Side Bets and Blackjack Variants

It turns out that blackjack, before the blackjack rule itself was implemented, wasn't exactly the most profitable game around. In fact, when in first landed in casinos in the United States, it was one of the more unpopular games, which pretty much lead to the creation of the blackjack win in the first place. This also led to the creation of popular blackjack variants in the form of side bets that a player could make. These blackjack variants and side bets worked very well, making blackjack one of the most played and famous games around the world.

Spanish Twenty One is a blackjack variant that requires six, seven or eight decks. Twenty one on a player means that player wins instantly, the way a blackjack would. Options of course, come out for the skilled and mathematically gifted player. Double splitting aces becomes a viable move and option. Bonuses are also offered in this poker variant, with a hand consisting of eight, seven and six returning an amount equal to standard blackjack, which is three to two. Perhaps the most prominent change in this blackjack variant is that all printed tens are taken out of deck, changing the card counting math and actually putting the odds back in favor of the dealer.

Bust out is an example of a side bet variant that can make a potentially boring game into an exciting one. If the dealer has a stiff hand after revealing their hole card when bust out is applied, a smart and daring player could attempt this side bet. If the dealer happens to draw that ten, that bet is actually paid two to one. For card counters, this is essentially money in the bank and as such, is sought out by many of them. This is probably why most casinos choose not to allow this side bet.

Another favorite side bet is twenty-one madness. This is one of the simpler side bets, as it only requires a player to put up a one dollar chip. In twenty-one madness, that one dollar could become one thousand dollars if the player gets a blackjack when the dealer does not. The amount that your one dollar chip could turn into is one that is actually determined randomly.

While the heart of blackjack could be considered weak, it is the fact that the system can accommodate a large number of house rules that increase entertainment and replay value.