Best Online Casino: Website designed, maintained & hosted by Studio Six Multimedia Studio Six Multimedia. Blackjack Switch is a variation from standard blackjack and is being offered at some online casinos. Rules, optimal strategy and variations are reviewed on this page. About Blackjack Switch Blackjack switch is a blackjack variation with low house edge. Blackjack Switch Blackjack is a simple game of cards, with interesting variations, that can be played online. Among them is Blackjack Switch, which can be a lot.
Table Of Contents
Ever heard of Blackjack Switch?
This celebrated Blackjack variant has been wowing players across the world since it was first introduced back in 2009, and 10 years later it’s still as popular as ever.
We’re here to help you discover the ins and outs of this outrageously entertaining game, including the basics on how to play and strategies to win at your online casino of choice.
Play Blackjack Switch OnlineRegister to get a free bonus and discover this exciting blackjack variant.
Follow this article to play like a pro!
Play NowThe Basics: How to Play Blackjack Switch
If you want to get in on a Blackjack Switch game, you’ll have to learn the basics first. This includes understanding how the game works, following the rules, and using a switching strategy for maximum fun.
How is Blackjack Switch Different?
Chances are you’ve already played traditional blackjack. We don’t blame you—it’s fun, easy, and fast-paced enough to provide a wealth of entertainment.
Blackjack switch games are similar to regular blackjack games in that the objective is still to beat the dealer by landing a hand equaling 21 points, or as close to 21 as possible. However, the switch variation has some differences which serve to make it more complex, strategic, and exciting.
Instead of being dealt one hand with which to play, you’ll get dealt two distinct player hands, totaling at four cards. True to the name of the game, you’ll have the opportunity to switch the top cards in each hand. This gives you an opportunity to beef up weak hands and get closer to that coveted 21.
Basic Elements and Rules of Blackjack Switch
If you want to get down on a few rounds of Switch, you’ll need to learn how the game is set up, the elements which compromise the gameplay, the rules of the game, and some basic strategy to cover all your bases.
Keep in mind that the rules of Blackjack Switch are the same as regular blackjack, except as they apply to the elements which don’t exist in the original blackjack game.
Game Setup & How to Play
- 6 to 8 decks of cards are utilized for the game.
- Players can choose to participate in the Super Match side bet before the cards are dealt.
- Players are dealt two hands, both face up.
- Dealer is dealt one hand in the regular style, with one card up and one hole card face down.
- Dealer peeks for blackjack if his up card is an ace or a ten. If the dealer has a blackjack, he wins automatically unless the player has a blackjack. Then, the player blackjack pushes.
- Players have the option to switch the second card dealt (the card on top) once the dealer’s cards are dealt.
- Players make 2 bets of equal size on each hand.
- Player plays his hand, choosing to hit, stand, double down, or split.
- Once the player’s hand is played, the dealer plays his hand.
- The dealer may push 22 against all player hands not equaling 21 or blackjack.
- Player blackjack still beats dealer 22.
- If neither player nor dealer bust or get blackjack or 21, the card value closest to 21 wins the game.
In switching games, players have the distinct advantage of being able to exchange their top two cards. This adds a titillating extra element to the game, but the house does make up for it by ensuring that the dealer may still push on a player 21.
Standard Rules and Regulations
- Players must bet on and play both hands.
- Players may only switch the card dealt second, i.e. the card on top.
- If the player makes a switch and the result is a blackjack, this does not actually count as a blackjack. It counts as 21, and the dealer may push it with 22.
- Winning player blackjack hands pay even money.
- Players are allowed to double on any 2 cards.
- Players are allowed to double after a split.
- Players may re-split up to four hands.
- Dealer peeks for Blackjack with a ten or an ace up.
- If the dealer has a blackjack, it is an automatic dealer win. The only exception is a player blackjack, which pushes.
- Dealer hits on a soft 17 (in Ontario casinos, the dealer must stand on soft 17).
- Dealer stands on a hard 17.
- Dealer must stand if dealt hands totaling 18 points or more.
The house edge under these conditions is 0.58%, assuming the game is played with 6 decks. Add 0.02% to this if the game is played using 8 decks.
Keep in mind that each casino may have some variations on these rules, so research yours thoroughly to find out what it is before you play, because different rules may have an impact on the house edge.
