As previously mentioned, casinos are always coming up with new blackjack game variations. These games use the same strategies as the other variation games do to lure people to the tables. Like the other games, the new blackjack variation games typically don't offer much beyond some twists to the basic game of blackjack. Some are more player friendly than others, though, and might be worth checking out if you're looking for a new game to play.

Double Exposure

This game takes all the guesswork out of blackjack, as the dealer's cards are both dealt face up. The basic game calls for dealers to win all ties, except on natural blackjacks. Player blackjacks pay even money, and players can only split pairs once.

Other rules vary depending on the casino. Some require dealers to stand on soft 17. Blackjack ties might go to the player. Some let players double after splits, others don't. Players might be allowed to double on any two first cards, split more than once, or split unmatched 10-value cards.

The house edge on this game typically ranges from 0.6 percent to 0.7 percent, depending on house rules. However, it can go down to as low as 0.3 percent. This makes Double Exposure one of the better variation games, especially if you learn the basic strategy plays for it.

Blackjack Switch

You're more likely to see this game at online casinos, although it's also becoming a popular offering at land-based casinos. You play it two hands at a time, placing equal bets on both hands. You can trade cards between the hands, but you can only switch the second card. This increases the chances of hitting a blackjack and getting better hands in general. For this reason, casinos offset the player advantage by applying other rules that make the game friendlier to the house.

Here's how Blackjack Switch works: Players must make two equal bets. Cards are dealt face up. Players can switch the second card dealt between both hands. As an example, let's say you're dealt a 5-3 and a 7-6. Neither are great hands, and the second — 13 — is terrible. But since you're playing Blackjack Switch, you can put the 6 on the 5, and the 3 on the 7, and you've got two great hands, both of which put you in double-down territory. What's more, players can double on any two cards and after a split. Players can also place an extra bet if they get two matching cards out of their first four cards.

Here are the rules that turn the advantage back toward the house:

• No resplitting.

• Dealer hits soft 17.

• Blackjack pays 1:1 instead of 3:2.

• If dealer gets 22, all bets are pushed except for player blackjacks.

Multiple-Action Blackjack

As this game's title suggests, Multiple-Action Blackjack lets players place more than one bet — in this case, two or three. Special tabletops for this game display three betting boxes at each position. Players must place bets in at least the first two boxes. Multiple-Action is basically standard blackjack with a few interesting — and tricky — rule variations. The dealer doesn't get a hole card, just an up card. Players then make their playing decisions. After they're done, the dealer deals himself three additional cards. Each card is paired with his up card to make three dealer hands. All player hands stay exactly the same.

As an example, let's say you place three bets. You got a pat hand of 10-7 for 17. The dealer's up card is a 9. His three cards are 7, 8, 10, which makes his three hand totals 16, 17, and 19. He hits the 16 and busts. His 17 pushes yours. He wins with the 19-value hand. You win one hand.

Double down and split bets are placed in the same number of betting boxes that you cover with your original bet. Insurance bets go in the usual spot and are resolved on each hand.