In the old days, Blackjack was a simple game that utilized a single, 52-card deck of playing cards. In modern times, the most common versions of blackjack are played with 6 or 8 decks of cards.
In Las Vegas, for example, 6-deck Blackjack is most common (though…more and more are starting to use 8 decks). Atlantic City casinos also offer 6 Deck Blackjack, as well as 8-Deck Blackjack. Another blackjack variation known as Spanish 21 often includes the use of 8 decks of cards and a much wider range of rule variations.
Of course, there are also many other variants of Blackjack you can find online. Most Microgaming casinos, such as Royal Vegas, will offer additional types such as Multi-hand blackjack. So read on for our focus on the basic games of Blackjack.
Vegas Strip 6-Deck Blackjack Rules
- All standard rules apply
- Dealer Hits Soft 17: Yes
- Double any two cards: Yes
- Double after Split: Yes
- Resplit: Yes (up to 4 hands)
- Surrender: Varies
Atlantic City 6-Deck Blackjack Rules
- All standard rules apply
- Dealer Hits Soft 17: No
- Double any two cards: Yes
- Double after Split: Yes
- Resplit: Yes (up to 4 hands)
- Surrender: Varies
Spanish 21 8-Deck Blackjack Rules
- All standard rules apply
- Dealer Hits Soft 17: Yes
- Double any two cards: Yes
- Double after Split: Yes
- Resplit: No
- Surrender: Yes
- Surrender after Doubling: Yes
- 5+ Card 21: Yes, bonus payouts for 5, 6 and 7 card 21, only before Double/Split.
- All 10’s removed from decks (not Face Cards, just 10’s).
Conclusion
There is little practical difference in 6 and 8 Deck Blackjack games. Be sure to check the rules of various Blackjack games, noting in particular whether the dealer Hits or Stands on soft 17. When the Dealer Hits Soft 17 (bad for the player), the house edge is higher; when the Dealer Stands on Soft 17 (good for the player), the house edge is lower.