Super Match Side Bet
The super match side bet gives players the chance to make a bet on the possibility of all the hands which may arise from the initial four cards they are dealt. The payout looks like this:
Pair: 1:1
3 of a Kind: 5:1
2 Pair:8:1
4 of a Kind: 40:1
The side bet adds an exciting element to the game and allows players to increase their chances for a big win. Remember, this bet must be made before the cards are dealt.
Strategy Tips and Tricks to Win
You’ll definitely need a Blackjack Switch strategy if you want to rock this game. Your best bet is to keep it simple, play it safe, and follow some easy tricks.
Make sure you don’t switch arbitrarily. if you already have a pretty strong hand, you won’t need to switch. If both hands are relatively weak, you’ll want to take advantage of the switching rule.
Remember that your switch decision also depends on what the dealer has upturned. A good rule to follow is that if the dealer has a 7 or 8 on the table, you should try and balance out your hands—that is, make the switch if it will even out your hands.
If the dealer has a different card upturned, you should focus on making the best hand you possibly can out of just one set of cards.
Now that you know how to play Blackjack Switch, you’re ready to get started. Remember, having fun is the most important thing. With this variation, that won’t be a problem. Choose a reputable online casino like this one and let the games begin!
Play Blackjack Switch OnlineRegister to get a free bonus and discover this exciting blackjack variant.
Follow this article to play like a pro!
Play NowThe promotion presented on this page was available at the time of writing. With some Casino promotions changing on daily basis, we suggest you to check on the site if it still available. Also, please do not forget to read the terms and conditions in full before you accept a bonus.
The game of Blackjack has been around in casinos since the early 1700s. Back then, when it first appeared in France, there was just 1 basic version – nowadays there are plenty more.
This article covers Blackjack Switch – whereas most of the rules are the same as standard Blackjack. There are some notable differences, the main ones being that you need to pay for 2 hands of an equal amount and you can ‘Switch’ the 2nd card of each hand if you wish in order to get a better chance of winning.
Due to this obvious advantage for the player, the casino is always going to adjust something in favour of the house to counteract this. In this version of Blackjack, if the Dealer gets 22, any remaining hands that don’t have Blackjack are ‘pushed’ and the bets returned. A player Blackjack pays at even money.
Blackjack Switch Rules
As mentioned above, most the rules are the same as a standard game of Blackjack, we assume you know the basics if not these can be found in a separate article.
• All rules are the same as standard Blackjack unless mentioned below
• The game uses either 6 or 8 decks of cards depending on the casino
• The Dealer ‘hits’ on soft 17 (a 17 containing an Ace and therefore being worth either 17 or 7)
• The Player needs to place 2 bets of equal size, either both, 1 or none of these bets can be winners
• Player cards will be dealt face up
• Dealer ‘peeks’ for Blackjack if they have an Ace or a 10 as their upturned card (after Players have a choice of Insurance if the upturned card is an Ace). If they have Blackjack, all hands that didn’t take Insurance will lose except Player Blackjack which will ‘push’. Insurance pays 2 to 1.
• The Player can choose to ‘Switch’ the 2nd cards of their hands around to make 2 new hands. For example, if they are dealt 10, 6 and 5, 10 the 2nd cards – in this case, 6 and 10 – can be swapped giving them 10, 10 and 5, 6 instead, a much better position to be in
• If the Player ‘Switches’ to form Blackjack, this counts as 21 as opposed to Blackjack
• The player may ‘Double’ on any 2 cards, including after ‘Switching’
• The player may ‘Double’ after a ‘Split’
• Player may ‘Resplit’ up to 4 times
• A Player Blackjack pays even money
Above is an example of the layout for a Blackjack Switch game. You will see that it looks a lot like a standard Blackjack game except that the Player has to have 2 hands with the same initial bet.
Blackjack Switch Rules | |
---|---|
RTP: | 99.42% |
Blackjack Pays: | 1 to 1 |
Number of Decks: | 6 or 8 |
Dealer Rule: | Hit on soft 17 |
Dealer Peek: | Yes |
Insurance: | Yes |
Surrender: | No |
Split: | Yes |
Re-Split: | Yes |
Double: | Yes |
Double after Split: | Yes |
Hit Split Aces: | Just Once |
Side Game: | Yes |
Multiple Hands: | No – must have 2 hands of equal bet |
Switching Strategy
One of the hardest aspects of the Blackjack Switch is when to Switch and when to leave the hands as they are.
