Blackjack Switch is a blackjack variant in which players are dealt two hands at the start. The player has the option of switching the second dealt cards of each hand. The objective of switching is to make the combined position of both hands stronger. In extreme cases the decision to switch or not is obvious. For example the player is dealt 4 and J in one hand and Q and 6 in the other. These hands are weak hands because they are not good enough to stand and run a high risk of busting if hit. If the second cards are switched the hands become 4 and 6 and Q and J. Both these hands are strong hands. The first hand is ideal for a hit and the second is perfect for standing.

However in most hands dealt the decision will not be that obvious. Usually the advantage obtained in switching will be marginal. Since players cannot perceive this advantage they do not switch and are unable to exploit it. Therefore they do not play in an optimal manner and in the long run lose out. The only way to make optimal decisions in Blackjack Switch is to use the strategy card. The card can be downloaded from the Internet and it is advisable that players refer to it while making the decision.

At the core of the strategy card is the expected value of a dealt two card hand and the dealer’s face up card. This value has been obtained through computer simulations. The expected values range from -1 to +1. A value close to +1 for a hand indicates that the hand has a high probability of winning when the game is played to completion. A dealt blackjack has an expected value of +1. A value close to -1 for a hand indicates that the hand has a high probability of losing when the game is played to completion. The Blackjack Switch strategy card is structured in the same manner as the normal blackjack strategy card with the dealer’s face up card in the columns and the player’s dealt hand in the rows. However, the cells do not have the action to be taken. They contain the expected values for the combinations.

The strategy card is operated in the following manner. Suppose the first hand dealt to the player is Q and J, with the dealer being dealt 2. The expected value of this hand from the card is +0.4829. Suppose the second hand dealt to the player is 9 and 8. The expected value of this hand is – 0.3081. Therefore the combined value of the dealt hands is +0.4829 – 0.3081, which is +0.1748. Now the player has to assume that he will switch. The first hand will become Q and 8. The expected value of this hand is -0.0416. The second hand will become 9 and J. The expected value of this hand is +0.2264. Therefore the combined value of the switched hands will be -0.0416 + 0.2264, which is +0.1848. Since the combined value of the switched hands is higher therefore the player should switch.

Without using the strategy card the player would usually not break a strong hand like Q and J. Even after the switch the gain in the combined expected value is only +0.01. But if a player wants to play Blackjack Switch over long periods of time he will have to exploit these small advantages in order to maximize his average return. Blackjack Switch can be played at Playtech online casinos like Omni Casino and Casino Tropez.