Blackjack Switch
Blackjack Variations > Blackjack Switch
Official Website: BlackjackSwitch.com
Here is where we add an interesting twist to standard Blackjack, which is not yet that popular either offline or online. Actually, you might have come quite close to it at offline casinos. Have you ever had a time when you are saving a seat to a friend, or no one else is sitting next to you so you make use of that blackjack spot? If you have, then you are getting close to the essence of Blackjack Switch.
BLACKJACK SWITCH DECISION CALCULATOR Select card values from the pulldowns. The calc will return whether switching or holding has a higher EV.
Play our free blackjack switch game.
- Blackjack Switch is also known as the blackjack variation featuring one of the most favourable house edges. The game is commonly played with 6 or 8 decks. While the payout of the standard game is 3:2, the Blackjack Switch pays the natural blackjacks 1:1.
- Blackjack Switch is a great change of pace with a low house edge of about 0.65%, depending on the level of effort that you are willing to put into learning strategy. The advanced strategy may be impossible to learn for some people as there are some exceptions beyond the basic one.
Blackjack Switch Rules
You will be essentially playing the same standard blackjack game. Same point value, same goal, and same terminology, with just a few extras into it:
First off, players must play 2 hands instead of just one. Meaning a total of 4 cards dealt per player, but separated into 2 hands.
Players must bet twice, for each hand.
Players can only split once per hand, and after splitting an Ace, you will only get one card per hand. You can double down after a split, and you are actually allowed to double down on any hand/card.
Dealers usually have to hit on 17 or lower, but if he/she gets 22, it is considered a push, unless the player gets blackjack in which case, the player gets paid 1:1.
Players can buy insurance only if the dealer’s face-up card is an Ace.
And now here are the two most interesting extras:
You are allowed to switch the second card of each hand in order to make a stronger hand – and lastly, you can make an extra bet, called “Super Match”, in which you win by getting same ranking cards within the total 4 at your possession: a pair pays 1:1, a three of a kind pays 5:1, two pairs pay 8:1, and four of a kind pay 40:1
The house advantage goes up when you play the “Super Match” bet. So players looking to play for as long as possible should avoid it. Though, if you are looking for added excitement and are looking for a big score this is the bet for you.
How To Play Blackjack Switch
As you can see, all you have to do is follow your blackjack expertise most of the time. Make the normal bet and Super Match bet if desired, then get your cards dealt, while the dealer gets his/her 2 cards too (one face up and one face down).
Review the possibilities for a switch between your second dealt cards for each hand, and either split, double down, hit, or stand…
Lastly, the dealer will do the same with his/her cards, with a possibility of going up to 22.
Blackjack Switch Hand Examples
Considering the above, if you were to get 5-3 and a 7-6, then the best move is to switch your second dealt cards in order to get a 5-6 and a 7-3 for an 11 point starting hand and a 10 point starting hand – both of which are great to either double down or hit for the blackjack.
You can also make a Super Match bet initially before the cards are dealt, and if you get a 5-2 and a 5-3, then you get paid on a pair, for a 5-3 and a 5-5 you get paid for a three of a kind, 6-4 and 6-4 you get paid on a two pair, and lastly a 4-4 and 4-4 you get paid on a four of a kind. These are just examples of possible outcomes, and extra bets to the rest of the hand game.
The last point to remember; if the dealer gets a 22, it is an automatic push unless you get a blackjack, in which case you get paid out, but not the standard 3:2; instead, you get paid out 1:1.
With a good idea of the rules now, try out this blackjack game with a twist on the side…
Popular Casinos that Offer Blackjack Switch
Las Vegas – Harrahs, Casino Royale, Binion’s
Nevada State Line – Montbleu, Harvey’s, Lake Tahoe Horizon
California – Red Hawk Casino (Placerville), Twin Pine Casino (Middletown)
Canada – Fallsvue, Niagra & Great Blue Heron
Blackjack Switch can also be found at selected casinos in the following states: Indiana, Missouri & Michigan
External Links
- Inventor of Blackjack Switch, Geoff Hall Interviewed by The Wizard of Odds (Mike Shackleford)
Blackjack Switch App
Related News
Do you enjoy free, fun casino card games? Play over 250 free casino games at Royal Ace Casino. Up to $4,000 in free bonuses.
