Blackjack Switch, a variant on the popular casino game, was invented by card counter Geoff Hall in 2009. The idea came to Hall while he was playing two hands of traditional blackjack. Both hands were weak, but they could’ve been immediately improved if only the rules allowed for the top two cards of each hand to be switched. A light bulb went off in Hall’s head and Blackjack Switch was born.
Jul 23, 2015 Found a blackjack switch game dealt from a shoe (usually this game is dealt from CSM). I want to take a stab at it. Anyone have any success with this game? I have done some searching and found the following info: 1. Low theoretical house edge, but hard to obtain. Arnold Snyder's Big Book of Blackjack should get me close? No one has posted effect of removal as far as I can see, but there is. Blackjack switch is a blackjack variant which allows the player to do what is normally considered a classic cheating manoeuver, trading cards between two hands. The player must make two bets of equal size and is allowed to switch the second card dealt to each hand. Of course, nothing good comes.
Since it’s only been around for a few years, most gamers haven’t had a chance to play Blackjack Switch. This article is intended to increase awareness of the exciting variant, as well as explain how to play Blackjack Switch. For those who obsess about the house edge, I’ve also included a section on Blackjack Switch odds and probability.
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How to Play Blackjack Switch
Learning how to play Blackjack Switch is easy, as it still follows the basic theme of the game it was based on. This means players need to get closer to 21 than the dealer without going bust, and the optimum hand is an ace and a 10-value card (known as a “natural blackjack”).
The game is played with four, six, or eight decks of cards and the values are the same as in normal blackjack. This means that face cards are worth 10 points, the ace is worth either 1 or 11, and all other others are the same as the value printed on their card.
The gaming surface looks like a blackjack table, but there are two betting boxes in front of each player instead of one. When players make their initial wagers, the bets must be identical in each box.
Play begins with the dealer placing one face-up card in each of the player’s two boxes.
He then deals a card to himself before dealing another face-up card to each player’s remaining boxes. The second dealer card is placed face-down.
The dealer then asks each participant in turn if they wish to switch their top cards (the second card dealt in each hand). If they do, then the cards are switched and new hand totals are formed. After each player has made this decision, they may decide to hit, stand, or double on their individual hands (starting with the betting box on the player’s right). If a hand exceeds 21, it is considered “busted” and the dealer takes the wager associated with that hand.
At most casinos, the dealer will hit on a soft 17. This isn’t always the case, however, so be sure to consult the rules of each casino before sitting down to play.
If the dealer is showing an ace or 10-value card after the initial deal, they will peek at the face-down card in their hand to check for blackjack. If they have it, then all players lose.
The only exception is if a player also has a natural blackjack, which is considered a push.
When cards are switched to create a blackjack, it only counts as 21. A dealer total of 22 will push against any player total of 21 or less. The only exception is a natural player blackjack (which pays even money instead of the usual 3:2).
Players may double on any two cards, and they may also double following a split. Hands may be split up to a total of four.
A side bet known as “Super Match” is usually available in games of Blackjack Switch. In a six-deck game, bonus payouts occur when the following combinations come up during the initial deal: 40:1 for four-of-a-kind, 8:1 for two pairs, 5:1 for three-of-a-kind, and 1:1 for a pair.
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Blackjack Switch Odds and Probability
Blackjack Switch odds and probability are similar to other blackjack variants, but these can change from one casino to another depending on slight rule differences. The common Las Vegas rules call for six decks to be used, a switched blackjack to count as 21, and the dealer to hit on a soft 17. Under these rules, the house edge is calculated to be 0.58%. If eight decks are used, the house edge decreases to +0.02% (the rare occasion when the player has an advantage over the house). A switched blackjack counting as an automatic win is -0.40%, and a natural blackjack being an automatic winner lowers the house edge to -0.21%. A dealer required to stand on a soft 17 changes the expected payout to -0.30%. All of these odds assume that the individual is incorporating perfect blackjack strategy into their play.
Blackjack Switch Strategy Charts
If you’ve ever played multiple hands of blackjack and longed to be in an alternate universe where cards could be moved from one hand to the other, then Blackjack Switch is the game for you. Keep in mind that the casino does add in rules to keep the odds in their favor, but the overall freedom granted by the game’s unique feature is bound to get even the most jaded player excited again. And thanks to the growing presence of the Internet, you can also play Blackjack Switch online without having to shell out money for gas or a plane ticket.
There is a game of switch that possibly has a small player edge, see below:
Game: 6-decks, hit soft17, dealer will peek for blackjack and all bets will lose except a player blackjack will push (see link below for further info about the standard rules for this game).
Edit, the link doesn't work, so just search 'wizard of odds blackjack switch' to find the site.
