Top Blackjack Variations
The original version of blackjack was created back in the 17th century (find out more at blackjack history), and now there are lots of different variations of online blackjack and most casinos even have separate tables for each game.
The main differences between the blackjack variations include the number of decks, payouts, rules for doubling, splitting and side bets. To make sure you understand the differences in rules and will choose the game that suits you let’s take a look at most common pros and cons of several popular blackjack games. The list below starts with Vegas Strip – the most player-oriented game and ends with Superfun 21, the game which has the biggest number of drawbacks.
Vegas strip rules
This is a typical American hole-card blackjack game which has several special rules that are different from common blackjack.
- Doubling is allowed on any first two cards
- Players can double after splitting Aces
- Re-splitting up to 3 times
Perfect pairs rules
Perfect Pairs blackjack has special payouts for a side bet that wins if first two player cards are any pair, a pair of the same color and a pair of the same suit.
- Doubling is allowed on any first two cards
- Perfect pairs side bet wins 5 to 1 for any pair, 10 to 1 for the pair of the same color, 30 to 1 for a perfect pair
- Split up to 2 times
- Split Aces once
- Side bets have low odds of winning
Progressive blackjack rules
This blackjack variant provides an additional $1 bet per hand, and offers a chance to win the progressive jackpot.
- A side bet of $1 wins $25 for any 2 Aces
- $50 for 2 Aces of the same suit
- $250 for any 3 Aces
- $2500 for 3 Aces of the same suit
- 10% of the Jackpot for any 4 Aces
- 100% of the Jackpot for 4 Aces of the same suit
- Side bets have very low winning odds, therefore they should be played only when you see a very big jackpot.
Pontoon rules
A British-style blackjack variation that allows you to "Twist", "Stick" and "Buy", and unlike in traditional blackjack the 10+A hand is called a Pontoon, not a Blackjack.
- Pontoon pays 2 to 1
- 5 card hand that is less or equals 21 beats all but Pontoon
- Split up to 2 times; Double once any 2-4 card hand
- Can hit after Double
- Player hits on 14 or less
- Dealer wins all ties
Switch rules
A special blackjack game with another player option. Players now can switch the second cards of their two hands.
- Players can switch second cards
- Blackjack pays 1 to 1
Super 21 rules
This one deck blackjack variant provides lots of interesting extra bonuses, like special payout for a 5 or 6 card hand that totals 21 - 5 2 3 J A, for a six card hand - 2 3 4 5 6 A and for a Diamond Blackjack - J♦ A♦.
- Played with one deck
- Diamond BJ pays 2 to 1
- Player blackjack beats dealer blackjack
- Split up to 3 times
- Can Double Down after Split
- Player 6 card hand ≤ 20 beats dealer blackjack
- Player 5 or more card hand = 21 pays 2 to 1
- Blackjack pays even money
- Re-Split Aces once
These are not all the blackjack games that can be found at online and land blackjack casinos. The other ones (like Double Exposure, Chinese, Spanish 21 Blackjack etc.) can be found in the blackjack variations catalog in our site. Make sure you check the blackjack rules at the casino you are going to play each time before you change the game.
