Blackjack Switch

Written by: Joe Falchetti, Online Casinos, Sports Betting, & Poker Expert
Blackjack Switch Intro Image

Blackjack Switch is a popular variation of the traditional game that’s been a staple at land-based and online casinos for over 20 years. It incorporates a few simple but impactful rule changes to spice things up.

The main difference is that you must simultaneously play two hands but can swap cards between them. This unique change gives the game its name, lets you improve both hands, and adds a layer of excitement to the game.

Our complete Blackjack Switch guide walks you through the rules and structure, the optimal strategy chart, and advice on how to switch the cards correctly. 

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What Is Blackjack Switch?

Blackjack Switch Game Logo

Blackjack Switch, sometimes also called Switch Blackjack, is a casino game created by avid inventor and former professional gambler Geoff Hall.

In this blackjack variant, you must play two hands, but you get the option to swap a card between them after the initial deal.

The concept came from a night at the tables. While playing two hands of blackjack at once, he noticed that he could improve both by simply switching one of the cards from each. And just like that, a new game was born.

Reasons to Play Blackjack Switch

Today, the switch version of blackjack is in gambling meccas like Las Vegas and Atlantic City, tribal-operated casinos, and some of the best online casinos. But why should you play this variant over a standard single-deck game?

  • It’s a creative and exciting way to play two blackjack hands at once.
  • You can set yourself up for lucrative double-down and splitting opportunities.
  • Blackjack Switch has a 0.58% house edge, right in line with the classic game.

Blackjack Switch Rules

Blackjack Switch is an offshoot of traditional blackjack with the same card values and game objective. To win, you must beat the dealer by getting closer to 21 without going over.

In this variant, both the player and dealer have an extra trick up their sleeve. Below we’ll look at the standard rules and the ones that make this game unique.

Wagers

The start of each hand requires two equal wagers, one for each hand.

Dealer Peek

The dealer peeks for 21 when they have an Ace or 10-value card faceup before the players can switch cards. If the dealer has blackjack, all player’s non-natural blackjack hands lose.

Card Switch

You can switch the second cards dealt to each of your hands with each other if you want to.

Switch 21

A card switch can form 21, but the hand counts as 21 points, not a natural blackjack.

Like Classic Blackjack

You make player decisions for each hand independently. Aside from the card switch, the game decisions are the same as standard blackjack.

Double Down

You can double down with any two cards, including after a card switch or splitting.

Split

You can split any two cards of the same value, including after a card switch and splitting. You can resplit pairs up to 4 times.

Payouts

A winning natural blackjack only pays the player 1:1. If the table offers insurance, it pays 2:1.

Dealer Pushes on 22

A dealer 22 pushes with all non-busted players’ hands. Only a natural blackjack beats a dealer 22.

How to Play Blackjack Switch

If you’ve played standard blackjack before, you’ll have no issue picking up Blackjack Switch. Aside from the switching cards aspect of this variant, the rest of the game is almost identical to the classic version you find at casinos worldwide.

Step-by-Step Guide

The step-by-step guide below shows you exactly how to play a round of Blackjack Switch from start to finish.

  1. Make Your Initial Bets

    You start a new round by placing an equal bet on both hands. That means if you decide to bet $5 on the first hand, you must bet $5 on the other as well, for a total of $10.
  2. Cards Get Dealt

    After all the bets are in, the dealer will give each player two hands of two cards face up. The dealer will deal one hand for themselves consisting of two cards, one face up and the other face down.
  3. Switch, Hit, or Stand

    Your first decision is whether to switch the second cards in each of your hands. We suggest you switch to see what your hands look like because you can always switch back. However, you will no longer be able to trade cards after taking any action on either hand.

    Once you’ve settled on two hands, you can hit, stand, double, or split each one independently, as you would any other blackjack game.
  4. Dealer Plays Their Hand

    Once all players have made their decisions, the dealer acts according to the house rules.
  5. Deciding Winners & Losers

    The dealer compares their hand’s value with each other hand at the table to see who wins or loses. The winners receive their respective payouts.

Example Switch Blackjack Hand

Below is an example hand where the player uses the card swap function in Switch Blackjack to create two better hands. You can click on the images to enlarge them.

The Initial Deal

Blackjack Switch place bets and analyze cards
Click to Enlarge

After the initial wagers, the dealer gives the player two cards for each hand. The first hand is queen-7, and the second is 4-10.

