Types of Blackjack Games Explained
When you log in at Bodog Casino and look at all those games on the Most Popular list, you’ll usually find Blackjack somewhere near the top. This is the most popular table game in the world, rivalling some of the greatest slots on our virtual floor – and there are several different types of blackjack games you can choose from. Let’s take a closer look at what’s on the menu.
Classic Blackjack
Before we introduce each game, you should know that we have two different types of blackjack games waiting for you: the “Classic” version and the “New” version. The games themselves are the same, but each has its own look and feel, with the Classic games retaining the old-school live casino layout, and the New games giving you a more modern, streamlined blackjack experience.
Both of these versions are available for our Blackjack and Single Deck Blackjack games at Bodog Casino. For example, Classic Blackjack is the online version of the standard blackjack variant played at most live venues, with six decks of playing cards in the virtual shoe. These decks are automatically re-shuffled after each hand, and the rules will be familiar to most players:
– Dealer hits on Soft 17
– Surrender any two cards
– Split up to three hands
– Split Aces receive only one card
– No re-splitting Aces
– Split Ace plus 10-value card equals 21, not Blackjack
You’ll see these rules in the game description when you select the Classic Blackjack thumbnail to start playing – they’ll be to the left of your game display, which is laid out just like a blackjack table at a live venue, virtual felt and betting chips included. All of your play options, including Hit and Stand, are at the bottom of your display. Just place your bets, hit the “Deal” button, and watch the cards start flying.
Double Deck Blackjack
Double Deck Blackjack is exactly what it says: A blackjack game that uses two decks instead of six. Many players prefer to have fewer decks in the shoe because it makes the game a bit easier to follow – and because it reduces the house edge slightly.
This game is available only in the New format, which proved to be a big hit when it was unveiled just a few years back. The New layout is very easy on the eyes, showing just the cards and chips on a simple blue background that allows the other colours to really stand out.
The Dealer must stand on Soft 17 in Double Deck Blackjack, and you can Split only once per round, but the rules for this variant are otherwise the same as they are for Classic Blackjack. There are player controls that let you toggle the background sound and music on or off, and you have “Rebet” and “Rebet X2” buttons that allow you to speed up the betting process between hands.
European Blackjack
The European version of blackjack at Bodog Casino looks and feels just like the Classic Blackjack game, but in this variant, the dealer doesn’t receive their second hole card (the face-down one) until you’ve made all of your plays, like hitting and standing. In the other blackjack games, the dealer gets both of their hole cards before you take your turn.
This is a subtle rule difference, but an important one: If the dealer’s up-card in European Blackjack happens to be an Ace, there’s no way for them to “peek” and see if they already have 21. You have to wait until the end of the hand to find out, which means you’ll need to change your strategy a bit and be more conservative when splitting or doubling down.
Perfect Pairs
Now we’re getting into the more exotic types of blackjack games at Bodog. Perfect Pairs is a six-deck blackjack game that allows you to make additional side bets on the hole cards you’re dealt. As the name implies, Perfect Pairs pays out when you get dealt two cards of the same rank. And because there are multiple decks in play, there are three different kinds of pairs you can make:
Perfect Pair (25/1)
Coloured Pair (12/1)
Mixed Pair (6/1)
A “Perfect Pair” is when you have two cards of the exact same rank and suit, like As-As. A “Colored Pair” is when both cards in your pair are either Red (Diamonds and Hearts) or Black (Clubs and Spades), but not of the same suit, like As-Ac. And a “Mixed Pair” is any other unmatched pair, like As-Ah.
These side bets make Perfect Pairs even more exciting than your regular blackjack game – and potentially more rewarding with that tasty 25/1 payout. You can see the full set of rules in the game description next to your display.
Zappit Blackjack
Have you ever been dealt a 15, 16 or 17 and thought to yourself, “Man, I’d really like to take those cards and rip them apart”? That’s exactly what you get to do in Zappit Blackjack. Whenever you’re dealt one of these trouble hands, a “ZAP” button will appear to the left of your hole cards; hit that button, and your cards will be instantly vaporized and replaced with two new cards.
This is a fantastic feature for players – and very satisfying. Getting dealt 15, 16 or 17 is about as bad as it gets in this game, so having the option to ZAP those cards can make life a lot easier for you. There is a price to pay, though: If the dealer busts with exactly 22 points, it’s graded as a push instead of a win.
Add in the very popular Single Deck Blackjack game (both Classic and New), and you’ve got eight different ways to play blackjack at Bodog Casino. Try them all for free using the Practice Play mode, see which ones you like the most, and let us know if you’d like to see any other games added to our menu here at Bodog – your No. 1 stop for online blackjack.