Blackjack variations for your casino night

Blackjack is always a popular option for a casino night. It’s a sociable game, with lots of people able to play around the same table and chat. Unlike poker, you don’t need to keep your cards close to your chest as hands are dealt open by the dealer.

Basic blackjack is a good start, but once you’re a bit more used to the game, there are lots of variations to consider. Here are some of our favourites.

Vegas Strip

Don’t worry; no one is required to take their clothes off in this version of blackjack, which is common to some of the biggest casinos in Las Vegas. Doubling is allowed on any first two cards, while players can also double after splitting Aces, but not on any other split cards. You can also re-split up to 3 times.

Pontoon

This is a British version of blackjack when an Ace and Face/10 hand is called ‘Pontoon’. This might be more familiar to people used to a bit of casual 21 at home and the terms are different – you twist rather than hit, stick instead of stand.

A 5-card hand less or equal to 21 beats all hands except a Pontoon. You can split up to 2 times and double once on any 2-4 card hand. You may also hit (or twist) after doubling. You must hit (twist) on 14 or less, while a tie pays to the dealer.

Perfect Pairs

In Perfect Pairs blackjack there are bonus payouts if the first two player cards are a pair, whether of the same value, suit or even colour. The side bet wins 5 to 1 for a pair, 10 to 1 for the pair of the same colour, and an incredible 30 to 1 for a ‘perfect pair’, i.e, two cards the same – of course this requires more than one deck in operation.

Blackjack Switch

This is an interesting variation that really spices up a game by increasing your chances as a player to come up with a good hand. Essentially you are dealt two separate hands, you bet on each, and then can switch out the second cards between the two hands to make the strongest possible hand.

These variations can really mix things up on your casino night, especially for any seasoned blackjack players. But if you still want to get your head around the basics of blackjack, check out our previous post.