You're all probably familiar with Blackjack, and most will have played at least a few hands in your lives either at home with friends, at a casino or online. But are you aware how many different types of blackjack there are? In this article we will focus on the more exotic, and less common, forms of Blackjack which are often only found online.
Power Blackjack
Power Blackjack adds two powerful features to the regular game of Blackjack - Power Double and Power Split:
- Power Double: When doubling on a 9,10 or 11 the power double feature gives you the option of replacing the double down card.
- Power Split: Allows you to split a hard 15 or hard 16, possibly turning a bad starting hand into a great one.
Now obviously these rules tip the game in the players favour somewhat, so the dealer has to have a trick up his sleeve too. If the dealer gets 22, the hand is tied and the players bet is returned. Other than this regular blackjack rules apply.
Power Blackjack can be found at Virgin Casino or any good WagerWorks casino.
Blackjack Switch
To play Blackjack Switch you need to play two hands of Blackjack at the same time, and you get to switch cards between the two hands in order to improve your chances. Because of this switching, payouts for Blackjacks are reduced to 1:1. There is also a side bet you can place that pays out based on the number of pairs that are dealt between the two cards.
Blackjack Switch can be found at Bet365 Casino or any good Playtech casino.
Blackjack Double Exposure
In Double Exposure Blackjack you get to see both of the dealers cards, giving you a better idea of whether you should hit or stand. In exchange for seeing the dealers card, the payout for a Blackjack is reduced to 1:1 and the dealer wins tied hands (except tied blackjack).
Double Exposure Blackjack can be found at Betsafe Casino Red or any good NetEnt casino.
Vegas Blackjack Plus 20
Blackjack Plus 20 is just like regular blackjack but with a side bet that pays out if you are dealt a hand of twenty or more in your first two cards. The payout rate for the sidebet varies depending on the outcome of the game from 2:1 for winning the hand with 20 to 30:1 for tieing the dealer with blackjack.
- Blackjack Tie - 30:1
- Blackjack Win - 3:1
- Twenty Lose - 20:1
- Twenty Tie - 10:1
- Twenty Win - 2:1
Vegas Blackjack +20 can be found at BlueSq Casino or any good WagerWorks casino.
Blackjack With Hot Streak Bonus
One of my favourite Blackjack variants is Blackjack with Hot Streak Bonus. Here you have the option of placing a side bet which pays out when you have multiple consecutive wins. For each win your side bet moves further up the Hot Streak ladder. After 2 wins the payout is 1.5x your site bet, with an additional 3x your side bet for 3 wins and then another 6x for 4 wins. If you continue to place the side bet each hand you can create a chain that will continue until you lose. A must for fans of big wins!
Blackjack With Hot Streak Bonus can be found at Virgin Casino or any good WagerWorks casino.
21 + 3 Blackjack
If you're a fan of both Blackjack and 3 Card Poker, this could be the game for you. As well as playing a regular hand of Blackjack you have the option of placing an additional 3 Card Poker side bet. The side bet pays out based on the players 2 cards and the dealers first card, and pays out for straights, flushes and three of a kind:
- Suited Three of a Kind - 100:1
- Straight Flush - 35:1
- Three of a Kind - 33:1
- Straight - 10:1
- Flush - 5:1
21 + 3 Blackjack can be found at Virgin Casino or any good WagerWorks casino.
Live Dealer Blackjack
Live Blackjack uses Live Dealers to bring the casino literally into your own home. The game is essentially the same as regular blackjack, but you are connected to a casino (or studio) via a webcam where you watch a croupier deal your cards. You can chat with the dealer, and bet instructions are delivered using a standard online casino interface.
For live blackjack we recommend checking out Lucky Live Casino - you can preview the games without needing to register. Alternatively see our live dealer section for more places to play.
Blackjack Stand Or Bust
This last game is only loosely based on the original game of Blackjack. Here the player doesn't receive any cards, instead you are presented with four options for the dealers starting card. The aim is to pick a card and then say whether the dealer will 'Bust' or not. Payout rates vary depending on the card and outcome that is chosen.
Blackjack Stand or Bust can be found at BlueSq Casino or any good WagerWorks casino.
