Understanding Blackjack Switch Strategy Cards

Blackjack Switch is a unique online blackjack variant available at Australian Playtech online casinos like Omni Casino and Fly Casino. For optimum play you need to refer to two different strategy cards, the use of which is explained in this article. But first you need to know the gameplay.

You will be dealt two hands for which you have to make two equal wagers. The first decision you have to make is whether or not to exercise the switch option. This involves interchanging the second dealt cards in each hand. Then you play each hand in the normal manner. The switch move gives you a significant advantage, so some of the normal rules of online blackjack have been tweaked in the dealer’s favour. Blackjack pays even money instead of 3 to 2. The dealer pushes on 22 whereas the player busts on 22.

The first strategy card is used to determine whether or not you should switch cards. This is determined from your two card combination (which is entered on the rows of the strategy card) and the dealer’s face up card (which is entered on the columns of the strategy card). Each cell of the strategy card gives the expected value for the three cards. A large positive expected value indicates that you have a high chance of winning and a large negative expected value indicates that you have a high chance of losing. You first have to take the expected values of your two hands as dealt and add them. Then you assume that you will switch. You take the expected values of the switched hands and add them up. If the total after the assumed switch is greater than the total as dealt you must make the switch.

The strategy card for the regular play is similarly structured. The columns give the dealer’s face up card. The rows give the hand value of all cards dealt to you. The cells give the decision you must make, mainly hit or stand. The cells also indicate whether you should double or split in your first move.

Blackjack Switch also has an optional side bet called Super Match. This bet pays out based on your first four cards. The payout is even money for a pair, 3 to 1 for three of a kind, 8 to 1 for two pairs and 40 to 1 for four of a kind. This wager has a house edge of 2.5%. It is your call whether or not you want to take the extra risk for the extra return.