The Blackjack switch strategy is an interesting one, gamblers who’ve wished it would be nice to be able to swap their cards from one hand to the next should play “blackjack switch”.
Blackjack Switch casino gambling game was invented by Geoff Hall and was patented in 2009. the game is based on Blackjack, however, it differs in that two hands are dealt instead of one, one the hands have been dealt the player has the option to initially exchange ("switch") the top two (upcard cards) between the hands, thus it can increase the strength of one or both of the hands. This can be a tremendous advantage for the player to be able to beat the dealer.
Some of the casino have other rules that could mitigate that advantage. some casinos have the house edge on the game as low as 0.20% (using the “Russian” rules). It is always wise to know how the various rules affect the house edge.
The Basic Rules
Unless otherwise noted, all the rules of switch are based on the classic blackjack rules. Most casinos use either 6 or 8 decks. When casinos switch from six to eight decks this can increase the house edge by 0.02%. Most of the land-based gaming venues, the dealer hits on a soft 17, but an e eption to this occasionally the dealer will stand on a soft 17.
In Blackjack Switch game players’ cards are dealt face up, the dealer on the other hand can peak for a blackjack should there be a ten or an ace showing.
If the dealer holds a natural blackjack, then all the player’s hands lose automatically. Should a player have a natural blackjack, then that hand is considered a push.
Players can double on any two cardsand they can also double after a split. Re-splits can be performed for up to four hands.
Dealer 22
To offset the advantage of the rules of the game, at any time that a dealer holds a 22, this is a considered a push should the player hold a 21 or less. If a player holds a natural twenty-one, then the dealer’s twenty-two still loses.
The 1:1 Payouts on Natural 21
Another rule that favors the house is the 1 to 1 payout on a natural twenty-one. On the classic version of the game, this is considered to be the worst rule a player can play under. This variant, the rule will only offset advantages, therefore it’s acceptable. However, when considering strategy, a player must understand that blackjacks pay much less.
Switching Rules
If a player switched the cards and gets a combined twenty-one, this will be considered a “21”, but its not a natural 21. with this scenario, the dealer’s 21 would beat this hand.
Switch Tip
Anther deviation from the classic games rules is if a player makes two equal wagers in the blackjack switch. An important consideration or suggestion is a players should remember that they must place an equal bet on both hands. If a player bets only one hand making the other unbeatable, they will still only break even. The purpose of switching cards is to try to build two strong hands.
Strategy Tips
Because of the dealer-22 rule, some hands that you would normally stand on on an conventional twenty-one require you to take a hit. A player needs to be more aggressive, as the dealer isn’t going to bust as often.
If at any time the dealer is shows a 7 or higher, that would be considered a strong hand which means the player needs to play accordingly. If the dealers hand shows 3 through 6, then the dealer’s hand looks weak. If the dealer shows a 2, this is not as weak as you’d expect, because 22 isn’t a bust.
If a player holds an 18 through to a 20 and the total beats the dealer’s upcard total (that’s assuming the other card is a 10), then the player should place a strong bet. For instance, if the player hold a 19 and the dealer is shows an 8, this would be considered advantageous for the player.
When Should a Player Stand
A good rule of thumb is to stand anytime a hard is 17 or higher. A hand with a hard 12 through to 16, then hit when the dealer’s hand has a 7 through to the ace. If th eplayers hand is a hard 13 or 14 versus a dealer’s 2 then hit. Same with a hard 12 versus a two, three, or four. Players can stand at any other time they have a hard hand against a 2 through to a 5.
If the players hand is a soft 19 or 20, then stand. Players should always stand on a soft 18 when its against a 2 through to a 8, however they should hit a soft 18 versus a nine through to the Ace. If a player has a soft 17 or below, then they should always hit before doubling.
Double down when the player’s hand is a 10 or 11 against a 2 through to a 6. Double down on a 9 when the dealers hand is dealer-6. A ace-6 or ace-7 should be double down against a 5 or a 6. if the player’s hand is an ace-5, then double against a dealer-6 only.
When to Switch for a Stronger Winning Hand
When playing a switch its sometimes good to switch to a stronger winning hand. If a hand has 18 and a 14, with a chance to switch to a 19 and 13. Then this second combination is considered a better option. A nineteen is a stronger hand than an eighteen. However, 13 and 14 are considered to be virtually identical hands, because in either case, there is hope that the dealer will go bust.
The House Edge
The switching rules in Blackjack Switch add a different dimension to the game, and the house edge is also lower than in a classic 21 game, if the rules are the same.
