Best Online Blackjack Variants

Single Deck Blackjack

Once upon a time, this was the standard version of Blackjack. As the name suggests, Single-Deck Blackjack uses just one deck of 52 cards in the shoe. However, casinos quickly found that this made it easy to count cards and figure out how many high-value cards remained.

Today, it is a little difficult to find Single-Deck Blackjack, but it is out there. Landing Blackjack earns you a 6:5 payout, instead of the more traditional 3:2.

Pontoon

Pontoon is a popular variation of Blackjack that is played primarily in the UK and Australia. Unlike traditional Blackjack, in Pontoon, the dealer’s cards are dealt face down, and the players are not allowed to view them until they have completed their hands. The goal of the game is to get a hand with a total value of 21, or as close to 21 as possible, without going over. In Pontoon, the player must have a hand that is equal to or less than 21 to win. A Pontoon hand, which consists of an ace and a ten-value card, is the best possible hand in the game.

Double Exposure Blackjack

Double Exposure Blackjack is an exciting variant that makes the game much easier for new players. Unlike most versions of the game, where only one of the dealer’s cards can be seen, in Double Exposure Blackjack, you can see both cards. This takes all the guessing out of the equation and makes it much easier to know if you must hit. Because of the easier nature of Double Exposure, Blackjack pays out 1:1, the same as any other win.

Perfect Pairs

Perfect Pairs Blackjack is a variation of the classic game that allows players to make a side bet on whether their first two cards will be a pair. The goal of the game is to get a hand with a total value of 21, or as close to 21 as possible, without going over. If the player’s first two cards are a pair, they win the Perfect Pairs side bet. There are three types of pairs: a perfect pair (two identical cards), a colored pair (two cards of the same color and rank), and a mixed pair (two cards of the same rank, but different colors).

Blackjack Switch

In Blackjack Switch, players are dealt two hands and are allowed to switch the second card of each hand with each other. This gives the player more opportunities to create a winning hand. The goal of the game is to get a hand with a total value of 21, or as close to 21 as possible, without going over. The dealer also has to hit on a soft 17. The payout for a Blackjack in this game is 1:1 instead of the usual 3:2 in traditional Blackjack.

European Blackjack

European Blackjack is similar to traditional Blackjack, with a few notable differences. The dealer is dealt only one card at the start of the game, and they do not receive a second card until all players have completed their hands. Also, players are not allowed to surrender in European Blackjack, which means they must play out their hand to its conclusion. The goal of the game is to get a hand with a total value of 21, or as close to 21 as possible, without going over. If the dealer has a hand with a value of 17 or more, they must stand.