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 are typically required to stand on all 17s, whether soft or hard, and peek for blackjack when the upcard is an Ace or a 10-value card. The payout for blackjack is usually 3:2, but some casinos in Atlantic City pay only 6:5. Insurance and late surrender are available, meaning players can surrender after the dealer has checked for blackjack.

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

Finally, all dealer ties are pushes, meaning players receive their stakes back in the event of a tie. When offered as a full-pay game, Atlantic City Blackjack is one of the variations with the highest expected returns. Under these rules, the house edge is only 0.35%, provided players use 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 and scientist Richard Arnold Epstein. The game is based on classic blackjack but includes one major difference: the dealer shows both cards instead of just one. While this gives players an obvious advantage, several significant rule changes increase the house edge to 0.70%.

This variation uses eight standard decks of cards, and the dealer reveals the hand at the beginning of the round, helping players determine the right course of action more easily. To maintain the game’s balance, however, the rules eliminate options such as surrender and insurance altogether, as these are unnecessary when players can see both of the dealer’s cards. The dealer must hit on soft 17, a rule that favors the house.

Players are allowed to hit, stand, or split a pair once per round. Cards of the same value but different denominations cannot be split. Doubling down is available on the first two cards only and is not allowed after a split. One of the most important rules is that the dealer wins all ties except a tied blackjack. Moreover, 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 predominantly played in casinos across Europe. This game differs from the traditional version of 21 in several ways, most notably through its lack of a hole card. Unlike Double Exposure Blackjack, however, the dealer deals two cards to the player and draws only one for himself. He draws a second card from the shoe only after the players have made their moves.

This rule slightly disadvantages players because there is no hole card for the dealer to peek at. Players may spend money on doubling or splitting, only to discover afterward that the dealer has blackjack. In this game, the player loses the entire wager against a dealer blackjack, not just the original stake.

Many European Blackjack rules vary depending on whether the game is played online or in a land-based casino, but most variations use six decks of cards. 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 double on hard totals of 9, 10, or 11. Doubling after a split is also permitted, except on split Aces. When players split a pair of Aces, only one card is dealt to each hand, and hitting, doubling, and resplitting are not allowed.

However, surrender is not available. Players can take insurance for exactly half the original bet when the dealer shows an Ace. A successful insurance wager pays 2:1. European Blackjack offers standard payouts of 3:2 for blackjack and 1:1 for a regular win. Under these rules, the game has a house edge of 0.66%, although some versions with early surrender may offer slightly better odds.

Pontoon

Several games are called Pontoon. One is played primarily in the United Kingdom and, rather than deriving from blackjack, which is an American invention, British Pontoon is based on the traditional game of Twenty-One. Spanish 21 is another variation that is sometimes called Pontoon. Several RNG versions are also available online. Their rules may vary, but the version described below has the most similarities to traditional blackjack.

The game is played with eight standard decks. The player receives two face-up cards, while the dealer draws two cards face-down. This variation of Pontoon resembles blackjack in almost every respect. The aim is to beat the dealer by collecting a higher total without exceeding 21. The best hand is an Ace and a 10-value card, but instead of blackjack, it is called pontoon. Pontoons formed after a split also count, and this hand pays 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’s hand pays 1:1.

There are further differences in the actions available to players. In this game, the player must hit to 14 and stand on totals of 15 or higher. Players can split pairs and double on any two to four cards, but only once per hand. They can double down after hitting or on a split hand, but 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 not available.

Because of these differences in the rules and payouts, the basic strategy for this game differs from that of classic blackjack. Players should also know 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 called “Pontoon.” Usually, this game is played with six or eight decks of cards. Instead of standard 52-card French decks, however, it uses 48-card Spanish decks. All 10s are removed, changing the game’s odds, strategy, and house edge. The lack of 10s favors the house and makes it harder for players to get blackjack.

