The most popular blackjack variants
We thought to start by listing the most common blackjack games and telling you a little about them.
1. American (classic) Blackjack
Classic blackjack is the variant on which the other forms are based. Here you win if your hand is worth more than the dealer's at the end, or if the dealer gets "thick" or - if you get blackjack and the dealer doesn't get it.
Depending on where you play, the rules may vary slightly, but in many ways you will recognize yourself in most, wherever you play.
2. European Blackjack
There are a few clear differences between American and European blackjack, and these are above all:
- The number of decks-on American blackjack there are 6-8 and in European only 2.
- Payout for Blackjack: On American there are 3: 2 or 6: 5 and only 3: 2 in European.
- Surendar late - allowed on American, but not in European.
- Double down - allowed in European if the total hand value is 9, 10 or 11. On American it is allowed for any hand.
- The nature of the rule - in European they are largely consistent, but on American they change between game variations.
- As a beginner, the general recommendation is often to start with European blackjack.
3. Vegas Strip Blackjack
When playing Vegas Strip Blackjack, 4 standard decks are used and very similar to classic blackjack with a few differences. Here the dealer must always stand at 17, and you as a player can split your hands up to four times.
4. Progressive blackjack
In progressive blackjack, you as a player can make a side effort for each game round, in a progressive jackpot. And to win this, you must be lucky with a particular combination of hands and have an ace on hand. The jackpot itself varies depending on where you play, but it usually starts at NOK 200,000.
5. Atlantic City Blackjack
This variant of blackjack is known to be one of the most beneficial to players. And that is because the house's advantage is relatively low. And it again has to do with the players choosing to "surender" (give up) and thus retain half of the bet.
When the game became popular, it was possible to do "early buzz" - that is, giving up early in the game. But when many casinos lost large sums on this, the rules were changed and now it is "lazy" buzzer that applies.
The rules of the game are very similar to classic blackjack. But there is also a disadvantage with this variant, and it is that as many as 8 decks are used.
6. Multi-Hand Blackjack
In Multi-Hand Blackjack you can play with multiple hands at the same time, which of course increases your chances of getting blackjack.
If you are going to play Multi-Hand Blackjack online, you will notice that the game may vary at different casinos. And then it is mainly how many hands you can have at the same time and how many decks are used.
7. Double Exposure Blackjack
In the variant called Double Exposure you as a player get to see the two cards that the dealer has. However, since the house must retain a certain advantage, there are some changes in the rules that make Double Exposure Blackjack differ from other variants.
Among other things, it is not possible to choose "Surrender" as in the classic version. Another change is also that the dealer wins if the card is the same, unless the player got blackjack then.
8. Single Deck Blackjack
As the name implies, this variant is played with just a deck. Which makes it easier to keep track of the cards and make mathematical decisions, even if it should be pointed out that the cards are mixed before each new game round. This is a variant that can fit if you are a beginner!
9. Blackjack Switch
Blackjack Switch generally works like other blackjack games, but with the difference that you as a player can change one card from one hand to another, to create a better combination.
This also means that you have to play with two hands and thus place separate bets for each hand. With this variant, the advantage of the house (House Edge) is as low as 0.17%.
10. Super Fun 21
This variant is valued by many, it is adapted from the classic game, but in Super Fun there are several ways to win, for the player.
Among other things, you can split any pair, up to four times, and ESS is included. You can also double ace that has been split and more. The disadvantage is that blackjack is paid out with doubling the money, instead of 2: 1.
11. Pontoon
This is an Australian version of the game, and here comes some new terms, which is the same just that they are called other names. For example, "Twist" means taking cards, "stick" to stand and "buy" instead of double.
What mainly separates Pontoon from other variants is that the dealer has no of their cards with the front, which of course affects the player's different choices.
12. Perfect Pairs Blackjack
This is one of the most popular variants when it comes to playing blackjack online.
The rules of the game are about the same as in classic blackjack, but contain a side effort called "Perfect Pairs".
This page effort is completely voluntary, but if you choose to play it, you will be rewarded for every couple you get during the game. You can get "perfect pair", "colored pairs" and "mixed pairs".
13. Spanish 21
This variant is often valued by the slightly more adrenaline -seeking players. This is because the game offers some exciting disputes!
Among other things, six decks are stacked on top of each other while all 10s are removed from each deck. This affects the possibility of getting big hands with fewer cards. Instead, it's the low cards you want.
Although it is an exciting variant, the house's advantage (house edge) is the disadvantage in this case, this is because it is larger than in classic blackjack.