By following the chart below, you won’t go far wrong.
If the Dealer has a 7 or 8 upturned, try and balance the hands by making the weakest hand as strong as possible, using the table below if you can.
If the Dealer has any other upturned card, make the strongest possible hand from the table below to give yourself the best possible chance of winning at least 1 hand.
1. 21
2. 20
3. 19
4. AA
5. 11
6. 10
7. 9
8. 18 or 8
9. 88 if the Dealer has between a 2 and an 8
If you cannot make any of the above hands either by leaving the hands as they are or ‘Switching’, make the strongest possible hand out of the following:
1. 7 or 17
2. Any hand that should be Split according to the chart below
3. Any 12
4. Any 13
Hitting or Standing strategy
As the Dealer ‘Pushes’ any remaining hands if they get 22, the strategy for Blackjack Switch is considerably different to a standard version.
The table below shows the action you should take in each instance after a Switch has or hasn’t been made.
Hard Hands – No Ace
Dealers Upturned Card | ||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Your hand | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | A |
5 to 8 | H | H | H | H | H | H | H | H | H | H |
9 | H | H | H | H | D | H | H | H | H | H |
10 | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | H | H | H |
11 | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | H | H |
12 | H | H | H | S | S | H | H | H | H | H |
13 | H | S | S | S | S | H | H | H | H | H |
14 | S | S | S | S | S | H | H | H | H | H |
15 | S | S | S | S | S | H | H | H | H | H |
16 | S | S | S | S | S | H | H | H | H | H |
17-21 | S | S | S | S | S | S | S | S | S | S |
H = Hit D = Double S = Stand
Soft Hands – With an Ace
Dealers Upturned Card | ||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Your hand | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | A |
A, 2 | H | H | H | H | H | H | H | H | H | H |
A, 3 | H | H | H | H | H | H | H | H | H | H |
A, 4 | H | H | H | H | H | H | H | H | H | H |
A, 5 | H | H | H | H | D | H | H | H | H | H |
A, 6 | H | H | H | D | D | H | H | H | H | H |
A, 7 | S | S | S | D | D | S | S | H | H | H |
A, 8 | S | S | S | S | S | S | S | S | S | S |
A, 9 | S | S | S | S | S | S | S | S | S | S |
A, 10 | S | S | S | S | S | S | S | S | S | S |
H = Hit D = Double S = Stand
Pairs
Dealers Card | ||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Your hand | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | A |
2,2 | H | H | H | SP | SP | SP | H | H | H | H |
3,3 | H | H | H | SP | SP | SP | H | H | H | H |
4,4 | H | H | H | H | H | H | H | H | H | H |
5,5 | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | H | H | H |
6,6 | H | H | SP | SP | SP | H | H | H | H | H |
7,7 | S | SP | SP | SP | SP | SP | H | H | H | H |
8,8 | SP | SP | SP | SP | SP | SP | SP | SP | H | H |
9,9 | S | S | SP | SP | SP | S | SP | SP | S | S |
10,10 | S | S | S | S | S | S | S | S | S | S |
A,A | SP | SP | SP | SP | SP | SP | SP | SP | SP | SP |
H = Hit D = Double S = Stand SP = Split
Blackjack Switch Tips
Due to the Switching element of Blackjack Switch, we suggest you play for free first to get the hang of when to Switch and when to keep your hands. Even if you are a Blackjack expert, this version is considerably different and adds an element of strategy not found in any other version. All good internet casinos should allow you to play for free before parting with your own funds.
Blackjack Switch Online Casino Game
Remember that if the Dealer gets 22, all Player hands except for Blackjack ‘push’. Again, this is different from any other version and therefore takes some getting used to.
As with all casino games, ensure you play within your means and remember that in Blackjack Switch, you need to place 2 bets of an equal amount at the start of a game, this is before extra bets for Doubling and Splitting are taken into account. Therefore, factor this into your thinking when deciding how much to bet per hand – we would advise you to start a session with enough for around 40 games.
Best Blackjack Online Casino Usa
Blackjack References:
Blackjack Rules, Strategy & Tips
Card Counting in Blackjack
Play Real Blackjack Online