Blackjack: A Player’s Guide to the Many Online Variants

A few years back, Forbes ran an article that bemoaned the state of blackjack in Las Vegas casinos. The article was broad in scope, but it zeroed in on some rule changes that tend to favor the house, including changing the payout for ‘blackjack’ from 3:2 to 6:5 at some casinos. Last year, ABC News followed up with a similar article, talking with disgruntled expert players who have claimed casinos have turned the odds in their favor. It’s a big deal for professional players, and the anger is arguably approaching backlash status. 

Of course, that issue does not persist online. There is intense competition among online casino providers, and they also have the advantage of lower overheads for running blackjack tables, both in virtual form and live dealer. There are advantages and disadvantages to playing offline versus online, which we won’t get into here, but we will say that the massive choice of blackjack games online can feel a bit overwhelming for inexperienced players. 

Technically, you can have an unlimited number of games at an online casino, and blackjack is close to the top in terms of popularity. You’ll find dozens of variants, including many new-concept games that are growing rapidly in popularity. Yet, while there are numerous choices, we can categorize many of the games, and it no longer feels daunting when you see the different tweaks and variants that have been made to the world’s most popular casino game. Here’s a handy guide:

Classic Variants of Blackjack

These games need little introduction. You’ll see plenty of classic blackjack games at online casinos. In most cases, the information you need will be in the title of the game – single-deck blackjack, multi-hand blackjack, Spanish 21, blackjack surrender, and so on. These games remain the best for pro players. For example, blackjack surrender is a strategy-heavy game that is best left to players who know what they are doing. 

Jackpot Blackjack

Blackjack is well-known as a grinding game, one where your goal is to win over the course of a session rather than a single hand. Yet, online casino providers have started adding additional prize pots to the game, including progressive jackpots. In some cases, the progressive jackpots can reach millions of dollars. There are different rules for these games. Sometimes the jackpot requires a side bet, whereas other times it is incorporated into the game’s software and awarded randomly. 

Branded/Themed Blackjack

This is a relatively new innovation, and it varies from casino to casino. Essentially, branded blackjack could be themed on a particular intellectual property, the casino itself, or a general theme like football or basketball. A good example is WWE Blackjack, which is themed on the pro wrestling powerhouse, allowing players to play blackjack in an officially-branded WWE ring. Sometimes, the blackjack games will be only aesthetically different from classic blackjack, whereas others may incorporate special features and bets. 

Game Show Blackjack

Game show is a new term in the online casino sector that describes a new genre of live casino games that are more reminiscent of television game shows. The dealer acts more like a game show host, and there is a more raucous atmosphere in the studio. The games are bigger on the social side of things, and we should also add that there are bigger prizes on offer. Games like Quantum Blackjack Plus Live are good examples of this. 

Virtual Versus Live Dealer Blackjack

Finally, we should say there are two main variants of blackjack at online casinos – virtual and live dealer. The titles are self-explanatory, with virtual games being software-based and having outcomes based on RNGs. Live dealer games are ‘real’ with real dealers, cards, equipment, etc. Players’ choices can be based on a variety of reasons. Live dealer games are more social, for example. But generally speaking, you can play both low-stake and high-stake styles and apply the same strategies to your game.