What is Blackjack Switch?
Blackjack Switch is a variant where you play two hands simultaneously and have the option to swap the top cards of each hand after the deal. This flexibility can dramatically improve otherwise weak starting hands.
How the switch works
You place equal bets on two hands. After being dealt two cards on each, you may switch the second card dealt to each hand. So if hand one is 5-10 and hand two is 10-6, switching gives you 5-6 and 10-10. The 10-10 is a much stronger starting point than the original hands. The switch must involve the second card of each hand — you cannot freely rearrange all four cards.
The trade-off
To compensate for this powerful option, the rules are adjusted against the player. Dealer 22 is a push (a tie) instead of a bust, and blackjack typically pays even money (1:1) rather than 3:2. These rule changes offset much of the advantage from switching. The game requires a modified basic strategy that accounts for both hands simultaneously.