Online Blackjack Variations
Blackjack is the most popular online casino games and this popularity brings with it many different varieties and twists on the original online blackjack rules.
Each of these variations has their own unique rules and variations which Casino Games Guide will look at in this article.
We will start off by looking at Pontoon, followed by Blackjack Switch and finally Double Exposure Blackjack.
Pontoon
The main difference in pontoon is that any pontoon (aka blackjack) or 5-card hand pays 2 to 1. To counter this player benefit, the dealer wins every tie so there is no pushing in Pontoon.
Hand Rankings
1.Pontoon (also known as blackjack; achieved with any ten card and an Ace, including after splitting)
2.A 5-card trick (any 5-card hand without busting over 21. The value of the 5-card hand does not matter.)
3. A hand with a total of 21 or less.
4. A hand over 21 that has busted.
There are a few rule changes from the standard blackjack game of blackjack.
* You are allowed to hit after doubling.
* You are allowed to split up to a total of three hands.
* You are allowed double down after splitting aces.
* You are allowed to double once per hand with between 2 and 4 cards.
* Getting 21 with two cards after splitting aces still counts as a pontoon.
* You are only allowed to stand when you have 15 or more, or if you have a 5-card hand.
* The dealer must hit on soft 17s and stop with any 5-card hand.
The house edge in Pontoon is around 0.40%.
Blackjack Switch
In blackjack switch you play two hands and you have the option of switching the two second cards dealt to make the best possible starting hands.
The rule changes from standard blackjack are the following:
* The dealer must hit on soft 17’s
* Blackjack pays 1 to 1
* A dealer value of 22 will push against any player value except blackjack.
Only one split is allowed in blackjack switch, but you are allowed to double and double after the split. Blackjack switch has one of the smallest house edges out of all blackjack variations with a house edge of only about 0.2%.
Double Exposure Blackjack
In double exposure blackjack the dealer exposes both of their hole cards. The rule changes from standard blackjack are the following:
* The dealer wins on all ties except blackjacks
* Blackjack pays 1 to 1
* Doubling down is only allowed if you have between a hard 9 and 11.
The amount of times players are allowed to split varies, with some casinos allowing you to split up to four times and other casinos only allowing once.
The rules vary on how many times a player is allowed to split, with some casinos only allowing once and others allowing up to four times. Also, whether the player is allowed to double after splitting varies from casino to casino. The house edge in double exposure blackjack is around 0.68%.
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