Different Versions Of Blackjack
It could be argued that blackjack is the quintessential casino game. Its impact on popular culture has been profound, and millions of people have recognized a specific significance in the number “21.”
While countless Americans partake in the game at casinos across the country, many are unfamiliar with the other variations of the game. Like so many other familiar games, there are other versions that exist which give players better odds for their money.
Blackjack is an old game that today operates under fairly standardized rules. Sure, you might find games with different numbers of decks, different surrender rules, or different rules for how the dealer decides when to stand and when to hit. Different types of blackjack? While there are many variations of blackjack available in online casinos, we sought to look at the most popular ones. Classic Blackjack. Also referred to as the American Blackjack, this is the most common variation of Blackjack that you will encounter. It can be played with up to 8 decks. Blackjack variations range from novel to downright mystifying. But no matter what their level of difficulty, trying a few of these variants will help you appreciate the classic game.
- European Blackjack is considered to be the game from which Blackjack evolved to its current form around the world. This variation is typically played with two decks of cards, and there are some player-friendly rules such as a small number of cards and dealer standing on soft 17.
- Pontoon is a different types of blackjack games is extremely popular in the UK and Australia, therefore there are 2 different types with very different rules. One is called British Pontoon (which is closer to classic blackjack) and the other Australian Pontoon (which is closer to Spanish 21).
In this article, I’ll dive into some alternative versions of blackjack, and explain the specific rules and advantages that set them apart from the game most people know and love.
1 – Classic Blackjack
Whether in a physical or an online real money casino, classic blackjack remains the most popular form of the game – not just in the U.S., but in most parts of the world.
Make no mistake about it, this version is a gambler-favorite for good reason. The house edge is low, the rules are relatively easy to pick up on quickly, and it’s more social than poker.
As I mentioned, the house edge is low. With that being said, it’s important to recognize that just because you see that very appealing 0.5% edge number, it doesn’t necessarily mean you’re taking advantage of it in its entirety.
The famous 0.5% that is constantly tossed around when looking at games with the lowest house edges assumes that you’re making all the right moves. The good news is that it isn’t particularly difficult to learn what the right moves should be, but it does take a little bit of practice.
If you’re stumbling upon this article without any prior blackjack experience and want to compare the rules of each version, I’ll provide a brief description (although I would assume most readers know the rules of classic blackjack):
Players go against the dealer attempting to reach 21, or be the closest to 21, without getting more than 21. Players each receive two cards and have the option to “hit” (get another card) or “stay” (keep their current cards only). If anyone, player or dealer gets cards that equal more than 21, they “bust” and lose the hand.
In the end, if you choose classic blackjack as the standard version, you’re going to give yourself a good chance to win some money.
2 – European Blackjack
Similar to roulette, there is a European version of blackjack. Also like roulette, European blackjack offers slightly better odds to players than its American (or generally standard) counterpart.
First, European blackjack is typically played with two decks of cards. This means the cards are more predictable than other versions of blackjack that incorporate a half-dozen or more decks into one game.
Another component of European blackjack that makes it more favorable to players is the dealer stands on soft 17.
A few more qualities that set European blackjack apart are: dealer blackjack vs. player blackjack results in a tie or push. Players can only double down when their cards are showing 9, 10, or 11. And finally, blackjacks pay 3:2.
When you do the math (I’ll spare you the equations), the result shows that the house edge in European blackjack comes in at 0.39%. In other words, it’s about 20% lower than classic blackjack.
If you’re an experienced blackjack player and are looking to try something new, I would recommend checking out this version of the game during your next casino visit.
3 – Face Up 21
Face up 21 puts a great deal of power in players’ hands, while removing some of the advantages of the house.
In this version of the game, both of the dealer’s cards are dealt and shown face up. It goes without saying that being able to see two cards instead of just one gives gamblers tremendous insight into how they should be betting during the hand.
Unfortunately, it isn’t all good news for gamblers when it comes to this game. For example, a dealer hits on soft 17, and dealer blackjack beats a player blackjack, and blackjack only pays even money.
Similar to European blackjack, in Face Up 21 players can only double down on 9, 10, and 11.
The house edge on this version of the game comes in at 0.69%, which makes it the worst on the list up to this point. While the overall house edge might be lower, if you adjust your betting strategy in accordance to the rules that require the dealer to show both cards after dealing, it still might be a better option than classic blackjack.
4 – Perfect Pairs Blackjack
For those players who think that a great betting strategy is more important than a great playing strategy, Perfect Pairs blackjack offers a unique opportunity to win big.
Perfect Pairs Blackjack has the same rules as classic blackjack, with a betting twist. At the beginning of each hand, players can make an extra side bet. This side bet is a gamble on whether or not the first two cards you’re dealt will be the same number.
You might be wondering, “Betting on two cards being the same seems like a longshot, what’s the payout if I take the risk?” I’m glad you asked.
If your pair is any two cards of the same value (meaning just the number or the same face card), you get paid out at 5:1. If the two cards are the same value, same color, but a different suit, you get paid at 10:1. The big jackpot win comes if the two cards are the same rank and same suit (keep in mind multiple decks are used, so this is possible). If you hit a “Perfect Pair,” you get paid at 30:1.
