If you are new to online blackjack, you need to know the various blackjack variations available so you can select one that suits your style of play. The blackjack rules differ slightly from one variation to another.
European Blackjack
House edge: 0.39%
- •2 decks
- •Dealer stands on soft 17
- •Double on 9, 10, and 11 only
- •Players cannot re-split
- •No surrender or insurance
Atlantic City Blackjack
House edge: 0.49%
- •8 decks
- •Dealer stands on soft 17
- •Double on any first two cards
- •Players can split once and double after split
- •No surrender or insurance
Multi-Hand Blackjack
House edge: 0.63% (highest of all variations)
- •5 decks
- •Dealer stands on soft 17
- •Double on 9, 10, and 11
- •No split after doubling
- •No surrender or insurance
- •Offers 5 bet options simultaneously
Vegas Strip Blackjack
House edge: 0.34%
- •4 decks
- •Dealer stands on soft 17
- •Double on any first two cards
- •Players can split up to 3 hands and double after split
- •No surrender or insurance
Vegas Downtown Blackjack
- •Same rules as Vegas Strip, but uses only 2 decks
- •Slightly better odds for card counters due to fewer decks
Single Deck Blackjack
- •1 deck — very difficult to find in online casinos
- •Gives an added advantage to card counters
- •Casinos avoid offering this variation for exactly that reason
Choosing the Right Variation
For card counters, single-deck or 2-deck games offer the best opportunity. The fewer decks in play, the more impactful your running count is, and the easier it is to track card composition.