More variants you can encounter:
- War Blackjack
- Face Up Blackjack
- Double Attack
- Down Under
- Vegas Downtown
- Triple Sevens Jackpot
- Bonus Extra Blackjack
- And many more!
Which blackjack variant should you choose?
Now that we have gone through all the most common variants of blackjack, you might be wondering which game to choose? Fully understandable because it can feel a little difficult, especially if you are a beginner.
When it comes to blackjack, there are several different things to consider in your choice, including the rules that apply, efforts and payments. But there are also different strategies for different games!
Fortunately, we have written separate guides about this, if you want to immerse yourself even more in Blackjack:
We now thought to go through which game variants can fit different types of players.
Blackjack variants with the lowest House Edge (House advantage)
If it is important to you that the house has the low advantage as possible, there is a table below over what the house's advantage looks like in the different games.
(Feel free to read our guide om house edge If you are curious to know more about how it works.)
House benefit in popular blackjack variants
| Variant | House advantage (House Edge) |
| Blackjack Switch | 0,17% |
| Atlantic City Blackjack | 0,35% |
| Spanish 21 | 0,38% |
| European blackjack | 0,39% |
| Pontoon | 0,39% |
| Perfect Pairs Blackjack | 0,42% |
| Single Deck Blackjack | 0,58% |
| Multi-Hand Blackjack | 0,63% |
| Double Exposure | 0,69% |
| Super Fun 21 | 1,30% |
Blackjack variants that pay best
If you want to choose games according to what the payouts look like, here is a list of how some of the variants usually pay. However, it is important to remember that it can vary from casino to casino. So always check what applies first so you don't get disappointed! The payouts below apply to gains with blackjack (21).
- Double Exposure Blackjack – 1:1
- Blackjack Switch – 1:1
- Super Fun 21 – 1:1
- Pontoon – 2:1
- Spanish 21 - 3: 2
- Vegas Strip Blackjack – 3:2
- European Blackjack - 3: 2
- American blackjack - 3: 2
- Atlantic City Blackjack – 6:5
The best blackjack games for beginners
If you are going to try blackjack for the first time, we recommend that you start with one of the following:
- European blackjack
- Single Deck Blackjack
- Double Exposure Blackjack
Blackjack games suitable for professional
If you feel that you have good control over this with blackjack and may want some challenges, the following variants may be suitable for you:
- American blackjack
- Multi-Hand Blackjack
- Blackjack Switch
- Spanish 21
- Super Fun 21
Are there blackjack variants you should avoid?
Actually, you can't say that there are variants you should avoid, because it is of course individual what you like! A game that appeals to someone may not be for you at all, and vice versa.
Still, there are common mistakes that are easily made among beginners, errors you should try to avoid. Among other things:
- Not to check if the casino has an approved license
This should be the first thing you check, before clicking on the website or depositing money at the casino. Make sure the casino has a valid and approved License, because then you can feel confident that the games are not rigged and that the casino lives up to the high requirements that licensed casinos today must fulfill.
- To not read the rules first
Before you start playing blackjack, you have to Check the rules that apply at this casino, for the specific table you intend to play on. As we mentioned earlier in the guide, these can vary, from casino to casino, from table to table.
- Haven't read about how blackjack works
Of course, it requires some luck to win in blackjack, but this is also a game where skills and knowledge weigh extremely heavy. Read about blackjack and the specific game variant you are curious about before sitting down at a table.
- To test games when you are tired or drunk
Unfortunately, this is a common mistake that many beginners make. To play blackjack you have to be ready in your head, because all your choices along the way in the game affect the outcome.
- To choose one for advanced strategy or game variant
This with counting cards sounds exciting and as a winning concept, right?
If you are new to Blackjack, we do not recommend that you try to use such advanced strategies. The same goes for any Blackjack variant you choose. Take a simple, such as classic blackjack or single deck to begin with.
- To play to win
Oh, you might be thinking now. Games are about winning, right?
A common mistake is to play just to win and don't get us wrong - of course it's fun if you win! But your main reason to play online should be because it's funny, nothing else. See any winnings as a instead.
If you want to play to afford to pay things, win back lost money and so on, unfortunately you start at the wrong end. In fact, there is a risk that you will lose even more instead.
- To not have a game budget
Whatever Casino games You intend to play, whether it's blackjack, Slot machines, Poker Or something else, you should have made a game budget first.
Read our own Guide om bank roll management.
This way you have control over how much you can afford to lose. And by sticking to your budget you don't have to play for more than you can afford.
Read our own Guide about responsible game!