Gamblers who’ve ever thought it would be nice to swap their cards around from one hand to the next should play “blackjack switch”. In this game, the player is dealt two blackjack hands. After the deal, the gambler is allowed to switch the upcard between these two hands, increasing the strength of one or both hand combinations. This is a tremendous advantage to a blackjack player.
As you might imagine, other rules are stipulated to mitigate that advantage. The house edge on this game can be as low as 0.20% (using the “Russian” rules), so it’s a solid version of twenty-one players should know about. As always when playing 21, know how the various rules affect the house edge or you could end up playing at an inferior table.
Basic Rules
This Stack of Chips Was Won by a Blackjack Switch Player
Unless otherwise noted, all rules of switch are based on the classic blackjack rules. In most casinos, either 6 or 8 decks are used. Switching from six to eight decks increases the house edge by 0.02%. In most land-based gaming venues, the dealer hits on a soft 17, but you will occasionally hear of the dealer standing on a soft 17. Players’ cards are dealt face up, while the dealer peaks for a blackjack if a ten or ace is showing. When the dealer holds a natural blackjack, all player hands lose automatically. If a player has a natural blackjack, then that hand is a push.
The player can double on any two cards. The player also may double after a split. Resplits can be performed up to four hands.
Dealer 22
Blackjack Switch App
To offset the advantageous rules of the game, any time a dealer holds a 22, this is a push if the player holds a 21 or less. If the player holds a natural twenty-one, then a dealer twenty-two still loses.
1:1 Payouts on Natural 21
Another rule in the favor of the house is the 1 to 1 payout on a natural twenty-one. In the classic version of the game, this is seen as the worst rule you could play under. In this variant, the rule only offsets advantages, so it’s acceptable. Still, when considering strategy, understand that blackjacks pay much less.
Switching Rules
When the player switches cards to a combined twenty-one, this is considered a “21”, but not a natural. In this scenario, a dealer 21 would beat this hand.
Switch Tip
One other deviation from the classic game rules is that players make two equal wagers in blackjack switch. This brings me to an important suggestion. Players must remember they must bet equally on both hands. If they neglect one hand to make the other unbeatable, they are still only breaking even. When switching cards, the player must try to build two strong hands.
Strategy Tips
Because of the dealer-22 rule, some hands you would stand on in convention twenty-one require you to hit. In other words, you have to be more aggressive, because the dealer isn’t going to bust as often. Anytime the dealer is showing a 7 or higher, that’s considered a strong hand and you’ll need to play accordingly. If a 3 through 6 is showing, the dealer’s hand looks weak. If the dealer is showing a 2, this isn’t as weak as you’d expect, because 22 isn’t a bust.
When you hold an 18 through 20 and your total beats the dealer’s upcard total (assuming the other card is a 10), then you should place strong bets. For instance, if you hold a 19 and the dealer is showing 8, this is considered advantageous for you.
When to Stand
Stand anytime you have a hard 17 or higher. When you have a hard 12 through 16, hit when the dealer has a 7 through ace. Hit a hard 13 or 14 versus a 2. Hit a hard 12 versus a two, three, or four. Stand any other time you have a hard hand against a 2 through 5.
Stand on a soft 19 or 20. Always stand on a soft 18 when against a 2 through 8, but hit on a soft 18 versus a nine through ace. When you have a soft 17 or below, always hit before doubling. Double down when you have a 10 or an 11 against a 2 through 6. Double down on a 9 when against a dealer-6. If you have an ace-6 or ace-7, double down against a 5 or a 6. When you hold an ace-5, double against a dealer-6 only.
Switching to a Stronger Winner
When switching, it’s sometimes good to switch to a stronger winning hand. For instance, let’s say you hold an 18 and a 14, but you have a chance to switch to a 19 and 13. This second combination is considered better. Nineteen is a much stronger hand than eighteen. At the same time, 13 and 14 are virtually identical hands, because in either case, you’re probably hoping for the dealer to bust out.
House Edge
Blackjack switch is a game any jaded classic twenty-one players should try. Not only do the switching rules add a whole other dimension to the game, but the house edge is lower than classic 21, if the rules are the same. You’ll find it a challenge to learn a whole other set of dealer rules. Players will come to hate the dealer twenty-two rule, because it’s going to break your heart several times a session. Players at land-based casinos and online casinos should be able to find the game. Microgaming, Playtech, and most other major online casino software companies have their own version of the game.