The Best-Known Blackjack, Roulette, and Baccarat Versions

Variations of popular table games allow players who don’t like traditional rules to take part in them. Games like roulette, blackjack, and baccarat come with several tweaks to the original. Rules largely stay the same, but the changes add more excitement. It enables them to develop new strategies and use them to their advantage.

If you’re bored of traditional table games, we’re here to help you find a variation that will suit your playing preferences. In this article, we’ll discuss these variants, their rules and critical differences.

Roulette Variations

Since its inception in the eighteenth century, roulette saw the development of many different variants. Here are the most popular ones:

European Roulette

It’s the most popular choice for many roulette enthusiasts around the world. The game is played on a wheel with 37 numbers and only one zero. Players place their bets on numbers and colours they think the ball will land. After wagers are made, the dealer will spin the wheel.

European Roulette offers a selection of inside and outside bets. You can learn more about them in our betting guide.

This variant comes with a house edge of 2.70%.

American Roulette

American Roulette has rules similar to the European version, while the most significant difference is an additional zero.

It also features inside and outside bets, with payouts the same as in European Roulette. The house edge is a bit higher at 5.26%. This is the main reason why it’s not as popular as its European counterpart.

French Roulette

Although it follows the same wheel setting as European Roulette, the house edge drops due to the La Partage rule. That’s why players have more chances of winning when making the money bet.

Mini Roulette

As its name implies, this is a miniature variant of the regular game. It uses a wheel consisting of twelve black and red numbers, together with one zero. The house edge of 3.85% makes it a very popular choice for players, particularly for beginners.

Multi Wheel Roulette

The rules here are the same as in European Roulette. The key difference is that you can spin up to eight wheels at the same time. Since the bet you make apples to all wheels in play, your odds of winning are much bigger.

Blackjack Variations

Blackjack has come a long way since it appeared in France in the 1760s and today offers several variants.

American Blackjack

This is, without a doubt, the most popular version of the game. The goal is to get as closer to 21 as possible and beat the dealer in the process. You’ll bust if you go over it. American Blackjack is played using six to eight standard decks. Players have the option to double down on any value and split cards up to three times.

European Blackjack

This variant is the same as American Blackjack, with certain differences and restrictions. The dealer receives a face-up card, but the second one is dealt after completing the player’s hand. It uses two standard decks. Players can double only on values eight, nine, or eleven and split the hand once with ten-value cards.

Vegas Strip Blackjack

This variant offers relatively relaxed rules for splitting and doubling down. The dealer has to draw when the total is sixteen or less and stand on totals ranging from seventeen to twenty-one. It means players can double down on any hand and split any pair of cards, except Aces.

Blackjack Switch

You’ll encounter similar rules here, albeit with a crucial difference: players receive two hands, played separately. Cards may be swapped between these hands, significantly improving the odds of winning. It is no surprise that Blackjack Switch is one of the most popular blackjack variations.

Blackjack Perfect Pairs

Perfect Pairs is a side bet available before cards are dealt. You’ll emerge victorious if the initial two cards have the same value or the same face card.

Baccarat Variations

You don’t have to be part of the French nobility anymore to enjoy baccarat and its numerous variants.

Mini Baccarat

A maximum of seven players can enjoy this variant at the same time, together with a croupier. The house edge is 1.24%, making this variant very popular among both new and existing players.

Chemin de Fer

Despite originating from Italy, Chemin the Fer is regarded as the French version of baccarat. It uses six decks, compared to seven found in the original game. Instead of a croupier, players take turns at being the banker. All cards are given face down, with players choosing if they want the third card or not. The player with the largest bet starts the game.

Punto Banco

This variant was born in the 1950s. Twelve players may join the game, with two players needed to start it. Croupier later shuffles and deals the cards. The third card is automatically dealt.

Baccarat Banque

Up to sixteen players can enjoy this variant. One player will be the dealer throughout the game. The main difference compared to other versions is that the player is dealt two decks, while the banker gets only one. Just one player is enough to start the game.

There are many variations of classic table games. If you don’t like traditional rules or just want to take a break from an everyday playing experience, they can be a good choice. These variants have key differences, despite the rules typically staying the same. That way, you can build a successful betting strategy.