Blackjack card games are of the most popular casino games engaging players from across the world. Blackjack is a game available in a diverse range of formats – its variants can be played in land-based casinos located in several parts of the world, or you can experience some blackjack magic in online casinos with some stable internet connectivity and your electronic gadgets. What’s more, is that blackjacks can also be played in hybrid formats, such as live blackjack, where you can use the convenience of online live streaming and experience the atmosphere inside a land-based casino.
However, many blackjack variations can be overwhelming for novice blackjack players and experienced players alike. But don’t worry! We’ve done the handwork of curating an exhaustive listicle covering different blackjack games so that you have everything in one place! So what are you waiting for? Dive in and learn about blackjack games and their multiple avatars!
How Many Types of Blackjack and What Blackjack Variations Are There?
Now that’s a trick question. Both land-based casinos and online casinos are occasionally improving their gaming facilities, especially online casinos with better software and more developed web technologies. Blackjack is a widely popular game, and these gaming formats adapt and modify their traditional structure to cater to their profits and audiences. So it is difficult to quantify exactly all the types of games blackjack. However, our experts have compiled a useful list that articulates the different types of blackjack that are most common in circulation.
Classic or US Blackjack
Сlassic blackjack game can be played with 1 – 8 decks. It involves the player and dealer receiving two cards each, one of which involves a dealer’s hole card and is dealt down (meaning, this card is left unexposed). Like the common objective of all blackjack games, the gamer has to get a card value as close as possible to the value 21 and should ensure they don’t go beyond it.
Free Bet Blackjack
This is a recently developed online variant of the blackjack game developed by Geof Hall, where you’re allowed to split or double down your hands in certain gaming situations. For instance, when the player’s hand owns a value of 9, 10, or 11, they can double for free. All card pairs are allowed to split for free except pairs of 10s in free bet blackjack.
Progressive Blackjack
This adopts a sort of game structure similar to standard forms of blackjack; however, the player can win a progressive jackpot. While playing their game rounds, players deposit an additional bet every time they wager their proceeds, and the winner is allowed to claim the jackpot at the end. However, some casinos might alter the gaming rules about the allowed game moves, such as splits and double down conditions. So pay close attention to these terms and conditions and enjoy exciting blackjack payouts!
European Blackjack
The European Blackjack has a gaming structure similar to that of the classic blackjack popular with US casinos, but there are slight variations. It is played with only two decks, and the dealer is allowed to play their hole card only after the game player decides on how they will be playing their cards. The two cards dealt out to the player is in the face-up position.
Vegas Strip Blackjack (Vegas Style Blackjack)
Vegas Strip Blackjack is a popular internet variant of the traditional blackjack game that is played with four decks, and the doubling down gaming move is allowed after splitting aces. As part of game provisions of these types of black jack, the dealer is allowed to peep into their hole card. Players are allowed to re-split their cards up to 3 times.
Blackjack Switch
In this variety of the blackjack game, the player is entitled to two hands instead of one, and the dealt cards are in the face-up position, i.e. Exposed. Players have a shot at improving their cards by switching between two pairs, and the payout ratio is 1:1.
Blackjack Perfect Pairs
This is a variant of the Blackjack game that involves the player being offered a perfect pair side bet before the cards are dealt. If the first two cards have the same value, the player earns a pair, and the applied side bet wins.
Multiplayer Blackjack
Like in traditional versions of Blackjack games, players engaging in this form of blackjack are competing against the dealer. However, in that particular gaming session, the player who wins the most hands and therefore has a higher bankroll is named the winner of the session.
Blackjack Double Exposure
Although the basic game structure of Blackjack Double Exposure remains similar to several different blackjack games, unlike traditional conventions, in this format, the dealer’s cards are exposed as soon as they are dealt. Moreover, the dealer enjoys the liberty of winning all ties except a natural blackjack. Furthermore, the player of the game is only allowed to split their hand once and wins even money when they achieve a blackjack.
Blackjack Single Deck
A popular choice amidst blackjack types, this blackjack variant simply describes a game that is played using a single deck of cards.
Blackjack Surrender
In this version of the blackjack, players can surrender half the portion of their bet by folding their hands instead of losing their full bet amount because of a poor combination of cards.
Caribbean 21 Blackjack
Caribbean 21 blackjack is an online variant of the blackjack game developed by RTG. Unlike traditional formats where Aces can assume a value of 1 or 11, in this format, the Aces are only valued at 1. The best possible hand in this format is ‘Caribbean 21’ that includes the possession of two cards with a value of 10 and an Ace.
