The Ten Best Blackjack Variants

Blackjack’s popularity across the globe is probably the reason why dozens of variants have emerged over the years. Some estimates suggest that close to or above 100 different blackjack versions exist today. The exact number doesn’t matter. What’s more important is that you get to enjoy your favorite game in a plethora of different ways.

This card game has been around for centuries, but players around the world continue to prefer it over almost any other card game. When online casinos emerged, the plethora of blackjack variants became part of their catalogs. Whether you choose a brick-and-mortar casino or a gambling site, chances are, you’ll find the most popular blackjack variations there.

To help you make the right choice and not waste time, we’ll suggest the ten best blackjack variants to try. They’re all not far from the game’s basic rules: you need to have a hand that’s higher than the dealer’s and that’s also close to 21 (not higher, though) if you want to win. You may find your new favorite blackjack variant in the suggestions below.

Blackjack Variations | Online Casino Specifics

When you set on a journey to browse online casinos looking for the best blackjack variants to play, you should pay attention to several important things.

• Most online casinos will not offer you all the blackjack variants you wish for. This is not a problem, but it’s a limitation you should be prepared for. As a result, you may continue your search until you find the variation you want, which brings us to a real potential problem. The casino may not be trustworthy, and choosing it simply because it gives you the chance to play a certain variation is not the way to go. The bottom line is, you must do your research in advance.
• Some blackjack variations are only reserved for brick-and-mortar casinos. This is another important thing to consider, and it will probably help you choose whether to hit a physical venue or opt for an online gambling site instead. It all comes down to the blackjack variation you prefer.
• If you choose a side bet blackjack variant, then you’ll face a higher house edge. This means that you would be better off choosing the classic blackjack variant and not taking any chances. However, experienced players often neglect the house edge and choose the side bet option.

The Best Blackjack Variations | Our Top Ten Choices

Naturally, some blackjack variations are more common than others. Years ago, only a handful of the existing ones today were popular across different casinos. Player demand changed this for good, and many casinos are trying to provide the blackjack variety their clients want.

Today, you can access dozens of the best blackjack variants in every way imaginable: through your PC, smartphone, or by visiting a land-based casino.

While some of the variants we’ll introduce resemble the classic blackjack variation, the rest were created with the intention to be as different as possible. You might discover your new favorite variation in the list below.

However, you need to remember that even the variations that seem to be more or less identical to plain blackjack have a different set of rules that you need to learn before playing. Reading the terms and conditions related to each variant is also the way to learn which variant seems attractive to you.

Last, but not least: you need to determine your strategy before you proceed with the chosen blackjack variant. This is an important step to make if you want to enjoy the game and have a competitive advantage in the process.

Classic Blackjack

This is the one you’re probably already familiar with. It’s by far the most popular blackjack variant. The standard blackjack is not reserved for casinos. People play it all the time with their friends, too.

As mentioned above, the simple rules of this game made it so popular, because it’s a lot harder to play than it seems. Being able to get close to 21 without going over is a deceivingly easy goal.

The main difference between classic blackjack comes from several specifics:

• In standard blackjack, the dealer uses between two and four card decks
• You can double down or split
• You can also re-split a couple of times
• The dealer hits on a soft 17 and can check for blackjack

Pontoon Blackjack

Pontoon blackjack is one of the most popular alternatives to standard blackjack. Players from all over the world are familiar with this game, which is why we would always place it among the best blackjack variants.

Pontoon blackjack is not that different from Spanish 21. They both have something in common: the dealer’s hole cards come face down, making the game a lot more exciting, although it also gets harder to predict. Still, these two variants are known for their higher-than-average payouts, which is an attractive aspect to consider.

When it comes to the rules of pontoon blackjack, there are a few things you should know:

• You have a “pontoon” if you have a couple of cards totaling 21
• The dealer hits on a soft 17
• In case of a tie, the dealer wins
• You can stand if your cards total at least 15

Blackjack Switch

Here’s another widely popular blackjack variant that many fans of the standard game enjoy playing. When you play blackjack switch, you need to bet on a couple of hands simultaneously. Keep in mind that many casinos only state the bet minimum on one hand, meaning that you’d need to bet twice as much on two hands.

