Different Types of Online Blackjack

Blackjack is one of the most popular card games ever and is still one of the best casino games available online today. It’s a popular game for many reasons, but one of the best aspects of the game is how many different variations there are. Sometimes it can get a little boring playing the same game over and over again, so it’s good to have different game types and rulesets out there. If you get tired of playing classic Blackjack, you can try out one of the many alternatives.

Depending on where you live and which online casino you’re signed up to, some versions of the game will be more popular than others. In this guide, we’ll be explaining the different types of Blackjack you’re most likely to come across online and a short explanation of each game.

At SlotsBang, we’re dedicated to helping casino players get the most out of their time gambling. We share tips, tricks, and information about all kinds of online gambling. If you’d like to learn more about Blackjack including how to play and advanced strategies, check out our other guides on the game. Read on for details of the different types of Blackjack and how to play them.

Classic Blackjack

This is the standard version of Blackjack that you’ll find at almost every online casino.

In classic Blackjack, games are usually played using between two and four decks, and doubling and splitting are allowed.
In this game type, the dealer will always hit on a soft seventeen (that’s a seventeen with an Ace that’s counted as eleven).
Up to two resplits are usually allowed, and players will also be able to double following a split when playing this variation of the game.
If the dealer’s upcard has a value of ten, they’ll check their face down card for a Blackjack.

European Blackjack

European Blackjack follows most of the same rules, but there are a few key differences. Note that if you’re playing in Europe, you’re more likely to be offered this game type over classic Blackjack. But always double-check which version you’re playing just in case.

In European Blackjack, the dealer will always stand on a soft seventeen.
Card to the player are usually dealt face up.
If both the dealer and the player have a Blackjack, the game will result in a push, the player’s bet will be returned to them.
Players can only double down if they have a hand total of nine, ten or eleven.
Players can double after splitting but won’t be able to resplit.

Atlantic City Blackjack

Atlantic City Blackjack is offered by most casinos but is generally rarer than the two previous game types. If you’re playing Atlantic City Blackjack, you’ll need to watch out for the following rules.

The game is normally played using eight decks of cards.
The dealer is allowed to look at their hole card.
The dealer will stand on a soft seventeen.
Players can split their hand up to three times.
However, when splitting Aces, players will only receive one card, and this move can only be performed a single time.
There are insurance and surrender options available late on in the game.
Some casinos will payout 6/5 rather than the standard 3/2.

Vegas Blackjack

Sometimes known as the Las Vegas Strip Blackjack, this game shares some similarities with Atlantic City Blackjack. Normally, online casinos will offer both of these versions of Blackjack. If you’re playing Vegas Blackjack, be aware of these rules.

Vegas Blackjack is normally played with four decks of cards.
The dealer is allowed to look at their hole card.
The dealer will always stand on a soft seventeen.
Splitting any pair is allowed up to three times.
Players can double down on all hands and after splitting Aces.

Spanish 21

Sometimes known as simply Spanish Blackjack, this variation has a higher house edge than most versions of Blackjack. The following rules will be in play.

Spanish Blackjack uses between six and eight decks of cards.
The tens are all removed from the decks, leaving 48 cards in each deck.
The dealer can look at their hole card and will always stand on soft seventeen.
It’s possible to double down after splitting and resplitting is also allowed.
Players can surrender late in the game and can also surrender after doubling down.

Blackjack Switch

This is a slightly more forgiving version of Blackjack which gives the player a better chance of winning. However, the payout for a win is slightly lower.

At the start of the game, players will be dealt two hands and can choose between them.
The game pays out at 1/1 rather than 3/2.
The dealer wins from a Blackjack, but if the player has a Blackjack before the switch, they keep their stake.

Mutlihand Blackjack

In this version of the game, players will be able to play with multiple hands at once. There’s a potential to win larger amounts of money in a short period of time. However, the player is also at a higher risk of losing too.

In this game type, players can only double down when having a hand total of nine, ten or eleven.
The dealer doesn’t check their hole card for Blackjack.
The dealer will always stand on soft seventeen.
Players can only split once.

Pontoon

Pontoon is a slightly different variation of Blackjack and has different winning conditions. Some casinos will combine the rules of Pontoon and Spanish Blackjack, removing the tens but traditional Pontoon uses eight 52 card decks.

A Blackjack in Pontoon is known as a Pontoon and is formed from an Ace plus face card or ten.
Pontoon also has the five-card trick, which is a five-card hand below the value of twenty-one.
The dealer will win any tied games.

Live Blackjack

Live Blackjack allows you to play against a real dealer, just like you would at a land-based casino. Standard Blackjack games use RNG, and the player will be against a computer-controlled dealer. Live games make things more exciting by providing a live stream of a real dealer using real cards. In most cases, live Blackjack games use classic rules, but this might depend on your casino, so always check before you play.

Super Fun 21

Super Fun 21 uses the classic Blackjack rules but mixes things up by changing payouts.

In this variation, the player’s natural Blackjack will always beat the dealer’s natural Blackjack.
Blackjack pays even money 1/1 rather than 3/2.
A diamond Blackjack will payout at 2/1 however, this is a hand containing a diamond ten-value card and a diamond Ace.
Players are free to stand, hit, double, or split no matter what cards they hold.

Perfect Pairs

Perfect Pairs Blackjack more or less follows the same rules of standard Blackjack but will also include the chance for side bets at the start of the round.