Blackjack is one of the most popular casino card games in the world. Also known as 21, blackjack is centuries old and today remains hugely popular at both online and real-world casinos. As time has progressed, blackjack has spread across the globe and new variations of the game have come about. Let’s discover some blackjack variants and how they differ from classic blackjack.
Remember that in the end, all of these blackjack game styles follow the same core principles, it is just that the rules vary slightly to bring a unique flavour to the game.
This page will show you some unique blackjack variants. If you want a general game guide, learn how to play blackjack here.
Blackjack Surrender
Surrendering in blackjack is not something you should set out to do, but it is a possibility in some variants of blackjack. This option can be exercised when you are dealt a bad starting hand and think the dealer is going to beat you based on his up facing card, for example.
You will not be able to surrender if you have already requested a hit, split, or decided to stand. It must be the very first action you take, and you will lose half of your bet for doing so. That’s a lot better than losing the whole thing, but doing it too often will undoubtedly end up being costly and should be avoided.
It is actually possible to surrender in most blackjack games, although casinos do not promote the fact. At digital online casinos, however, you will need to select the game variant ‘blackjack surrender’ or this option likely will not be available.
If you are playing live dealer blackjack, don’t be afraid to ask the dealer if you can surrender if it hasn’t been established.
Keep in mind that there are two types of surrender – early and late. An early blackjack surrender means you can fold as soon as you see your cards, whereas a late blackjack surrender means you can do so when the dealer peeks for blackjack.
Obviously, whether or not you can exercise a late surrender will depend on the game variant and whether the dealer does actually peek for blackjack. For example, he does so in Vegas Strip games, but not in European blackjack.
Vegas Strip Blackjack
Vegas Strip blackjack rules are a little different from classic blackjack, and understanding these differences is key to forming a winning strategy.
In Vegas Strip blackjack you may double down on your initial hand, and can again double down on any splits. You can also split up to 4 hands, although you can only do so once if you receive Aces.
Other things to be aware of are that the dealer peeks for blackjack and that if you do split Aces, you can only request one hit thereafter.
Also, getting 21 on split Aces will not count as blackjack. For this reason, many players think it best to avoid splitting Aces.
The key objective remains the same as standard 21 – beat the dealer with a high hand not exceeding 21, for example with an Ace and a Jack against his Ace and eight.
This blackjack game variant is most often found on the Las Vegas strip itself, hence the name, but is available at an increasing number of casinos online.
Atlantic City Blackjack
Again, the aim of the game is essentially the same, and there are only some small differences to standard blackjack.
Atlantic city blackjack rules mean you can double down on your bets once two cards have been dealt, can split hands up to three times in total (except with Aces, which can only be split once), can surrender late, and can get a 3:2 payout for receiving blackjack.
Unlike with Vegas Strip blackjack, split Aces can count as blackjack, should you receive 21.
Unsurprisingly, this game is most commonly found at Atlantic city blackjack tables, but you will notice it at lots of online casinos, too.
European Blackjack
Blackjack has early roots in Europe, so it makes sense that it would have its own version of the game. There are some pretty significant differences to note in this version of 21, as compared to the negligible differences between Vegas Strip and Atlantic City versions.
The first thing to note about European blackjack is that dealer blackjack beats and other hand valued at 21. So, if you have 21 with an Ace, eight, and two, for example, the dealer will beat you if he has blackjack.
European blackjack is a two-deck card game, and in this style, the dealer does not peek for blackjack so late surrender won’t be an option. You also can not double down on any hands which don’t have the value of nine, 10, or 11 points.
You can only split a maximum of once in European blackjack, and blackjack is paid out at 3:2 at most casinos on the web.
Live Dealer Blackjack
At most live casinos, the blackjack played will be standard 21, or classic blackjack. It is possible to find some variants, but it is not so common.
Standard blackjack rules apply, but one thing to note is that stakes tend to be higher with live dealer games. This has the advantage that you can win more, but will also have to bet more in the process.
When playing live dealer blackjack games online, ask the dealer if surrender is a possibility when you first sit down at the tables. As we said, it usually isn’t promoted and the dealer will tell you and spell out the rules for you if you are in any doubt.
Blackjack Games Online Summary
It’s difficult to find a more fun and easy to learn card game than blackjack. You could enter the casino as a total blackjack beginner and come out understanding exactly how the game works after just a few hands.
There are lots of blackjack strategies you can use to win. Check out some of our strategy articles to learn more about how to win 21.
You can also play blackjack instantly on either desktop devices or Android and iOS tablets and phones. Check out our recommended online casinos for the best blackjack games and casino bonuses.