All other 10-value cards remain in the deck, including Jacks, Queens, and Kings, and a natural pays 3:2. Players also win ties involving blackjack or a total of 21. As this is a hole-card game, the dealer can peek for blackjack when the upcard is an Ace or a 10-value card. The dealer must hit on soft 17, although some versions of Spanish 21 require the dealer to stand on all 17s. The rules governing player actions are much more liberal.

Players may double down on any number of cards and redouble once during the hand, an option rarely found in blackjack games. They may also split up to three times, including dissimilar 10-value cards. Players can also hit, double, and resplit Aces. Late surrender is allowed, meaning players can surrender at any time, including after doubling their bet. Along with these favorable rules, Spanish 21 offers several bonus payouts for totals of 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 an interesting variation of the classic game in which players make two bets and play two hands against the dealer. It was created by game inventor Geoff Hall, who patented it in 2009. Today, this blackjack variation can be found on casino floors and in digital form at various online casinos. Based on traditional Las Vegas rules, Blackjack Switch offers altered gameplay and different payouts.

This variation uses 4, 6, or 8 standard decks of cards, and the table features two betting boxes for each playing position. The game starts when players make two identical bets and receive a separate two-card hand for each one. The two hands are then played independently. The dealer draws one card face-up and one face-down, as in other American hole-card games. Usually, the dealer must hit on soft 17, although 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 exchange the top cards between their hands. They can also switch cards to form a blackjack, but it counts as 21 rather than a natural. This card-exchange rule is unique to Blackjack Switch and gives players an advantage. Players can also hit, stand, and double down on each hand. They can split pairs twice per round and double after a split. Surrender is usually unavailable, while insurance pays the standard 2:1 on a dealer blackjack.

To maintain the house advantage, the rules have been changed in several important ways. First, the dealer does not bust with a hand of 22 but pushes against all player hands that have not busted. The only exception is a player blackjack, which beats a dealer 22 and pushes against a dealer blackjack. Another important change is the blackjack payout. In this game, a natural pays even money.

Additionally, Blackjack Switch usually offers a side wager called Super Match. 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 has a house edge of more than 0.60%, although the exact percentage varies depending on the rules. The house edge on the side bet is 2.55%.

Blackjack Double Attack

Double Attack, also known as Double Blackjack, is an interesting variation of Spanish 21 that can be played online and at casinos in Atlantic City. It is also offered at some casinos in Las Vegas. The game uses eight Spanish decks, meaning that each deck contains 48 cards because all 10s have been removed. The name of this blackjack variation refers to the option to double your bet as soon as you see the dealer’s upcard.

Players are allowed to double down and surrender at any time during play. The game starts with one card dealt to each player and the dealer. Players can then double down based on their first card and the dealer’s face-up card. After they make their decisions, the dealer gives everyone a second card. Players have the option to hit, stand, double, or split up to two or three times, depending on the casino. They can double after a split, but Aces cannot be resplit.

The dealer 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 at 1:1, while a winning insurance bet pays 5:2. Some versions offer a higher insurance payout of 3:1. Depending on the specific rules, the house edge ranges from 0.47% to 0.62%.

Another interesting aspect of Double Attack Blackjack is the Bust It side wager. Players bet that the dealer will bust with exactly three cards. The side bet is placed before the game begins, and the payout depends on the dealer’s bust hand or third and 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 from which all 10s have been removed, Match Play 21 is an interesting and unusual blackjack variation. It uses two, four, or six decks, depending on the casino, and features a hole card. The dealer must hit on soft 17 and peeks for blackjack if the face-up card is an Ace or a 10-value card, such as a Jack, Queen, or King. Players can split pairs up to three times per round. They can draw to split Aces and resplit them, which is not normally allowed. They can also redouble once during the hand or double after a split.

The double down and surrender options are available at any time. The payouts for blackjack and a regular win are the standard 3:2 and 1:1, respectively, while insurance pays 2:1. The most interesting aspect of the game, however, is the bonus pay table. It applies to several special hands, but only if the player has not doubled or split. The top bonus payout is 40:1 for a Match Play 21, which consists of three 7s of the same suit when the dealer’s upcard is also a 7. Other 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