Blackjack is one of the most popular and authentic casino games you can play in land-based joints or online. It’s also one of the oldest casino games, with its first mentions in texts from the XVI-XVII century. The game’s fun to play and easy to learn, which is why it’s the perfect choice for both new and seasoned players.
In the past, players could only enjoy a single blackjack variant. The rules were slightly altered from casino to casino, but in general, the gameplay remained the same. All of that changed with blackjack online. Online operators and developers turned the game upside down with new and innovative variants that make for an even more attractive gameplay.
As a result, online casinos nowadays feature dozens of different online blackjack games. Let’s take a look at the ones that are most popular among players nowadays.
American Blackjack
American Blackjack is widely considered the classic blackjack game. It’s being played at the top land-based casinos across the USA and in other parts of the world. It’s also available at online casinos. This variant has a 0.5% house edge when played with an optimal blackjack strategy. It’s also the main pick for card counters, such as the iconic MIT blackjack team that ravaged US casinos in the 1970s and onward.
The game is played with a single 52-card deck, which makes it an excellent choice for card counters. Since you can play it online for free, you can practice your moves or learn how to play with a basic strategy.
Blackjack Switch
Blackjack Switch is one of the newer blackjack variants on this list. It was developed by Geoff Hall who patented the product in 2009. In this variant, players must make two equal bets in the beginning. After that, they’re allowed to switch their second card dealt to each of the two hands and create the best possible hand. The game is played with six to eight decks, so it’s not the most suitable for card counting or other strategies.
Due to the card switch advantage, a dealer’s bust doesn’t result in a player win. Instead, it counts as push or a tie. Blackjack pays even money in Blackjack Switch, which has become popular in the USA and around the world.
European Blackjack
European Blackjack is one of the earliest variants of the game. It got its name thanks to the popularity across European casinos. The main difference between this and other blackjack variants is that the dealer stands on a soft 17.
Blackjack in this game pays 3:2 instead of even money (1:10). Players can double down when their hand value is nine, ten, or 11. If both the player and dealer have a blackjack, the result is a push, which sees the player’s original stake returned.
Perfect Pairs
Compared to American or European Blackjack, Perfect Pairs is a bit more exotic. The name refers to the side bet you can put your money on if you believe that the first two cards in your hand are of the same value (two kings, two sixes, etc.). The standard payout is 6:1 for same value pairs, or 12:1/25:1 for pairs of the same value/color or value/suit/color respectively.
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