You need to switch a card between two hands, but you can keep them the way you received them. You can double down if you want to, as it’s not against the rules. If you’re lucky enough to pull off a blackjack, you get paid even money.

European Blackjack

European blackjack requires two card decks. Overall, this blackjack variant is similar to the standard one, which, similar to most of the other variants in existence today, explains its popularity. The main differences come down to a few things:

• The dealer stands on soft 17 in all cases in European blackjack. As a player, this rule would be beneficial for you
• Some casinos have rules that forbid the dealer to check for blackjack
• Your blackjack is always a push against the dealer’s
• If you have between 9 or 11 cards, you are allowed to double down
• You can also double after you split
• No re-splits are allowed

Spanish 21

Despite the fact it’s known by most blackjack players, Spanish 21 seems to be one of the game variants that are becoming less and less available. This is a shame, as it’s an exciting one to play.

In Spanish 21, you can double down on the combination of cards you want. You can also do it after splitting and hitting. The so-called double down rescue means that you can surrender immediately after you double down.

Here are the specifics of Spanish 21:

• You can re-split or hit aces
• Any 21 hand is a winning one in all scenarios
• Player bonuses are sometimes available for five-card totals of 21, 678, or 777
• No 10s are allowed in the card deck

Face-up Blackjack

As the name suggests, this blackjack variant is different mainly because all the cards are face-up when they’re dealt. It’s an exciting feature, as you’ll have some additional advantages, but a few specific rules are likely to limit you from taking advantage of it.

The rules of face-up blackjack are different across casinos, but that’s only related to details. In this variant, you are allowed to double down on 10 or 11, but you can’t split. The game might seem like an easier variant to play compared to the standard one, but we strongly advise you to read the rules at the casino you intend to play it. Also, pick a strategy to make sure you stay competitive.

Double Exposure Blackjack

You have the chance to expose the dealer when playing this game. It’s one of the best blackjack variations available today because you have real odds in your favor. The game is rather hard to find for the reason mentioned above, which is understandable. Casinos always offer the blackjack variants that bring them bigger profits.

In double exposure blackjack, things are quite similar to any multi-deck blackjack variant, but there’s a major difference to consider. The dealer’s cards are exposed, allowing players to make significantly better decisions for their next move. The additionally introduced rules prevent you from using this advantage to the fullest. For example, you’re not allowed to surrender. Multiple splits and insurance are forbidden as well.

California Blackjack

There used to be a time when classic blackjack was banned in California because it was illegal to play against the house. This is why they came up with a variation that was compliant with the laws. They introduced a new rule which obliged players to rotate in the role of a bank.

If you’re the current banker, your bet is the so-called bank for the hand. The rest of the players try to win the bank, while you try to increase it by increasing the bet. One of the main differences between California blackjack and the rest of the variations is the presence of jokers. Depending on the specific rules you’re playing under, jokers count for 2 or 12. Also, you aim to reach 22 instead of the classic 21, not to mention that you don’t lose the game when you go bust.

Bonus Blackjack

The name of this blackjack variation suggests its most notable perk. The gameplay is basically the same as the standard game, but the additional twist is the side bet option. It gives you an opportunity to win big time.

Bonus blackjack is always played using a couple of decks. If you want to opt for the side bet, you need to do it before a single card is dealt. By doing it, you’re looking toward a possible bonus if you score a blackjack on the first couple of cards you get. What’s even better is that you keep the bonus even in the rare event of a dealer blackjack alongside yours.

Buster Blackjack

Buster blackjack is as close to the standard game as it could possibly get. It also features a side bet option that results in a payout in case the dealer goes bust. Also, the payoffs for the additional cards that cause the dealer to go bust are higher thanks to the side bet.

Other than the side bet described above, there’s nothing else that differentiates this blackjack variant from the standard one. It can extremely rewarding: if it takes eight cards for the dealer to go bust, the bet payout can reach 250:1. This is tempting, but keep in mind that the house still has the edge.

Final Thoughts

Most blackjack variants are not that different when compared to the classic game, but they always have that small perk that’s enough to make you want to try them out. Even the seemingly small differences are a fact, it’s still obligatory for you to read the specific terms and conditions of the casino you’re about to join. This way, you’ll be comfortable when playing and you’ll have the best strategy for the game you chose.