Blackjack Variants
Blackjack is what many players consider the perfect casino game. It can be understood at a glance, yet it’s impossible to master for even the most experienced players. Most of us are familiar with the standard version, but blackjack variants that modify gameplay are also common.
Blackjack variants are always similar to the original game, but they might include elements that can throw newcomers off. To help our players at talkSPORT BET avoid this issue, we’ve created this breakdown of the biggest blackjack variants that you can play today.
If you’re a newcomer to blackjack, then you might need some hands-on experience with the standard game first. For this, we’d recommend the traditional version of the game, to get to grips with its gameplay. Once you’re more confident about your play, you might also consider trying out blackjack live variants, which add live-streamed dealers, special multipliers and other bonus features into the equation.
Read on for the lowdown on blackjack variants.
Spanish 21
Spanish 21 has an interesting history in the online casino world. It was originally licensed by a gaming company in Colorado, USA, named Masque Publishing Inc. Despite there still being an official licenced version, many parlours operate their own versions under the same name as Spanish 21.
This version plays almost identically to the original version of blackjack. The big difference is that Spanish 21 has the four ten cards (10 of clubs, 10 of spades, 10 of diamonds, and 10 of hearts) removed from the deck. All other cards, including the face cards, maintain their original values.
Blackjack in Spanish 21 is thus won when the player collects an ace and a face card in their opening hand.
The house edge tends to be slightly lower in Spanish 21 than in other blackjack variants, and compared to standard blackjack, at around 0.40%.
Pontoon
Pontoon is a blackjack variant that was designed in Britain, with its fame and success taking it across the world. The first big difference that players will notice in Pontoon is that the dealer’s cards are dealt face-down. This makes it impossible for players to modify their bet based on what the dealer holds, adding another level of guesswork and strategy into the mix.
The name of a blackjack (a ten-value card and an ace) is also changed to Pontoon in this variant. The dealer will check their hand to see if they have a Pontoon before any other moves are made.
Players in Pontoon can only stand if they have a score of 15 or more, whereas the dealer will always hit on a soft 17. Ties in Pontoon result in a dealer win, and players can double after receiving two, three or four cards. Players can also hit after doubling.
Pontoon players can claim an automatic win if they manage to reach five cards without going over the maximum score of 21.
Blackjack Switch
Blackjack Switch is one of the more recently invented blackjack variants, first developed by Geoff Hall in 2009. This version of the game focuses on customisability, which is where the name ‘Switch’ comes from.
In Blackjack Switch, each player is dealt two hands instead of one. After the first hand, players can switch the top two cards between hands, providing the potential for better matches. The other big rule change of note is that when a dealer hits a hard 22, all player hands push (tie), so no winners result.
The house edge in Blackjack Switch sits at 0.58%.
Free Bet Blackjack
Free Bet Blackjack changes up the regular blackjack formula by letting players split and double each hand for free once in a round. This provides a greater level of freedom in customising play with less concern about money lost.
To help balance things out, doubling is only allowed on 9’s, 10’s, and 11’s. Players are also unable to split 10s or face cards.
American Blackjack
American Blackjack is the name given to a similar version to set it apart from the standard European variant. American Blackjack is different in how the dealer receives their cards. Instead of only receiving a second card after the players make their first move, the dealer is given a second card alongside their first.
The second card given to the dealer is placed down but is also peeked at by the dealer. This means that if the dealer scores a natural blackjack, the game is instantly over. Such an event can be positive for the players, as it can bring a round to an end before players have a chance to spend additional money on splitting or doubling.
The house edge on American Blackjack is around 0.35%.
Summary
We’ve explored five popular blackjack variants but there are, of course, many more out there. Developers are constantly introducing new blackjack titles to the market, innovating with themes and features along the way.
One thing to note is that house edge is relative to the rules of each respective game and the terms of certain casinos. You should be able to access this information relatively easily when you open up a new game to play, however, if you’re interested in learning more about managing your bankroll and setting your limits, visit our Safer Gambling Portal.
Here at talkSPORT BET, we’re home to a vast range of blackjack iterations including titles such as Mega Fire Black Blackjack and Quantum Blackjack Plus. We also boast a series of promotions and offers that are well worth a skim before you jump in. If you’re up for experimenting and trying a new variation of blackjack, apply your new knowledge right here with a game from our massive library!
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