The reason I’m so fond of Perfect Pairs blackjack is because it’s just regular blackjack with the opportunity to take a little risk on the side. Anyone who is familiar with classic blackjack won’t have to undergo any learning curve, as the rules here are as simple as it gets.
5 – Spanish 21
Arguably the most popular alternative of classic blackjack is Spanish 21.
In Spanish 21, all the ‘10’ cards are taken out. You might think this would be a huge boost to the house edge, but the rules are tilted in the players’ favor, so it more than evens out in the end. Spanish 21 is known to be one of the most player-friendly games you’ll find anywhere in the casino…even more so than classic blackjack.
Keep in mind that the rules vary from casino to casino, but most follow a standard procedure.
Now let’s get into the more complex rules that give players the advantage.
Resplitting is permitted, including aces, which gives gamblers a great opportunity to maximize winnings. Furthermore, players can double down on any point total after any amount of cards dealt. They can even double after splitting.
The next area of Spanish 21 that makes it so popular is the unique payout structure. Keep in mind that these are not the same at every casino, but I’ll lay out the most common.
- A five-card 21 pays out at 3:2.
- Six-card 21 pays 2:1
- A seven-card 21 pays out at 3:1.
- A 678 and 777 of mixed suit pays 3:2. If they’re the same suit it pays 2:1.
There is one big exciting payout component to Spanish 21. If a player has 777 of the same suit and the dealer is holding a 7 in any suit, there is a $1,000 bonus paid to the player. If the player has bet more than $25 at the start of the hand, this climbs all the way to $5,000.
Depending on how you play, Spanish 21’s house edge comes in somewhere around 0.38%, making it the lowest on the list. The downside is that depending on some house rules, it can be around 0.78%, which would make it not quite as appealing as some of the other games on the list.
My advice? Try out Spanish 21 if you’re a fan of real money blackjack. Its unique payout structure always makes for an interesting game and the chance to hit the jackpot provides an extra layer of excitement.
Conclusion
Blackjack might be as standard as it gets when it comes to casino games, but these variations of the game ensure that it won’t ever get old.
Different Versions Of Poker
If you’re looking to spice things up during your next trip to your local gaming establishment, ask a casino staff member about the blackjack versions they offer. Try your hand at a few and see if you can experience some of that ‘beginner’s luck’ everyone keeps talking about.
Blackjack is such a popular casino game that dozens of blackjack variations have popped up over the years. Some of these blackjack variants have stuck around; others have gotten lost in the sands of time. A few have even become popular games on their own.
The following blackjack variations are the most popular today. If you play online blackjack, you’ll run across these variations at some point. The basic rules of each game are all similar, but there are just enough differences to set each game apart.
The Best Casinos for Blackjack Variations
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Blackjack
This is the classic game that we all know. Blackjack, also known as “21,” is the most popular type of blackjack in the world. The goal in blackjack is to get as close to 21 as possible without going over. You can check out my blackjack rules page to learn more about the rules of blackjack.
The rules for blackjack can change a little from one casino to the next. The rules set listed here is the one found most often on the internet.
- 2-4 Decks
- Dealer hits soft 17
- Doubling allowed
- Splitting allowed
- 1-2 resplits allowed
- Doubling after splitting allowed
- Dealer checks for blackjack
- House advantage: 0.56% (varies but usually around this number)
European Blackjack
European blackjack is typically played with two decks of cards. There are a few player-friendly rules such as a small number of decks and dealer standing on soft 17.
The casino makes up for this by instituting the “dealer does not check for blackjack” rule. In other words, the dealer does not check for a blackjack until after you have played the entire hand. That means you stand to lose more money if you double or split during the hand. In other blackjack variations, the dealer checks for blackjack at the beginning of the hand and prevents you from doubling or splitting.
- Dealer stands on soft 17
- Dealer blackjack vs. player blackjack results in a push
- Dealer does not check for blackjack (this means the dealer only checks for a blackjack after you have played the entire hand)
- Players may only double down on point totals of 9, 10 and 11
- Player may double after splitting
- No resplitting
- Blackjack pays 3:2
- House advantage: 0.39%
Face Up 21
Face Up 21 is an interesting blackjack variation in which both of the dealer’s cards are dealt face up. This extra information gives you a great advantage in decision-making. However, this additional information comes with a price…
- Dealer hits on soft 17
- Dealer blackjack vs. player blackjack results in a loss
- Blackjack pays even money
- Players may only double on hard point totals of 9, 10 and 11
- Players may double after splitting
- House advantage: 0.69%
Match Play 21
Match Play 21 is quite a bit different than traditional blackjack. 10s are removed from the deck and certain hands receive special bonus payouts. This is the same game as Spanish 21 except adapted for use at online casinos.
