One of the best casino games out there is Blackjack. It is also one of the most popular ones among players today. Blackjack is famous for a good reason. Avid casino players are often drawn to Blackjack because of its low house edge. Novices love the straightforward rules and ease this game offers.
The rules are the basics for winning this game. Once you have familiarized yourself with this game, you need to be wary of the types of Blackjack. Our article highlights the most basic and played types of Blackjack. These nine types are the most played, and we will explain how they differ from the standard version. Let us move on with the explanation.
1. Classical Blackjack
Classic Blackjack is the most rewarding of all bitcoin casino games, and classical is the most popular game played in casinos. In America, classical Blackjack is also known as American Blackjack or standard Blackjack.
Card Values
Face values are read on cards ranging from numbers 2 to 10. A King, Queen, and Jack are worth 10 points each, and the Ace card is worth 1 or 11 points. The value depends on how beneficial it can be to the player.
A player with an Ace card can make it worth 11 points without surpassing the 21-point total. The hand of the player is often referred to as a “soft” hand in this case, and in other cases, it is called a “hard” hand.
Playing Classical Blackjack
Understanding a blackjack game is easy, and classic Blackjack has eight decks of cards. The objective of this variation is to beat the dealer by being closer to the number 21, and you have an advantage if you are close to 21.
During the first run, the player initiates the game. The player goes in first, and then the dealer comes in. The dealer gets one whole card during the first run.
This is an elaboration of the fact that the dealer present in the game has their card faced down. It is a face-down card. The dealer is allowed to peek at their card after they receive it, and it can only happen if the other card is either a picture card, a 10, or an ace.
The player is allowed to stand after receiving their two cards. It means ‘hit’ and getting another card. The dealer must have enough strategy to stand after getting a “soft” 17.
Classic Blackjack: Side Bets
A player should know the best ways to make their bets in a blackjack game. There are many types of bets made during Blackjack. From the game’s start, you must place minimum bets to play American or standard Blackjack. More and more options open up as you progress in the game. Here are some of the additional betting rules a player has to face during their life:
- Splitting: The moment a player gets two cards of identical values, they can get a split. A split has two hands instead of one. You can get an additional card on each turn you play. You place another bet. It is a must for the player to place another chance, and this bet equals the original one. Remember to play the game according to the rules of the casino you are playing at.
- Doubling down: The players can earn money through many other types of bets. Doubling down is another side bet that allows you to make money. The player decides to double their first wager mid-hand if they choose not to ‘hit’ their card. The move has its risks, and experts recommend doubling down. If your total is a “hard” 11, go for a double-down.
- Insurance: In the side bets mentioned above, you can use insurance as a deal breaker. Insurance is only applicable when the dealer’s face-up card is an ace. If the dealer gets a blackjack, you can bet half of the initial bet as insurance. After heading to this point where the dealer hits the Blackjack, you get both wagers. You can get the chance you have put in as the original and the other half. You can play if the dealer doesn’t get a blackjack. You will have the opportunity to win and only get your initial bet by the end of the game.
- Surrender: Surrender is not a typical side bet; it is one of the scarce ones. You do not add chips to your stake. Surrendering is a way of avoiding losing all the money you have invested in your game. You can forfeit your game if you fear losing your bet. If you forfeit the game, you can keep half the chance you placed on the original bet. The players are allowed to surrender under two conditions. They’re called early surrender and late surrender. In the case of their surrender, some of the best players of blackjack surrender when their total is nearly 15, and the dealer should be at 10.
A Winning Strategy for the Player
To win the game, the player needs to get to the point where the collective value of their cards is about 21 or close to it. If someone goes over 21, they will lose the game immediately.
Another situation is when the dealer has a lower value, they can continue the game. But in the event of a tie, the player needs to play again. The player and dealer go to another round once they connect.
Natural Blackjack is another way to win the classic or any other blackjack game. For example, if your first two cards are an ace and the second is a face card or a 10, your payout, in that case, is approximately 150%. In most casinos, the blackjack game holds this rule.
Given below is a chart that illustrates the strategies of some well-played blackjack games in casinos.
2. The European Blackjack
European Blackjack is one of the most loved and favored types of blackjack players out there. Unlike other games, European Blackjack is equipped with two decks of cards. The game is more predictable, and the player has the upper hand over the dealer.
Like all other games, European Blackjack has some setbacks to make it more intriguing and edgy. Listed below are the regulations of this game:
- The players are allowed to only apply “split” once during their match.
- The split for a card of value ’10’ can only be done with two identical cards, i.e., you can’t split if you have a queen and a jack, even though both the cards have the same value.
- The players are not allowed to surrender.
- The players are not allowed to apply ‘double-down’ after they have done splitting. You can double down if your value equals 9, 10, or 11.
- Dealers are not allowed to peek.
3. The Switch Game of Blackjack
One of the nine types of Blackjack is the switch, introduced by Geoff Hall. He was a local player who developed some fascination with playing Blackjack and brought his method to the game. Like other variants of Blackjack, this game also has regulations and rules for the players. These are:
- The dealer is supposed to ‘hit’ once they get a “soft” 17.
