One of the reasons why Blackjack Switch is such a popular game is that it’s a very easy game to play. If you’re familiar with Blackjack, you won’t have much to learn to get up to speed, and even if you’ve never played Blackjack before, it won’t take long to understand the rules.
Game Rules
Blackjack Switch is very similar to the traditional version of Blackjack. The game uses anywhere between 4 and 8 decks shuffled together, and players are dealt two hands consisting of two cards each. To win the hand, players must beat the dealer by getting their hand value as close to 21 as possible without going over. Numbered cards are worth their face value, Jacks, Queens, and Kings are all worth 10, and Aces are worth either 1 or 11.
During each hand, players have the option four actions:
- Hit - The player takes another card to increase their total.
- Stand - The player refuses to take another card, keeping their total the same.
- Double Down - The player doubles their bet for that hand and receives only one additional card.
- Split - If both cards are of the same value, the player can split the hand into two separate hands by doubling their bet. The two cards are moved apart and each receives an additional card to create a two-card Blackjack hand.
However, Blackjack Switch allows players to make another action at the start of the hand.
- Switch - Players may switch the second card between their two hands. For example, if a player is dealt AA and JJ, they may switch their second ace and jack between their hands to create AJ and JA. This can only be done at the very start of the hand before a player has made their first action.
An important caveat to this rule is that cards cannot be switched between two “split” hands, it can only be done between the first two hands you are dealt.
There are also several unique rules to account for the advantage the player receives by having the ability to switch cards between hands. These rules include:
- Two Bets - Players must make two bets of equal size covering two betting boxes. If a player cannot cover both bets, they will not be dealt into the hand.
- Push On 22 - If the dealer makes 22, all non-busted hands are considered a push, except a natural blackjack.
- Blackjack Pays 1:1 - Rather than a 3:2 pay out, a natural blackjack only pays out at even money in Blackjack Switch.
Playing Guide
Now that you’re familiar with the rules of the game, let’s take a look at how to play your first hand. Simply follow the instructions below to start playing Blackjack Switch.
- Click on the Blackjack Switch game icon at your online casino.
- Select how much you’d like to bet on each hand.
- Click the “Bet and Deal” button to be dealt your two hands.
- Decide your action for your first hand - remember, this is the only time when you have the opportunity to switch cards between your hands.
- Make your actions for your second hand.
Once you have made your final action on your second hand, the dealer will play their hand. If your hand wins, you’ll receive a payout, but if you lose, your bet will be taken by the casino.
Payouts
Part of what makes Blackjack Switch easy to learn is the simplicity of its payouts. Each winning hand is paid out at even money, meaning that if you bet $10 on a winning hand, you’ll receive $10 in profit.
One aspect of Blackjack Switch that is worse than traditional Blackjack is the payout for a natural blackjack (being dealt an Ace and a ten-valued card from your first two cards). In traditional Blackjack, a natural blackjack is paid out at 3:2, but in Blackjack Switch, it’s paid out at 1:1.
The reason for the change is that natural blackjack online is much easier to make in Blackjack Switch due to the ability to change cards between hands.
