How to play Black Jack variations? In the following article we will introduce you to different Black Jack variations.
Black Jack Switch
Main differences to the “classic” Black Jack
Who hasn’t experienced Black Jack with both hands cruelly bad? In Black Jack Switch, the player can turn two bad hands into two good hands.
In contrast to Black Jack, the guest must play on two boxes. The player must bet the same amount on both boxes. So you play with two “hands” – the second cards of each “hand” can be exchanged.
FOR EXAMPLE:
- Hand one: first card five, second card ten = 15;
- Hand two: first card ten, second card six= 16
After the switch:
- Hand one: first card five, second card six = 11 ;
- hand two: first card ten, second card ten= 20
Disbursements
A Black Jack is only paid in a 1:1 ratio.
The dealer does not overbuy himself with Hard 22, but all hands (except Black Jack) are drawn.
Strategy
The strategy comprises two sub-areas
- Switch decision: In addition to obvious decisions, as in the example above, there are also mathematical borderline cases that sometimes seem illogical. Sometimes, for example, it is right to switch a blackjack to get about soft 14 and 20. However, this also depends heavily on the house rules and the bank’s circulation card.
- Basic strategy after the change decision: Generally speaking, there are fewer hands that split or double. However, more is bought in return than in classic blackjack.
These differences can be traced back to the fact that the dealer reached “push” (draw) at 22 instead of overbuying.
Black Jack Spanish 21
Main differences to the “classic” Black Jack
The serious difference lies in the composition of the card decks: The four tens are removed, leaving only 48 cards in the deck.
Payouts/additional games
- Black Jack always wins, even against a dealer’s Black Jack in a 3:2 ratio.
- Double Doubled Hand: This special rule, which is sometimes played, takes away some of the player’s disadvantage arising from the missing four decimal cards. (for theory see blog “Card Counting”)
E.g.: first card 4, second card 2 = 6 stake 50 CHF doubled => stake CHF 100,- third card 5 = 11 stake CHF 100,- doubled => stake CHF 200,- fourth card 10 = 21
- 21 of the player also wins against 21 of the dealer.
- Some extra payouts for five, six and seven Card 21 or card combinations such as 6,7,8
- Often the additional game “Match the Dealer” is offered. The player wins if one or both of his first cards match that of the dealer. FOR EXAMPLE: King and King. If also the suit (game colors heart, diamonds, spades and clubs) “matches” (matches) there are higher payouts.
Strategy
- Never insure! Since only three out of twelve cards in the deck are ten value, the bank’s probability of Blackjack is only 25%. The house advantage of almost 25% in insurance is one of the largest in the casino business.
- Less “buzzing” (abandoning the hand without further action by the player => bet is split).
Black Jack Pontoon
Main differences to the “classic” Black Jack
In this variant of blackjack, the player is dealt two cards face up and the dealer is dealt two cards, both face down! Otherwise Pontoon is similar to Spanish 21, the tens are taken from the decks and you can still draw cards after doubling.
Payouts
- Black Jack is paid 2:1
- Push (tie) loses
- As with Spanish 21, many special winnings for certain card combinations
- Five Card Trick (the player has not overbought himself with five cards) 2:1
The payouts for the special variations or five cards vary in casinos and online platforms.
Strategy
Since there is no reference to the dealer’s cards here, you make your deals dependent on your hand and the number of cards you have (five card trick). The most favorable strategies depend on the type and amount of the special payments and the house rules. Therefore, research the relevant tables.
In principle, however, cards should be drawn more often than in classic Blackjack.
Designations
With the Pontoon, actions are called differently. The Black Jack is called the Pontoon.
- Hit (draw another card) TWIST
- Stay (no more card) STICK
- Double down (Doubling the stake) BUY
Black Jack Super Fun 21
Main differences to the “classic” Black Jack
- Six or more cards with a value of 20 or less win immediately. These hands are also better than the dealer’s blackjack.
- Six or more cards with a value of 21 win immediately and get a better odds (usually 2:1). Of course, these hands beat the dealer’s blackjack.
Payouts/additional play
- Blackjack is paid at a ratio of 6:5 instead of 3:2. Sometimes only 1:1 compensates for the advantage of the instant winnings described above in favor of the bank.
- Often a “Suited” (same suit as spades or diamonds) Black Jack, for example: Diamond Black Jack is offered. The payout of 300:1 looks attractive, but the house advantage is just under 10%, so this side bet is not recommended for the player.
Strategy
Because of the winning opportunities with six or more cards, draw cards more often. Also here it is hardly possible to recommend a general basic strategy because of the varied house rules.
Other Blackjack variations
Many landbased casinos and online platforms try to distinguish themselves from their competitors by these and other variations. Therefore, there are almost unmanageable number of game forms. I would like to mention briefly:
Chinese Black Jack
Chinese Black Jack is also known as Ban-Luck or Ban-Nag. It is mainly played in South East Asia. A speciality of this game is the BAN BAN: The player has two aces and receives the good payout of 3:1.
Elimination Black Jack
Elimination Blackjack is a tournament variation in which a certain number of hands are played. If a player has lost all his chips, he is “eliminated” from the tournament. The player who has the most points according to the number of hands determined is the winner.
Conclusion
Basically, the rule of thumb is that in every variant the casino will compensate for advantages the player receives, such as doubling after doubling, by a good rule for the bank – e.g.: the tens come from the decks – compensated.
Therefore, as already mentioned in the blog “This is Black Jack”: Choose a game that suits you and then, depending on the house rules, the corresponding basic strategy.
Play Black Jack at 777.ch and stay curious.