Search
inner page top left

Blackjack Switch Strategy & Tips

Blackjack Switch
The game of Blackjack has been around in casinos since the early 1700s. Back then, when it first appeared in France, there was just 1 basic version – nowadays there are plenty more.

This article covers Blackjack Switch – whereas most of the rules are the same as standard Blackjack. There are some notable differences, the main ones being that you need to pay for 2 hands of an equal amount and you can ‘Switch’ the 2nd card of each hand if you wish in order to get a better chance of winning.

Due to this obvious advantage for the player, the casino is always going to adjust something in favour of the house to counteract this. In this version of Blackjack, if the Dealer gets 22, any remaining hands that don’t have Blackjack are ‘pushed’ and the bets returned. A player Blackjack pays at even money.

Blackjack Switch Rules

As mentioned above, most the rules are the same as a standard game of Blackjack, we assume you know the basics if not these can be found in a separate article.

• All rules are the same as standard Blackjack unless mentioned below
 
• The game uses either 6 or 8 decks of cards depending on the casino
 
• The Dealer ‘hits’ on soft 17 (a 17 containing an Ace and therefore being worth either 17 or 7)
 
• The Player needs to place 2 bets of equal size, either both, 1 or none of these bets can be winners
 
• Player cards will be dealt face up
 
• Dealer ‘peeks’ for Blackjack if they have an Ace or a 10 as their upturned card (after Players have a choice of Insurance if the upturned card is an Ace). If they have Blackjack, all hands that didn’t take Insurance will lose except Player Blackjack which will ‘push’. Insurance pays 2 to 1.
 
• The Player can choose to ‘Switch’ the 2nd cards of their hands around to make 2 new hands. For example, if they are dealt 10, 6 and 5, 10 the 2nd cards – in this case, 6 and 10 – can be swapped giving them 10, 10 and 5, 6 instead, a much better position to be in
 
• If the Player ‘Switches’ to form Blackjack, this counts as 21 as opposed to Blackjack
 
• The player may ‘Double’ on any 2 cards, including after ‘Switching’
 
• The player may ‘Double’ after a ‘Split’
 
• Player may ‘Resplit’ up to 4 times
 
• A Player Blackjack pays even money

Blackjack Switch table

Above is an example of the layout for a Blackjack Switch game. You will see that it looks a lot like a standard Blackjack game except that the Player has to have 2 hands with the same initial bet.

Blackjack Switch Rules
RTP:99.42%
Blackjack Pays:1 to 1
Number of Decks:6 or 8
Dealer Rule:Hit on soft 17
Dealer Peek:Yes
Insurance:Yes
Surrender:No
Split:Yes
Re-Split:Yes
Double:Yes
Double after Split:Yes
Hit Split Aces:Just Once
Side Game:Yes
Multiple Hands:No – must have 2 hands of equal bet

 

Switching Strategy

One of the hardest aspects of the Blackjack Switch is when to Switch and when to leave the hands as they are.

By following the chart below, you won’t go far wrong.

If the Dealer has a 7 or 8 upturned, try and balance the hands by making the weakest hand as strong as possible, using the table below if you can.

If the Dealer has any other upturned card, make the strongest possible hand from the table below to give yourself the best possible chance of winning at least 1 hand.

1. 21
2. 20
3. 19
4. AA
5. 11
6. 10
7. 9
8. 18 or 8
9. 88 if the Dealer has between a 2 and an 8

If you cannot make any of the above hands either by leaving the hands as they are or ‘Switching’, make the strongest possible hand out of the following:

1. 7 or 17
2. Any hand that should be Split according to the chart below
3. Any 12
4. Any 13

Hitting or Standing strategy

As the Dealer ‘Pushes’ any remaining hands if they get 22, the strategy for Blackjack Switch is considerably different to a standard version.

The table below shows the action you should take in each instance after a Switch has or hasn’t been made.

Hard Hands – No Ace

Dealers Upturned Card
Your hand2345678910A
5 to 8HHHHHHHHHH
9HHHHDHHHHH
10DDDDDDDHHH
11DDDDDDDDHH
12HHHSSHHHHH
13HSSSSHHHHH
14SSSSSHHHHH
15SSSSSHHHHH
16SSSSSHHHHH
17-21SSSSSSSSSS

H = Hit D = Double S = Stand

Soft Hands – With an Ace

Dealers Upturned Card
Your hand2345678910A
A, 2HHHHHHHHHH
A, 3HHHHHHHHHH
A, 4HHHHHHHHHH
A, 5HHHHDHHHHH
A, 6HHHDDHHHHH
A, 7SSSDDSSHHH
A, 8SSSSSSSSSS
A, 9SSSSSSSSSS
A, 10SSSSSSSSSS

