While video slots are the engines that make online casinos successful, table games still get a fair amount of play. That’s especially true of blackjack, which is arguably the most popular online casino table game in the world.
The biggest challenge that online blackjack players face is trying to decide which variation or variations will best satisfy their blackjack hunger. It’s a challenge because many of today’s top online casinos are offering as many as a dozen different online blackjack variations. Plus, with fewer rewards such as free spins for slot games, table games like blackjack face an uphill battle competing for play time.
If you fancy yourself to be an online blackjack player, you might appreciate learning a little bit about some of the variations you might encounter. To that end, here is a list of what are generally considered the most popular online blackjack variations among regular blackjack players.
Note: Each of the following descriptions is based on the general rules for each variation. In some cases, online casino operators might have the ability to slightly tweak the rules.
Standard Blackjack
Anyone who has ever played blackjack has played the standard variation. Like most variations, the game is played with 1-7 decks. Standard rules include:
– Double downs are allowed on any two cards (first two cards only)
– Splits and re-splits are allowed on any pairs except Aces
– Insurance is available for blackjack protection
– Blackjack pays 1.5 to 1.0
Blackjack Switch
This variation requires the player to play two hands simultaneously with a minimum bet on each hand. After two cards have been dealt, the player is given the opportunity to “switch” one card from each hand or keep the first two cards as is. The rules include
– Double downs are allowed before and after splitting
– Switched blackjacks are counted as 21 not blackjack
– Blackjack pays 1.0 to 1.0
– If the dealer gets exactly 22, all live hands push
War Blackjack
War Blackjack starts with the standard rules as listed above. The “War” feature is actually a side bet.
The side bet allows the player to wager on his first card being higher than the dealer’s “door” or face-up card. If the player’s card is higher, they win. If it’s a tie or the dealer’s card is higher, the dealer wins. After settling the War, the rest of the game is played out normally.
No Peek or Face-up Blackjack
This is a fun and interesting variation. All cards, including the dealer’s cards, are dealt face-up. While this might seem to favor the player, the following rules favor the dealer.
– Double downs allowed only on 9, 10, 11
– Blackjack pays 1.0 to 1.0 and usually wins on a tie
– Dealer wins all other tie hands
Super Fun 21 Blackjack
This variation starts with standard blackjack rules with a lot of little rule tweaks that make for a lot of extra fun. The key rule tweaks include:
– Usually played with one or two decks
– Double downs are allowed at any time, including after cards have been split
– Split Aces may be hit and then re-split when possible
– Surrenders are allowed at any time
– While most blackjacks pay 1.0 to 1.0, blackjacks with an Ace and any diamond face card pay 2.0 to 1.0
Spanish 21 Blackjack
In recent years, this variation has become less popular in retail casinos. However, most online casinos still offer the game. The standard rule changes include:
– Double downs on any number cards and after splitting are allowed
– Surrendering is permitted after double downs
– Aces may be hit and then re-split
– All blackjacks and 21s automatically win
Bonus Bet Blackjack
There is a lot of appeal for players when they get free bets. That’s what players get with this variation under the following circumstances:
– All double downs on 9, 10, and 11 are free, meaning there is no need to place the extra bet
– Splits are free on any pairs except pairs that equal 20
– If the dealer gets exactly 22, all live hands push
– Blackjacks pay 6.0 to 5.0
Pontoon
Pontoon is similar to blackjack but a game unto itself with hands dealt differently with several different rules in place. The game starts with the player getting two cards and the dealer only getting one card until the player is done acting. The rule differences include:
– Pontoon means the same thing as blackjack
– Pontoons pay 2.0 to 1.0 even on Ace splits
– Players must keep hitting until they reach 15 or higher
– A five-card hand without busting pays 2.0 to 1.0
– Double Aces may be split, re-split, and hit with doubled downs allowed
– Dealer wins all ties
In summary, that’s quite a selection from which to choose. After trying each variation, you’ll surely find one that satisfies your blackjack hunger.
