Blackjack is the most popular casino table game. About half of all tables are blackjack. These games can have a variety of rules within a casino, including the number of decks used, whether the dealer hits or stands on soft 17, if surrender is offered, and the number of times aces may be split.
Players looking for options beyond these have other choices at many casinos that offer blackjack variants. Some are just a little different than a typical game, while others drastically change the rules.
Free Bet Blackjack
Free Bet Blackjack is by far the most popular variant. It gives players free double downs on hard 9, 10, and 11 hands. It also gives free splits on all pairs except for cards that are worth 10 points. If the player makes another pair after splitting, the re-split is free. Qualifying double downs are also free after splitting. Players may double with their own money on hands that are not a hard 9, 10, or 11.
Of course, there is a catch. If the dealer makes a 22, all players still in the hand push. Hands that busted still lose. Blackjacks are paid before the dealer draws, and the player keeps those winnings. Most Las Vegas Strip Free Bet Blackjack tables pay 6/5. Downtown Las Vegas deals all 3/2 Free Bet Blackjack. The locals market and ones in other states are a mix of 3/2 and 6/5. Most Free Bet Blackjack games hit soft 17. In Pennsylvania, the dealer stands on soft 17 at all blackjack games as required by law, including Free Bet.
Double Down Madness
Double Down Madness is the newest blackjack variant to hit the market. It is the first successful blackjack variant introduced since Free Bet in 2012.
Players start with only one card in Double Down Madness. The dealer starts with two as normal and exposes one. Players have the option of doubling down before seeing their second card or hitting. Double downs are possible after hitting cards and after a double down. Any double down after double down requires double the bet. For example, at a $10 game, the first double is $10. The next is $20. A third double is $40. Players may double down an infinite number of times while doubling the wager each time.
The one exception to this rule is that aces may only be doubled down one time. Splits are not permitted at Double Down Madness. The dealer pushes all live hands on 22. The dealer usually hits on soft 17.
Spanish 21
Spanish 21 uses special decks that remove the 10s. Jacks, queens, and kings are still in the deck. This causes the dealer to bust less often. Special rules make up for this, including the player always winning with a dealt blackjack.
Spanish 21 offers typical rules that permit doubling down before and after splitting. Double down is permitted on any number of cards. Some casinos permit the player to double more than once in a hand. This requires doubling the original double down bet amount. Surrender is permitted, even after doubling down. Aces may be re-split, hit, and doubled down after splitting.
Some special 21 hands have additional payouts. The bonuses only apply if the player did not previously double down during the hand. A player who makes a three-card 21 with 777 or 678 wins 3/2 when offsuit, 2/1 when it is suited clubs, diamonds, or hearts, and 3/1 if all three cards are spades. A five-card 21 pays 3/2. Six-card 21s pay 2/1. Any 21 hand consisting of seven or more cards pays 3/1.
Blackjack always pays 3/2. The dealer can hit or stand on soft 17, depending on the house rules.
Spanish 21 is most popular on the East Coast, where most games stand on soft 17. Venetian is the only Las Vegas casino offering Spanish 21, where it hits on soft 17.
Super Fun 21
Super Fun 21 is the rare variant that can be dealt using one or two decks. Some games are six-deck. It offers many loose rules and one terrible one.
Super Fun 21 has standard double down rules. Re-splitting is allowed up to four hands, including with aces. Split aces may be hit and doubled down. Double down is permitted on any number of cards. Players may surrender after doubling down. Super Fun 21 offers a 2/1 bonus on a five or more card 21. A six-card Charlie is available, meaning that six cards that do not bust automatically win.
The blackjack rules offset all these player-friendly ones. While suited diamond blackjacks pay 2/1, all others are even money. Player blackjacks always win and do not push when the dealer also has a blackjack. The dealer hits soft 17.
Cannery is the last casino in the Las Vegas market with Super Fun 21. It is single-deck.
Most Liberal 21
Most Liberal 21 is owned by Plaza in downtown Las Vegas. It is the only casino with the game. It is like Super Fun 21. Blackjack automatically wins. Unsuited ones pay even money, while suited ones pay 2/1. Players may double down on two, three, or four cards. All pairs may be re-split, including aces. Split aces may be hit or doubled. A six-card Charlie is available. The dealer hits soft 17.
Blackjack Switch
Blackjack Switch was once the most popular variant in Las Vegas. It is down to only four tables in the market. Blackjack Switch requires players to make two equal wagers. This means the amount needed to get a hand is double the posted minimum. Players should keep more back for double downs and splits.
The player receives two hands. The dealer gives each player the option of switching a card with the other hand. Blackjack pays even money. Switched 21 hands do not count as blackjack. Double down before and after splitting is permitted. Pairs may be split up to four hands. The catch is that the dealer pushes all live hands on 22. The dealer hits soft 17.
Blackjack Switch requires an additional level of strategy to learn. Players must know the proper times to switch cards.
Face Up Blackjack
Face Up Blackjack is most often found at online casinos. As the name implies, the dealer’s cards are both dealt face-up. Players lose all ties, so drawing until the hand wins is imperative if the dealer has 17 or higher. This means if you and the dealer both start with 20, you must hit and hope for an ace. Most versions make an exception to the ties lose rule by making all blackjacks win.
In addition to the ties losing, several other bad rules typically exist. This includes blackjack paying even money or 6/5, doubling down only being allowed on 10 or 11, and no double down after splitting. The dealer hits soft 17.
Takeaways
Whichever blackjack variant you choose, always ensure you have the proper bankroll. When you hit a long winning or losing streak, take a break so you can recollect your thoughts before going on tilt or giving it all back. The blackjack tables will still be there tomorrow.
