Blackjack

Deck Number

Blackjack can be played with one to eight decks of cards. The house edge of the game increases proportionately to the number of decks. The more decks are in play, the higher the house edge gets, which results from the diluted effect of the cards’ removal in multiple-deck games.

The Dealer's Fixed Standing Rules

The dealer’s fixed standing rules vary between tables. Blackjack dealers do not make any decisions when playing out their hands. Instead, they are required to draw to a fixed hand total as stipulated by the casino that employs them. On the basis of these fixed rules, we can make a distinction between two types of blackjack games:

• Dealer stands on soft 17 (S17) is the more favorable rule for players because 17 is generally below the average winning total in the game (18.5). This rule leads to a house edge reduction as it decreases the likelihood of the dealer outdrawing the player.
• Dealer hits soft 17 (H17) is considered disadvantageous for the player because it is impossible for the dealer to bust by taking one more hit on this soft hand. Meanwhile, the dealer may outdraw you by pulling out small cards like 2, 3 or 4. The H17 rule increases the casino’s advantage by 0.22%.

Doubling Down and Splitting Restrictions

At some tables, players are permitted to exercise the double down decision only on specific two-card totals. Some games allow you to double down only on starting totals of 9, 10, and 11 while in others, you are even more restricted as this play is allowed only on totals of 11 and 10.

Doubling only on 9 through 11 increases the house edge by 0.09%. Doubling on 10 and 11 only boosts the casino’s advantage by 0.18%.

Restrictions are also imposed on splitting. Some games allow you to split only once to form two individual hands. Doubling down after a split (known as DAS) may not be allowed at some tables, which again leads to a house edge increase. Resplitting may be prohibited as well. In the most common scenario, the player cannot resplit or hit split Aces.

Blackjack Payouts

This is one of the most important rule variations in blackjack. Some casinos offer you a payout of 3 to 2 for blackjacks. Others pay out at a ratio of 6 to 5 for your naturals. The difference is best explained with examples. Suppose you have a choice from Casino 1 with a 6-to-5 payout and Casino 2 with a 3-to-2 payout. You intend to flat bet with a base unit of $10.

A blackjack in Casino 1 earns you 1.2 times (6/5) your stake, which is to say you get $12 for your $10 bet.

A blackjack in Casino 2 gives your 1.5 times (3/2) your initial wager. Therefore, a blackjack with a $10 bet earns you $15.

It is easy to see which of the two options is the better one. A smart blackjack player would never take a seat at a 6-to-5 table because this payout reduction causes the casino advantage to jump by 1.71%.

Atlantic City Blackjack

Most of the standard rules are in force in this blackjack variant, with a few differences. In Atlantic City Blackjack, there are eight full decks in play although some online casinos offer double-deck variants of the game as well. The objective remains the same – beat the dealer with a higher hand total. Atlantic City Blackjack abides by the following rules:

• The dealer stands on soft 17
• Blackjacks pay 3 to 2
• The player can double down on any two-card total
• The player can resplit three times to up to four hands
• Aces cannot be resplit
• You can double after you split
• Split Aces cannot be hit
• The dealer checks for blackjacks when revealing an Ace or a ten-value card
• Late surrender is allowed

Vegas Strip Blackjack

This variation borrows its name from the blackjack games offered across the Las Vegas Strip. You can commonly find it at Microgaming-powered online casinos. The rules of Microgaming’s online variation of Vegas Strip Blackjack are quite decent (and even better than those in some Strip casinos to be honest), which reduces the house edge to around 0.35%.

• The game plays with four decks
• Blackjack pays at a rate of 3 to 2 (keep in mind some Strip casinos have adjusted the payout to 6 to 5 – avoid those games)
• The dealer must stand on soft 17
• Surrendering is not allowed
• Doubling on any two cards is possible
• Doubling after a split is allowed
• You cannot resplit or hit Aces
• You can split up to three times

Double Exposure

This enticing blackjack variation made its debut in October 1979 in the Vegas World casino. The person who came up with it was math expert Richard Epstein. You may encounter it under different names, including Face Up Blackjack, Zweikartenspiel, and Dealer Disclosure Blackjack.

Players will find variations of Double Exposure in online casinos that use software by NetEnt, Microgaming, RealTime Gaming, and Play’n GO. The game abides by the following rules:

• The dealer receives their two cards face-up
• Eight decks are in play
• Blackjacks have a payout of 1 to 1
• The dealer takes all pushes
• The dealer hits soft 17
• Players can double on 9, 10 and 11 only
• Resplitting is usually not permitted
• You cannot double after you split
• You cannot split ten-value cards if they are not identical
• Surrendering is not an option

Blackjack Switch

Invented by Geoff Hall, this is easily one of the coolest blackjack variations ever because you get to play two hands instead of one and have the option to switch their top cards improving their totals. The game also supports a group of side bets called Dealer Match, which award higher payouts.

The online variation of Blackjack Switch we recommend is the one developed by top software supplier Playtech. Here are the key rules you need to remember:

• The game uses six or eight decks
• You play two hands per round and can switch the top cards
• The dealer peeks for blackjacks
• Blackjacks pay 1 to 1
• The dealer pushes with a total of 22
• Doubling on any two cards is possible
• You can split any pair and resplit to four hands
• Players cannot surrender

Pontoon

Pontoon is often treated like a blackjack variation but it is so different that some experts consider it a wholly separate game. There are two different variants of pontoon which further adds to the confusion of inexperienced players. The one offered across Australia, Malaysia, and Singapore uses short decks and is more similar to Spanish 21.

The other variant resembles the standard game of blackjack and is more popular in the United Kingdom. Most online pontoon variants follow the rules of the UK version. You can find online variations of pontoon developed by RealTime Gaming, Microgaming, Betsoft, and Playtech. Pontoon is played in accordance with the rules below:

• The number of decks varies depending on the casino
• Both cards of the dealer are dealt face-down
• The dealer hits soft 17
• Players must hit until they reach a total of 15
• The dealer takes all ties
• You can double after a hit
• Pontoons and winning five-card hands pay 2 to 1

Spanish 21

Spanish 21 is one of the most interesting variations of blackjack as there are many modifications and differences in terms of rules. This game is perfect for fans of 21 who have grown tired of standard blackjack and are looking for greater excitement and more thrills.

Online variations of Spanish 21 are offered at casino’s running on software provided by Betsoft and Microgaming. These are the most common rules for this blackjack variation:

• Six or eight short decks with 48 cards each (the 10s are removed)
• The dealer hits soft 17
• Blackjacks pay 3 to 2
• Late surrender is permitted
• Doubling on any two cards is permitted
• You can surrender after doubling
• You can hit split Aces and double on them
• You receive additional payouts for special totals of 21

Multi-Hand Blackjack

Some online blackjack variants support the option to play multiple hands simultaneously. The online multi-hand games are equipped with elegant design and extremely realistic animations, providing players with the ultimate casino experience without having to leave their homes.

Players can choose from a number of chip denominations but table limits normally vary between online casinos. The multi-hand variants we recommend are courtesy of suppliers Microgaming, Play’n GO, Pragmatic Play, NetEnt, and Playtech.

Progressive Blackjack

Blackjack fans who transfer their betting action to the internet can hit impressive jackpots in one of the progressive variants of the game. Progressive blackjack varieties are linked to a jackpot network and require players to post an optional side bet (usually of no more than $1) to qualify for winning the pot.

The jackpots are awarded for specific combinations of Aces or 7s, depending on the software supplier. Some of the biggest pots drop in the progressive blackjack games provided by Microgaming, WGS Technology, and Playtech.