Blackjack Switch Easy Professional Strategy Arnold Snyder provides a professional-level Blackjack Switch basic strategy with an explanation of the underlying logic of the Blackjack Switch game. The strategy rules capture all gain possible from a mathematically optimal strategy to. Blackjack Switch is Blackjack with a twist, so if you know the classical original you will have no problems quickly picking up this game. There are some different rules from the standard Blackjack so do study the rules before you begin.
Invented by Geoff Hall and patented in 2009, Blackjack Switch is one of the most innovative blackjack variations. On the Internet, it is offered exclusively by the software provider Playtech, so you can enjoy this fantastic game only at casinos powered by the famous game developer. In the UK, the best casino site for playing Blackjack Switch is Ladbrokes where you will be welcomed with a generous welcome bonus up to £600 which you can use on any of the dozen blackjack variations offered by the operator.
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Many players choose Blackjack Switch over the other available online blackjack variants because of its low house edge and uniqueness, even though its rules make it slightly more complicated than most other casino games. There are some rules that are in favour of the players and some that favour the dealer. However, the most interesting part is dealing two hands instead of one to a single player. The game is played with 6 decks of cards and the dealer must hit on soft 17. Read the rest of this review for more details.
Blackjack Switch Free Play
Since Blackjack Switch is so much different than most other blackjack variations, it’s recommended that you try the game for free before you start placing real money bets. Increase your odds of winning when you start playing for real by getting to know the game in demo mode using the embedded game below:
How to Play – Rules of the Game
The main difference between the classic blackjack games and the Switch version is the fact that instead of one hand per player, Blackjack Switch is played with two hands. Players have two betting boxes and the game is played with 6 standard decks of cards. Otherwise, the playing layout is relatively similar to the other blackjack games. Since there are two hands and two betting options there are also two bets placed per gaming round. The bets are doubled independently during the game. The game starts with the dealer dealing one card to each player and one face-up card to himself. Then another round of cards is dealt and players can choose to place side bets.
Having seen their two hands, players can decide to switch the top cards of each hand. For example, after being dealt 10-8 and 3-10, by switching the top cards the player will continue the game with 10-10 and 3-8 combinations. As the name suggest, what makes Blackjack Switch unique is the rule that allows players to switch the top cards of their two hands.
Each hand is played separately and the player can hit, stand or double. After the dealer plays his hand, the value of 22 is considered a push against all other values except for a player blackjack. If the player’s hand exceeds 21, it is considered a bust. The blackjack payout is 1:1, while the normal payout is 3:2, and the dealer hits on soft 17. It must be noted that if the player switches to a blackjack, it is counted as 21 and a dealer blackjack will win the game.
House Edge & Winning Odds
When using the optimal playing strategy, Blackjack Switch has a house edge of 0.17% which is one of the lowest among all online blackjack games. It is true that the game features two of the most devastating rules for the player, i.e. that the dealer 22 is a push and that blackjack pays 1:1, but things are more than evened up by the fact that the players can switch cards between their two hands. In fact, when playing with the optimal strategy and with the right blackjack bonus, Blackjack Switch offers great odds for winning to the players, in fact, way better odds than most other blackjack variations.
Switch and Other Side Bets
Blackjack Switch is one of the game variations that provide the possibility of placing side bets. Even though the side bets usually increase the house edge, they can be a good option when the players want to try something different. The side bet in this particular game is also known as Super Match. It can be placed before the cards are dealt and will reward you if you have a pair among your four cards. The Super Match side bet has the following payouts: 1:1 for a pair, 5:1 for three of a kind, 8:1 for two pairs and 40:1 for four of a kind.
The Winning Strategy
Since the rules of Blackjack Switch are quite different than the standard blackjack variation, the basic strategy for the game is different as well. For hard hands it is relatively simple – if your hand totals 5 to 12, it’s usually best to hit, with some exceptions – stand only if you have 12 and the dealer’s face-up card is 5 or 6 and double if you have 10 or 11 against a dealer total lower than 10. With hands scoring between 13 and 16, it’s best to stand if the dealer has 6 or lower and to hit if the dealer has 7 or more. If you have 17 or more, it’s alway best to stand.
For soft hands, the general rule is: if you have a soft 17 or lower it’s best to hit while if you have a soft 18 or higher it’s best to stand. The only exception is to double if you have A-5 against a dealer 6 or if you have A-6 or A-7 against a dealer 5 or 6. Also, if you have A7 against a dealer 10 or ace, it’s best to hit.
