Blackjack is one of those casino games that people who love skill enjoy. With a successful strategy, the house edge can be reduced to a point that it is actually quite profitable. However, when I play for any length of time, I often find myself growing bored with the monotony of making decisions based upon the same set of rules. As such, I've listed my four favorite blackjack variations and why they appeal to me.

Super Fun 21

The first time I discovered Super Fun 21, I was convinced that it would be more difficult to win than its traditional counterpart, especially due to the fact that a natural 21 only pays even money rather than the standard 3:2. However, with the ability to double down at any time and split hands up to four times, I decided to give it a go. I think the part about this game that really intrigued me the most was that I was able to complete a hand of 20 with exactly six cards, and this beat the dealer's natural 21! This is one of my favorites when I'm craving something a little different.

Double Exposure

I'm sure that there are plenty of people out there who have been dealt a difficult two-card hand off the bat and thought to themselves, "Gee, I really wish I could see the dealer's other card!" Well, Double Exposure is the perfect answer because it does just that! However, there are two things to understand. First of all, there are no insurance bets for obvious reasons. Second, in the event that I tie with the dealer, the dealer automatically wins. Thus, there is no 'push' here.

21st Century

21st Century, also known as California Blackjack, is one of my favorite online blackjack variations. Everyone hates losing because they 'bust', including myself, and the rules of this variant seek to eliminate some of those losses. Essentially, when the player 'busts', he or she can push the dealer. Then, if the dealer busts with a higher total than the player's hand, then individuals won't necessarily lose their wagers.

Blackjack Switch

Blackjack Switch is another popular variation because it gives individuals a chance to do something they normally would never be able to do. At the start, players are dealt two hands rather than one. Then, they can choose whether they want to 'switch' the cards in the hands in hopes of creating values that are more likely to beat the dealer. I found that the most difficult decision here was determining whether I should move the cards or leave them alone, but I'm convinced that some time reviewing strategies for this variant will make things simpler.

Other Options

There are many other variations out there that I still need to try out, but at this point, these four are by far my favorites. Although the payouts are reduced whenever the house edge goes down, there is still plenty of fun and excitement to be had.