At the beginning of 2020, Evolution Gaming promised a special year full of new live game releases. It released Power Blackjack in June, and the game was an instant hit with live blackjack players. In this detailed Power Blackjack review, we’ll explain all you need to know about this interesting live dealer blackjack game, which allows you to double, triple, or even quadruple down on your initial bets.
We hope you enjoy reading it.
Power Blackjack – Things You Need to Know
- This game belongs to Evolution’s signature “Infinite” range because it uses two communal cards and can host unlimited players.
- After your initial cards are dealt, you can double, triple, or quadruple your bets.
- However, all 9s and 10s are removed from the deck. This significantly lowers your chances of making blackjack.
- Power Blackjack also has four side bets: Hot3, 21+3, Any Pair, and BustIt. We’ll explain how these work below.
- The dealer must stand if her initial cards are worth 17 or more. Likewise, she must hit if her hand is worth less than 17.
A Round of Power Blackjack Explained
We want to provide you with the best Power Blackjack review possible, so we have taken the time to play it for ourselves. This is what you can expect.
- When you first go into the Power Blackjack studio, which is an eye-catching royal blue and gold colour, the dealer will greet you and invite you to play.
- You’ll have to place your bets during the betting window which lasts just over 10 seconds. After the dealer closes it, she’ll deal you two communal cards face up. She’ll also deal herself two cards; one face up and one face down.
- Once you have your initial cards, you’ll have to make your first decision. Will you hit, stand, split, or will you double, triple, or quadruple down?
- Next, the dealer will burn a card and proceed to reveal her down-facing card. She then has to hit if her hand is worth less than 17, and will automatically stand if she has a hand worth more than 17.
- Once the showdown happens, bets are settled automatically. You’ll win or lose in accordance with normal blackjack rules: the hand closest to but not exceeding 21 wins.
What’s Great About this Live Blackjack Game?
Like all live dealer blackjack games, this one has its pros and cons. Let’s start things off on a positive note.
- Power Bets – The ability to double, triple, or quadruple down on your initial cards is awesome. If you have a strong hand, like a 20, you might want to do this, depending on what the dealer has.
- Side Bets – There are some lucrative extra betting opportunities in live Power Blackjack. Check out the “side bets” section below for more information.
- Free Splits – You won’t have to pay to split pairs. You can also double, triple, or quadruple down on splits.
What’s Not Great About this Live Blackjack Game?
- No 9s and 10s – This live blackjack game is played with eight decks. That’s a lot of 9s and 10s that could really have helped you. This is the price you pay for the chance to take advantage of strong hands.
- No Six-Card Charlie – Many players enjoy the six-card charlie rule, whereby if you get six cards and don’t bust, you get paid 3:2. That’s stripped away in this game.
Site Bets Explained
- Hot 3 – This wager pays if your initial two cards, and the dealer’s up card, make 19, 20, or 21 (or are three sevens). It can pay up to 100:1.
- 21+3 – This is a game of mini-poker within blackjack. It’s again based on your initial two cards and the dealer’s up card. It can pay up to 100:1.
- Any Pair – This is a bet that your initial cards form a pair. It can pay 20:1 in the best-case scenario.
- Bustit – This bet pays if the dealer busts. The more cards she busts with, the more you’ll make. If she busts with eight or more cards, you’ll win 250:1.
Should You Play Power Blackjack?
This live blackjack variant is for the risk-takers. It’s not for those who like to grind out a slow and steady profit by using perfect blackjack strategy, because the removal of the 9s and 10s mess that up. It’s for players who see an opportunity and want to seize it by doubling, tripling, or quadrupling down.
Featured Casino – Where to Play Power Blackjack
Aside from choosing a live blackjack game, you’ll have to choose a safe, fair online casino. We recommend playing Power Blackjack at 32Red. Here are the advantages of doing so.
- 32Red is a safe, licensed casino site. It’s approved by the UKGC and is a trusted gambling brand.
- It offers lots of live dealer games from Evolution Gaming, including other live blackjack games, roulette, game shows, and more.
- 32Red processed payments quickly. You’ll get your winnings in hours if you have a verified account and use an e-wallet like PayPal.