In short: Playtech offers RNG and live dealer blackjack, including Classic Blackjack, Blackjack Surrender, Blackjack Switch, Pontoon, Perfect Pairs and progressive versions. Most use six decks with the dealer standing on 17, but rules, side bets and limits vary by game and by casino, so check the game’s help screen before playing.
Playtech is one of the most reputable providers of gaming products on a global scale. More than a decade ago, the company started a new venture and provided players with live casino options, including Blackjack in several variations. Playtech now offers blackjack both as RNG games and at live dealer tables.
You will find live blackjack at many online casinos that use Playtech games. In general, Playtech blackjack is played with 6 decks containing 52 cards each but the number of decks can vary from casino to casino.
Once you log into your account and select a blackjack game, you will see the dealer and the table displayed on your screen. You can interact with the dealer and the other players via live chat. Playtech Live Blackjack follows the standard blackjack rules.
However, apart from the standard blackjack games, the growing demand for exciting variations led to the necessity of launching a number of unique offerings available exclusively for Playtech users. Side bets, non drawing and drawing games are available. The latter has a seven Card Charlie. This is one of players’ favorite functionalities. If a player is dealt seven cards during the gameplay and their value does not exceed 21, the player is considered the winner in this particular round.
Playtech blackjack games can be adjusted in accordance with player’s preferences. Every one is enabled to turn off animations, accelerate the speed of the deal, change the size of the cards, etc. Warnings can also be turned off. Many players find them irritating but they urge you to think twice before confirming your next move. In order to get started, you have to take a look at the requirement related to the minimum and maximum bet for each blackjack variation.
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21 Duel
In 21 Duel players are supposed to choose between one-player and three-player tables. Two cards are dealt to each player but they are turned face down. Another two cards are placed in the middle of the table and their value is instantly revealed. Dealer’s two cards are also face down. The player can give up or continue playing. If they decide to fold, the game concludes but if they continue playing, they have to select one of the two cards, put in the middle of the table and use it together with their up card for making a winning hand. Then, the player needs to hit or stand. If the player chooses to hit, the value of the card that is face down is revealed and it acts as their double down or hit card.
In case the player decides to stand, the card is not flipped up and it is excluded from the gameplay. Once the player makes a decision about the next move, the dealer is supposed to act. The dealer turns up one of the cards and picks one of the two cards in the middle of the table. If dealer’s cards do not form 17 or better, the dealer turns the second card face up and the three cards form the hand. In order to qualify, the dealer must have at least 13. In case player’s hand beats dealer’s, the player is paid even money.
21 Duel Side Bet
21 Duel Side Bet is also known as the 2UP and it enables the player to make a combination of the up card and the two placed in the middle of the table. As for the payout, a pair pays 3:1, while 3 of a kind pays 20:1.
Classic Blackjack
Along with the variations, every self-respecting online casino offers traditional blackjack to players who are not keen on adhering to different rules. Speaking of the traditional game of blackjack, provided by Playtech, it is played with six decks of cards and players can choose between single and multiplayer mode. The dealer stands on 17’s and players are allowed to double down as soon as they are dealt their first two cards. Doubling down after splitting is also allowed. You can split no more than 4 hands and if you decide to split aces you will be dealt one additional card only.
Blackjack Surrender
Blackjack Surrender is a blackjack variation that is pretty similar to the classic blackjack but there are a few differences that are worthy of mentioning.
Just like in the traditional game, blackjack surrender is played with six decks. The rules for splitting and doubling down are identical with those mentioned a few lines above. The player can surrender once the dealer checks if they have blackjack. It is important to note that a split ace with 10 point cards will not be considered blackjack.
One of dealer’s card is face up, while the other is turned face down. The dealer stands on all 17’s. An Insurance bet is available and it pays 2:1.
Multi-hand and Single-hand Blackjack Surrender
If you opt for the multi-hand blackjack surrender, check the per-hand maximum set by the casino. However, you can use the surrender option before you have acted on the first two cards you are dealt.
Surrendering is a great alternative that helps you keep half of your wager and even if the dealer defeats you, you can continue playing with the chips you have successfully preserved.
Playtech offers a single-hand version of the game that is widely preferred by those who want to play one hand at a time.
Blackjack Switch
The Blackjack Switch, available in Playtech casinos is a game where the player is dealt two hands and the cards are turned face up. The player is supposed to make two identical bets. As its name suggests, Blackjack Switch allows the player to switch the second dealt cards of each hand. As for the rules, a dealer 22 pushes all hands but the rule is not applicable if the player has a natural blackjack. The payout for blackjack is 1:1 instead of the typical 3:2. The rules for splitting and doubling down are the same as in the classic game of blackjack. Consider taking advantage of the side bet, as well. It is known as the Super Match side bet, and it pays when your first four cards contain a pair, two pairs, three of a kind or four of a kind. The dealer can “peek” and in case they have blackjack, they are declared winners regardless of player’s cards value.
Lucky Blackjack
Lucky blackjack is an exciting and yet tricky blackjack variation. The only thing the player is supposed to do is to place a bet. The dealer always stays on 17’s and the game is played with one deck of cards. Only the dealer will be given cards and player’s objective is to predict whether the dealer will have 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, blackjack or bust. The blackjack pays 19:1, while bust pays 2:1.
Perfect Pair Blackjack
The game is a variation of the standard blackjack but it is related to the type of pair which can be deal to the player. There is an optional side bet you can take advantage of. The game is played with six decks of cards and features the standard rules for splitting and doubling down.
Pontoon
Pontoon is a British variant of blackjack; in Australia, the name is also used for a different, Spanish 21-style game. The best hand should contain an ace and a ten and it is called Pontoon. The Five Card Trick is a five-card hand worth 21 or less. The dealer hits on soft 17 and the player should hit if they have a hand value of 15 or less. Doubling down is allowed after splitting and regardless of the cards value. The game is played with six decks of cards. You can split up to 3 hands. Dealer wins all ties.
Progressive Blackjack
If you want to engage in a progressive blackjack game, you are enabled to place a side bet amounting to $1. This is the sum that goes to the progressive jackpot pool. If you get four aces of the same suit, you qualify for a percentage of the jackpot. The game follows the standard rules related to splitting and doubling down.
Multi-hand Progressive Blackjack
Multi-hand progressive blackjack lets you play several hands at once with an optional jackpot side bet. Minimum and maximum bets are set by each casino. An optional side bet of $1 can be placed if you want to qualify for winning the progressive jackpot. The game is played with 6 decks and cards are shuffled after each hand, so if you are a card counter, you will experience hard times. Smaller prizes are also paid if you miss the jackpot, but the side bet carries a high house edge. Your payout corresponds to the number and type of aces you are dealt.
Multi-Player Blackjack
During multi-player blackjack, there will be up to five players on the table and during the game, you have to adhere to the following rules. First of all, only one of dealer’s card is face up and the dealer stands on all 17’s. The payout for blackjack is 3:2 and you are allowed to double down after splitting no matter what kind of cards you hold. If you double down and the dealer has blackjack, you lose both hands. An important detail is the time limit you also have to stick to. Remember that you have limited time to decide what your next move will be.
If you split aces, you will be dealt one card only.
Single-Hand Blackjack
The single hand blackjack is regarded as pretty straightforward game where your objective is to beat dealer’s hand without exceeding 21. The minimum and maximum bets vary from casino to casino. As for the rules, the dealer is not allowed to “peek’ and check for blackjack. You are allowed to split once per two hands, while doubling down is possible after splitting. As the game action unfolds, warnings may pop up on your screen requiring you to think twice before you take the next move. If you find them irritating, you can turn them off.