As far as playing pairs, things are a little bit more complicated. In general, you should hit if you have 2-2, 3-3 or 4-4 with the exception of 2-2 and 3-3 against a dealer 5, 6 or 7, in which case you should split. With a hand of two fives, you should double if the dealer has 8 or lower, otherwise simply hit. With sixes, it’s always better to hit, unless the dealer has 4, 5 or 6, in which case you should split. Stand with sevens against a 2, split them if the dealer has anywhere between 3 and 7 and simply hit if the dealer’s up-card is 8 or higher. Split eights against a dealer card lower than 10, otherwise hit. Nines should be split against a dealer 4, 5, 6, 8 or 9, while in all other cases the best move is to stand. Always stand if you have two tens and always split a pair of aces.
Blackjack Switch Overview
Played with the optimal strategy, Blackjack Switch has a very good house edge and it is a better option than many other blackjack games. Furthermore, this game offers a unique blackjack experience that can have many positive outcomes for the players. If you like this variant, then you will also enjoy Pontoon by Playtech – a card game based on blackjack that also features some interesting rules and different payouts.
Blackjack Switch, a variant on the popular casino game, was invented by card counter Geoff Hall in 2009. The idea came to Hall while he was playing two hands of traditional blackjack. Both hands were weak, but they could’ve been immediately improved if only the rules allowed for the top two cards of each hand to be switched. A light bulb went off in Hall’s head and Blackjack Switch was born.
Since it’s only been around for a few years, most gamers haven’t had a chance to play Blackjack Switch. This article is intended to increase awareness of the exciting variant, as well as explain how to play Blackjack Switch. For those who obsess about the house edge, I’ve also included a section on Blackjack Switch odds and probability.
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How to Play Blackjack Switch
Learning how to play Blackjack Switch is easy, as it still follows the basic theme of the game it was based on. This means players need to get closer to 21 than the dealer without going bust, and the optimum hand is an ace and a 10-value card (known as a “natural blackjack”).
The game is played with four, six, or eight decks of cards and the values are the same as in normal blackjack. This means that face cards are worth 10 points, the ace is worth either 1 or 11, and all other others are the same as the value printed on their card.
The gaming surface looks like a blackjack table, but there are two betting boxes in front of each player instead of one. When players make their initial wagers, the bets must be identical in each box.
Play begins with the dealer placing one face-up card in each of the player’s two boxes.
He then deals a card to himself before dealing another face-up card to each player’s remaining boxes. The second dealer card is placed face-down.
The dealer then asks each participant in turn if they wish to switch their top cards (the second card dealt in each hand). If they do, then the cards are switched and new hand totals are formed. After each player has made this decision, they may decide to hit, stand, or double on their individual hands (starting with the betting box on the player’s right). If a hand exceeds 21, it is considered “busted” and the dealer takes the wager associated with that hand.
What Are Blackjack Odds
At most casinos, the dealer will hit on a soft 17. This isn’t always the case, however, so be sure to consult the rules of each casino before sitting down to play.
If the dealer is showing an ace or 10-value card after the initial deal, they will peek at the face-down card in their hand to check for blackjack. If they have it, then all players lose.
The only exception is if a player also has a natural blackjack, which is considered a push.
When cards are switched to create a blackjack, it only counts as 21. A dealer total of 22 will push against any player total of 21 or less. The only exception is a natural player blackjack (which pays even money instead of the usual 3:2).
Players may double on any two cards, and they may also double following a split. Hands may be split up to a total of four.
A side bet known as “Super Match” is usually available in games of Blackjack Switch. In a six-deck game, bonus payouts occur when the following combinations come up during the initial deal: 40:1 for four-of-a-kind, 8:1 for two pairs, 5:1 for three-of-a-kind, and 1:1 for a pair.
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Blackjack Switch Odds and Probability
House Odds For Blackjack
Blackjack Switch odds and probability are similar to other blackjack variants, but these can change from one casino to another depending on slight rule differences. The common Las Vegas rules call for six decks to be used, a switched blackjack to count as 21, and the dealer to hit on a soft 17. Under these rules, the house edge is calculated to be 0.58%. If eight decks are used, the house edge decreases to +0.02% (the rare occasion when the player has an advantage over the house). A switched blackjack counting as an automatic win is -0.40%, and a natural blackjack being an automatic winner lowers the house edge to -0.21%. A dealer required to stand on a soft 17 changes the expected payout to -0.30%. All of these odds assume that the individual is incorporating perfect blackjack strategy into their play.
Odds On Blackjack Against House
Blackjack Switch Strategy Charts
If you’ve ever played multiple hands of blackjack and longed to be in an alternate universe where cards could be moved from one hand to the other, then Blackjack Switch is the game for you. Keep in mind that the casino does add in rules to keep the odds in their favor, but the overall freedom granted by the game’s unique feature is bound to get even the most jaded player excited again. And thanks to the growing presence of the Internet, you can also play Blackjack Switch online without having to shell out money for gas or a plane ticket.