Most Popular Versions of Blackjack You Ought to Know
Blackjack is the most popular game of online casinos that utilize 52-card decks. Its history goes back to the family of casino bank games classified as 21, and European Vingt-et-Un and British card game Pontoon are its versions. With the expansion of the gaming universe, new blackjack versions began surfacing in the market. These developments in blackjack have given rise to a vast variety of thrilling game variations for players to try.
General Rules of Blackjack
Prior to discussing the various forms of blackjack found in internet casinos, all players must be aware of the traditional rules of traditional blackjack. At the blackjack table, the dealer is presented with five to nine player positions, and one to eight packs of 52 cards are shuffled. The bettor who places his bet in front of the box is in charge of position and instructs the dealer when choosing a game; others "play behind." In a blackjack game, players do not play against each other but against the dealer.
Dealer deals from left to right with two open cards in each box. In hole card games, the dealer receives a second, face-down card that is not exposed except when he receives blackjack. A small mirror or electronic sensor may be utilized in some hole card games to look at the dealer's hole card.
The goal of the game is to beat the dealer's hand without exceeding 21, or to hope the dealer will bust.
On their turn, players can:
- Hit (take a card)
- Stand (end the turn without taking a card)
- Double (double bet, take one card, and end the turn)
- Split (if two cards of the same value, separate the hand into two)
- Surrender (give back half the bet and end the game)
Face cards (Jacks, Queens, Kings) count as 10, and Aces count as 1 or 11, whichever the player likes. If the hand exceeds 21, all bets are lost.
After players have finished, the dealer takes cards until they have 17 or more. The dealer cannot double, split, or surrender, and all players win if the dealer busts. 21 on the first two cards is called a natural or blackjack, and the player wins unless the dealer has a natural as well. The bets are pushed under those circumstances, another term for which is "push" or "standoff." A 3-to-2 payout is also occasionally offered for blackjack by some casinos, where players receive three dollars for every two bet. Take note that there are a few casinos offering reduced payouts.
Blackjack Glossary
Blackjack tables are semi-circular and consist of five to nine player spots. Players need to know that a "soft 17" is a hand that always contains an Ace, which, when combined with other cards, totals 17. This can be an Ace and a six, or an Ace and two threes.
When the dealer's upcard is an Ace, insurance side bets can be placed. When the dealer draws a blackjack, insurance is a side bet which pays back the original bet. Insurance bets are asked by the dealer before the game, and they will pay back 2 to 1 if the dealer draws a blackjack.
The "upcard" is the dealer's open card. It provides good insight into the position of the dealer and the potential to win. Players cannot see the dealer's hole card, but they can predict certain things.
Geographical Types of Blackjack
Let us now talk about some blackjack types.
Atlantic City Blackjack
Atlantic City Blackjack has several unique features that no other casino has. Specifically, the dealer must check for blackjack if he or she has an Ace or a ten-value card up. There are three choices for splitting a hand if you have two cards of the same rank.
Players get only one card per Ace once Aces have been split, and Aces can be split only once. Doubling is an option at any time during the game, even following a split. The dealer will always stand on any hand that is 17 or more, regardless of whether it is a soft 17. Last but not least, players have the option of late surrender when the dealer has an Ace or 10-value card. Unless insurance is readily offered, which it often is not, it should not be taken.
Vegas Strip Blackjack
This game of blackjack is not only well-covered on the Las Vegas Strip but can be played in almost every online casino. While the rules are almost identical to standard blackjack, there are a couple of little differences to keep in mind, such as the number of decks and whether or not the dealer hits or stands on soft 17.
In Vegas Strip Blackjack, the game is played using four or eight decks and the dealer stands on a soft 17. The dealer hole card is revealed when there is an Ace or 10 starting hand. The doubling of the bet after splitting is allowed. Splitting 10-value cards even if of different suits is allowed. Re-splitting of Aces and the ability to surrender are not supported.
European Blackjack
The greatest variance between European blackjack and the rest is the method of dealing the cards. In regular blackjack, both the dealer and each individual are dealt two cards, one face-up and one face-down. In European blackjack, the players, however, start off with one face-up card and do not get their second card until all the other players have completed their hand.
There are fewer restrictions on doubling and splitting for players, hence making it more difficult to take advantage of these chances. Doubling is allowed only if the total hand value is 9, 10, or 11. For splitting, players can double the bet but not re-split. The odds of winning at European 21 are slightly less than in basic blackjack, but this is slight.
Multi-Hand Blackjack
The fundamental rules of multi-hand blackjack are identical to those of regular blackjack, which is an advantage to players because they do not have to learn more rules. In this game, players are allowed to play more than one hand, place varying bets, and receive five hands rather than one.
Most casinos prohibit surrender but permit insurance on the dealer's Ace in this blackjack game. The rules vary greatly depending on whether you’re playing in a land-based or online casino. For example, some dealers hit on soft 17, while others must stand. Additionally, European rules do not use hole cards in the multi-hand version. Finally, some versions of multi-hand allow doubling on every two-card hand, while others restrict this to hands with a total of 9-11. Multi-hand blackjack increases the speed of play and bets.
Double Exposure Blackjack
In this version of blackjack, two cards are dealt face up to the dealer. All bets but those for blackjack hands are lost since the house advantage remains 3-2. A natural blackjack is paid even money. Since the dealer's cards are visible, insurance and surrender are not offered to players.
There are no re-splits, double downs, or side bets for the most part. Two 10-value cards are split when the dealer has a 13 to 16, and when the dealer has 20, players must hit a hard 19. Double Exposure Blackjack uses at least six decks but typically eight.
