Blackjack Switch: Swap Cards Between Two Hands

Enjoy playing blackjack, but want the freedom to switch cards between hands?

That’s exactly what blackjack switch is about. Before you take advantage of this rule set yourself to win, explore:

• How to play blackjack switch
• An example of play in this blackjack variation
• A complete blackjack switch strategy card

Let’s switch things up.

What is Blackjack Switch?

Blackjack Switch is a patented gameplay formula invented by Geoff Hall and popularised in the mid 2000s as a modern blackjack variation. Hall wanted to curb the randomness of blackjack and deepen its strategic side, and he figured this would be achieved by giving players two hands. With those two hands, players could decide to switch their initial cards between them.

Blackjack Switch can be played with four, six, or eight decks shuffled together. Players are expected to place 2 equal plays, one for each hand. Natural blackjacks are limited to a 1:1 prize, and a push happens if the dealer gets 22. Traditionally, only the second dealt card for each hand can be switched.

Splitting up to four hands is still possible in Blackjack Switch, depending on the house rules for blackjack. Note that any doubling and splitting applies to each hand independently.

Related Posts:

• How to Play Blackjack
• Surrender in Blackjack
• When to Hit or Stand in Blackjack

How to Play Blackjack Switch

Most game versions start the same – with you putting some chips down.

Blackjack Switch is an exception, demanding you put two equal chip stacks down at the same time. After that, you’ll be dealt four face-up cards split into two hands. The dealer takes just two cards, as usual, and keeps one facing down.

He’ll then check he doesn’t have a blackjack (in Las Vegas versions, for example). If he does, you lose, or you’ll push if you had a blackjack of your own. Side plays are also resolved here, if applicable.

The dealer will then ask players if they’d like to switch the second dealt cards. Once you’ve made that decision, you hit, stand, or double as usual. It’s customary for dealers to play your right-hand deck first, then the left. Your goal is to get 21 or close to it, beating the dealer’s singular hand.

For the showdown, the dealer flips his down card. If his hand totals 22, the game will push, and players will get their chips back. If you had a natural blackjack (no switching or splitting) then you can win with 21 against a dealer’s 22 hand. The two hands create a strategy game where players can choose to switch, reinforcing one hand or trying to make both competitive.

Blackjack Switch Gameplay Examples

Let’s go through a step-by-step example of how Blackjack Switch plays.

First, you’ll put 25 chips on each hand for a total play of 50 chips.

1. The dealer deals, revealing that he has a 6 upcard. Your first hand is a queen and a 4 – a hard 14 – and the second is a 5 and a king – a hard 15. These are weak, especially when you’ll want to hit since the dealer will be hitting aggressively.
2. But, since this is Blackjack Switch, you can swap the top cards in each hand. You move the king to join the queen, making a very strong hard 20 hand. The other hand is left with 5 and 4 – a hard 9 – but you could use this to double down. As a result, both hands are now theoretically stronger than the dealer’s weak 6.
3. Playing that first hand is simple; you stand. For the second, you double down with an extra 25 chips.
4. The dealer deals you a 7, bringing this hand back to a hard 15. The dealer reveals a king as his hole card, making his hand 16.
5. He’s obligated to hit and draws an 8. That takes him to 24, so he goes bust.

You’d win both hands – an extra 25 chips for the one and 50 chips for the other.

Now, that’s how it’d play if everything goes in your favor, but remember that the dealer has some bust protection.

Using the same example, here’s what would have happened if the dealer drew a 6 instead of an 8. He would have a total of 22 – a bust in ordinary blackjack – but here the push 22 rule comes into play. Despite how well you played your hands so far, a 22 dealer hand pushes the whole game. You’d get your initial 25 + 50 chips back, but with no extra chips.

Blackjack Switch Strategy Card

There are several rule sets for Blackjack Switch, the most common being Las Vegas rules, where dealers are obligated to hit soft 17. Using that, here’s a strategy card made with the dealer’s push 22 capabilities in mind.

Learn Blackjack Strategy at the McLuck Blog

If you love playing two blackjack hands at once, then Blackjack Switch might be your type of game.

No matter what game you play, you should always learn the basics before you commit to the game. You can find more social casino game guides here, including guides on blackjack variations such as:

• Atlantic City
  Classic
• European
• Single Deck
• Spanish 21
• Las Vegas Strip

Ready to make the switch? Head over to McLuck.com and let the fun begin.