For the game above I was wondering what the reduction in house edge is for the following rule variations:
1. Suited Blackjack pays 6/5
2. Switched Suited Blackjack pays 6/5
3. All Switched Player Blackjacks wins against a 'Push 22' and a 'dealer 21'
4.(a) When the right hand has a Blackjack you can't switch
4 (b) If you switch and turn the right hand into a Blackjack, then you can't switch again
4 (c) If the left hand is a regular blackjack, and the right hand is currently not a blackjack but can be turned into a Suited blackjack, then this is allowed, but the opposite is not (see '4 (a) and 4 (b)' above).
5. I would also like to know if these variations can be added together or if the 'total is more or less than the sum of the parts', that is why I put 'rule variation 3,' in even though the Wizard of Odds site says it is worth about 0.4% to the player.
If possible can you also tell me the chances of getting one (or more) of the hands below per game under the above rules:
(i) Suited Blackjacks
(ii) Switched Suited Blackjacks
(iii) Non-Suited Blackjack
(iv) Switched Non-Suited Blackjack
Even though this is my first post/thread, I have been a long time reader of the 'sister site'/ Wizard of Odds and can usually work out what I need from the information provided there.
All help will be greatly appreciated, thanks.
I imagine that the reason that no one has insta-responded to your question is that this is a complex game to model. Its also a relatively rare game, not in most casinos. So, mathematical spreadsheets or simulations of this game are not on most of our computers.I imagine that the reason that no one has insta-responded to your question is that this is a complex game to model. Its also a relatively rare game, not in most casinos. So, mathematical spreadsheets or simulations of this game are not on most of our computers.
it apparently didnt do too well at the sands bethlehem... im assuming people were making money off of it which is also what other people ive talked to say but maybe its just not a fun game to play or something
What Are The Odds On Blackjack Switch 2017
it apparently didnt do too well at the sands bethlehem... im assuming people were making money off of it which is also what other people ive talked to say but maybe its just not a fun game to play or something
i believe that was a different game called Switch Hands blackjack. You only had one hand and had to pay an ante in addition to your bet. If you didn’t like your hand you could then exchange it for a random new hand. I don’t believe there was a push 22. It was fun. I’m not sure why it didn’t last. I’m guessing people didn’t like the ante. You bet $10 and ante $2, get a 20. The dealer gets a 20, you lose $2. A lot of people probably didn’t like that even though it was made up for when you got bad hands.Also, I found out a weird rule during practice play, that lets you only split one of the two hands, see example below:
Example: I had two pairs of 9s in my hand against a 6, and the game only let me split the first pair, and I could only hit, stand or double on the 2nd pair.
Lastly, how much does it cost the player to only be able to split once compared to being able to re-split up to 4 hands ?
What Are The Odds On Blackjack Switch Free
Given standard BJ Switch rules, it calculates a H.E. of 0.579%, which is surprisingly (perhaps luckily) close to the rigorously correct result that Wizard calculated and reported on the WOO site.
I am starting to evaluate the rule changes you list above, but I have some questions.
4.(a) When the right hand has a Blackjack you can't switch
- So far, I have not noticed any hands in which it is mathematically correct to break-up a Blackjack by Switching, except when the result is to create a suited blackjack. Does anyone know if there are any other 4 card player hands where it is correct to Switch and breakup a BJ?
4 (b) If you switch and turn the right hand into a Blackjack, then you can't switch again
What does 'switch again' mean? I thought there was only one decision point for switching.
4 (c) If the left hand is a regular blackjack, and the right hand is currently not a blackjack but can be turned into a Suited blackjack, then this is allowed, but the opposite is not (see '4 (a) and 4 (b)' above).
If the player has Ad-Tc + 6h-Td can you switch the tens to make a suited BJ in the left hand?
If player has Ad-2c + Ah-Td then a switch to make a suited BJ in the left hand is NOT allowed, correct?
If player has As-Th + Ah-Td it is NOT allowed to switch and make a suited BJ in the right hand, correct?
Example: I had two pairs of 9s in my hand against a 6, and the game only let me split the first pair, and I could only hit, stand or double on the 2nd pair.
Doe the 'split one pair only' rule come into force only when your two pairs are identical? If you hold 2-2+ 3-3 vs 6, are you limited to splitting only one of those pairs and, if so, does the house tell you which pair you are allowed to split?
i believe that was a different game called Switch Hands blackjack. You only had one hand and had to pay an ante in addition to your bet. If you didn’t like your hand you could then exchange it for a random new hand. I don’t believe there was a push 22. It was fun. I’m not sure why it didn’t last. I’m guessing people didn’t like the ante. You bet $10 and ante $2, get a 20. The dealer gets a 20, you lose $2. A lot of people probably didn’t like that even though it was made up for when you got bad hands.