Blackjack Variations Rules

There are a few variations of Blackjack such as Spanish 21 where the standard blackjack rules are much are liberal. For example, you can double down on any number of cards with an option to "rescue" or surrender one of your wagers to the dealer. In addtion, payout bonuses are paid for five or more cards totaling 21, 6-7-8 combinations of 21, and 7-7-7 combinations of 21. Some other options include a late surrender, player blackjack always winning and player 21 always winning. There are no 10 cards in the deck but the deck doesn't contain kings, queens, and jacks. Spanish 21 has a higher house edge than comparable black jack games.

Pontoon is another game similar to the rules of blackjack. Pontoon uses a standard 52 card deck and can be played by any number of players but works well with 5 to 8 players. The best hand of all is a Pontoon, which totals 21 points in two cards, and consisting of an ace plus a picture card or ten. If the total value of your hand after the deal is less than 21, you may "buy" another but you must increase your stake by adding an amount equal to but not more than twice your initial stake.

Double Exposure Blackjack is a variant game in which the dealer’s cards are both face-up. This game will increase the house edge by paying even money on blackjacks and players losing ties.

Double Attack Blackjack has some very liberal blackjack rules and the option of increasing your wager after seeing the dealer’s up card. This game is dealt from a Spanish shoe, and getting blackjack will pay ony even money.

There is a French and German variant of blackjack that doesn't allow splitting your hand. Also, an ace will only count as eleven and two aces will count as a blackjack.

Chinese Blackjack is played by many in Asia, having no splitting of cards, but with other card combination regulations.

Another variant of blackjack is called Blackjack Switch. Players are allowed to a version of blackjack in which a player is dealt two hands and is allowed to switch cards.

Just recently, and thanks to the ever growning popularity of poker, Elimination Blackjack is beginning to gain more popularity as a tournament form of blackjack.

Caribbean 21 is a blackjack variant as well. A player can split any two initial cards, hitting and redoubling your wager after your initial doubling. The player, however, loses all ties, and there are several other rule changes that a player should be sure to understand before playing.