Exposure Blackjack, also known as the Two-Card Game or Face-Up 21, was invented in the late 1970s by American game theorist Richard Arnold Epstein. The game is based on classic blackjack but features one major twist: the dealer shows both of his cards instead of just one. Although this is a clear advantage for the player, it comes at a cost – several significant rule changes push the house edge up to about 0.70%.

This variation uses eight standard decks of cards, and the dealer reveals his hand at the start of each round, allowing players to choose their moves more easily. To preserve game balance, however, the rules remove options such as Surrender and Insurance entirely – because players can already see both of the dealer’s cards. In addition, the dealer must hit on soft 17, a rule that favors the house.

Players may Hit, Stand, or split a pair once per round. Cards of equal value but different denominations cannot be split. Doubling down is available only on the first two cards and is not permitted after a split. Perhaps the most critical rule is that the dealer wins all ties, except a tied blackjack. Furthermore, while the standard game pays 3:2 for blackjack, this variation pays even money for both a regular win and a blackjack.

European Blackjack

As its name suggests, European Blackjack is played mainly in casinos across Europe. The game differs from the traditional version of 21 in several ways, most notably in the absence of a hole card. Unlike the Double Exposure variant, however, the dealer deals two cards to the player and draws only one for himself. He pulls a second card from the shoe only after players have completed their actions.

This rule slightly disadvantages the player because the dealer has no hole card to peek at, so a player may spend money on doubling or splitting only to discover that the dealer has blackjack afterward. In this situation, the player loses the entire wager rather than just the original stake.

Many of the rules in European Blackjack vary depending on whether you play online or in a land-based casino, but in most versions, six decks of cards are used. Some casinos also offer a double-deck version. The dealer must draw to 16 and stand on all 17s. Players can split only once and may double on hard totals of 9, 10, or 11. Doubling after a split is also allowed, except on split Aces. When players split a pair of Aces, only one card is dealt to each hand, and no hitting, doubling, or resplitting is permitted.

However, Surrender is not available. Players may take Insurance for exactly half of the original bet when the dealer shows an Ace; a successful Insurance wager pays 2:1. Payouts in European Blackjack are standard – 3:2 for blackjack and 1:1 for a regular win. Under these rules, the house edge is 0.66%, although some versions with Early Surrender offer slightly better odds.

Pontoon

Several games are called Pontoon, and one of them is played primarily in the United Kingdom. Rather than deriving from blackjack, which is an American invention, the British Pontoon is based on the traditional game of Twenty-One. Another related variant, Spanish 21, is also sometimes called Pontoon. The version discussed below is the one that most closely resembles classic blackjack, though slight rule changes exist across RNG titles found online.

The game is played with eight standard decks. The player receives two face-up cards, while the dealer takes two cards face-down. This form of Pontoon mirrors blackjack in almost every respect – the goal is to beat the dealer by achieving a higher total without exceeding 21. The best hand is an Ace with a 10-value card; instead of blackjack, it is called pontoon. Pontoons formed after a split still count and pay 2:1. The next-best hand is any five-card hand that has not busted, which also pays 2:1. A regular win with a higher total than the dealer pays 1:1.

Differences arise in the actions permitted to the player. In this game, the player must hit to 14 and stand on totals of 15 or higher. Players may split pairs and double on any two to four cards, but only once per hand. They may double down after hitting or on a split hand, yet resplitting is not allowed. The dealer draws to 16, hits on soft 17, and must stand on any five-card hand. The dealer wins all ties, and a pontoon beats a score of 21. Surrender and Insurance are unavailable.

Because of these rule and payout differences, the basic strategy for Pontoon deviates from that of classic blackjack. Players should also be aware that the house edge of this variation is around 0.40%, depending on the number of decks in use.

Spanish 21

Spanish 21 is a blackjack-style game popular in the United States and is sometimes referred to as “Pontoon.” Typically, the game is played with six or eight decks of cards, but instead of standard 52-card French decks, it uses 48-card Spanish decks. All 10s are removed, which affects the odds, strategy, and house edge. Because there are no 10s, the game slightly favors the house and makes it harder for players to hit blackjack.

Nevertheless, all other 10-value cards – Jacks, Queens, and Kings – remain in the deck, and a natural pays 3:2. Players also win all blackjack and 21 ties. As a hole-card game, the dealer peeks for blackjack when his upcard is an Ace or a 10-value card. The dealer must hit on soft 17, although some versions require the dealer to stand on all 17s. The rules governing player actions are far more liberal than in standard blackjack.

