Home
Articles
Deciphering Online Blackjack Switch

Deciphering Online Blackjack Switch

Added: May 10, 2017

Blackjack Switch is a blackjack variant that you will find only at Playtech powered online casinos like Omni Casino and Mansion Casino. In Blackjack Switch you play with two hands, each having wagers of equal amounts. After you are dealt the initial two cards, you have the option of switching the second card dealt to each of the hands. Then each hand is played independently as in multi-hand online blackjack games.

The switch allows players to strengthen one or both hands so as to give them an advantage versus the dealer. There is a price to be paid. Some of the online blackjack rules are modified in order to level the playing field. Blackjack pays even money and not 3 to 2 as in the normal blackjack variants. Also the dealer pushes on 22 whereas the player busts on 22.

In some cases the decision to switch or not to switch is apparent. However, these hands will be few and far between. Expert blackjack players at Playtech online casinos use special Blackjack Switch tables. These tables give expectation values for player’s two card hand values versus the dealer’s face up card. The expectation values range from +1 to -1. An expectation value close to +1 indicates that this combination is very likely to win. An expectation value close to -1 indicates that combination has a high probability of losing. You first add the expectation values of your two hands as dealt. Then you assume that the switch will be made and add the expectation values of the changed hands. If the total of expectations after the assumed switch is greater, then and only then must you make a switch.

You also have to play your two hands using optimum blackjack strategy. Because the rules are different, a separate strategy card has been devised for Playtech Blackjack Switch. If Blackjack Switch is played using optimum strategy both for the switch move and the main game then the average return to the player is 99.4%.

Playtech Blackjack Switch also offers an optional side bet called Super Match. This bet is decided based on the first four cards dealt to the player. The payouts are as follows. A pair pays out even money, three of a kind pays out 3 to 1, two pairs pays out 8 to 1and four of a kind pays out 40 to 1. The Super Match side bet offers a return of 97.5%, which is better than the returns usually offered on blackjack side bets.