Blackjack Switch
If you are tired of playing blackjack in its classic form, know that blackjack Switch will be an interesting alternative.
Although its rules have similarities to the classic version, there are some significant differences that are sure to spice up your games. We will immediately explain the rules to you in detail. In addition, we will also provide you with key strategic advice as well as a list of online casinos where you can try out this exciting variant.
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What are the rules of Blackjack Switch?
Blackjack Switch is played the same way as a game of conventional online blackjack. However, some size differences enhance its development. First, you will have to play on two hands at the same time and will be able to swap some of your cards (between the two hands) to increase your chances of winning the round.
For example, if you get a hand with a 10 and a 5 and another hand with a 10 and a 6, you can join the 10 to form a 20-point hand and combine the 5 and the 6 (in the hope of drawing a 10-point card).
Another important point: the dealer does not bust if he gets a hand at 22 points. In this particular case, there will be virtual equality with all the hands of the player (unless he holds a natural blackjack). In addition, at Blackjack Switch, blackjack is paid 1 to 1 (and not 3 to 2 as on the classic version of online blackjack).
Blackjack Switch summary
- This game is played with 6 or 8 decks of cards;
- The dealer draws an additional card on a soft 17 (there are exceptions to this rule);
- You play on two hands and can swap your cards;
- In Switch 6-card blackjack Switch, the house advantage is 0.58% provided that a basic strategy is correctly applied.
How to play at the Blackjack Switch game?
If you are reading this page, it is obvious that you are wondering how a game of Blackjack Switch works. If you have never played this variant in your life, we are well aware that you need a little tutorial. At first, glance, I know that most of the rules that govern Blackjack Switch are perfectly identical to those of its big brother, classic blackjack. Allow us however to explain the points of divergence between these two versions.
1. When starting a Blackjack Switch game, you will need to place a bet on both hands (not just one). This means that if you decide to bet € 5 on one hand, you will also have to bet € 5 on the other one!
2. In online blackjack (as in land-based casinos), you will be able to split your cards. If you have already tried other variants, you will have certainly noted that the separation of the cards is not always possible. Fortunately, at Blackjack Switch, you will have the opportunity to make this decision as you please, up to 4 hands! By performing this maneuver, you agree to place the same bet on each new hand.
3. After swapping cards with both hands, you will have the opportunity to double your initial bet. You can double the bet with any hand.
4. If you succeed in constituting a blackjack after having swapped your cards, it will be considered as a hand of 21 points and not as a natural blackjack.
5. If you get natural blackjack by playing this variant, it will systematically beat hands by 21 points (hands made up of 3 or more cards).
6. Blackjack Switch is always paid 1 to 1 (and not 3 to 2 as in classic blackjack). Needless to remind you that this is the most powerful hand you can get.
What rules apply to the dealer in Blackjack Switch?
The most basic difference between the classic version of blackjack and Blackjack Switch is that the dealer does not bust on a 22-point hand. If the case were to arise, there would be virtual equality (a ‘push’) with all the hands of the player (unless the latter has a natural blackjack).
In addition, if the dealer’s visible card is a 10-point card or an ace, the latter reserves the right to peek at his closed card. If he has a natural blackjack, he will beat all the players who participate in the round (except those who also have a natural blackjack, from which they would recover their initial bet).
Blackjack Switch Strategy
In the example mentioned in our introductory paragraph, the decision to combine the two 10s was self-evident. This being the case, the decision to ‘switch’ your cards is not always easy to take, as the delicate cases are plethoric. Many neophyte players are able to ‘switch’ their cards in order to create a powerful hand.
This is a maneuver which, more often than not, will give rise to a tie (a push) between the player and the dealer: the player will win the first hand and lose the second … In many cases, you will soon discover that this is not the best strategy to adopt.
For example, imagine that you have natural blackjack in one hand and a hard 13 (a 10 and a 3, let’s admit) in the other… As surprising as it may seem, here is a scenario in which to ‘switch’ your cards would be a wise move. Why?
Because playing with a hard hand of 20 points (double 10) and a flexible hand of 14 points (an ace and a 3) puts you in better shape: you can always improve your soft hand by 14 points without risking busting while shooting an additional card. At the same time, if the dealer’s open card has a face value between 6 and 9 points, your 20-point hand has a good chance of winning.
The strategic table of Blackjack Switch
This chat shows the mathematically correct ways to play after ‘switching’ your cards. The reason why it differs from that which applies to classic blackjack is related to the fact that the dealer must draw an additional card on a soft 17 and check, if necessary, that he does not have a natural blackjack before the continuation of the part.
In fact, there are not so many cases where separating his cards and doubling his initial bet are profitable for the player. In addition, since the dealer does not bust on a hand of 22 points, the player will be faced with many cases where drawing an additional card will prove to be judicious, even at the risk of busting.
Side bets for Blackjack Switch
Many online casinos (as well as live casinos ) offer different variations of the blackjack Switch game. In these variants, players will be offered the possibility of placing certain side bets which will potentially allow them to win monetary rewards on particular hands (hands formed from 3 or 4 cards of the same sign, small pairs, etc.).
There are also progressive jackpots that can be won on getting a hand of three 7s, for example. However, making this type of bet is likely to increase the house advantage …
Blackjack Switch Odds and House Advantage
Let players who have never played blackjack Switch to fear of complicated rules reassure themselves immediately! Although the course of a blackjack switch game presents some nuances of weight compared to the classic version of blackjack, the house advantage associated with this variant proves to be particularly advantageous for the player.
Indeed, it is only 0.58% when the player practices an optimal gaming strategy, one of the lowest in the casino universe.
The origins of Blackjack Switch
The Blackjack Switch was conceptualized by Geoff Hall, the famous blackjack player, and a professional card counter. After playing the classic version of blackjack for many years, he came to imagine this variation after a certain weariness of not being able to improve the power of his hands in an induced way.
Blackjack Switch made its first appearance at the Global Gaming Expo in Las Vegas in 2000. After being exposed to the public, this variant of blackjack was introduced in Iowa’s Harrah’s Council Bluffs (formerly Harvey’s Casino) in 2001. In 2003, Hall decided to briefly modify the game to introduce the equality rule for the dealer on a hand of 22 points. The game was finally patented in 2009. Since then,
Play Blackjack Switch at the best online casinos!
Blackjack Switch is an excellent alternative game for blackjack fans who are a bit jaded by its classic form. Both fun and trendy, this variant can be particularly lucrative when the player struggles to employ an unstoppable basic strategy.
It is, precisely, because there is a lot of money at stake that we regularly encourage you to familiarize yourself with the rules of the different games before registering in an online casino. By assimilating the rules and putting our strategic advice into practice, you will have the opportunity to win a staggering amount of money. Register in one of our online casinos and claim your welcome bonus on the way!