Take note of the 2nd cards dealt to each hand, 7 and 10. If they choose to switch, those are the two cards that will flip-flop.

Choosing to Switch

Blackjack Switch look at New Hands and Make Choices
Click to Enlarge

The dealer is showing a 6. Now the player has to decide if they would rather play a hard 17 and a hard 14 into a 6. If not, they could swap the 2nd cards and play a hard 20 and a hard 11.

They choose to switch, creating two hands that are more likely to win.

A Positive Outcome

Blackjack Switch have Optimal Hands to Win Blackjack Switch online
Click to Enlarge

They choose to swap cards, standing on the first hand for 20 and hitting once on the second hand for 14.

Now the dealer must follow house rules. They flip over their hole card to reveal a queen. At 16, they have to hit. They bust, and the play wins both hands.

Blackjack Switch Strategy

Blackjack Switch Game Icon

Like other variants, Blackjack Switch has an optimal strategy based on your initial cards and the dealer’s up-card. For starters, you should always consider the results of a card swap at the start of the round.

If you can’t make two powerful hands from your available cards, your next best strategy is to make at least one of them strong. That way, you hopefully win at least one of your two hands and push at the end of the round.

Strategy Charts

These charts tell you the best strategic moves based on the cards in the shoe and the statistical math. You’ll find your hand on the left and the dealer’s up-card along the top. The spot where the two intersect is the recommended play you should make.

Blackjack Switch Strategy Chart Desktop
Blackjack Switch Strategy Chart Mobile
Blackjack Payouts and Odds Chip Stack Percentage Icon

Blackjack Switch Odds

When using optimal strategy, Blackjack Switch has a 0.58% house edge, which is similar to the base game.

That makes it a worthy alternative for strategy players that want a livelier experience without sacrificing too much of the expected return.

Blackjack Switch Online

You can play blackjack switch online for real money at a couple of our top-rated casinos. These single-player software-based games use random number generators to determine the outcome of the next drawn card.

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Game Layout at Online Casinos

Take a look at this table setup to familiarize yourself with the game before playing at casinos.

Blackjack Switch Game Layout Setup

Try Online Switch Blackjack for Free

Do you want to test your skills and practice Blackjack Switch before playing for real money? Try this free demo of this fun and exciting variant.

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Blackjack Switch in Las Vegas

Several brick-and-mortar casinos in Las Vegas have a single 6-deck Blackjack Switch table on the floor. Since each player needs enough space for two hands, the table usually has five seats instead of seven. Look for the game at any of the following establishments.

Las Vegas CasinoBlackjack Switch TablesMin BetMax Bet
4 Queens1$5$500
Aria1$10$5,000
Bellagio1$15$5,000
Casino Royale1$5$1,000
Encore1$15$1,000
Mandalay Bay1$10$2,500
MGM Grand1$10$2,500
Palms1$10$1,000
Paris1$15$2,000
Sahara1$5$500
Wynn1$15$2,500

Make Your Bets and Play Blackjack Switch

If you want to add some variety to your casino gameplay, Blackjack Switch is an excellent option. The variant lets you mix things up by trading cards between two hands.

This popular table game offers one of the lowest house edges of any spinoff blackjack variant. Give it a shot today, and if you stick to the strategy, you may just walk away a winner.

FAQ – Blackjack Switch

The following queries are some of the most common questions we receive about playing Blackjack Switch.

How do you play Blackjack Switch?

Blackjack Switch has similar rules as the traditional game. You are dealt two hands at a time and need to make two bets of equal amounts. Once your cards are dealt, you need to decide whether to hit, stand, split, or switch your cards between your two hands. The goal is to get as close as possible to 21. After the dealer plays their hand, payouts are distributed. Blackjack Switch pays 1:1 instead of the standard 3:2 in the traditional title.

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What are the odds on Blackjack Switch?

With a house edge of only 0.58%, Blackjack Switch has excellent player odds.

Joe Falchetti

Joe Falchetti Online Casinos, Sports Betting, & Poker Expert

Joseph Falchetti, also known as Smokey Joe, is an expert online gambler. We've teamed up with him for exclusive OUSC content relevant to USA online casino players. Joe is a former professional poker player and a full-time online betting expert who has been featured in major publications, such as CBS Sports and Forbes.com, and linked to by the New York Times.

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