Examining the Different Popular Variations of Blackjack Games
5 minutes
Posted by: David
One of the most beloved card games in the world, and probably the most played as well, blackjack is a popular pick among gambling enthusiasts all over the globe.
This is largely due to the fact that it is the only casino game that involves aspects of skill, strategy, and decision making, in addition to elements of luck.
Obviously, with the convenience of playing at home and the numerous variations available at online casinos, online blackjack has become even more appealing and popular nowadays.
Furthermore, if you opt to play blackjack online, you will be able to take advantage of unique bonuses and promotions. You will not find these at traditional brick-and-mortar casinos.
This card classic belongs to an ancient family of card games, the Twenty-One family.
Among the games in this group are some of the most popular house-banked games in the world, including Blackjack, Vingt-Un, and Pontoon.
Even though these games are a bit different from one another, they share many similarities and a few general rules.
Blackjack Games Basics
The banker and a variable number of players compete in Twenty-One games. The main goal is to score precisely twenty-one points, or failing to do so, to get as near to twenty-one as possible depending on the card values given.
Bets are placed before the cards are dealt or after the first card is shown. Anybody who achieves twenty-one in their first two cards (a natural blackjack) wins double or a different payout.
Today, the offer of online blackjack games is almost endless, with a wide variety of iGaming operators offering many different variations.
Apart from the popular ones like Pontoon, Spanish 21, and Progressive Blackjack, there are also novelty games such as Crazy Blackjack, Perfect Blackjack, and Blackjack Peek.
Additionally, most operators offer live dealer games as well. These are real-time games managed and operated by professional croupiers. The games are streamed to players from studios and land-based casinos.
If you are an inexperienced player new to the world of online casinos, or if you're still unfamiliar with these games, which have distinct rules and bonus bets, it may be a better option to start with blackjack online free games if this alternative is available.
There are several iGaming operators that allow players to test out their games in free-to-play modes, in some cases without even having to register a new player account.
Playing free games will give you the chance to weigh both the side bets and the various rules of play.
In this article, we present you with some of the most fun and popular online blackjack variations, as well as a few unwritten rules of the game.
But if you want to learn more about online blackjack, click here for tutorials, operators reviews, strategy guides, and even special bonuses and promotions.
Unwritten Rules of Blackjack
All online casino games have a few things in common. One of the most important ones is they were developed to entertain players and provide them with an authentic casino experience.
The goal is to give players the same feeling as if they were playing in a luxurious Las Vegas casino.
Punters, however, play blackjack and other casino games not just for amusement but also with the goal of winning.
There are various methods to defeat the dealer’s hand and win at blackjack. You might have a better card value than the dealer or a natural blackjack, or even make the dealer bust, in which case all players win.
However, this isn’t a simple game, and players must understand the many intricacies involved in blackjack strategy.
There are also certain “unwritten laws” that will undoubtedly assist you along the way.
First of all, you must know your limits and establish boundaries. Figure out how much time and money you are willing to devote to your game.
Once you've begun playing, always pay attention to the dealer's initial card if it's dealt face up. Always pay attention to the game and the players around you; you never know what you could learn from them.
When playing live blackjack, keep an eye out on tables where players win a number of hands in succession. This is a solid indicator that the table is on a hot streak.
Last but not least, remember that no matter the blackjack online game variant you choose to play, the essential goal is to have fun at all times.
Most Popular Blackjack Variants
With these basics out of the way, let’s now take a look at some of the most popular blackjack variants you can expect to come across online.
Pontoon
The British version of the classic blackjack game, Pontoon is extremely fun and will keep you engaged for countless hours.
Although most rules and bets are similar to the classic game, Pontoon has some additional rules and aspects to consider.
Both of the dealer's cards are dealt face down, and Pontoon (the equivalent to a natural blackjack) pays 2-to-1. This is much better than the 3-to-2 payout of traditional blackjack.
Crazy Blackjack
A recently-released version of the game, Crazy Blackjack is an exclusive variation offered only by a few selected online casinos.
Aside from the progressive jackpot bet, similar to the one you'll find at Progressive Blackjack games, Crazy Blackjack also offers the possibility of placing two more side bets.
These are called Safe Bet and Highest Hand Bet, both of which may bring some extra winnings.
The Safe Bet has the most attractive payout, which is 3-to-2 if your first two cards have a value between 12 and 16.
Perfect Pairs Blackjack
This variation not only has a catchy name, but it also allows players to wager on whether their or the dealer’s first two cards out of the card deck or the shoe will be a pair.
Furthermore, if they are of the same value and suit, players can win up to 25 times the base wager.
Therefore, unlike traditional blackjack games, getting dealt two of a kind (a pair) in Perfect Blackjack is something to hope for.
Progressive Blackjack
Available at most online casinos and a popular choice among high rollers, Progressive Blackjack brings something more to the table in the form of distinctive side bets.
If you are dealt four consecutive aces of the same suit, you will win a large jackpot prize.
With a bit of luck, a player can win a massive progressive jackpot sum, and even getting two or three aces will also pay off.
