There are seemingly countless different versions of blackjack you can play online: some add a genuinely interesting new take on the classic, while others are best avoided.
One of the more recent additions to the canon is Blackjack X-Change, a unique variant in which players able to switch one of the cards in their hand for a random pick from the deck.
And, in a twist designed to protect the house’s edge, players can even ‘sell’ their aces and 10-value cards to the dealer in exchange for another random card from the deck.
So that’s a basic look at Blackjack X-Change, but what are the rules and the house edge….and is it worth playing it?
How Does Blackjack X-Change Work?
As mentioned, the rules and the mechanics of this online blackjack game are the same as always: your mission is to score 21 or as close to it as possible, hoping that you beat the dealer’s score.
But with Blackjack X-Change, if you don’t like either of your two hole cards then you can exchange (hence the name) one of them for a random card from the pack. However, you will have to pay for the privilege.
Alternatively, you can sell good cards back to the house in the hope that their replacement(s) is also a high-scoring card that will still boost your hand.
The idea of Blackjack X-Change is that players can buy a new card if, for example, they were dealt a mediocre hand like 9-6. You could swap the six in the hope that you might get an ace or 10-value card instead.
So Blackjack X-Change adds an element of strategy into the mix that is not an option in other forms of the game.
How to Play Blackjack X-Change
After Blackjack X-Change loads at your chosen online casino, you’ll be seated at the table, place your opening bet and then be dealt two cards.
You’ll see the list of available options on screen. You might be able to sell your lowest-value card, or if you have an ace or picture card the house may make an offer to buy it from you.
Although this isn’t an exact science, in most cases you can buy a new card for around half of your original stake, e.g. if you wagered £2 pre-deal, it would cost you around £1 to buy a replacement card. Conversely, your sales price will be 10-20% of your opening stake – in this case, you might be able to sell a jack for between £0.20 and £0.40.
Simply click the relevant button on screen to confirm your next move – remember, you can ignore the buy and sell options and instead just play your hand as normal by hitting, standing, splitting pairs or doubling down.
There are more chances to ‘X-Change’ your cards after being dealt another – you can exchange up to four cards, although all offers are rescinded once you have received your fifth replacement card.
You should also be aware that you can’t split or double down after you have accepted an exchange, and if you split or double down after the first round of betting you cannot then exchange after that.
Blackjack X-Change Rules
So now you have a basic idea of the differences that Blackjack X-Change brings to the table, but you should also note that some of the other rules of engagement are changed too.
The dealer must stand on all hands of 17 – whether hard or soft, which secures players an advantage as this is normally restricted to 16.
As is the case with many different variants of blackjack, a natural hand of 21 pays at the rate 3:2 – even after an X-Change of cards has taken place. So, you have two bites of the cherry to land a natural blackjack if you were dealt A-5 and swapped the five for a ten-value card.
One thing you should be aware of in Blackjack X-Change is that the dealer’s hand is checked for a natural 21. If they do have a natural, the round finishes – you’re not given a chance to secure a natural of your own by swapping a card you have in hand.
Here’s another interesting perk: you can double down on any first two cards. That includes after splitting pairs (even aces count), which hands another edge – of sorts – to the player.
You can only split one set of pairs per round, but on the whole conditions in Blackjack X-Change are on the side of the player….barring the house edge, which at 0.37% if one of the smallest advantages that a casino will have in the realm of blackjack.
Should You X-Change Cards?
But, here’s the most interesting thing about Blackjack X-Change: it’s not the ability to exchange cards that gives this game its low house edge.
Instead, it’s those helpful rules – dealer stands on 17, you can double down on any two-card combination and the single split per round – that delivers Blackjack X-Change’s low house edge.
The ability to exchange cards isn’t all that helpful, because there are no guarantees that if you buy a replacement card that you will benefit – instead, your losing stake has become 1.5x rather than just 1x.
Also, it is a lamentable decision to sell an ace or a ten/picture card – the casino will only lose a small percentage of revenue by buying you out, as opposed to the 3:2 payout if you’ve landed a natural 21.
So blackjack lovers are encouraged to give X-Change a try – just don’t be too hasty to take the house up on their offer to buy or sell your cards.