Spanish 21
This is a type of Blackjack game that tends to have a higher house edge value. It is played with either six or eight decks. At the very outset of this game, all 10 value cards are removed. Unlike most formats of blackjack, in a game of Spanish 21, the dealer is allowed to look at the hole card.
Pontoon Game
In this blackjack variant, all cards valued at 10 are removed from the deck. Furthermore, as part of this game, the names of various game actions such as Hit, Stand, and Blackjack are modified into Pontoon, Twist, and Stick, respectively. Quite the Pontoon twist, eh?
Face up 21 Blackjack
This is another name for Blackjack Double Exposure and refers to a gaming provision where the dealer’s cards are exposed as soon as they are dealt with.
Super fun 21 Blackjack
Super fun 21 is a variant of a Blackjack game that is played with a single deck guarantees strong wins and a lot of entertainment. While it is quite similar to traditional blackjack games, there is a striking difference in the payment fabric. For instance, in this type, a player’s natural Blackjack always beats the dealer’s natural Blackjack even in a tie situation. This blackjack pays a lot more than the usual 3:2 payout ratio. It also offers a different type of Blackjack known as the Diamond Blackjacks that, with its diamond Ace, can earn the player a payout at a rate of 2:1.
Atlantic City Blackjack
In the Atlantic City Blackjack version, the game rounds are played with eight decks. In this version, the dealer is allowed to take a slight look into its hole card and is allowed to stand, that is not deal cards when they achieve Soft 17.
Blackjack Insurance
Blackjack Insurance refers to a form of side bet offered to a player when the dealer’s up-card reveals itself to be an ace. This aims to ensure the player against the dealer’s hand being blackjack. The odds payout of such insurances is in accordance with a 2:1 ratio, and the maximum bet allowed is usually half the player’s main bet during the gaming session. Blackjack insurance is meted out to the player before the dealer checks their hole card, whose value is not revealed to players. It lets to monetary discharge when the hole card has a value of 10, making the hand value 21 in combination with the first up-card that is an Ace valued at 11. Basic Blackjack strategy discourages players from opting for blackjack insurance.
Blackjack Payout
Blackjack exists in great plurality – land casinos and online casinos alike tailor payout systems to suit their interests. So be sure to verify payout information before you start playing!
Blackjack Variants by the Gameplay Format
- Blackjack in Land-based Casinos
- Almost all land casinos in the world host various types of Blackjack games, making it a popular casino sport, thousands of gamblers engage in. Land-based casinos offer the exquisite pomp associated with such gambling practices and enhance the social experience of the game by allowing people to gather, play together, and engage in gambling activities.
- Live Blackjack
- This blackjack variation adopts a hybrid format that is played with a live dealer, i.e. through online streaming from the comfort of your homes or any feasible location; you’ll be able to interact with a dealer placed inside a casino environment during game rounds.
- Online Blackjack
- With the rise of information technology and software development, online casino games have become quite popular. A lot of gamblers – novice or experienced resort to these web platforms to gamble. Blackjack enthusiasts are also active participants in this phenomenon who, with some stable internet connectivity, can enjoy some serious gambling thrills that the blackjack game fosters. Several casinos offer lucrative offers to promote the blackjack variants available on their gaming platform. Moreover, it is extremely convenient and can be played at the player’s convenience. However, with careful deliberation, you will first have to find a trusted online casino that is licensed and regulated by gambling authorities such as Malta Gaming Authority, United Kingdom Gambling Commission, etc., and offers blackjack as part of its casino games so that you can enjoy a safe gaming experience. Also, remember to read about all terms and conditions before playing for real money!
- Mobile Blackjack
- As the name suggests, these mobile blackjack games are mobile optimized and can be played on mobile phones/tablets either on browsers or by downloading the relevant app from the application store. They have lucrative signup offers!
Is It Worth Playing Blackjack?
Blackjack, as a card-based casino game with its simple gaming structure, has a fairly large fan following. It is widely played in diverse gaming formats and is, in essence, a game of skill. From Blackjack 22 to Blackjack Single Deck, the whole array of variations is a super hit with punters across the world. So if you can afford some money, saving enough for your livelihood, then, by all means, go for it. There are multiple blackjack versions out there – all set to offer a thrilling gambling experience but can prove to be quite harmful if you get addicted. There are a lot of online platforms and helplines that help you deal with gambling addiction, and please contact one in case you find yourself troubled.