Blackjack Switch

Posted by Dave Consolazio . Last updated:

It’s not uncommon for veteran online casino players to find a classic table game stale. In an effort to appease those looking for a fresh spin on an iconic card game, blackjack switch may be for you. Our guide to online gaming explains the variant, how to play, basic rules, side bets and answer frequently asked questions.

Top-Rated Online Blackjack Switch Casinos

Here are the best online blackjack switch casinos reviewed and verified.

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    #5
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    Bitcoin
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    Ethereum
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What is Blackjack Switch?

It’s not often a card counter is applauded for his efforts to improve the online casino business, but that’s exactly what Geoff Hall accomplished at the turn of the century. Back in 2000, Hall unveiled a concept for a new spin on online blackjack called blackjack switch. In his version, players were dealt two sets of cards rather than one. While the player was required to place wagers on both hands, they would also be allowed to swap cards from each hand to strengthen their overall chances of winning.

While early iterations of blackjack switch followed classic blackjack scoring rules with 21 beating all, Hall added a wrinkle in 2003 when he announced a dealer 22 would PUSH, not bust, against every hand on the table. This, of course, handed more of a house edge back to the casino, but it also got Hall’s blackjack variant into more places.

He would go on to patent the game in 2009. The game can be found at the best online casinos and Las Vegas strip gambling floors.

How to Play Blackjack Switch

The rules of blackjack switch are based on a six-to-eight deck shoe.

two green playing cards with a hand pressing a button

Player Rules

Unlike in typical online blackjack, the switch variant requires players to make two individual bets of equal amounts on two different hands before the cards are dealt. Four cards are dealt face up to the player, two and two.

If the dealer does not have a natural blackjack, the game continues.

At this point, the player sees the dealer’s one up card and can decide how to structure their two hands. They are allowed to swap one card from each hand to strengthen their overall chances of winning both hands.

So, if one hand was an 8-5 and the other a 3-10. The player could swap the 8-for-3 to get 11 and make 15 on the other hand. The player could then – like in original blackjack – double down on the 11 and receive one card in an effort to make 21.

If one of the player’s hands features a pair, he may split and double-down as necessary.

Unlike in original variant, switch blackjacks pay 1:1 rather than 3:2.

 

 

a dealer behind a casino game table

Dealer Rules

The big thing in blackjack switch variant is that if a dealer draws a 22 they do not BUST, but rather push against any hand on the table. Only a natural blackjack by a player is paid out.

The other two dealer rules are they do get to peek at their down card if the up card is a 10 or an Ace. Dealers also must hit on a soft 17 at most casinos, be it brick and mortar or online gambling sites.

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House Edge for Blackjack Switch

Under standard, six-deck rules, the house edge against a blackjack switch player using optimal strategy is on 0.58%. Standard rules include the dealer hitting a soft 17. If the game is boosted to eight-decks, the house edge increases slightly to 0.60%. Other rule adaptations include whether the player automatically wins with a switched blackjack (by making 21 in one of the two hands). This decreases the house edge to only 0.18%!

Blackjack Switch Side Bets

a white bag of cash icon

Super Match

The primary side bet is called a Super Match. It’s based on the player’s first four cards and embraces poker hand strength in its payouts.

a white icon of a banker holding a bag of cash

Super Match Paytable

The Super Match paytable looks like this:

  • Pair 1:1
  • 3-of-Kind 5:1
  • Two Pair 8:1
  • 4-of-Kind 40:1
icon white calculator

Super Match House Edge

Most veteran players and seasoned blackjack gurus will implore you to avoid side bets. This is because the house edge soars above 2.5% on a side bet compared to below 0.60% on a six-deck blackjack switch wager.

Blackjack Switch FAQ

Dave Consolazio

Dave Consolazio has been passionate about writing and sports journalism since his high school years. He has a degree in Broadcast Journalism from USC where he worked with the school's radio and television stations. His work has been featured in SportsbookReview, Sports Illustrated and SB Nation. Dave's experience ranges across multiple fields in the gambling industry. You can find his sports, casino, and poker articles in GambleOnline.co.

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