Tag: Casino Games

Fantastic Variety of Online Blackjack Variations in Detail

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Each online blackjack variation will vary in terms of rules and the odds of winning, but no matter which variation you choose, we can guarantee that you’re going to have fun.

The amount of decks will vary and you may come across games that use up to 8 decks, which increases the level of difficulty substantially.

Take a look at some of the most popular online blackjack variations below.

Vegas Strip Blackjack

  • Played with four 52-card decks
  • Dealer stands on soft 17
  • Dealer will ‘peek’ for blackjack
  • Players may double down on any initial hand
  • Players may double down after splitting
  • Players may split up to 4 hands
  • Aces may only be split once
  • Only 1 card can be taken to split aces
  • 21 on split aces does not constitute blackjack
  • Players may split unlike 10-value cards such as K and Q

Blackjack Surrender

  • Great option for beginners
  • Rules are identical to regular blackjack, except that players are allowed to surrender
  • House edge is lower owing to the option to surrender
  • Only half of the initial bet is lost if a player decides to surrender
  • Dealer is required to hit on soft 17
  • Dealer will ‘peek’ for blackjack
  • Initial 2 card hand can be split if both cards are of the same value
  • Players may double down after splitting
  • Player has the option to take insurance if the dealer shows an ace

Progressive Blackjack

  • Players bet as usual, but there is also a progressive jackpot up for grabs
  • Rules are the same as classic blackjack
  • Players must post an additional side bet in order to qualify for the progressive jackpot
  • Surrender is not an option
  • Players can win the progressive jackpot by having 4 suited aces
  • If the progressive jackpot is not won, there is still the chance to win smaller pay outs as such: 3 suited aces pays 5000:1, 4 aces of any suit pays 2500:1, 3 aces of any suit pays 250:1, 2 suited aces pays 100:1, 2 aces of any suit pays 25:1

Blackjack Switch

  • Rules of classic blackjack apply
  • Players are dealt 2 hands of 2 cards each
  • Once players have studied the first 2 cards of each hand, players are able to switch the cards between hands if they so choose – hence the name
  • Whether the 2 cards are switched or not, the player continues to play both hands separately, choosing to hit, stand, split, or double down
  • The player can win or lose both or only one hand

Double Exposure Blackjack

  • Both of the dealer’s cards are dealt face up which benefits the player
  • House edge is greater than standard blackjack which favours the house
  • Dealer wins on all ties, unless it’s a natural blackjack
  • Player blackjack pays even money
  • Player can only split a hand once

Spanish Blackjack

  • Played with either 6 or 8 standard 52-card deck with 4 tens removed to make a 48-card deck
  • Player hand worth 21 always wins, irrespective of what the dealer holds
  • Players may double down on any initial 2-card hand
  • Players may hit and double down after splitting any card values, even aces
  • Players may surrender after doubling, forfeiting the original bet but keeping the double down bet
  • If a player wins with a 5-card 21, the pay-out is 3-to-2
  • If a player wins with a 6-card 21, the pay-out is 2-to-1
  • If a player wins with a 7 or more card 21, the pay-out is 3-to-1

Have fun with these variations and remember to only use reputable online casinos!

A Glance at Blackjack History and Its Beginning

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The most important part of any casino is, inherently, its games, and few games have captured the hearts and minds of players all around the world quite the same way that blackjack has.

Every casino worth its weight offers blackjack in some form or another, and apart from poker and slots, blackjack is, without a doubt, one of the most popular games in the world.

Modern blackjack is bound by a very specific set of rules that, while varying slightly from casino to casino, keep the game in order and ensure that card counting and strategies are kept to a minimum.

These rules, like every part of the game, have evolved over time, starting with the earliest versions of the game and growing into the modern phenomena that so many enjoy and play to this day.

Like with most casino games, blackjack has an old and rich history that can be dated back to Europe.

The Beginnings of Blackjack

Blackjack found its beginnings in an assortment of other card games that were played all over Spain and France.

These games were all different, but they all involved decks of cards and that players had to try and drawing as close to set values as possible.

Such games as Trente-un (thirty one) are seen as the forefathers of today’s blackjack, and while they share many similarities, these games required were often based more on the cards the player was given straight away as opposed to what blackjack players are used to.

After some time, the game of 21 stood out from the rest, and this was the game that was to become what we know as blackjack.

The reason this game gained more popularity than the others was due to the fact that players were given choice during the game: either to hit or stand.

This alone set it apart from other random chance games, and gave players the idea that they could inject their own strategies into the game, improving their chances of winning.

Blackjack in America

The game of 21 swept across Europe and England, and was among the most-played card games that players enjoyed.

It began popping up around America, and during the First World War, people began offering payouts to those that received a black jack and an ace of spades, and this eventually lead to the game adopting the name that we all know today.

The Americans also added two new rules to the game that only further cemented its popularity: one of which was to allow players to see the card the dealer was going to use next, and secondly, for dealers to start using special house rules.

These two rules revolutionised the game for normal players. As it gave them the chance to create their own strategies and actually beat the game.

Blackjack America - casino games online

Modern Blackjack

Whether you’re playing in Las Vegas or enjoying a state-of-the-art online casino recommended by canadiancasinoonline.org, blackjack hasn’t changed much in the last hundred years.

Most casinos have put severe limits on the ability of players to successfully count cards, and strategies can be difficult to use in most games.

However, the game remains as one of the most beloved across the world, and shows no signs of ever slowing down.

More about Real World and Online Gambling in Canada

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Some are not aware, but gambling is 100% legal in Canada. So much attention is given to the famed Las Vegas, but hardly any mention made of the many gambling facilities up north of the United States. And, not only is gambling legal, but there are over 100 excellent casinos to explore, making the region a veritable gambling paradise.

Classic table games are the focus of many of these casinos, including the expected blackjack, roulette and poker. But slot games and other electronic based gambling activities not forgotten, with slot games and video poker also available. Read more “More about Real World and Online Gambling in Canada”

How Adding New Rules to Blackjack Changes the Game

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Classic blackjack is known to virtually every casino goes. The player puts in an ante, after which he or she is dealt two face up cards, and the dealer one face up card, and one face down card. Based on what cards have been received, the player can choose to stick or hit, with the aiming of making a total that is as close to 21 as possible, without exceeding 21.

Remember the added rule that an ace can count as either 1 or 11, plus that the player has the option to split the hand into two separate hands.

There are, however, other variations of blackjack that have additional rules. These rules, although seeming small on the surface, can drastically change the way the game should be played. Let’s look at a few added blackjack rules and examine how they change the game. Read more “How Adding New Rules to Blackjack Changes the Game”