Blackjack Variations
Blackjack is arguably one of the most widely played casino games today. A casino banking game, blackjack’s history dates back to 18th-century France, but some also say it boasts a Spanish provenance. Its first written reference was in the book by Miguel de Cervantes, where he wrote about card cheats in Seville. He talked about the game veintiuna, or the Spanish term for ‘twenty-one,’ a game where the player aims to collect 21 points without going over, where Aces score 1 or 11. It’s a game that requires some skills and reliable strategies to win, compared to other games that mainly rely on random outcomes.
But more than the exciting and challenging gameplay, there’s another reason blackjack is a player’s favorite: it’s also available in different variants. If you check out the games’ portfolios of top casinos, you’ll find several blackjack variations, each with a specific character and appeal to players.
Standard Rules in Blackjack
In blackjack online, you aim to win the round by forming a hand that beats the dealer but not exceeding 21. Understanding the card values is crucial. The face cards count as ten, Aces count as either 1 or 11, and the remaining cards retain their values. If your hand value exceeds 21, you bust and lose the round.
All blackjack games follow these general rules, but you’ll also find some variations in rules at the casino’s discretion. Also, you’ll find different blackjack games that may vary in terms of the number of decks used, the rule on the hole card, and the rules on splitting, doubling down, and standing. These differences in the betting rules give rise to colorful blackjack variations you can play in top Indian online casinos.
If you’re looking for variety or want some excitement when playing this classic card game, then we recommend checking out the following top blackjack variations:
American Blackjack
Also called Classic Blackjack, American Blackjack allows the dealer to collect both cards immediately, with one face-up card and a hole card. If the face-up card is an Ace, the dealer peeks at the hole card. If it’s a ten or a royal, it’s blackjack, and the house wins.
European Blackjack
In European Blackjack, the dealer doesn’t get his hole card until after the players decide how to play their cards. If you’re playing this variant, you can split or double down depending on the dealt cards. The European variant imposes more limitations on the players’ decisions than its American counterpart. For example, if the dealer earns a blackjack, it beats all other 21-value hands, except if the player also has a blackjack, which results in a push. Also, the dealer stands on soft 17, and players can only double down with a value of 9, 10, or 11.
Vegas Strip Blackjack
Vegas Strip Blackjack is popularly played in Las Vegas and boasts the same general betting rules except for a few changes. This blackjack variation uses four decks of playing cards, and the dealer checks for blackjack. Also, this variant boasts a few specific rules on standing, doubling down, and splitting. For example, players can double down on an initial hand or after splitting. When it comes to splitting, players can only split up to four hands per game, and Aces can be split once. Furthermore, the dealer is allowed to stand on a soft 17.
Blackjack Switch
In Blackjack Switch, there’s an option to play two hands separately, and you can switch or swap the second cards dealt to each hand between the two hands. Aside from the ‘swap’ and ‘switch,’ another crucial rule makes it a standout. If the dealer makes a ‘22’, this isn’t counted as a ‘bust’ but as a draw, unless the player has a blackjack formed that was created from a split or switch.
Multi-Hand Blackjack
In this blackjack variation, you can play multiple hands simultaneously. It’s often available in American Blackjack, and the number of hands depends on the game provider or operator. Players can play up to five hands at a time in Borgata Casino’s Blackjack Pro.
Blackjack Perfect Pairs
Blackjack Perfect Pairs is another exciting variant that became popular because of a ‘side bet.’ At the start of the round, players decide whether to play the Perfect Pairs bonus bet. If the first two cards are face cards or of the same value, it’s a pair, and the bonus bet wins!
What is the Best Blackjack Variation to Play In Indian Online Casinos
There are more than a dozen blackjack variations to play in casinos, and choosing what to play can be overwhelming. Before playing online in real money, assess your skills, risk level, and understanding of the basic blackjack strategy. If you’re a beginner, you may want to skip the Blackjack Switch or Multi-Hand Blackjack and just go for the classic version.
It’s also an excellent strategy to test all popular blackjack variants to understand the gameplay and betting rules.
But whatever blackjack variation you pick, it’s best to set a bankroll, use a strategy, and play responsibly!
