Blackjack Variants Explained: From Classic to Spanish 21

Blackjack is the classic game of “21” enjoyed by casino players worldwide. It is the most popular table game at online casinos in Australia due to its simplicity and fast-paced play.

Like all other casino game forms, numerous blackjack variants exist online. Some casinos will have a dozen or more variants, offering something for every type of gambler.

Today, we will look at the most popular online variants of blackjack. You’ll learn the basic rules of the games and why they are popular.

5 Most Popular Online Blackjack Variants

Variety is the spice of life, and this is particularly true for online casinos. Online casinos offer multiple blackjack variants to keep players engaged and draw them to games they may not normally play. Let’s look at the five most popular blackjack variants you’ll find at online casinos.

Classic Blackjack

Yes, we consider the classic version of blackjack as a variant. The traditional blackjack game is popular because you can significantly reduce your house edge when you play with optimal strategy.

On average, you can reduce the house edge to 0.5% to 1%. In some rare cases, you may find games that have a house edge of just 0.2% with perfect strategy.

Remember that when we talk about classic blackjack, we are referring to games that offer a 3 to 2 payout on blackjack. Games with a 6 to 5 payout offer lower odds and are generally not worth playing.

If you find a casino offering Single Deck Blackjack, try it. It is classic blackjack that uses just a single deck instead of 6 to 8 for most other games. Single Deck games are where you might find a house edge of 0.5% or better.

Blackjack Switch

Blackjack Switch is a popular game variant due to the ability to switch cards after the initial deal. One thing to remember when playing Blackjack Switch is that you will be playing two hands at a time, meaning you will be betting twice as much each round.

At the start of a round, you are dealt two hands versus one hand for the deal. You can opt to switch the second card on both hands. For example, if you get dealt A-A and 8-8, you can switch the second card in both hands to give you two hands of 19.

There are a few unique rules for this game. For starters, if you switch a hand and it creates a blackjack, it only counts as 21, not a natural blackjack. Next, a dealer 22 will push on all hands except a natural blackjack. Also, a natural blackjack only pays even money instead of 3 to 2.

This game is very popular amongst players who like to play multiple hands as it allows them to improve their hands before hitting. The RTP on the game is excellent, ranging from 99.27% to 99.5%.

Double Exposure Blackjack

Double Exposure Blackjack is a popular game because it allows you to see both dealer cards from the start. This gives the player a tremendous advantage, but there are rules that help to balance the advantage back in favour of the house.

First, the dealer wins on all ties except for a natural blackjack. Next, a player blackjack pays even money. Additionally, only one split is permitted in the game. The RTP for this game is around 99.33% or a house edge of 0.67%.

This game generally appeals to new blackjack players or those who want to have a bit lower variance.

We suggest that you check the rules before playing this variant. If the game only allows you to double down on 9-11, the house edge jumps by 1%. It jumps 1.44% if you can only double down on 10 or 11.

Perfect Pair Blackjack

Perfect Pair Blackjack is a classic form of blackjack that has a side bet. The side bet is based on the first two cards dealt to a player. If you make the Perfect Pair side bet and are dealt a pair, you will receive a payout based on the following:

• Standard Pair – 5 to 1
• Colored Pair (Same color) – 12 to 1
• Perfect Pair (Same color and suit) – 25 to 1

This game is popular due to the potentially lucrative side bet. Unlike many games with side bets, the house edge on the Perfect Pair bet is not insane. If you’re playing with six decks, the House edge is about 6%. For eight deck games, the house edge is around 4% on this bet.

Spanish 21

Spanish 21 is a popular variant of blackjack that has several unique twists. For starters, all tens are stripped from the deck, meaning you can only make a blackjack with aces and face cards. Next, a player 21 always wins, and a natural blackjack will beat a dealer blackjack.

Additionally, the game has several bonus payouts based on certain hand combinations. No side bets are needed for these bonus payouts. Here’s a chart of the payouts:

• Five Card 21 – 3 to 2
• Six Card 21 – 2 to 1
• Seven Card 21 – 3 to 1
• 6-7-8 and 7-7-7 unsuited – 3 to 2
• 6-7-8 and 7-7-7 suited – 2 to 1
• 6-7-8 and 7-7-7 in spades – 3 to 1

In some games, there is also a Super Bonus that pays if you have 7-7-7 of the same suit and the dealer shows a 7. This bet can pay up to $5,000 in most games, but payout amounts may vary based on the casino.

