Blackjack is by far one of the most interesting and simplest games you can play in online casinos nowadays. It is also one of the rare games in which you actually have a chance of beating a casino. If you have never heard of this game before, try playing a hand or two of online blackjack on ICE36, and you will see what we are talking about.
Over the years, many variations of blackjack appeared in order to spice up the game a bit. One of them is Blackjack Switch, an alternative that allows a particular move that cannot be seen in any other type of blackjack — trading cards between two hands.
If you are tired of playing classic blackjack, this article might serve as an inspiration to try something new. If you keep reading, you will find out all the rules of Blackjack Switch, as well as a few hints on what to do to win in this exciting game.
Blackjack Switch Rules
Like every other type of blackjack, Blackjack Switch has specific rules that have to be complied with. In case you are not in the mood for learning any rules right now, you can always choose a less demanding game. For example, Bingo Blitz for fun is a great option to relax after a tiring day at work.
Now, when it comes to the general rule of having a total value of 21 in your hands, nothing has changed. This is still the ultimate goal for both players and the dealer. The value of the cards remains the same, so there’s nothing to think about there either.
The first rule that appears in Blackjack Switch and differs from the classic gameplay is that 22 is not seen as a bust here. When the dealer has 22, this is automatically a tie, except in case a player holds a natural blackjack.
Let’s move on to the core difference and the reason why this type of blackjack carries the name Blackjack Switch. Instead of one initial hand, every player is dealt two hands, making a total of four cards on the table. Players must place equal bets on both hands.
Once this is done, the twist comes into the picture. Now players are allowed to switch the top two cards to make your initial hands different. Of course, this is done only in case the switch would improve one or both of your hands. To make it clear, let’s look at the example below:
Let’s assume that one of your hands consists of an 8 and a King on top, while the other features a Queen followed by a 3. Now, you have the opportunity to swap the top two cards — in this case, you would switch a King and a 3. This will now give you 11 on one hand and 20 on the other.
After the switch, general blackjack rules apply. You can choose to hit, stand, split, or double down, depending on your hand.
When to Switch?
As you could see, the rules of Blackjack Switch are pretty easy to learn. However, the most challenging part of this game is to decide whether the cards are worth switching in the first place. Luckily for you, we have some tips to make this decision a piece of cake.
First, learn the rules of blackjack switch and try practising for some time without investing real money. Even if you have played other types of blackjack before, remember that this particular game has a specific difference you need to understand completely in order to win.
Once you learn the rules and play a few hands for free, you will realize that sometimes it can be quite difficult to decide if you should go for a switch or not. Therefore, unless you’ve been dealt a natural blackjack, you will have to apply different strategies that bring along detailed explanations you need to learn.
A Blackjack Switch strategy chart is created by a team of mathematicians and includes every possible hand, as well as suggestions on what to do in each situation. To apply the strategy properly, you should also observe the dealer’s upcard and include it in your decision-making process.
This is the good news, as applying the strategy can significantly lower the house edge of a casino and give you a chance to win real cash by playing your favourite blackjack game.
