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Complete Guide to Blackjack: Variants and Differences

Complete Guide to Blackjack: Variants and Differences

Blackjack is one of the world's most popular casino card games. Its blend of skill and luck has earned the game such popularity among players because it presents them with the thrill of possibly being able to make good decisions and beat the dealer. What follows is a guide through the different blackjack games, their unique features, and why each has its own niche in the casino games world. If you’re curious about special formats such as double exposure blackjack rules, you’ll also find them covered here.

What Is Blackjack?

Blackjack or 21 is a game of cards wherein a player competes with a banker. The goal is to have a hand value higher than the banker's value but not more than 21. The game can be played with a single or multiple standard packs of 52 cards. The face value is the value of number cards, face cards (J, Q, K) are considered 10, and an ace is valued at either 1 or 11.

Main Variants of Blackjack


1. Classic Blackjack

Most widely played variant. Goal is simple: win at dealer's hand without exceeding 21. Standard number of decks is one through eight.

Principal features:

  • Dealer stands on 17.
  • Doubling down may be done on any two cards.
  • Splitting pairs may be done.

2. European Blackjack

Similar to regular game, but with different rules. Two decks standard.

Principal features:

  • Dealer stands on 17.
  • Dealer draws second card only after remaining players have finished their turn.
  • Doubling down is allowed on hands 9, 10, or 11 only.

3. Atlantic City Blackjack

Very common in Atlantic City casinos, this variant is played with eight decks and features more player-favorable rules.

Points of interest:

  • Dealer stands on a soft 17.
  • Players can split up to three times, resulting in four hands.
  • Late surrender is allowed.

4. Spanish 21

Spanish 21 also offers more opportunities to win at special rules and special payouts. Spanishes 21 are shuffled with six or eight decks, but the 10s are removed, resulting in 48 cards per deck.

Main features:

  • A 21 always wins, including for the dealer.
  • Doubling down after splitting is allowed.
  • Late surrender is allowed.

5. Double Exposure Blackjack

In Double Exposure Blackjack, both cards of the dealer are face-up, giving the players a better chance to make their decisions. 

Main features

  • Dealer wins even money bets other than natural blackjack.
  • Players double down and split normally.
  • Blackjack is even money paid out.

Step-by-Step Blackjack Instructions


  • Bet – Place chips on the betting area to start.
  • Get dealt cards – You are dealt two cards and the dealer is dealt two cards. One of the dealer's cards is face up in most versions.
  • Select your action – Whether to hit, stand, double down, split, or fold (if allowed).
  • Dealer's turn – The dealer exposes his upcard and will keep on drawing cards until he has 17 or more.
  • Compare hands – If you have a hand closer to 21 than the dealer without going over, you win.

Blackjack Strategies


Basic Strategy

This entails monitoring statistically true decisions for each hand feasible in comparison with the dealer's face-up card. It lessens the house advantage and enhances your chances of winning over the long term.

Card Counting

Card counting is a technique that monitors the ratio of high cards to low cards left in the deck. By monitoring this, players are able to resize their bets and play when it is in their favor.

Note: Card counting is not against the law, but casinos may and typically do exclude suspected card counters.

Final Thoughts

Blackjack is full of exciting forms, each with its own distinct rules and approach. From the simplicity of Classic Blackjack to the distinctiveness of Spanish 21, understanding the forms and becoming skilled in fundamental strategies can heighten your enjoyment and wealth at the tables.