You are here: Home Famous online casino gamesBlackjack history  Variations  

Blackjack Variations - The Immense Choice of Options

Blackjack Variations - The Immense Choice of Options

Although there have been invented a number of variations of "twenty-one", the general objective and basic blackjack rules stay the same. At the same time, each variant of the game certainly comprises a number of its own peculiarities, concerning its particular rules and game strategies.

  • Pontoon is generally known as variation of the English game, which has its solid place in blackjack history and has its main distinction, which lies in the fact that the dealer doesn't open any of his cards. This obviously affects the player's strategies and changes a couple of aspects of the game:

    1. Although the best variant for a player is the same as in traditional blackjack (an ace and a 10), it's no longer called Blackjack, but Pontoon.

    2. One of the best hands, following Pontoon, is called a 5 Card Trick, when the player is taking 5 cards in a row, without busting. When the amount of 5 cards is reached, any of the players no longer receives the cards, no matter what count he/she has.

  • Spanish 21 (called Pontoon only in Australia) is mostly known as one of the most convenient and flexible games among blackjack variations. Its major peculiarities are as follows:

    1. Each deck includes 48 cards (10's aren't included).

    2. If the player and the dealer both have Blackjack, the player wins.

    3. The player is allowed to double down, having any number of cards.

    4. The payoffs are given for various kinds of 21's: "6-7-8 -combinations", "7-7-7-combinations" and the combinations of 5 or more cards (21-valued in total).

  • Las Vegas Strip Blackjack appears to be one of the most widely-spread blackjack variations and just a few differences from the traditional game. These comprise the following:

    1. Aces, which are split by the player initially, can't be split again.

    2. All cards, having the same value (even a king with a queen), can be split.

    3. The player is allowed to split hands up to 3 times, as the limited amount of playing hands is 4.

    4. Splitting of hands presupposes the loss of any insurance.

    5. Double down is possible for any cards, handed to the player in the beginning. And the double-down bet must be precisely the same as the initial one.

  • Double Attack Blackjack is one of the variations of blackjack, which is considered one of the controversial game's variants, as it possesses both pros and cons for the player. The following distinctions reveal, why it is so:

    1. 10's are removed from the decks of cards.

    2. The payoff scheme is more beneficial for a player, than in original blackjack, for instance, when the dealer opens his/her upper card, the player can bet, that he\she will bust with 3 cards only. If the player guesses right, he/she will receive additional payoff.

  • Blackjack Switch is a rather convenient variation, which presupposes that…

    1. …the player plays with 2 hands;

    2. …the player is allowed to switch hands.

  • Caribbean 21 is very much similar to traditional blackjack with an exception of some aspects, such as:

    1. Aces always value as 1.

    2. The player receives his initial cards with their faces up.

    3. The player can double anytime he asks for additional cards.

    4. The ace-ace-10-combination is called "Caribbean 21".

  • Multiple Action Blackjack mainly differs from other variations in the fact that each player initially has 2 - 3 bets for 1 hand, and then, each bet receives a hand of its own. This causes limitations concerning doubling and splitting.
  • Main regional blackjack variations comprise French "vingt et un", German "Siebzehn and Vier", in which splitting isn't allowed, and two aces count as Blackjack; and the Chinese variation, which includes different card combinations, and has no splitting.

In addition to the above-mentioned variations, there exist many more, the newest ones, the invention of which was mostly affected by online casinos evolution, including progressive blackjack and three-card blackjack, for instance. In addition to that, there are also a great number of side-bets, so when counted altogether, blackjack variations outnumber 100. Nevertheless, if one is acquainted with the major variations of the game, he/she can easily grasp all the others.

How to Choose Your Game

While trying to make a decision, concerning the perfect casino games variations to play, the gambler should take several aspects into consideration. Notably, it's the game rules, which have to be intelligible for a person and the promised payoffs. Moreover, the playing process should be exciting and absorbing, so that one will have fun, even if the profits aren't incredible. It will also be a great decision to choose games with offer a progressive jackpot as a part of winning. Some of games are also intended to make players more attracted with free-spins and gambling rounds offered. Except for these points pay attention to the bets limits at the table you are going to play. At some tables minimal betting sum may be too high for you, and some do not allow to make bets higher that several dollars. Just be attentive while choosing game and casino – that is you key to success.