Blackjack Games

While blackjack games and online blackjack games remain popular, many gamblers seek new blackjack variations.  There are innumerable online blackjack game variations as well as casino blackjack game variations, many of which actually increase a player’s chances of winning.  Before choosing a new way to enjoy online blackjack game variations or casino blackjack game variations, it is important to understand how the variations change the odds.

The most obvious difference is often the dealer’s actions.  In many blackjack games, especially online blackjack games since many online casinos do not use U.S. rules, dealers do not use a hole card (the dealer’s second card, drawn with the first card and left face down).  Rather, the blackjack game dealer takes one card, deals to the table, and then takes a second card at the end.

The number of decks affects the statistics of a blackjack game or online blackjack game.  Fewer decks gives the player the advantage.  If the player initially receives a high card, there is a higher percentage chance of drawing a second high card.

The dealer’s rules affect both casino and online blackjack.  A blackjack game where a dealer must hit on a soft 17 (where an ace acts as 11) favors the player as the dealer is more likely to break 21.  This is known as an H17 game.  An S17 blackjack game favors the house, as the dealer is not required to hit on soft 17.

Atlantic City Blackjack games are S17 and involve 8 decks of cards. However, the dealer checks for blackjack before the players double, preventing large losses.  Late surrender, doubling on first two cards, doubling on splits, and re-splitting into 3 hands are allowed. This is a frequent online blackjack game variation.

Bonus Blackjack is a standard, European rules, 2 deck blackjack game.  If you bet on the bonus, hands of blackjack with the Ace and jack of spades pay at 50:1.  Blackjack with an ace and jack of different suits still pays out at 25:1.

Double Exposure Blackjack exposes both of the dealer’s cards and is an H17 blackjack game. To compensate, the dealer wins all ties and the player’s wins, including blackjack, pay only 1:1. This is often seen as an online blackjack game variation, allowing online blackjack game players to practice technique.

European Blackjack is identical to the American blackjack game, except that the dealer deals his/her second card last and does not immediately check for blackjack.

Spanish Blackjack is a complicated blackjack variation using 8 decks.  However, tens are removed from the deck, leaving 48 cards per deck.  The player’s blackjack and 21 beat the dealer’s, the dealer hits on soft 17, the player can double down on any cards or after a split, the player may re-split aces, and the player may surrender after doubling down.  Wins pay out by card values. 5 cards totaling 21 pay at 3:2, 6 cards totaling 21 pay at 2:1, 7+ cards totaling 21 pay at 3:1.  6-7-8 or 7-7-7 combos pay at 3:2 for mixed suits, 2:1 for same suits, and 3:1 for spades.  If the dealer’s hand is 7+ face up cards and the player holds a same suited 7-7-7, the payout is 50-1.

Vegas Strip Blackjack is a 4 deck, S17 blackjack game variation often played as an online blackjack game variation.  Players are permitted to double on the first cards and after a split.  If the player splits on an ace and is dealt a 10, the combination counts as 21 rather than natural blackjack.