Blackjack switch is a blackjack variant patented by inventor Geoff Hall in 2009. The variant allows the player a classic cheating maneuver, in which the player switches cards between two hands. The player makes two equal bets and can switch the top two cards between the hands. Due to this, the blackjack variant pays equal money and a dealer 22 pushes all non-busted hands except natural. The variant is also known as Blackjack Exchange in Austrian casinos. So, there are several variants of this game, you can play them here.

The Basics of Blackjack Switch The primary characteristic of Blackjack Switch is that two hands instead of one are dealt to every playing position. Once the player receives their two hands they then have the option of exchanging the top card of each hand for the other. This is where the game gets its name. Blackjack switch is a blackjack variant which allows the player to do what is normally considered a classic cheating manoeuver, trading cards between two hands. The player must make two bets of equal size and is allowed to switch the second card dealt to each hand. Of course, nothing good comes without a trade-off. Blackjack Switch is the one of the exciting variations of Blackjack and also one of the most popular games you can play in casino. Basically, this game is quite similar to the traditional version. The table and the rules are the same with some minor changes and differences.

History

The inventor of this blackjack variant, Geoff Hall was a card counter who was fed up of being dealt 2 weak hands all the time. He felt that the game could be improved significantly if the top 2 cards were allowed to be switched. Hall developed this idea and showcased it at a 2000 G2E Las Vegas conference. In February 2001, Blackjack Switch was installed in a casino in Iowa. Hall then modified the game to include the 'Push on 22' rule. After the inclusion of this rule, Blackjack Switch was installed in Four Queens at the end of 2003 and has since become popular around the world. Blackjack switch can also be found on online casinos.

What Is Blackjack Switch

Blackjack Switch Rules

All the rules for blackjack switch are the same as in blackjack unless noted. The table uses 6-8 card decks, with the dealer standing at a soft 17. After placing two equal-sized bets, the cards are dealt face up, with the dealer peeking for a blackjack with a ten up or ace. If he hits a blackjack when dealing, all player hands lose.

The switch allows the player to exchange cards before each hand. If he switches to blackjack, he gets a score of 21. The player can double on two cards and after a split. He can re-split up to 4 hands with the blackjack paying even money.

Strategy

There are both basic and advanced strategies for blackjack switch. They cover the switch and the decision on either standing, switching the card, drawing a further card or doubling. The switching strategy is hard to summarize. Sometimes, the switch is obvious due to the largest difference in advantage, but sometimes, you can break-up a natural by switching.

Compared to traditional blackjack, there are fewer occasions where a split or double is rewarding in blackjack switch – instead, there are more instances where it's correct to hit risk or go bust.

There are also advanced blackjack switch strategies such as the Cindy Liu Advanced Switching Strategy, which is legal under Las Vegas rules. There's also a blackjack switch calculator online under Playtech rules with an infinite deck assumption.

Blackjack switch allows a side bet as well (also known as Super Match). This type of bet rewards three-of-a-kind, four-of-a-kind, pairs and two-pairs in the 4 starting cards of the player's first two hands. Depending on the deck, the rewards are different. For a 6-deck table, the side bet pays 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. This bet, however, stops the player from making a meaningful switch as it raises the house edge.

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Gamblers who’ve ever thought it would be nice to swap their cards around from one hand to the next should play “blackjack switch”. In this game, the player is dealt two blackjack hands. After the deal, the gambler is allowed to switch the upcard between these two hands, increasing the strength of one or both hand combinations. This is a tremendous advantage to a blackjack player.

As you might imagine, other rules are stipulated to mitigate that advantage. The house edge on this game can be as low as 0.20% (using the “Russian” rules), so it’s a solid version of twenty-one players should know about. As always when playing 21, know how the various rules affect the house edge or you could end up playing at an inferior table.

Basic Rules

This Stack of Chips Was Won by a Blackjack Switch Player

Unless otherwise noted, all rules of switch are based on the classic blackjack rules. In most casinos, either 6 or 8 decks are used. Switching from six to eight decks increases the house edge by 0.02%. In most land-based gaming venues, the dealer hits on a soft 17, but you will occasionally hear of the dealer standing on a soft 17. Players’ cards are dealt face up, while the dealer peaks for a blackjack if a ten or ace is showing. When the dealer holds a natural blackjack, all player hands lose automatically. If a player has a natural blackjack, then that hand is a push.

The player can double on any two cards. The player also may double after a split. Resplits can be performed up to four hands.

Dealer 22

To offset the advantageous rules of the game, any time a dealer holds a 22, this is a push if the player holds a 21 or less. If the player holds a natural twenty-one, then a dealer twenty-two still loses.

1:1 Payouts on Natural 21

Another rule in the favor of the house is the 1 to 1 payout on a natural twenty-one. In the classic version of the game, this is seen as the worst rule you could play under. In this variant, the rule only offsets advantages, so it’s acceptable. Still, when considering strategy, understand that blackjacks pay much less.

Switching Rules

When the player switches cards to a combined twenty-one, this is considered a “21”, but not a natural. In this scenario, a dealer 21 would beat this hand.

Switch Tip

One other deviation from the classic game rules is that players make two equal wagers in blackjack switch. This brings me to an important suggestion. Players must remember they must bet equally on both hands. If they neglect one hand to make the other unbeatable, they are still only breaking even. When switching cards, the player must try to build two strong hands.

Strategy Tips

What Is Blackjack Switch Lite

Because of the dealer-22 rule, some hands you would stand on in convention twenty-one require you to hit. In other words, you have to be more aggressive, because the dealer isn’t going to bust as often. Anytime the dealer is showing a 7 or higher, that’s considered a strong hand and you’ll need to play accordingly. If a 3 through 6 is showing, the dealer’s hand looks weak. If the dealer is showing a 2, this isn’t as weak as you’d expect, because 22 isn’t a bust.

When you hold an 18 through 20 and your total beats the dealer’s upcard total (assuming the other card is a 10), then you should place strong bets. For instance, if you hold a 19 and the dealer is showing 8, this is considered advantageous for you.

When to Stand

Stand anytime you have a hard 17 or higher. When you have a hard 12 through 16, hit when the dealer has a 7 through ace. Hit a hard 13 or 14 versus a 2. Hit a hard 12 versus a two, three, or four. Stand any other time you have a hard hand against a 2 through 5.

Stand on a soft 19 or 20. Always stand on a soft 18 when against a 2 through 8, but hit on a soft 18 versus a nine through ace. When you have a soft 17 or below, always hit before doubling. Double down when you have a 10 or an 11 against a 2 through 6. Double down on a 9 when against a dealer-6. If you have an ace-6 or ace-7, double down against a 5 or a 6. When you hold an ace-5, double against a dealer-6 only.

Switching to a Stronger Winner

When switching, it’s sometimes good to switch to a stronger winning hand. For instance, let’s say you hold an 18 and a 14, but you have a chance to switch to a 19 and 13. This second combination is considered better. Nineteen is a much stronger hand than eighteen. At the same time, 13 and 14 are virtually identical hands, because in either case, you’re probably hoping for the dealer to bust out.

House Edge

Blackjack switch is a game any jaded classic twenty-one players should try. Not only do the switching rules add a whole other dimension to the game, but the house edge is lower than classic 21, if the rules are the same. You’ll find it a challenge to learn a whole other set of dealer rules. Players will come to hate the dealer twenty-two rule, because it’s going to break your heart several times a session. Players at land-based casinos and online casinos should be able to find the game. Microgaming, Playtech, and most other major online casino software companies have their own version of the game.