To start, players may double down on any number of cards and may redouble once during the hand, a perk rarely seen in blackjack. They may also split up to three times, including dissimilar 10-value cards and after a split. Players can even hit, double, and resplit Aces. Late Surrender is available, allowing players to surrender at any point, even after doubling. In addition to these favorable rules, Spanish 21 offers several bonus payouts for hands totaling 21:

• 5 Card 21 – 3:2
• 6 Card 21 – 2:1
• 7 Card 21 – 3:1
• 6-7-8, 7-7-7 of mixed suits – 3:2
• 6-7-8, 7-7-7 of the same suit – 2:1
• 6-7-8, 7-7-7 of spades – 3:1

Blackjack Switch

Blackjack Switch is a creative twist on the classic game in which players place two equal bets and receive two hands against the dealer. Invented by game designer Geoff Hall, who patented it in 2009, the variation is now found on casino floors and in digital form at many online casinos. Although rooted in traditional Vegas rules, Blackjack Switch delivers altered gameplay, different payouts, and added excitement.

This variant uses 4, 6, or 8 standard decks of cards, and the table features two betting boxes for each seat. The round begins when players make two identical bets and receive a separate two-card hand for each wager; afterward, the two hands are played independently. The dealer takes one card face-up and one face-down, as in other American hole-card games. Generally, the dealer must hit on soft 17, though some versions require the dealer to stand on all 17s. The dealer also peeks for blackjack with an Ace or a 10-value upcard.

At the start of each round, players may swap the top cards between their two hands. They can even switch cards to form a blackjack, although in that case it counts as 21, not a natural. This unique exchange rule gives players a notable advantage. In addition, they may hit, stand, and double down on each hand, split pairs twice per round, and double after a split. Surrender is usually unavailable, and Insurance pays the standard 2:1 on dealer blackjack.

To preserve the house edge, however, the rules have been adjusted in several important ways. First, the dealer does not bust with a total of 22 but instead pushes against all non-busted player hands. The only exception is a player blackjack, which beats a dealer 22 and pushes against a dealer blackjack. Another major change is the payout for blackjack: in this game, a natural pays even money.

Additionally, Blackjack Switch often features a side wager called Super Match. On this bet, players win 1:1 for a pair, 5:1 for three of a kind, 8:1 for two pairs, and 40:1 for four of a kind. The main game carries a house edge of roughly 0.60% (the exact figure varies with the rules), while the side bet has a house edge of about 2.55%.

Blackjack Double Attack

Double Attack, also known as Double Blackjack, is an engaging variation of Spanish 21 that can be played online as well as in several Atlantic City casinos. It is also offered in some Las Vegas venues. The game uses eight Spanish decks, meaning that each 48-card deck omits all 10s. The name refers to the option of doubling your wager as soon as you see the dealer’s upcard.

In fact, players are allowed to Double Down and Surrender at any time during play. The round begins with one card dealt to each player and the dealer; players may then decide whether to double down based on their first card and the dealer’s face-up card. Afterward, the dealer deals everyone a second card. Players may hit, stand, double, or split up to two or three times, depending on house rules. They may also double after a split, but Aces cannot be resplit.

The dealer, meanwhile, is required to stand on all 17s and peeks for blackjack when the upcard is an Ace or a 10-value card. In this game, blackjack pays even money (1:1), and Insurance pays 5:2, though some versions raise the Insurance payout to 3:1. Depending on specific house rules, the game’s house edge ranges between 0.47% and 0.62%.

An additional attraction of Double Attack Blackjack is the side wager known as Bust It. With this bet, players predict that the dealer will bust with exactly three cards. The wager is placed before the round begins, and the payout depends on the dealer’s bust hand or final card: the payouts are as follows:

• Dealer Busts with a Face Card – 3:1
• Dealer Busts with a 9 – 6:1
• Dealer Busts with an 8 – 8:1
• Dealer Busts with a 7 – 10:1
• Dealer Busts with a 6 – 15:1
• Dealer Hand 8-8-8 of the same color – 50:1
• Dealer Hand 8-8-8 of the same suit – 200:1

Match Play 21

Using Spanish decks in which all 10s have been removed, Match Play 21 is an intriguing and somewhat unusual blackjack variant. Casinos may use two, four, or six decks, and the game employs a hole card. The dealer must hit on soft 17 and peeks for blackjack whenever the face-up card is an Ace or a 10-value card (Jack, Queen, or King). Players may split pairs up to three times per round, may draw to split Aces, and even resplit them – something not normally allowed. They may also redouble once during the hand or double after a split.

The Double Down and Surrender options are available at any time. Standard payouts are 3:2 for blackjack and 1:1 for a regular win, while Insurance pays 2:1. The game’s most distinctive feature is its bonus pay table, which rewards certain special hands when the player has neither doubled nor split. The top bonus payout is 40:1 for a Match Play 21 – three 7s of the same suit when the dealer’s upcard is also a 7. Additional special payouts include:

• Match Play 21 – 40:1
• 7-Card 21 – 3:1
• 7-7-7 of Spades – 3:1
• 6-7-8 of Spades – 3:1
• 6-Card 21 – 2:1
• 7-7-7 Suited – 2:1
• 6-7-8 Suited – 2:1
• 7-7-7 of Any Suit – 3:2
• 6-7-8 of Any Suit – 3:2
• 5-Card 21 – 3:2