H = Hit D = Double S = Stand

Pairs

Dealers Card
Your hand2345678910A
2,2HHHSPSPSPHHHH
3,3HHHSPSPSPHHHH
4,4HHHHHHHHHH
5,5DDDDDDDHHH
6,6HHSPSPSPHHHHH
7,7SSPSPSPSPSPHHHH
8,8SPSPSPSPSPSPSPSPHH
9,9SSSPSPSPSSPSPSS
10,10SSSSSSSSSS
A,ASPSPSPSPSPSPSPSPSPSP

H = Hit D = Double S = Stand SP = Split

Blackjack Switch Tips

Due to the Switching element of Blackjack Switch, we suggest you play for free first to get the hang of when to Switch and when to keep your hands. Even if you are a Blackjack expert, this version is considerably different and adds an element of strategy not found in any other version. All good internet casinos should allow you to play for free before parting with your own funds.

Remember that if the Dealer gets 22, all Player hands except for Blackjack ‘push’. Again, this is different from any other version and therefore takes some getting used to.

As with all casino games, ensure you play within your means and remember that in Blackjack Switch, you need to place 2 bets of an equal amount at the start of a game, this is before extra bets for Doubling and Splitting are taken into account. Therefore, factor this into your thinking when deciding how much to bet per hand – we would advise you to start a session with enough for around 40 games.

Blackjack References:

Blackjack Rules, Strategy & Tips
Card Counting in Blackjack
Play Real Blackjack Online

inner page bot left

About the author
Jennifer Lynn
With a steadfast 14-year journey at our side, Jennifer Lynn is a seasoned Online Casino Reviewer, Gambling Expert, and Daily News Writer. A journalism graduate from Arizona State University, her insightful prowess is enriched by her professional poker background. Her comprehensive mastery spans all casino games and strategies, a beacon for players and industry insiders alike. Beyond her expert role, Jennifer Lynn finds balance through equestrian pursuits and yoga, embodying a holistic approach to life and leisure.

FAQ

faq

What is Blackjack?

Blackjack is one of the most popular casino games in the world. In fact, if it weren’t for slots, blackjack might have been the most popular game in the world. The goal of the game, as some of you might already know, is to reach a score of 21, without exceeding it. The player is dealt two cards, one face-down and one face-up. At that point, players can either hit, stay or double. The player who hits 21 (or closest to it) wins.

faq

What are the different Blackjack variants?

Experienced gamblers will know that blackjack has quite a few variations. The most popular ones are the European variant, the American variant, the Vegas Strip variant, and the topic of today’s article, Blackjack Switch.

faq

What is Blackjack Switch?

So, what separates Blackjack Switch from the standard rules of the game? Most of the rules of the two are quite similar, and players of blackjack will have no problem adapting to Blackjack Switch. In Blackjack Switch, the player is dealt two hands separately. At that point, they have the option to switch the second cards dealt between the two hands. Hence, the name of the game.

faq

What is the Dealer-22-Push Rule in Blackjack Switch?

In Blackjack Switch, if the dealer gets a 22, the remaining players that do not have a Blackjack get pushed. All bets are returned to the player.

faq

How many decks is Blackjack Switch played with?

Much like regular blackjack, the typical game of Blackjack Switch is played with 6 decks. However, there are certain casinos that increase the amount to 8. Almost no casino will include more or less decks than 6 or 8.

faq

Can you play Blackjack Switch in a land-based casino?

Yes. However, be aware that not all casinos feature the game. If you are interested in trying out your hand at blackjack switch in brick and mortar establishments, then do some research as to whether any local casinos feature the game.

faq

Can you play Blackjack Switch in an online casino?

This is probably your best bet for playing Blackjack Switch. The reason is simple. While there may not be a brick and mortar facility near you that features the game, there is certainly a reputable and licensed casino somewhere that offers blackjack switch. So, if you really want to give the switch variant a try, then online casinos will probably be your best bet.

faq

Is Blackjack Switch riskier than Blackjack?

The answer to this question is debatable. Blackjack Switch tends to punish doubling or splitting. However, it offers much more opportunities to hit, even if there is a risk of going down. This is because the game has a rule in which the Dealer returns all the bets to players who have not gotten a blackjack.

faq

What is the house advantage in Blackjack Switch?

Assuming a traditional game of Blackjack Switch, in which the game is played with 6 decks, the house edge is usually going to be 0.58%. This number can vary depending on the strategies that the players take. An optimal strategy will lower the house edge further, whereas a poor strategy might improve the dealer’s edge.

faq

Can you place a side bet in Blackjack Switch?

In Blackjack Switch, side bets are usually allowed. These side bets are typically called Super Matches and reward pairs and same-of-a-kinds. A lot of experienced gamblers tend to take advantage of these side bets, hoping to make some extra cash on the side.

Full Screen +