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Although it may now be a staple in almost every casino around the world, not all blackjack games have been created and operate equally. From different establishments around the world to tables in an online setting, the rules of blackjack can dramatically alter how the game itself plays out and how gamers can apply strategy. Even small variations like how many decks are being used and whether or not the dealer peeks at their hole card can shift the house edge, affect your betting decisions, and, in turn, make you rethink basic strategy. That is why we have broken down the key rule variants in blackjack that may impact your optimal approach to the game.

 

Hole Card Rules

 

One of the most fundamental rule differences in blackjack involves the dealers’ hole card. In American-style blackjack specifically, the dealer receives two cards right away, with one being face up and the other one being face down. The latter is referred to as the hole card, and if the face-up card is an Ace or a ten-value card, the dealer will peek at the hole card to check for blackjack before the play continues.

 

This is important because, if the dealer has blackjack, the players will lose their hands immediately. This means that players are not able to lose any further bets by splitting or doubling down first. However, in European blackjack, the dealer doesn’t take their second card until after all players have made their decisions and completed their hands. This means that if the dealer eventually turns up a natural blackjack, any extra bets could be lost.

 

Deck Numbers 

 

Another way in which blackjack can differ a lot is the number of decks used. This classic table game can be played with anywhere from one to eight decks, with most land-based and live casinos using six or eight typically. However, although this may not seem like much, the number of decks can subtly affect the odds. Fewer decks mean that there is a higher chance of getting a natural blackjack, with there being less dilution of the high cards.

 

Doubling Rules 

 

Within the game of blackjack, doubling down is one of the most powerful decisions a player can make. However, not all games allow the same freedom when it comes to exercising this player’s decision. There are a number of variants from one form of blackjack to another, with some common ones including the following:

 

• Double down on any two cards.
• Double down only on a 9, 10, or 11
• Double down after split, or no doubling down after a hand has been split.

 

The more restricted a player is with their double-down options, the less they can press their advantage. In addition to this, certain rules in blackjack limit users from doubling down after splitting their hand, with this often being a key move in many optimal strategies. As a result of this, if doubling down is restricted to certain hand totals, you may need to play more rationally in order to adapt basic strategy in turn.

 

Splitting Limits

 

Splitting pairs in blackjack gives players another chance to build a strong hand, with this being possible should the two initial cards a player is dealt display cards of the same value. Once again, though, different variants of this table game can restrict how often you can split or what can be split in the first place. Some games allow unlimited splits and resplitting of aces, whereas others only allow a single split or only add a final card to any split aces, stopping any further play for said hands.

 

This rule change is especially important when factoring in the value of aces in the game of blackjack itself. Being able to split and resplit aces gives users more chances to potentially make 21s, subsequently reducing the house edge in the process. It is for this exact reason that certain regions and variants of blackjack implement splitting rules, though. Therefore, it is always important to be aware of these when sitting at a table, either physically or digitally.

 

Surrender Options

 

Another of the player-oriented rules in blackjack is ‘surrender’, which allows any hands to be forfeited for 50% of the initial bet. This is not offered in all forms of blackjack; however, when it is, there are still two different types. Players can either surrender early before the dealer checks for a blackjack or surrender late after the dealer does so.  The latter of these tends to be the more common rule implemented, with this being a valuable move if facing a dealer 10 or ace with a weak hand. If the odds are clearly against you, the surrender option could come in useful, but this is the main reason certain blackjack versions choose to exclude this player choice.

 

Gamble Responsibly. If you or someone you know has a problem with gambling help is available at 1-800-GAMBLER.