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Blackjack Insider Newsletter, July 2004, #54

One way to win at blackjack is to play two hands and try to change two bad hands into two good ones by surreptitiously switching the cards. That's not allowed; it's cheating. Unless, that is, you're playing a new game at the Four Queens called Blackjack Switch, in which case you can switch cards right out in the open. In this game, the player must play two hands and may switch only the second cards dealt to each hand. Of course, nothing ever comes for free. In exchange for being allowed to switch cards, blackjacks pay even money and if the dealer gets a total of 22, all non-busted player hands push (a player bust always loses). Following optimal strategy, the house edge is a low 0.2%.

The complete switching strategy is very lengthy, but fortunately, most of the important switches are obvious (see www.wizardofodds.com for the complete switching strategy). Less obvious is the amended basic strategy that you should play, which requires many changes from conventional basic strategy—primarily more hitting and less doubling and splitting.

Presently Blackjack Switch is offered at the Four Queens in Las Vegas (although additional casinos in Las Vegas are considering installing Blackjack Switch) and at Internet casinos powered by Playtech software

The following rules apply to the Playtech version.

The Four Queens offers the same rules as Playtech with these changes:

The following table shows the basic strategy under Playtech rules after the switch decision has been made. The reason for the differences compared to conventional blackjack strategy is the push on 22 rule. This table is based on the 6-deck Playtech rules and was developed by Bill Kirkpatrick. The Four Queens strategy is the same except the player should split aces against an ace.

S = stand

H = Hit

D=Double if allowed, otherwise hit (except stand on soft 18)

P=Split

Ignoring the above changes and playing regular basic strategy increases the house edge by about 0.22%.

At Internet casinos powered by Playtech software, the dealer does not peek for blackjack, which works in the player's favor, because you can switch to a blackjack all the time. At the Four Queens, if the dealer has a blackjack, the player is stuck with what he was dealt.

Following optimal strategy, the house edge at Playtech casinos is just 0.05%, and Playtech offers 0.1% cashback and bonuses for new players.