In this article, we'll explore some of the most popular variants of blackjack and examine what makes each one different from the others. Whether you're a seasoned blackjack player or a newcomer to the game, you're sure to find something of interest in this overview of the diverse world of blackjack variants.

Pontoon

Pontoon is a variant of blackjack that is popular in many parts of the world, particularly in the UK and Australia. The game is played with a standard deck of 52 cards, but the card values and terminology are different from those used in standard blackjack.

In Pontoon, the objective is to get a hand that is as close to 21 as possible without going over. However, unlike standard blackjack, there is no "push" or tie in Pontoon - if the player and dealer both have the same hand value, the dealer wins. Additionally, the dealer's cards are both dealt face-down, giving the dealer an extra layer of secrecy.

In terms of card values, all picture cards (jacks, queens, and kings) have a value of 10, while the ace can be counted as either 1 or 11, depending on the player's preference. A "pontoon" is the highest possible hand, made up of an ace and a 10-point card. A pontoon pays out at a rate of 2 to 1, while a regular win pays out at a rate of 1 to 1.

One of the unique features of Pontoon is the "buy" and "twist" options. Rather than "hit" and "stand," players can choose to "buy" another card after receiving their initial two cards, but this requires doubling their initial bet. Alternatively, players can "twist," which is the same as "hit" in standard blackjack.

Another unique feature of Pontoon is the "five card trick." If a player manages to get a hand of five cards without going over 21, they automatically win, regardless of the dealer's hand.

Double Exposure Blackjack

Double Exposure Blackjack is a variant of blackjack that is also known as "Dealer Disclosure" or "Face Up 21." In this game, both of the dealer's cards are dealt face up, giving players more information about the dealer's potential hand.

The objective of the game is the same as standard blackjack - to get a hand that is as close to 21 as possible without going over. However, in Double Exposure Blackjack, the dealer wins all ties, except for blackjack, which pays out at a rate of 1 to 1.

One of the key strategies in Double Exposure Blackjack is to take advantage of the information provided by the dealer's up cards. This can help players make more informed decisions about their own hands and increase their chances of winning. For example, if the dealer's up cards add up to 16 or less, the dealer is required to hit until they reach 17 or higher. This means that players may want to stand on a lower hand value if they know the dealer is likely to bust.

Blackjack Switch

Blackjack Switch is a variant of blackjack that was invented by Geoff Hall in 2000. The game is played with two hands of cards, and players have the option to switch cards between the two hands to improve their chances of winning.

The objective of the game is the same as standard blackjack - to get a hand that is as close to 21 as possible without going over. However, in Blackjack Switch, players are dealt two hands instead of one, and they can switch the second card dealt to each hand with the other hand's second card.

For example, if a player is dealt a 6 and a 10 on one hand, and a 5 and a 9 on the other hand, they can switch the 10 and 9 to create a 15 and a 20. This can be a powerful strategy, as it allows players to turn two weak hands into two strong hands.

In Blackjack Switch, the dealer hits on a soft 17, and a natural blackjack pays out at a rate of 1 to 1, rather than the standard 3 to 2 payout. Additionally, if the dealer busts with a hand value of 22, all remaining player hands are considered to be pushes, rather than wins.

One of the challenges of Blackjack Switch is that players must place two equal bets at the beginning of the game. This means that players must be comfortable with the possibility of losing both bets, as well as the potential to win both bets.

European Blackjack

European Blackjack is a variant of blackjack that is played with two standard decks of cards. The objective of the game is the same as standard blackjack - to get a hand that is as close to 21 as possible without going over.

In European Blackjack, the dealer is dealt only one card face up at the beginning of the game, rather than two cards as in other variants. This means that players don't know the value of the dealer's hidden card until later in the game.

Another key difference in European Blackjack is that the dealer must stand on all 17s, including soft 17s. This means that if the dealer's hand includes an ace and a six, they must stand rather than hit, even though their hand value is technically only 7.

In terms of payouts, a natural blackjack (an ace and a ten or a face card) pays out at a rate of 3 to 2, and all other wins payout at a rate of 1 to 1. Players can also double down on any two cards, and they can split pairs only once.

Double Attack Blackjack

Double Attack Blackjack is a variant of blackjack that is commonly played in Atlantic City casinos. The game is played with eight decks of cards, and the objective is to get a hand that is as close to 21 as possible without going over.

One of the unique features of Double Attack Blackjack is that players have the option to "double attack" their bet after seeing the dealer's up card. This means that players can increase their bet before they receive any cards, based on their assessment of the dealer's up card. If the player chooses to double attack, their bet is increased by the same amount as their initial bet.

Another unique feature of Double Attack Blackjack is that the dealer's up card is dealt face up, giving players more information about the dealer's potential hand. Additionally, the dealer must hit on a soft 17, which gives players a slight advantage.

Like other variants of blackjack, Double Attack Blackjack allows players to split pairs, double down on any two cards, and take insurance against the dealer's potential blackjack. The game also features a special payout for a hand made up of three 7s, which pays out at a rate of 50 to 1.

Atlantic City Blackjack

Atlantic City Blackjack is a variant of blackjack that is popular in Atlantic City, New Jersey, as well as other casinos around the world. The game is played with eight standard decks of cards, and the objective is the same as standard blackjack - to get a hand that is as close to 21 as possible without going over.

In Atlantic City Blackjack, the dealer is dealt two cards - one face up and one face down - at the beginning of the game. If the dealer's face-up card is an ace, players have the option to take insurance against the dealer having a natural blackjack.

Like in other variants of blackjack, a natural blackjack pays out at a rate of 3 to 2, and all other wins payout at a rate of 1 to 1. Players can double down on any two cards, and they can also double down after splitting pairs.

One of the unique features of Atlantic City Blackjack is that players are allowed to late surrender their hand if they don't like their chances of winning. Late surrender means that players can give up their hand and recover half of their bet, rather than losing the entire bet.

Another key difference in Atlantic City Blackjack is that the dealer must stand on all 17s, including soft 17s. This means that if the dealer's hand includes an ace and a six, they must stand rather than hit, even though their hand value is technically only 7.

Spanish 21

Spanish 21 is a variant of blackjack that is played with a deck of 48 cards, as all the 10s are removed. The objective of the game is the same as standard blackjack - to get a hand that is as close to 21 as possible without going over.

In Spanish 21, players have the option to place a bonus bet called a "Match the Dealer" bet, which pays out if one or both of the player's initial cards match the dealer's face-up card. The payout for this bonus bet varies depending on the number of matching cards and the rank of the cards.

One of the unique features of Spanish 21 is that players can surrender their hand after doubling down, which is known as "double down rescue." This means that if a player doubles down and then realizes they are unlikely to win, they can surrender their hand and receive half of their bet back.

Another unique feature of Spanish 21 is that certain hand combinations can pay out at higher rates than in standard blackjack. For example, a hand of three 7s of the same suit pays out at a rate of 50 to 1, while a hand of six or more cards that adds up to 21 pays out at a rate of 2 to 1.

Like in other variants of blackjack, a natural blackjack pays out at a rate of 3 to 2, and all other wins payout at a rate of 1 to 1. Players can double down on any two cards, and they can also double down after splitting pairs. They can also split pairs up to four times.