The leading software provider Realtime Gaming (RTG) offers an excellent collection of blackjack variants at its online casinos. The games are listed under the Table Games category. At some RTG online casinos the blackjack variants are grouped in a sub category “21” under Table Games. This article provides brief reviews of these games.

Blackjack is the standard variant played at many land casinos. It is a no-frills game that hardcore blackjack fans love. Players can wager one or two hands against the dealer. Each hand is independently played. The variant specific rules are that the dealer must hit on soft 17, player can double on any two cards and player will be dealt only one card on split aces. European Blackjack is the standard variant played at land casinos in Europe. In this game also players can wager on up to two hands simultaneously. The exact rules are somewhat different and players must take note of this. The dealer must stand on soft 17, player can double on hard 9, 10 and 11 only and player will be dealt only one card on split aces. Both these variants offer the insurance bet, but this is an option that should never be exercised.

There is a set of blackjack variants unique to RTG online casinos. These offer interesting twists. Though the purists may not like these blackjack variants they have a following of their own. In Face Up 21 both the cards of the dealer are dealt face up. This gives the player an advantage so some of the other rules are tweaked to level the playing field. The most important of these is that blackjack pays out only even money instead of the usual 3 to 2. Pontoon is the exact opposite. Both the dealer’s cards are dealt face down. This is compensated for by pontoon paying at 2 to 1 and also a five card valid player hand paying 2 to 1. Both these games are single hand games. The detailed rules are available by clicking the Rules tab.

Online casino players like games that offer additional paying opportunities. RTG Match Play 21 is a blackjack variant that does just that. Several three card hands totaling to 21 are specified that pay more than blackjack. For example three spade sevens offer a payout of 3 to 1. Also 21 valued hands with five or more cards offer special payouts. All these advantages are not free. There are no tens in the decks which compensates for the advantages. Super 21 is another blackjack variant at RTG online casinos. In Super 21 also there are special payouts. A diamond blackjack pays 2 to 1. A six hard hand totaling less than 21 wins instantly. In Super 21 the RTG online casino is compensated by blackjack paying even money.

RTG Perfect Pairs is a blackjack variant with a side bet. If the advantage of the additional payouts is to be enjoyed then players must wager the Perfect Pairs side bet. The side bet pays out if the first two cards dealt to the player form a pair. A mixed pair pays 5 to 1, a colored pair pats 12 to 1 and a perfect (suited) pair pays 30 to 1.

All these blackjack variants are live at RTG online casinos like Club World Casino, Win Palace Casino, Silver Oak Casino and Slots Jungle Casino.