- The dealer must reach a number greater than 23 or even higher.
- The players are supposed to make two bets to initiate their game.
- The game is fought with two hands.
- The players are allowed to switch their cards at the top of their two hands, i.e., a player is applying the switch of cards when he has about an ace and a 10; this is not Blackjack in this game; instead, it is a 21.
4. Blackjack with a Perfect Pair
This version of Blackjack has an eponymous side bet to it. This side bet allows the players to bet their initial cards, and their first card is a pair. The rule of perfect side pairs includes these protocols:
- The bet is placed before the game starts, and the player has a couple of two cards of the same value.
Odd varying pairs allow various types of teams to participate in the game. Some are:
- A Perfect Pair: These are two identical cards, and they have the same value, color, and suit.
- Mixed Pair: These two cards have the same value, but their colors and cases differ.
- This pair has the same weight and color but other suits.
5. Blackjack in Atlantic City
The city of Atlantic introduced this game of Atlantic City blackjack. It is a sub-branch of classic Blackjack or American Blackjack. Atlantic City blackjack is also played with an eight-deck shoe. The rules followed for this game are:
- The player has an opportunity to turn their 10-split into a 21-split. It is only allowed if the player splits their tens and then, in return, gets an Ace. They triumph.
- The player is allowed to follow up with a double-down after they have done a split.
- Surrender is only allowed near the end.
- A king and queen, or any two cards of the same value, can be split.
- Splitting is done three times.
6. The Chinese Blackjack
The Chinese have brought their touch to the game of Blackjack. Their game is famous for the prizes and celebrations it offers after winning the game. You would not find these at the end of an American blackjack game, and the celebrations are:
- The Ban-Ban is a rule where if the player has two aces, they will win the game. This is also only applicable if the dealer doesn’t have the case. Or else it’s called a “push.”
- The escape hand is applicable when the player has 15 or more, and it is also called a free hand. The escape hand allows the player to either stop the game and collect their initial bet or continue playing. This rule also applies to the dealer.
- 5-Dragon: 5-dragon takes place when the playing member has about five cards & their values sum up to 21 or less. If the total sum is about 21, their payout is 3:1. If the player has less than 21, their payout is 2:1. If the player has more than 21, they lose.
- Ban-Nag: Ban-nag is a technique where an ace and a 10 card will give them the same opportunity as if they’re having a ban-ban.
7. Blackjack on the Las Vegas Strip
As the name suggests, Vegas Strip blackjack is only present in Las Vegas casinos. The gameplay is nearly the same as American Blackjack. The following are some variations to represent Vegas blackjack:
- The players play with four decks of cards.
- Surrendering is not allowed, and the dealers are allowed to only peek at aces.
8. Pontoon
British Blackjack is also called Pontoon and is known as American Blackjack’s cousin. Pontoon is a new variant of classic Blackjack and is a descendant of the blackjack game in Spain. The game includes:
- The players play with a deck of cards, but the 10s are taken out.
- The dealer only deals with one card, which is face up at the initial stage.
- ‘Hit’ in the game is referred to as twist, ‘and the word’ stand ‘is for’ stick.’
- Splitting is allowed on multiple occasions.
- The double aces can only be split once.
- The Pontoon allows all the side bets of classical Blackjack, but some alterations are made in the name and the terminology.
- The ‘five-card trick’ in Pontoon does not exist in classic Blackjack. A player with a five-card hand whose sum is 21 or less can beat the dealer, who has a total of 21.
9. Face-Up 21
The last type of Blackjack we introduce to you is the face-up 21. It is a double-exposure blackjack that requires the dealers to have both of their cards face up. The significance of this game is:
- The casinos where this game is played have their number of decks of cards allowed. It is up to the casino, and the maximum limit is about 8.
- Dealers are allowed to stand on a “hard 17” and hit on a “soft 17”.
- The players are allowed to split on any two same-value cards.
- Surrender and insurance are not allowed.
Conclusion
After reviewing the article, we hope you are fully aware of the nine Blackjack types of jack we introduced. Anyone can play this game and have a blast betting with the dealer of their choice.
FAQ
- What type of Blackjack is considered to be the best?
Every player has their type of Blackjack, which they consider the best. Different players have different opinions, and it is based on each individual’s game of choice. Since they keep changing, you cannot categorize the games by their preference level.
- What kind of Blackjack is played in casinos?
The question is answered in the nine types of explanations above. Casinos have their preferences for the type of Blackjack they allow. Native blackjacks should only be played in the countries where they were invented; otherwise, there is a feud over what kind of Blackjack should be allowed.
- Is 21 different from Blackjack?
No, it is not different. 21 and Blackjack are alternative names for the same game.
- How do you play Blackjack?
Blackjack has two players. One is the leading player who bets, and the other is the dealer. There are specific rules for each game that are supposed to be followed to win the bet the players initially put up as an original bet. The first one to reach nearly 21 is the winner.
- Where does one find a good, reputable online blackjack casino?
It is essential to have deep-rooted research online. You can Google and read reviews left by players regarding different casinos. Then you can choose the game you want to play and experience an online blackjack game from a casino that people have deemed worthy.