Blackjack Switch

A new variation of the ever-popular game of blackjack is going over big with both casino and online card players. Blackjack switch offers a simple twist on the old card standard by allowing players to play two hands simultaneously and trade cards between them. While the better odds mean smaller payoffs, many players appreciate how the game reduces the house’s edge and provides for a fresh way to play an old favorite.

Blackjack Switch Differs from Blackjack

The rules for blackjack switch are the same as those for blackjack with one notable exception: the trading of the second cards between hands that gives this game its name. The Blackjack betting is also the same as normal. Blackjack switch has a shoe that pulls from either six or eight decks, and as in regular blackjack all cards are dealt face up (this is largely to prevent players from switching first cards, as the second cards dealt are the only ones that can be legally traded). 

Both hands must be started with equal bets, though a player may double down on either hand later. Where the minor rule changes really affect the game is payoff. A dealer hand of 22 will automatically push all player hands, unless a player is holding a blackjack prior to the dealer’s 22, in which case the blackjack only pays even money.

Upon dealing the second card, the dealer will peak, and should they already have a blackjack all player hands are pushed. The dealer will also still stand on a hard 17, but will hit on a soft 17.  You can still split hands in blackjack switch, making for a potential four playable hands, and may double down on either hand.

Playing Blackjack Switch

The biggest issue most blackjack players have when adapting to blackjack switch is determining exactly when it is best to make the switch. Just as in regular blackjack, your decisions should include careful consideration of the dealer’s hand. A strong dealer hand is still a 7 or higher, while a weak dealer hand is any card below a 7, but a player hand of 17 is now also considered weak. You should switch top cards only when neither hand is strong, or when the benefits of switching are obvious.

The lower house edge comes from the player’s ability to win on one or both hands in blackjack switch. The blackjack strategies used to determine when to hit or stand still apply to blackjack switch with very little variation, as demonstrated by the basic blackjack switch strategy detailed below.

Basic Blackjack Switch Strategy

This strategy only applies after the player has made the decision to switch or not; it reflects the player’s slightly better odds, the implementation of a dealer’s 22 hand, and the fact that more cards are now in play. (For reference, a soft hand is a combination that includes an ace that is being used as an 11, and a hard hand is a combination without an ace or where the ace is being used as a 1.) 

In blackjack switch, beginners should still stand on hands that total a hard 17 and up, but will now hit on a soft 17 to reflect the dealer hitting on a soft 17, and you should hit with a hard 12, 13, or 14 against a dealer’s upright card of 2, 3, or 4. You will still hit with hard 12 to 16 combos when the dealer has a 7 through Ace face up, because you are still assuming that the dealer’s hole card is a ten. With the change in 17 strategy, players should now hit on any soft hands totaling 17 and under.

Hard doubling down changes slightly so that you are doubling down on 10’s and 11’s against dealer 2’s through 8’s, but are only doubling down on 9’s against dealer 6’s. From here soft doubling and the split strategy get more complicated with consideration toward the altered rules and odds.

Again it is important to reiterate that while you have to place equal bets on both hands, you can play each hand differently (i.e. splitting or doubling) and either or both hands can win, yielding the appropriate payoff for each bet with the exception of the altered even money payoff for blackjack.

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