Month: May 2018

What’s the Difference

In this version, both of the dealer’s cards are exposed. To compensate for this, there are rule changes that will favor the dealer.  You can assume that the house edge is better than in traditional blackjack, but it still is a top favorite variation for seasoned blackjack players.

Rules (Usual)

• Both dealer cards are exposed
• Dealer wins all ties, except on a natural blackjack
• Player blackjack pays 1:1 (even money)
• Player may split only once
• No Insurance or surrender allowed

Additional rules that CAN vary:

• Dealer hits or stands on soft 17
• Tied blackjack either pushes or goes to the player
• Player may or may not double after a split
• Player may double on any first two cards or not
• Player may split more than once
• Player may or may not split different 10-value cards (10, J, Q, K)

Strategy

The strategy for this is absolutely different than that of traditional blackjack.  For instance, with double exposure blackjack, you would split two ten value cards whenever the dealer shows 13-16 and of course a hard 19 must be hit if the dealer has a 20.  This would not be typical strategy in traditional blackjack.

The fact that the dealer wins all ties (except blackjack) is what affects a player’s return the most.  It has been figured that the rule changes affect the player’s return as follows:

• • If the dealer stands on a soft 17, player’s edge is increased +.39%
  • If a double after a split is allowed, player’s edge is increased +.32%
  • If a tied blackjack is a win, player’s edge is increased +.22%
  • If a player can split only once, player’s edge is decreased -.71%
  • If a player can double on 9-11 only, player’s edge is decreased  -1.04%
  • If a player can double on 10-11 only, player’s edge is decreased  -1.44%

Perhaps the wide variance in edge advantage, is what entices the seasoned blackjack players to take a chance with this version.  It can be exciting to know that you have a better than normal chance of winning in certain situations.

As long as you have the basic knowledge of traditional blackjack, you can use the additional knowledge gained from seeing the dealer’s cards and work it to your advantage. It will cut down the errors made when guessing and although some rules work against the player, a good blackjack player will be able to turn things around for themselves

For example, when you can see that your hand is lower than the dealer’s hand, you know that the only choice you have would be to hit. As alluded to earlier, If both yours and the dealer’s hands are high, say 19 vs. 20, you need to hit.  You will still lose if you are dealt a higher card, but at least you won’t have to guess whether to hit or stand. With games like this, who knows, you might still win it. It may be tough to hit an 18 or 19, but if you know (can see) that the dealer has 20, it’s better to hit and try for the small card, than accept immediate defeat!

My Two Cents

This is another version of blackjack that is more popular online, than offline, but a player’s favorite.  Of course it’s easier for the player to make decisions in this because you see the dealer’s hand.  However, the rule changes actually give a bigger edge to the dealer, so your strategy must be on point.

While the double exposure blackjack odds may not be as good, the game is quite exciting and competitive for many players enjoyment.  Played with the correct strategy and skills, a profit can still be made.  Good Luck!

This was created by card counter Geoff Hall in 2000, and patented in 2009.  In this version, the dealer deals out two hands per player rather than one.

Rules:

• The player is allowed to exchange or “switch” the top two cards between his hands.
• Natural blackjacks are paid only 1:1, instead of the typical 3:2
• A dealers hard 22 pushes all non-busted hands, with the exception of a natural blackjack.
• Players must make two bets of equal size
• Cards are dealt face up
• Usually 6 or 8 decks are used
• Dealer usually hits a soft 17
• Dealer wil peek for blackjack with a ten or Ace up
• If dealer has blackjack, all player hands, except player blackjacks hands, lose
• Players can only switch the 2nd card dealt to each hand
• Players can double on any 2 cards
• Players may double after a split
• Players my split up to four hands

Side Bet

There is usually a side bet available called the Super Match.  This bet rewards pairs, three-of-a-kind, 2 pairs or four-of-a-kind among both hands. This bet has to be made before the deal takes place.  It would seem to be a good bet, considering if you got two top or bottom cards that were identical, it would rob the player of the chance to switch, so at least you could win something.  However, this is also considered a sucker bet because, in reality, how often would that happen (not too often) and then of course it ups the house edge.  You never want to increase the house edge against you!

Strategy

This is not the version of blackjack you want to play just for fun and relaxation.  If you like the challenge of thinking about game play, it’s an excellent choice.  Though available at some Vegas casinos, it’s not a popular choices offline, but quite popular online. When played with the proper strategy, the house edge can be reduced to below that of regular blackjack, thereby explaining it’s popularity. The house edge can be reduced to around .10 percent, compared to regular blackjack house edge of .50 percent.

Because you have 2 hands in play, you must quickly determine each hands strength and then be able to mentally switch the top cards to determine if you could have even stronger hands.  It’s easy to understand that the hardest part of blackjack switch is deciding on the switch.

At the simplest level, you want to balance your hands to avoid having a very weak hand against a dealer’s strong hand (when he’s showing a 7 or 8). Against other dealer up cards, you want to make your better hand as strong as possible.

There is specific blackjack switch strategy and it is imperative to understand and use it.  Because of the fact that the dealer pushes with 22, it forces big time changes to regular blackjack strategy.  There is usually more hitting on “stiffs” (a hand of less than 17 that is likely to bust with a drawn card) and slightly less doubling because of the pushing with 22.

You can find many different switch strategies available online.  Two of the most popular are developed by Arnold Snyder and Cindy Liu.  Their charts are too detailed for me to go through in this short post, but I do suggest you look one or both of them up, if you find you have an interest in trying out blackjack switch.

Final Thoughts

What makes blackjack switch enjoyable for many players is that, more often than not, you will win one hand and lose the other, thereby creating a “push,” where you don’t win or lose, but get to play another round!  So, you can usually play longer with you initial bankroll.  Good luck to you!