Exploring the Different Blackjack Variations to Play Online
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Blackjack is one of the most authentic casino table games of all time. Blackjack games have been enjoyed through the generations. People are more recently venturing online to enjoy classic blackjack or ‘21’ against virtual and human dealers.
There are several elements of classic blackjack games that can be tweaked to add a different dimension to the game.
House edge is a key differentiator in blackjack variations. New black jack games pay 6:5 for black Jack instead of 3:2.
Some blackjack variants contain up to eight decks of cards in the dealer's shoe.
Some blackjack variations enable players to double down after splitting to make up for the lost house edge elsewhere. In reality, doubling down only gives you 0.1% of the house advantage.
Newer blackjack games have given the dealer alternative rules for playing soft 17. Some variants allow the player to hit on soft17, giving the house an extra 0.2% in house edge.
American Blackjack is considered the classic BlackJack game. It has a low house edge and consists of a single 52-card deck.
European Blackjack is one of the first variations of blackjack. It is played using two 52-card decks and the dealers stand on soft 17. Black Jack pays out at odds of 3:2.
Perfect Pairs Blackjack was one of the first blackjack variations to contain side bets. Players place an additional side bet if they think their first two cards will be the same value e.g. two kings or two sixes. If the two card values are the the right colour and value, you can win 12:1 payouts. The biggest 25: 1 payout is reserved for cards of same colour, value and suit.
Free Bet Blackjack is a new variant of the table game. It offers a lot of features that are not available in regular blackjack games. The catch is that the dealer can go bust with a score of 22 and it's a push rather than a win for the player.
Blackjack Switch was developed in 2009 before Free Bet Blackjack. Players make two bets of equal size and can switch their second card dealt to each hand. The game is played across six or eight decks.
Multi-Hand Blackjack is one of the most recent blackjack variations. It is played across six 52-card decks and offers a house edge of just 0.47%. Black Jack still pays out the 3:2 norm.
Spanish 21 is a new version of the blackjack game. It has a different payout system and players can resplit their hands and double down on any hand. The player hitting 21 always wins. The payout rules are: 21 with any three sevens pays 3/2, 21 6-7-8 pays 2:1, and 21 when the dealer has the fourth seven pays 50:50.
There is a growing demand for live dealer blackjack games online. Live casino gaming providers run studios where trained dealers manage physical games of black jack in real time. With the ability to chat to dealers and fellow players via the live chat box facility, live black Jackalop offers a highly engaging and social table game experience from the comfort of your armchair.
Online casino operators are offering blackjack variations. If you are unfamiliar with any of the rules of a new black jack game type, read the help section in full before you risk a penny of your own money.
