How many Blackjack Games do you know?
The origins of Blackjack date as far back as the 18th century, with references to the now classic online casino game even appearing in literature long before that.
As such, it is only natural that many variants have been created from the standard version that initially appeared on the scene hundreds of years ago.
It would be quite difficult to pinpoint the exact number of Blackjack variants that exist today, but there are a few popular ones that players may or may not recognize.
Different twists on classic Blackjack
These include Blackjack Switch, Spanish 21, Super Fun 21, and Double Attack Blackjack, variants which differ from one another in myriad ways.
First off, the specific cards that a player is able to double down on varies depending on the version. For example, in Spanish 21 a player can double down on any total and on any number of cards, whereas in European Blackjack players are usually restricted to certain values.
Similarly, when it comes to soft 17’s, or any combination of an ace and 6 together, each variant has its own rules regarding whether a dealer must hit or stand. The frequency of hand splits is also a factor dependent on the variant.
You will find within the PokerStars library there are games that provide classical Blackjack games but with a twist.
Lightning Blackjack
Lightning Blackjack is one such game. Offering the chance to win via a lightning multiplier, a player can either decide to play normally or try their luck with the lightning side of things.
If the lightning bet is taken up, any winnings will be rolled over to the next hand. So for example, if you bet £25 but can also gain an advantage from the multiplier, an amount of £250 can be won.
Taking up the lightning option will cost more, but Lightning Blackjack combines all of the best elements of a live casino and Blackjack to make this exciting variant.
Mega Fire Blaze Blackjack
Another game that looks to incorporate some of the best features of a live casino and classical Blackjack is Mega Fire Blaze Blackjack.
Mega Fire Blaze Blackjack contains two different hands. The first is a normal game of Blackjack that plays out in a normal fashion. After that hand has been played, the Mega Fire Blaze component will take place if certain qualification requirements are met. Qualification depends on what cards are dealt to the player and the dealer. The higher the value of the cards, the more qualification points will be earned.
If enough points are unlocked, the bigger the potential multiplier and the bigger the wins could be.
Free Bet Blackjack
Free Bet Blackjack is a game you might come across in your favourite casino of choice. It sounds almost too good to be true and the name of the game can be a little misleading. Players will still need to put down a stake to play, but there are certain bets that are free. These are usually the double, when a player has a hand which is either worth a 9, 10 or 11 or splitting when a player has been dealt a pair.
When given the option of doubling or splitting, this can take some players out of their comfort zone as they will need to put down extra money and the stakes can become bigger than people initially want to play with. The free element of Free Bet Blackjack certainly makes making these decisions far easier to make.
Multi-hand Blackjack
Multi- hand Blackjack is a game that plenty of people find a lot of fun. Given the option of two hands to play with and not just one, those that like to play Multi hand do so as they have more chance to win.
It’s important to remember that those playing multi hand will need to be mindful of how much they are staking as it’s a lot more expensive than just a standard game.
By having the option of multiple hands, players can adapt their strategies. In some instances they can take a chance and potentially stand if they know they have a really good hand. Alternatively these players can be aggressive and feel they can take a chance if they have more than one chance of winning.
Because these distinctions can alter both gameplay and strategies, it is important for players to review the rules of the Blackjack version they want to play before they dive in.