Multi-Hand Blackjack Guide

Multi Hand blackjack is a relatively new variation on the popular casino card game that allows you to play multiple hands simultaneously. It’s mostly played by intermediate or advanced players because although most of the standard blackjack rules apply in this variant, it requires a higher level of focus and skill.

With up to five hands in play, the odds in the game will naturally vary, as will some of the rules and moves you can make. Naturally, you may have questions about what is Multi Hand Blackjack and how to play, so I’ve prepared a quick Betiton blackjack guide to help you out.

What is Multi-Hand Blackjack?

Multihand blackjack is one of the few games that allows you to play multiple hands simultaneously. Depending on the game’s provider and rules, you can usually play between three and five hands simultaneously, depending on the software supplier of the game. For full flexibility, if you wish, you can bet different amounts on each hand.

Other than the option to play multiple hands at once, there aren’t too many differences between this variant and classic blackjack. It’s perfect for blackjack aficionados who want to try something new and slightly more challenging.

What Are the Rules of Multi-Hand Blackjack?

If you know the rules of standard blackjack, you’ll know how to play Multi Hand blackjack. The goal, as always, is to draw cards until you get as close as you can to 21, which will give you the best chance of beating the dealer. 

Check out the other helpful guides at Betiton UK if you need a refresher on the basic blackjack rules!

Double Down in Multi-Hand Blackjack

The Multi-Hand Blackjack rules for doubling down state that you can double any two initial cards. The only exception is if you’re dealt an ace and a 10-value card, which constitutes a blackjack and is an automatic win (unless the dealer also has blackjack).

The decision to double down should always be made for each hand and what the dealer’s face up card is. The best hands to double down are hard 9s, 10s, or 11s, regardless of what the dealer has. If the dealer has an Ace, you should never double down on any hand with a value higher than 11.

Split in Multi-Hand Blackjack

If one of the hands you’re dealt in Multi Hand blackjack is a pair, you’ll be offered the option to split it. The best way to decide whether you should split a pair or play is to consult your basic blackjack strategy chart, although some pairs should always be split in blackjack.

For example, if one of the hands you’re playing is a pair of Aces or eights, the best move is generally to split the pair into two new hands. You’ll need to consider the dealer’s upcard with any other pair. For instance, if you have two sevens, you should split if the dealer’s card is between two and seven. Otherwise, it’s better to hit.

Insurance Bet in Multi-Hand Blackjack

The insurance bet is offered if the dealer’s visible card is an Ace. If you want to insure any of your hands, it will cost you an additional wager equal to half your original bet. This means that if you’re going to insure every hand, you’ll need to put up this wager for each one.

After insurance is offered, the dealer reveals their card. If they have a blackjack, you get a payout of 2:1, which means you break even rather than lose your bet. However, the bet is lost if they don’t hit a blackjack.

According to basic Multi Hand blackjack strategy, the insurance bet shouldn’t be taken because it’s often a losing bet.

The Surrender Rule in Multi-Hand Blackjack

When you play blackjack, you might be offered the option to surrender when the dealer has an Ace. This is always a better option than taking the insurance bet, but few Multihand Blackjack games have this option. For example, Blackjack Multi-Hand by Pragmatic Play doesn’t allow you to surrender.

If surrender is available, you can recover half of your original stake and forfeit your cards. This means you skip the rest of the round and wait for the next one to begin if you want to play again.

Multi-Hand Blackjack Odds & Payouts

At face value, the Multi-Hand Blackjack odds are comparable to single-hand blackjack, although, with more decks in play, the house edge increases slightly, as I’ll explain in the following section. The odds of winning are increased when playing multiple hands but don’t forget that you’ll also be wagering more money when playing multiple hands.

The payouts in Multihand Blackjack are the standard blackjack payouts. If you beat the dealer, you get a payout of 1:1, while insurance pays 2:1 if taken. Blackjack has the highest payout of 3:2, which is won if your first two cards are an Ace and a 10 value card (totalling twenty one).

The House Edge in Multi-Hand Blackjack

The house edge is slightly affected by the number of decks used in the game. Most Multi Hand Blackjack games are played with eight decks, which is the maximum number of decks that can be used.

With more decks in play, the probability of being dealt a blackjack on one of your hands decreases if the number of decks increases. Additionally, multiple decks are never favourable for card counters because it becomes much harder to keep an accurate count.

As you can see from the table below, the difference in house advantage is minimal, but some players still avoid multi-deck games for this reason.  Finally, remember that the house edge percentages in the table below can also be reduced further with accurate basic strategy.

🔢 Decks in Play	💯 House Advantage
1-Deck Blackjack	4.82%
2-Deck Blackjack	4.78%
3-Deck Blackjack	4.76%
4-Deck Blackjack	4.75%
5-Deck Blackjack	4.75%
6-Deck Blackjack	4.73%
8-Deck Blackjack	4.73%

Advantages and Disadvantages of Multi-Hand Blackjack

Multihand Blackjack offers players several advantages, particularly that you can play multiple hands at once. Although you need to wager more money to play more than one hand, the odds of winning slightly increase.

Below, I’ve compared the pros and cons to consider if you want to play Multihand Blackjack.

➕ Advantages	➖ Disadvantages
✅ Although multiple decks are used, the favourable rules give this variant a low house edge.	❌ It’s impossible to play Multi-Hand blackjack with a card counting strategy.
✅ You can easily apply basic blackjack strategy for each hand.	❌ With eight decks in play, the house edge is slightly higher.
✅ The possibility of winning is higher with multiple hands in play.	❌ The more hands you play, the more you’ll need to wager, even if you play the minimum bet.
✅ You can wager different amounts for each hand.	❌ It’s not ideal for beginners because keeping up with multiple hands can be challenging.
✅ Doubling down is allowed, allowing you to take advantage of good hands.	❌ If you get unlucky with your cards, you can lose all the hands you’re playing in one round, making it a riskier variant.

Multi-Hand vs Single-Hand Blackjack

Below, I’ve compared Multi Hand vs Single Hand blackjack to highlight some important differences you should know before playing. Remember, if you’re new to this variant, you can also try free Multi Hand Blackjack before you play with real money.

♠️ Multi-Hand Blackjack	🃏 Single-Hand Blackjack
It uses between four and eight card decks.	Played with a single deck.
You can play between one and five hands in the same round.	Only one hand can be played per round.
Playing multiple hands when playing blackjack at a land-based casino is not always possible.	Widely available at land-based casinos and online casinos.
Suitable for more experienced blackjack players who know basic strategy.	It’s ideal for card counters (mostly in a land-based casino).
Blackjack pays 3:2.	Blackjack also pays 3:2 in a single-hand game.
Multi-Hand blackjack boasts high winning chances thanks to the low house edge.	Single-hand blackjack has a slightly lower house edge because of the number of decks.

Frequently Asked Questions About Multi-Hand Blackjack