This game is popular due to the bonus bets and rules that favour the player. Also, the game’s house edge is just 0.4%, which is better than many blackjack games at the casino.

How to Choose Which Version of Blackjack to Play

The above blackjack variants are just a handful of the different versions of the game you can play at online casinos in Australia. So, how does one pick which version of blackjack to play? Like many things in gambling, it depends.

There are many factors to consider when choosing which version of blackjack to play, and every player is different. Below are common ways to determine which blackjack game is best for you.

• House Edge – Blackjack games have the lowest house edge of all casino games, but that edge can vary wildly depending on game rules, side bets, and more. When selecting a game, check out each game’s house edge or RTP. We gave examples above for popular games, but a game’s RTP can change based on the developer, the rules of the game, and more. A couple of percentage point differences in house edge can significantly affect how much you win or lose over the long term.
• Your Skill Level – Blackjack is one of the few casino games where skill can greatly impact house edge. If you’re new to the game, you want games that have a lower overall house edge, such as Spanish 21. For those who are adept at using perfect strategy, then you want to shoot for games that allow you to reduce the house edge as much as possible.
• Bankroll – The size of your bankroll should be a consideration for any game you’re willing to play. Start by evaluating which stakes you can afford to play. Look at the games to determine how much money you need to play each round. Games like Perfect Pair Blackjack and Blackjack Switch will require a larger bankroll than games like Classic Blackjack.
• Betting Limits – The table limits of games will often help steer players in the right direction. For example, a table of Double Exposure Blackjack with a table minimum of $5 will be less enticing to smaller bankrolls than a Spanish 21 table with a $1 table minimum.
• Risk Tolerance – How much risk are you willing to take with your gaming? Are you looking to score the largest wins possible, or are you looking to maximize your advantage? If you’re more risk-tolerant, games with side bets and jackpots could fit into your style.
• Personal Preferences – The customer is always right in matters of taste. Every player has their own preferences in terms of what they find fun and exciting. Some find a steady, strategic game fun, while others want a higher level of risk, such as Perfect Pair Blackjack. These preferences often are a deciding factor in the games selected in blackjack and other areas of online casinos.
• Bonus Contributions – If your casino allows blackjack to contribute to bonus rollovers, you may be limited on which variants are permitted. For example, games like Single Deck Blackjack or Spanish 21 may not be allowed. Knowing which games are excluded will help you narrow your selection.

Tips for Improving Your Odds at Blackjack Games

Now that you have some ideas of the different blackjack variants available and ways to pick the right game, let’s discuss improving your odds. With a bit of practice and study, you can improve your odds to give yourself the best chance of walking away a winner.

Here are a few tips for improving your odds in blackjack games:

• Learn the Rules of Each Game – When we say learn the rules, we don’t mean the basic rules, but also the in-depth rules, such as when a dealer must stand, whether you can split more than once, or if you can double down after a split. These rules can help you find games that are more advantageous to skilful players.
• Learn the Strategies for Each Game – While basic blackjack strategy will cover most games, some variants have strategies that will help you improve your odds. For example, when is a good time to surrender in Spanish 21? Learning game-specific strategies will help you make better decisions when playing.
• Learn Perfect Strategy – Basic strategy can help improve your odds tremendously, but if you want to be a serious player, you should learn optimal strategy. Learning perfect strategy takes more work and learning many more scenarios than you would in basic strategy. However, your odds will improve, as will your win rate.
• Set Limits on Play  – This tip will help you manage losses when you play. Set limits on how long you play and how much you’re willing to lose. Never chase losses, as this will compound your losses. It’s better to quit and come back another day. Setting limits will improve your odds by limiting your losses, which saves you money over the long haul.
• Practice New Strategies on Free Play – Many people will argue that free-play blackjack games are pointless. However, they are great ways to improve your strategy or to learn new ones. Since free-play games have the same gaming engine as real money games, you can practice new strategies for free, and once you’re comfortable, you can then risk your bankroll.