Unusual Games
The number of variations to Blackjack has expanded greatly over the last several years as the ever-increasing number of casinos compete for customers. Some of these games have unusual rules and some have side bets. With side bets, you have the option to make a side bet that something unusual will happen. In some games, you can select one of two side bets. Side bets cannot normally exceed the size of the original bet and sometimes are limited to $1 when the payoffs are very high.
Due to the difficulty in keeping up with all the new games, this section consists of a library of specialty games in a scrollable list. New games created by anyone can be imported into the list. See the Import function later. To select a game, tap the list, scroll and select. To understand how to make side bets, read the description of Over/Under 13 below:
Library Games
- Over/Under 13 - This option, adds a side bet to the game. When the bet selection screen comes up, you can tap on Side Bets and see two new buttons, O and U. You can bet that your first two cards will total 14 or greater by tapping "O" and then the amount to bet, or you may bet that the first two cards are under 13 by betting "U". The house wins all totals of 13. Aces count as one for this side bet only. The bets are resolved immediately after the dealer up card is shown. If you win, the bet will be doubled and then moved to your chip box. You cannot bet against yourself. Your selection (O or U) will be remembered and you will not need to re-tap the O or U before making a new side bet.
- Red/Black - This side bet is very like Over/Under 13 except that you bet on whether the dealer up card is red or black by placing an "R" or "B” bet. The dealer wins on all twos. Play is the same as with Over/Under 13 described above.
- Royal Match - Available in a few casinos, this option allows a different side bet on the first two cards. You can bet that your first two cards are in the same suit. If they are, the bet pays 3:1. If they are the Queen and King of the same suit, this is a Royal Match which pays 10:1. The bet is resolved as soon as the dealer up card is shown and any winnings are immediately moved to your chip box.
- Super 7's - This option exists in a few casinos with a few variations. The version included here appears to be the most common. You can make a side bet of only $1 that you will be dealt consecutive sevens. If you are dealt two sevens, you will be dealt a third card, even if the dealer has a Blackjack. If you split sevens, you will be paid for only the first two sevens. Payoff occurs after the second or third card is dealt according to the following table:
- First card any 7: $3
- First two cards any 7's: $50
- First two cards 7's same suit: $100
First three cards any 7's: $500
- First three cards 7's same suit: $5000
- Super Fun 21 - This is a variation of single deck BJ. You may hit and double split Aces, double or surrender on any number of cards, and Surrender after doubling. Several bonuses exist: player 21 with five or more cards pays 2:1, player hand of 20 or less with six cards wins, player BJ always wins and a diamond BJ pays 2:1. However, all other BJs pay even money. This last rule is very expensive. The game requires a quite different strategy to play correctly. The game requires a quite different strategy to play correctly. A strategy devised by Michael Shackleford (www.thewizardofodds.com) has been included.
- Spanish 21 - This BJ variation has been around for several years and has become fairly popular. Six or eight decks are used. A player 21 always wins, player BJ always wins, player can hit and double split Aces, may surrender after doubling and double any number of cards. Bonuses include: 678 pays 3:2, 2:1 if same suit and 3:1 in Spades; suited 777 against a dealer 7 pays $1,000. However, all tens are removed from the deck. This last rule is very expensive. The game requires a quite different strategy to play correctly. A strategy devised by Michael Shackleford (www.thewizardofodds.com) and Katarina Walker has been included.
- Lucky Ladies - This variation includes a side bet that you will receive in the first two cards: any 20, suited 20, matched 20, pair of Heart Queens or pair of Heart Queens with a dealer BJ. Payoffs can be changed by the player.
- Blackjack Switch - In this game, included by permission of the designer, you must play two hands with equal bets. You are allowed to switch the second cards between the two hands. So, if one hand has two Aces and the other two Tens, you can switch the cards and end up with two 21s. However, Blackjacks pay even money and a dealer total of 22 will push against any player total of 21 or less. A player blackjack will still beat a dealer 22. To indicate a desire to switch cards, tab the Switch button.
- Double Exposure - In this unusual game, both dealer cards are dealt face up. Obviously, this gives the player an enormous advantage. To counteract this advantage, the "No Blackjack bonus" and "Dealer wins ties" options are automatically turned on. You can turn them back off if you wish. Also, there is no Insurance bet in Double Exposure. This is a very different game with entirely different playing strategies. I would not suggest this option in a casino if you have not fully studied the game. A sample Double Exposure strategy is included thanks to Mike Shackleford, the Wizard of Odds.
- 21+3 - Bet the first two cards and the dealer up card make a Poker hand
- Bonanza BJ - Bet on a 20 in the first two cards and a dealer Ten up.
- Dare any Pair - Bet the first two player cards are a Pair.
- Lucky Ladies - A popular new rule betting on the first two cards being a pair of Queens or 20. Can be beaten.
- Lucky Lucky - A side bet with a complex payoff on 678, 777, 21, 20 or 19 suited or unsuited.
Pair Square - Bet first two cards are of the same rank
- Perfect Pairs - Bet the first two cards are a Pair with various payoffs.
- Sweet 16 - Bet the first two cards are a low pair, Ace or 16-21 points.
Import
These game definitions were created using the Windows Casino Verite Blackjack program. The definition screens are not included in the app as they are extremely flexible, and therefore very complex for a touch screen. However, custom side bets and bonuses can be defined in Casino Verite Blackjack on a Windows PC and exported to this app. They can also be shared with other users. If you do not have a license, the free demo version will also allow exports. In Casino Verite, tap on Options, Settings, Unusual Games. Select a custom game. Then hit Export. (If the button is not there, download the latest update.) You will be presented with a number. Enter the number by tapping on “Enter text here” and tap Import. You will see your game in the list. Multiple games can be imported. You do not need to connect the device to the PC. The export and import are separate operations using the Internet.