Blackjack, a globally recognized card game, has numerous variations. Some may change only a single rule, but that can change the odds and the nature of the game itself. You’ll find many of these at online casinos, but most really only feature a handful of different variations. It’s simply impractical to have all the different variations offered in one place. We’re looking at the top 5 most popular online Blackjack variants you may encounter.
Once you’ve picked one of the below-mentioned variations of this strategic game, your next step is looking for the best online Blackjack info, so you can fully understand where and how to find the best provider.
Rule Variations
The rules of online Blackjack can differ considerably from traditional table Blackjack. There are a few things to know that you might miss out if you don’t understand. It’s important to know the rules of any casino game before you dive in.
Number of Decks
While might use a single deck, casinos typically employ 2-4 decks, sometimes even extending to 8 decks. This prevents card counting and significantly varies your odds.
Payout Variations
The standard Blackjack payout pays 2:3 odds at a table. Online Blackjack typically has adopted a 6:5 payout. This gives the house edge about an extra 1.3% when playing online. However, if you’re playing a live table stream the odds may vary depending on the hosting casino. It’s a subtle distinction, but essential to note.
American Blackjack
Considered the quintessential version of Blackjack, American Blackjack is played with a single 52-card deck. The game’s rules, especially concerning a soft 17, can differ based on the casino’s discretion. Due to its single deck and favorable player odds, American Blackjack is seldom offered in casinos.
European Blackjack
One of the most common variants, European Blackjack has only a few key differences from American Blackjack. It’s played with two full decks and requires the dealer to stand on a soft 17.
Multi-Hand Blackjack
This online-exclusive variant allows players to play more hands in less time. It essentially allows players to play multiple hands at once. Each hand is played individually, but you can think of it as playing multiple seats at a table. The odds remain consistent, but the game frequency increases.
Spanish 21
Spanish 21 is an interesting variant that offers a unique twist. All of the tens, one of the most valuable cards in the game, are completely removed from the deck. This makes getting to 21 rather difficult, but to compensate, any result of 21 is considered Blackjack.
Since the normal Blackjack rules don’t apply there are also variants for payouts. The standard payouts for Blackjack in Spanish 21 are as follows.
- 7 cards pay 3:1
- 6 cards pay 2:1
- 5 cards pay 3:1
Pontoon
Spanish 21 Blackjack is called “Pontoon” in Australia. While most of the rules remain the same, the notable differences between traditional Spanish 21 and Pontoon are:
- The dealer does not receive a hole card.
- Players can redouble up to three times.
- The Ace in pre-doubled hands counts only as one (instead of one and 11).
Free Bet Blackjack
Free Bet Blackjack takes the traditional rules but muddles them up a bit with some unconventional rules. In Free Bet, players can double down and split without wagering any additional money. While this may sound like a win for the players, the rules change a bit to make up for the lack of additional bets.
If the dealer goes bust on these hands, then it’s considered a “push” and the dealer is allowed to hit on a soft 17. Finally, for a free double-down, your initial hand must be a 9, 10, or 11. Similarly, free splits are offered on double cards except for any 10-value card.
Live Dealer Blackjack
With new technology comes new innovations. If you’re skeptical about digital games but miss real dealers, this is your solution. Live Dealer Blackjack has become increasingly popular since the .
This version functions just like in-person table Blackjack but is done remotely. Casinos hire live dealers to run Blackjack games streamed in high definition directly to players. The rules are exactly the same but run through a live video feed.
With so many variations of Blackjack, it’s a good idea to pick one that you prefer and fine-tune your strategy from there. Even minor rule changes between variants fundamentally change the course of the game, the dynamics, and the odds. Any version of Blackjack you choose is ultimately a game of chance with some skill involved. Learning the rules and variant conditions is the first step to playing smart and exercising good judgment with your bankroll.