Most Popular Online Blackjack Games

Blackjack is one of the most popular casino games. Since it first hit the casino floors, generations have enjoyed playing it. The rise of the internet saw blackjack go online, and today, millions of players take on virtual and human rivals.

The classic blackjack variant is still one of the most played casino games, while the broad range of new versions delivers a fresh twist on the familiar gameplay. Some of these versions have grown in popularity, becoming a valuable part of every online casino game lobby.

That’s why we’ll take some time to discuss the most popular variants of online blackjack.

Common Blackjack Versions – How Do They Differ?

Game developers create a different variant of the classic game by tweaking some of its elements. That’s where most blackjack variations differ from one another.

House Edge

The house edge plays a vital role in any blackjack variation. Typically, it’s changed to work for the house. Some new versions pay 6:5 for a blackjack instead of the 3:2 odds you’ll usually get at a blackjack table. Playing a version with the 6:5 odds means the house will have an additional edge of around 1.3%.

Number of Decks

The classic blackjack game uses one deck of 52 cards, while other variants often feature extra decks. Depending on the version, up to eight decks of cards can be in the dealer’s shoe.

Double Down and Splitting

Some versions allow players to double down after splitting. That’s a way to make up for the increase in the house edge. However, this move gives you an advantage of around 0.1%, which is nothing compared to the edge provided by a 6:5 game.

Soft 17

Some new blackjack variants include different rules for playing soft 17. They enable the dealer to hit, giving the house an additional edge of around 0.2%.

The Most Popular Online Blackjack Versions

As we pointed out, you can enjoy plenty of blackjack versions online. Some are more, some less popular. In this article, we’re going to focus on those players usually pick at online casinos.

American Blackjack

American Blackjack is regarded as the classic variant of the popular game. It’s still a favourite choice for players in the US and worldwide, and there are many reasons for it. The version’s main selling point is a low house edge of just 0.5%, achieved with the help of the optimal strategy. American Blackjack is played with a single deck of 52 cards.

European Blackjack

This is one of the first versions of blackjack and a distinctive one, popular with millions of players. It’s played with two 52-card decks, increasing the house edge. In European Blackjack, dealers have to stand on soft 17, providing an additional advantage for gamblers. Hitting a blackjack pays 3:2, while players can double down only when their initial hand is worth nine, ten or eleven. If both the player and the dealer get a blackjack at the same time, their initial bet is refunded, and the hand is considered a tie.

Perfect Pairs Blackjack

Perfect Pairs Blackjack is one of the first flavours to feature side bets. In terms of rules, it’s similar to American Blackjack, with one side bet being the crucial difference. Players can bet if they believe their first two cards will be of the same value. If they get it right, they’ll receive a payout of 6:1. It gets even better if the two cards are also of the same colour. In that case, they get paid 12:1. The best prize is a 25:1 payout, reserved for players to land two cards of the same value, colour, and suit.

Free Bet Blackjack

One of the prominent blackjack figures, Geoff Hall, is the man behind the Free Bet Blackjack variant. Compared to regular blackjack games, the main difference is that players don’t risk their funds when doubling down or splitting. So, what’s the catch? If the dealer busts with 22, the player doesn’t win, but the hand is deemed a push. The dealer can also hit on soft 17, with the blackjack paying 3:2. Free double downs are available if the initial hand is worth nine, ten, or eleven. On the other hand, free splits can be used on all paired hands except tens, jacks, kings, and queens.

Blackjack Switch

Blackjack Switch is another creation from the mind of Geoff Hall, developed before Free Bet Blackjack. The game round starts with players making two equal bets. They can switch their second card in each hand to create the best possible combination. In return, the dealer busting with a 22 is considered a push. Hitting a blackjack pays 1:1, while the game uses six or eight decks.

Multi-Hand Blackjack

Multi-Hand Blackjack uses classic rules, with one significant exception: players can enjoy multiple hands at the same time! The game uses six decks of 52 cards and has a house edge of 0.47%. Landing a blackjack pays 3:2, while the dealer is obliged to stand on soft 17. This variant allows players to play more hands. In practice, they can spread their risk by placing smaller bets on a more significant number of hands instead of relying on just one.

Spanish 21

This is another interesting take on the original game. In Spanish 21, there are no tens in the dealer’s shoe. On the other hand, players may resplit their hands, while doubling down is allowed on any hand, regardless of the number of dealt cards. You can double down even after splitting and resplitting. Hitting 21 always results in a win, and the player’s blackjack will always beat the dealer’s.

Of course, getting a blackjack is a bit harder without tens. When it comes to payouts, Spanish 21 uses a system of its own. A five-card hand worth 21 awards a payout of 3:2, while six cards with the same value pay 2:1. Use seven cards to get 21, and you’ll receive a prize of 3:1.