- All 10s are removed from the deck (face cards remain)
- Dealer hits on soft 17
- Player may double one time
- Splitting allowed
- Blackjack pays 3:2
- House advantage: 0.76% to 0.81% (varies)
Special Payouts:
- Match Play 21 pays 40:1 (player hand consists of three 7s of the same suit and the dealer’s face-up card is any 7)
- Player has 777 all spades: 3:1
- Players has 678 all spades: 3:1
- Player has 7 cards without busting: 3:1
- Player have 777 of the same suit: 2:1
- Players has 678 of the same suit: 2:1
- Player has a six card 21: 2:1
- Player has any three 7s: 3:2
- Player has any 678: 3:2
- Player has a five card 21: 3:2
Pontoon
Pontoon is similar to the blackjack variation known as “Spanish 21.” In this game, the dealer starts with both hole cards face down. The casino makes up for this lack of information by giving the player 2:1 payouts instead of 3:2 payouts.
- Any two-card hand that totals exactly 21 points is called a “pontoon.”
- Dealer hits on soft 17
- Pontoon pays 2:1
- Five card trick pays 2:1
- Player may only stand on a total of 15+ or after five cards
- Dealer wins all ties
- House advantage: 0.38%
Different Versions Of Blackjack
Super 21
Super 21 uses the same basic rules as blackjack but it offers special payouts for certain hands.
- Dealer hits on soft 17
- Splitting is allowed
- Blackjack pays even money
- Diamond Blackjack (two diamond cards that total 21): 2:1
- Five card 21: 2:1 (non doubled hands only)
- Six card 21: 2:1 (non doubled hands only)
- Six cards that total 20 or less (instant win): even money
- House advantage: 1.16% to 1.20% (varies)
Perfect Pairs Blackjack
Perfect Pairs Blackjack uses regular blackjack rules but it allows for an extra side bet at the beginning of each hand. The Perfect Pairs side bet is a wager that your first two cards will be of the same value. This side bet is not affected by the outcome of each round.
- Dealer hits on soft 17
- Splitting is allowed
- Players may double down once
- Blackjack pays 3:2
- Players may play up to 5 hands at a time
- House advantage: 0.42%
Different Versions Of Poker Games
Side Bet Payouts:
- Mixed Pair (any two cards of the same rank): 5:1
- Colored Pair (any two cards of the same rank and same color): 10:1
- Perfect Pair (any two cards of the same rank and suit): 30:1
Multi Hand Blackjack
Multi hand blackjack is just a blackjack variation in which you can play more than one hand at a time. This is one of the most popular blackjack variations for players who get comfortable with single hand blackjack. The multi-hand version adds excitement and keeps the game running at a quick pace.
Most real money gambling sites use the following rules:
- Dealer stands on soft 17
- Players may only double on point totals of 9, 10 and 11
- No resplitting is allowed
- Dealer does not check for blackjack
- Insurance is resolved at the end of the hand
- House advantage: 0.63%
Spanish 21
Different Versions Of Jack And The Beanstalk
Spanish 21 is very similar to the card game Pontoon (described above). In this game, all the 10 cards are removed from the deck. The removal of all 10s would normally result in a higher house advantage, but Spanish 21 makes up for that by offering players a bunch of player-friendly rules. In fact, Spanish 21 is often one of the best games in the casino for the player.
Spanish 21 is played mostly in live casinos, so the rules can vary quite a bit. The following set of rules is pretty standard:
- Dealer stands on soft 17 (at most casinos)
- Blackjack pays 3:2
- Resplitting is allowed (including Aces)
- Player blackjacks beat dealer blackjacks
- Players may double down once on any points total after any number of cards.
- Players may double after splitting
- Player may surrender after doubling
- House advantage: .38 to .78% (varies)
Special Payouts
Spanish 21 offers a variety of special payouts. These payouts vary from one casino to the next, but the following payouts are the most common. Most casinos do not offer these bonus payouts after doubling or splitting.
- 5 Card 21 pays 3:2
- 6 card 21 pays 2:1
- 7 card 21 pays 3:1
- 678 of mixed suits pays 3:2
- 777 of mixed suits pays 3:2
- 678 of the same suit pays 2:1
- 777 of the same suit pays 2:1
- 678 of all spades pays 3:1
- 777 of all spades pays 3:1
- If the player has 777 of the same suit and the dealer shows a 7 of any suit, a bonus payout of $1,000 is given to the player. This bonus jumps to $5,000 is the player wagered $25 or more at the beginning of the hand.
Blackjack Switch
This is an interesting variation in which you are dealt two hands and are given the option to trade the second card dealt in each hand. This is a major advantage but the casino makes up for it with two rules:
- A dealer total of 22 points results in a push
- Blackjacks pay even money
Other Blackjack Switch rules:
- Dealer hits on soft 17
- Resplitting is allowed
- Dealer checks for blackjack
- Doubling allowed on any points total
- House advantage: 0.16% to 0.58% (varies)
Sources for house advantage numbers on this page
Most of the numbers for the house advantage of these games comes from the Wizard of Odds website. The Wizard of Odds is a trusted gambling website that deals heavily in mathematics for sound gambling advice.
I also got blackjack house advantage information from this site.
I relied on these two sources heavily but also cross-referenced them with a variety of other resources.