Basic Strategy Card for Blackjack Switch

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Blackjack Switch Quick Tips

	a player is dealt 2 separate hands with 2 identical bets - the player is allowed to switch the second cards around. For example, if a player is dealt A, 8 in the first hand and a 9, 10 in the second hand, the player can switch the 10 in the second hand with the 8 in the first hand to make 21 (blackjack) and 17
	the dealer will push a player's hands on a dealer's total of 22 - however, blackjacks still win
	the dealer hits on a soft 17
	blackjacks pay even money since there are more chances to make a blackjack hand by switching
	played with 6 decks
	deck is shuffled after each round of play
	a player cannot split a split hand
	a player can double down after a split
	the following rule does not apply - when a player doubles and the dealer's first card is of value 10 and the dealer gets a blackjack, the player loses their initial bet only
	insurance is not recommended
	only increase your bets when you are winning

Blackjack Dictionary

blackjack - the first two cards being dealt to a player are a ten value card and an ace
bust - when the dealer or player draws cards to a total of more than 21
face card - King, Queen and Jack
hard hand - a hand that does not have an ace or a hand that cannot use the ace as eleven
hit or draw - to draw additional cards
hole card - the face down card dealt to the dealer
insurance - side wager for up to half of the original wager when the dealer is showing an ace
natural - a ten value card and an ace
push - when the dealer and player have identical card values. No winner or loser.
press - to increase the amount being wagered after a win usually by the original amount
soft hand - a hand that can use the ace as one or eleven
split - to make two hands from a pair
stand - to not draw any more cards
stiff hand - a hand between twelve through sixteen
surrender - an option where the player may give up half of their wager

Blackjack History

Blackjack first originated in France as vingt un or 21 in the 1700's. The reason it is called blackjack was if a player was dealt an Ace of Spades and a Jack of Spades, they were rewarded with extra money. Blackjack was first played in the United States in the early 1900's in Indiana. Because blackjack was new and not too popular, the gambling parlors offered to pay 3 to 2 for a count of 21 in the first two cards. In a modern deck of 52 cards, those cards with a value of 10 (10, Jack, Queen and King) represent 30.8% of a deck.

Blackjack Switch Rules

In Blackjack Switch is similar to blackjack except the player is dealt two separate hands and with two identical bets. The dealer is dealt one hand. Before the player hits, they are allowed to switch the second cards around (see example above).

With Blackjack Switch, keep in mind that the dealer hits on a soft 17, blackjack pays 1:1 (instead of 3:2 since there are more chances to make a blackjack hand), double downs and splits are allowed and the dealer will push a player's hands on a dealer's total of 22 - however, blackjacks still win.

There are two kinds of bet areas - normal Blackjack Switch and "Super Match" bet. Normal bet area is any of the two larger areas, "Super Match" bet area is the small area. Remember when clicking on the normal bet area, you actually place two identical bets - one for each of your hands. In the "Super Match", a player can place a bet higher or lower than the original Blackjack Switch bet. The object of the "Super Match" bet is to be dealt a pair or better from the initial 4 cards dealt out. "Super Match" bets are settled before any further play.

Hit

If you are not pleased with the total of your first two cards, you can draw additional card(s) until you stand or bust. Some casinos refer to hitting as draw.

Stand

If you are pleased with your first two cards, you would then stand and not draw anymore cards.

Double Down

Your bet is doubled and you draw only one more card. If you have been dealt two cards and think that a third card may give you a chance to beat the dealer's hand, you can double down.

Split

If your first two cards are of the same value, you can split them into two separate hands by placing a second bet of equal value and drawing cards as usual. Note that at many online casinos, if you split two aces, you get only one additional card for each hand. When you split two aces and one of your hands totals 21, this is not blackjack, it's 21. Note that at some online casinos, you cannot split a split hand.

Insurance

Insurance is not recommended and is considered a separate game/bet of its own. When you think that the dealer has blackjack, it gives you a chance to guard your bet. If the dealer's first card is an ace and if you think that the dealer's hole card is of value 10, you can buy insurance against dealer blackjack. The insurance bet would be at the price of half your original bet. If the dealer has blackjack, the insurance pays 2:1, matching the amount of your original bet. If you have purchased insurance and the dealer doesn't have blackjack, you'll lose your insurance bet. If you and the dealer both have blackjack, the game ends in a push.

Related Resources

History Part 1
History Part 2
How to Play
Card Counting
Glossary/Terminology

Blackjack Basic Strategy Charts

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