BLACKJACK SWITCH RULES

Although you might be hard pushed to find Blackjack Switch at land-based casinos, this classic online game has a unique twist on traditional blackjack.

Player blackjacks can be formed to hit 21, but Blackjack Switch is played with two hands and on either six or eight decks. Players can switch cards or hands to improve their chances of winning.

A dealer hand of 22 won’t be perceived as ‘going bust’, but instead the dealer’s hand will be construed as a push. The switching strategy is therefore more layered and over-arching compared to the original version of blackjack.

Carry on reading to get the inside track on playing Blackjack Switch, which includes running through the Blackjack Switch rules.

HOW TO PLAY BLACKJACK SWITCH

Let’s now look at the basic principles of Blackjack Switch and how to play. Essentially, players will make two identical wagers, as well as a side bet or two.

The cards are dealt by the dealer, and you will be presented with two cards. Both player blackjack cards will be visible, and players can hit split aces or split any aces on the table.

So, for example, one conventional blackjack strategy when playing Blackjack Switch may be to switch your first two cards (8 and 7) for 7 and 8. This can work to your advantage if a dealer hits on weaker hands such as 5 and 6.

This is something that may well be impressed upon by Geoff Hall, one of the greatest casino innovators. Many of his games can be found on some of the biggest casino floors in Las Vegas, and without him, then Blackjack Switch may not have seen the light of day. And as we will see, the house edge for Blackjack Switch favours those playing this blackjack variant as it sits at 0.58%.

BLACKJACK SWITCH CARDS

As mentioned, Blackjack Switch will be played on six decks or eight decks, and player switches are allowed, however, it depends on the cards dealt. Two matching cards, for example, is a must.

Players can split on any pair, and that includes aces, but the rules stipulate that they will have to double down on 9, 10, or 11. One of the main rules, is that when playing Blackjack Switch, you will have the opportunity to switch a hand to improve your position.

Perhaps this is crucial when a dealer plays, but has a weak hand, and chooses to go for it rather than admit an early surrender in the game.

PLAYING BLACKJACK SWITCH ONLINE CASINO

Blackjack Switch has started to take off, and you will find a raft of Blackjack Switch titles in the Energy Casino lobby.

You can either play this version of blackjack or other variations for real money, or if you want to bide your time before you jump in, there are also cash-free games.

PLAYING BLACKJACK SWITCH ON THE MOBILE APP

Blackjack Switch is a fairly uncluttered game, so it works just as well on desktops as it does on smaller devices.

Ok, well perhaps the admission of a Super Match bet would make things look much neater, but it is still well supported on iOS and Android devices. Most mobile casino sites, including Caesars, which has a kiosk at Harvey’s Casino in Las Vegas, will have a dedicated app designed to cater to the whims and tastes of its players when they place bets.

BASIC STRATEGY FOR BLACKJACK SWITCH

If you require help as far as switching strategies go, the following pointers should stand you in good stead.

Be wary of side bets – While side bets (2/1 payout) and even a Super Match side bet may seem rather tempting, a side bet can work against you. There will often be a higher house edge to cover the payouts, so consider this when you play Blackjack Switch.

Keep tabs on your bankroll – While this might seem like an obvious switching strategy, blackjack losses can mount up if you don’t take care during a game. Establish a budget, so you know where you stand before placing a bet, and if things begin to slip from the grasp, let the dealer know and take a break.

Having time away can help you regroup and provide a different perspective on things before you return to a game.

Don’t forget about anomalies – Blackjack Switch has a few anomalies and irregularities that might throw your off when trying to implement a switching strategy. A player blackjack might pay out at even money, so the rules should always be at the forefront of your mind as part of your switch strategy. Remember, you only win at odds of 1/1 or even money for a natural blackjack created.

BASIC STRATEGY FOR MULTIPLE DECKS

When it comes to multiple decks, there are a few things to keep in mind that will influence your switch decision, and we have discussed them below.

Pay attention to hard totals – If there is no row for splitting or enforcing a re split, then you should look up two hands as a hard total, whether that be 10 or 20.

Surrender at the right times – An early surrender can be costly. But if a dealer stands on a soft 17, then a surrender would be the right tactic. However, if the dealer stands on a hard 16, then it could be costly to surrender even if you think you might have the weaker hand when you bet.

Always hit hard on 11 – Conventional blackjack suggests that if the initial deal you receive is 11, then you shouldn’t stick. Starting hands of 11 gives you much more margin for error, and after the second card, players should be more aggressive and double down wherever possible rather than stand.

WHAT ARE SIDE BETS IN BLACKJACK SWITCH

A side bet is an exciting feature for conventional blackjack players, and that also applies to Blackjack Switch. But there isn’t just one bet with the side bet.

The first part of the side bet is the Super Match side bet, which will be based on the first two hands a player receives. If there are two pairs, for example, the odds are 8/1, while the odds drift to 25/1 if two suited cards are picked up.

The other side of the side bet, meanwhile, is known as the ‘Lucky Lucky’, and this will see you win a game if you put together an unbeatable combination of hands, and most side bets can vary in terms of payouts. Having a killer switch strategy can pay dividends if you can make the most of the cards you are dealt when you play a game.

BLACKJACK SWITCH ODDS AND PROBABILITIES

We have provided a chart explaining the Blackjack Switch odds for a game depending on the cards you have been dealt by the dealer.

Compared to other variations of blackjack, the pairs or a three of a kind aren’t drawn from a combination of the player cards and the up card of the dealer in the game. Instead, they must come from four cards that make up the initial two player hands.

BLACKJACK SWITCH HOUSE EDGE

It’s now time to see how things translate on the house edge front, and this will depend on whether you are playing with six or eight decks. Our chart pinpoints this.

BLACKJACK SWITCH AND OTHER BLACKJACK VARIANTS

Blackjack Switch is eminently fun to play, but there are a few other blackjack variants out there to play, such as European blackjack, Atlantic City Blackjack, and Perfect Blackjack.

Inevitably, there are pros and cons associated with Blackjack Switch when compared to other versions which we have explored below.

PROS

• More flexibility – Players are given a greater opportunity to flex their muscles in a game and switch the second card dealt if they are not happy. The rules are also quite simple to understand.
• Lower house edge – This game compared to other blackjack variations such as Atlantic City and Perfect Blackjack gives the player a considerable advantage, as the payout for successful player hands is at evens.

CONS

• Must play two hands – Although Blackjack Switch is versatile for the dealer and players alike, a player’s initial reaction might be frustration at having to play two separate hands. Well, that might be the case if they have a more limited bankroll.
• Dealer favoured – As mentioned, the rules state that if the dealer hits 22, then he or she won’t go bust. Although the dealer can tie on non-busted player hands, this might annoy some players which isn’t the case in other blackjack games.

CONCLUSION

Blackjack Switch may not be what many players consider to be conventional blackjack, but that said, it adds a degree of flexibility and versatility, which is perhaps part and parcel of the appeal.

It can be challenging, so you need to read up on the rules first. But if you adopt some basic strategies, then you will be able to master the game quickly. Blackjack Switch is also conducive for playing on mobile devices, so if you want to have a go, then try out the cash-free games before parting with your hard-earned money.