There are multiple versions of online blackjack for real money, with slight rule variations between each. The most common versions found at top online blackjack sites are as follows:
Top online blackjack games
Classic Blackjack – In Classic Blackjack, 6 decks of cards, which are reshuffled after every hand, is the most common version found on the internet. The Dealer Hits on Soft 17 (raising the Edge), Re-splitting up to three times and Doubling Down on any two cards (one additional hit) is allowed, and there is no re-splitting of Aces, which receive only 1 additional card. Some versions allow Surrendering on any first two cards.
European Blackjack – Very similar to Classic blackjack games, the European version differs in that the Dealer Must Stand on Soft 17 (lowering the Edge), Doubling Down is only permitted only on hard hand totals of 9-11 (Raising the Edge), and there is no surrendering.
Pontoon – The primary rule difference between Pontoon and Classic Blackjack is that for Pontoon, the Dealer’s hand is dealt entirely face-down. Furthermore, a player’s wager loses on a Tie with the dealer, the Player cannot Stand on a hand of 14 or less, and re-splitting is allowed only up to two times (rather than three). However, Players can Hit after doubling down (which lowers the House Edge and is not permitted at Classic Blackjack) and receive an Edge Lowering 2:1 payout with winning hands that accumulate five cards total – called a “5 Card Trick”.
Spanish 21 Blackjack – The most notable rule variation for Spanish 21 is that there are no ten’s in the deck (aside from Face cards which count as 10) and that the Player will always win on 21. Other rules that help to lower the House Edge are the allowance of Late Surrender, Doubling Down is allowed after Hitting and on Split Aces, with re-splitting allowed for up to four hands, including Aces. Spanish 21 also provides bonus payouts on Natural Blackjack hands. Spanish 21 also offers a side wager called “Match the Dealer” in which the bet wins when the Player hand outranks the dealers by match and suit.
Perfect Pairs – Played with Classic BJ rules, Perfect Pairs offers an additional side bet and an extra payout on Pairs (mixed, colored and Perfect).
Double Exposure – Rules of Double Exposure may vary from casino to casino, but in general, differ from Classic Blackjack in that there are no Pushes in Double Exposure (player hand loses) except when holding a Natural Blackjack, and that only one Split per hand is allowed (depending if doubling down is also permitted after Splitting).
Blackjack Switch – Since having the ability to switch cards is obviously in the player’s favor, the House retains some of its edges by altering select rules, including a 1:1 payout on Natural Blackjacks (not 3:2), and allowing a dealer hand of 22 to tie a player hand of 21 (other than Natural Blackjacks).
Blackjack Odds – As mentioned, contingent on rule variations (as seen above), the casino’s Edge will vary when you play blackjack online for money. To help you gauge what rule variations make the most impact on the Casinos Edge, pay attention to the following:
- Number of Decks Used: The fewer decks, the lower the Edge. The difference between 1 deck and 8 decks is .53%.
- Hitting on Soft 17: When the Dealer is allowed to Stand on a Soft 17, the House Edge comes down 0.2%.
- Doubling after Splitting: When doubling after splitting is allowed, the House Edge comes down by .14%.
- Doubling on any Two Cards: This keeps the House Edge down by .17%, as opposed to only allowing doubling down on just 9-11.
- Resplitting: Resplitting 4 hands, as opposed to 2 hands, lowers the House Edge by 0.1%
- Resplitting Aces: Allowing Aces to be Resplit lowers the Edge by 0.06%
- Hitting Split Aces: Allowing Split Aces to be Hit lowers the Casinos Edge by 0.17%
- Surrendering: Allowing late surrender lowers the House Edge by 0.08%.
- Blackjack Payout: The biggest game changer of all, getting a 6 to 5 payout on Blackjack as opposed to a 3 to 2, raises the House Edge by 1.357%.
