As well as the classic blackjack that can be found at any casino, whether that be brick-and-mortar or online, in the online environment in particular, players are spoilt for choice with numerous variations of the game. If you’re looking for something unique or different to the standard game, visit: https://casino.betfair.com/c/blackjack. Here, we will run through a number of the best online blackjack games.
Blackjack Switch
The main difference between classic blackjack and blackjack switch is that instead of playing with one hand, you play with two. But like the iconic game, you’re still playing against the dealer and aiming to reach as close to, or on, 21 as possible without going bust. The bets for each hand are separate and you can split or double each one. However, you can also switch the top cards on each hand once per round.
There are a number of other differences: if the dealer hits on a soft 17 (that’s 17 points with an ace), he always takes another card; the pay-out for a blackjack is 1:1 rather than the usual 3:2; and if the dealer reaches 22, it’s considered a push against all players bar those with a blackjack. The game is also usually played with six decks of cards.
The game also features a side bet, called Super Match – and here you can wager on whether or not your hands contain matching cards. Pay-outs are as follows: one-pair (1:1), three-of-a-kind (5:1), two-pair (8:1) and four-of-a-kind (40:1).
Blackjack Surrender
Blackjack surrender is pretty much the same as classic blackjack, but instead of the options ‘hit’ and ‘stick’, players can also ‘split’, ‘double’ and take ‘insurance’. Like blackjack switch, the game is played with six decks of cards, but players are able to play with up to five hands. As the name suggests, there is also a ‘surrender’ option – if any player believes their hand is weaker than the dealer’s, they are able to give up or surrender and end the round, taking half of their bet back.
Blackjack Pro
Played with just one deck of cards, blackjack pro is straight-forward, making it a good choice for beginners. Like classic blackjack, players are given the options to ‘hit, ‘stick’, ‘double’ or ‘split’. However, players aren’t permitted to split a split-hand.
The pay-outs are more advantageous to the player in blackjack pro, with 1:1 if your hand is closer to 21 than the dealer’s, or 3:2 if you get blackjack. Additionally, the dealer must hit on a soft 17, which again is more advantageous to the player.
Blackjack UK
There are a few other rules to Blackjack UK which make it slightly more complicated than the classic version; however, games can be played in single or multi-hand rounds and six decks of cards are used.
The most prominent feature of the game is the splitting rule and players can split a hand up to four times, providing they do not have a pair of aces. However, players are not permitting to split hands consisting of fours, fives or tens; and if aces are split, players receive just one card. Another rule, doubling down, can only be made if your cards total nine, 10 or 11. But you can double down if you split. A final rule which differs, is in regards to insurance – and you may only buy insurance if you have blackjack.