Blackjack is one of the world’s most popular casino games, and it has been as such for many decades. Even in light of the competition from spectacular modern video slots with 3D graphics and immersive experiences, the classic card game has held its own, both online and in land-based casinos.
However, to say that “blackjack is one of the world’s most popular casino games” is a somewhat misleading statement. After all, blackjack is a genre of game, rather than a specific game. In a sense, it’s a bit like saying “meat is the most popular type of food”.
What we are getting at here is there are lots of variants of blackjack, especially online, and the rules, payouts, strategies, etc., really make a difference. But the first step is knowing that these games are there before adapting your strategy to play.
Blackjack Switch has become a popular option
Consider a game like Blackjack Switch at www.slotsheaven.com in Canada. The game, sometimes known as blackjack exchange, has a couple of very important rule changes from classic blackjack. Most notably, the player plays with two hands and is allowed to ‘switch’ the second card from each hand to make the optimum play. The trade-off for this advantage is that the dealer reaching 22, which is normally a bust, is called a push instead.
But aside from the obvious advantage, players must also change the strategy compared with standard blackjack to reflect the dealer’s push on 22. Blackjack Switch also gives you the chance to double after the exchange, and there are strategic decisions to be made there too that differ from regular blackjack.
All of this talk of blackjack strategy should not be lightly dismissed. Of all casino games, blackjack variants tend to give the best odds to the player. However, this is based on the proviso that the player is playing with the best possible strategy. If not, the losses can quickly mount up. Top online casinos will offer virtual blackjack games that reflect the real-world probabilities, but live dealer blackjack is also available – so there is really no discernible difference from the land-based casinos.
Blackjack Surrender – a game for the experts
When it comes to strategy, perhaps the ultimate test of your wits that you’ll find online is Blackjack Surrender. The game, as the name suggests, has a “surrender” option, basically meaning you can fold after the initial deal if you feel your odds of winning are low. The cost of exercising this option is half your stake.
Now, the idea of giving up half your stake to fold your cards in blackjack doesn’t sound that appealing, and many players would decide to finish the hand regardless. But there is a school of thought that the strategy can be beneficial. It’s high-risk, of course, but if you can do the math – and blackjack is all about doing the math – then you can perhaps gain an advantage.
Perhaps the pertinent question is whether you should choose the classic version of blackjack, or explore other variants. There is no right answer as to which is better, and it really comes down to individual choice. Experienced players, for instance, might prefer the classic version of the game, especially if they have honed their skills down the years. Casual players might prefer versions like progressive blackjack, which carries a randomly-awarded jackpot within the game.
The point, however, is that there is a much wider choice online, and it might surprise some to learn how expansive the selection is at a good online casino. We have only mentioned a couple of the dozens of variants above. So, before you play, have a look at the rules of each game, and then decide which is best for you.