Blackjack switch is a blackjack variant, which allows the player to do what is normally considered as 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 comes free, a dealer 22 results in a push and blackjacks pay even money. Currently the game is played at Playtech Internet casinos and various casinos in Las Vegas and Russia.

Las Vegas Rules

All rules are based on conventional blackjack unless otherwise noted.

• Eight decks are used.
• Dealer hits a soft 17.
• The player must make two bets of equal size.
• Cards will be dealt face up.
• Dealer will peek for blackjack with an ace or ten up. If the dealer has a blackjack all player hands will immediatley lose, except a player blackjack will push.
• The player may switch the 2nd card dealt to each hand. For example if one hand has 5,10 and the other has 10,6 the player may switch the 10 and 6 to have two hands of 11 and 20. The player may also switch cards to form a blackjack.
• Player may double on any 2 cards.
• Player may double after a split.
• Player may resplit up to four hands.
• Winning player blackjacks pay even money.
• A dealer total of 22 will push against any player total of 21 or less. A player blackjack will still beat a dealer 22.

Playtech Rules

The Playtech rules are the same as those in Las Vegas except as follows.

• Six decks are used.
• Dealer does not peek for blackjack.
• Player may only split once.

Key to basic strategy:

H = Hit
S = Stand
D = Double
Ds = Double if allowed, otherwise stand
P = Split

House edge is only 0.02%! For more information visit my section on Blackjack Switch.