RTG Blackjack

Written by Ian Mac
Ian Mac is a dedicated content writer and editor with consistent 5-star feedback when it comes to creating high-quality gambling content. He writes about casino bonuses, casino destinations and casino games including slots, roulette and blackjack.
, | Updated: September 25, 2025

There are hundreds of blackjack games available online, but only a few can be played freely by U.S.-based casino patrons. Players who are looking for fast, high-quality blackjack should consider the robust collection from RealTime Gaming. The software from RTG, as the company is also known, is still available at U.S.-friendly casinos and offers several classic versions of blackjack.

RealTime Gaming was established in 1998 in the United States, but it later relocated to Costa Rica. Over the years, the company has created roughly 300 games, including online slots, table games, video poker titles, and progressive jackpot slots. As one of the first developers of online casino software, RTG has also produced an impressive range of realistic, customizable blackjack variations. These games are often described as classic or traditional, featuring a basic appearance and limited features.

When it comes to graphics and sound quality, RTG’s titles are probably not the most impressive. However, the majority of them were released more than a decade ago, when the online gambling industry was less crowded and less competitive. Even so, the blackjack games in the studio’s collection offer fast and straightforward gameplay, relatively favorable rules, and standard payouts. One of their biggest advantages is that they can be played at U.S.-friendly casinos.

RTG Software and Features

Similar to other veteran casino software developers, RTG offers both downloadable and instant-play versions of its games. Players who install the software package on their computers generally enjoy slightly sharper graphics than those available in the Flash casino. However, the difference in quality is subtle and should not be an issue for most players.

Download and Flash Casino
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Download and Flash Casino

RTG’s downloadable casino software is available for PCs and can be installed within minutes. After creating a casino account, users can access RTG’s full collection of games and play them in demo mode or for real money. The games load quickly, and both performance and graphics provide an enjoyable gaming experience. Of course, the majority of games are also available in the Flash casino, making it a good alternative for players who do not want to install the Casino Client.

The instant-play platform is indeed a bit outdated compared with those of other online casinos, but it offers fast loading times, a convenient and easy-to-use interface, and a straightforward layout. Players have instant access to the Support and Banking pages, as well as the game lobby, where the games are neatly organized into several main categories, including Slots, Table Games, and Video Poker. Blackjack fans will be glad to know that many RTG games are mobile-friendly and available on iOS, Android, Windows Phone, and BlackBerry. They perform well in most mobile browsers and differ little from the desktop versions.


Software Features and Configurable Settings

The blackjack variations come with only a few basic features and options. Players can open the History window from the Menu tab, where they can track their progress and check past results. From the Player Options menu, they can enter or exit full-screen mode, toggle dealer voices, adjust the volume, and change the speed of the game.

The most interesting aspect of RTG games is that the studio allows operators to adjust certain rules and settings for each title. One of the most important configurable options is the number of decks used – RTG blackjack is typically played with six decks, but some casinos offer four- and eight-deck versions. Operators can also enable or disable Late Surrender. Table limits may vary as well; bets usually range from $1 to $200 per hand, although some casinos allow wagers of up to $500 per hand.

Rules and Variety of Games

Variety of Blackjack Games

Standard Rules of RTG Blackjack

Compared with the game libraries of leading studios such as NetEnt or Microgaming, RealTime Gaming’s portfolio of blackjack titles is relatively small. Nevertheless, it still delivers a broad range of rules, payouts, and betting limits. RTG’s blackjack games are distinguished by their flexibility – casino operators can adjust certain rules and settings, as mentioned above. As a result, the blackjack experience varies slightly from one online platform to another.

RTG provides a handful of standard blackjack games along with several variations that include side bets and bonus payouts. However, it does not offer multi-hand versions that let you play multiple hands at once. In addition, there are no live-dealer blackjack games, which may disappoint some players.

The standard version of American Blackjack developed by RTG is simply titled Blackjack. The dealer draws two cards – one face-up and one face-down – and must hit on soft 17. Players may double on any two cards, including after a split, except when splitting aces; in that case, hitting, doubling, or resplitting is not permitted. Up to two splits are allowed, and insurance is offered when the dealer’s upcard is an Ace. As noted, the number of decks in play and the availability of late surrender are configurable options that influence the game’s RTP.

RTG also offers a solid European Blackjack game, which is likewise played under classic rules. The dealer must stand on all 17s, and doubling is permitted only on hard totals of 9, 10, and 11. In addition to these titles, RTG-powered casinos feature an intriguing blackjack-based game called Pontoon, which follows very similar rules. In this variant, a hand containing a 10-value card and an Ace is called a pontoon rather than a blackjack – hence the name.

This title combines elements of classic Pontoon with traditional blackjack. The dealer receives two face-down cards and must hit on soft 17. Players must hit or double on totals of 14 or less, and up to five hits are allowed per round. You may split up to two times, and doubling after a split is permitted. A pontoon hand pays 2:1, while the next-strongest hand – any five-card hand – also pays 2:1 and is known as the Five-Card Trick. The dealer wins all ties. RTG additionally offers a variation of the popular Double Exposure blackjack, branded here as Face Up 21.

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RTG Blackjack with Bonus Payouts

Several RealTime Gaming blackjack variations feature optional side bets, and players who win them can receive enticing bonus payouts of up to 60 times their original stake. As a general rule, the side bet should be equal to the main game wager.

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blank Blackjack + Perfect Pairs
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Suit ‘Em Up Blackjack

This is one of the most exciting blackjack variations available online. It offers generous bonus payouts without requiring a side bet. Depending on the casino, Suit ‘Em Up can be played with 2, 6, or 8 decks of cards. Following standard rules, it pays 3:2 for player blackjack and 2:1 for winning insurance.

The dealer in this hole-card game must hit on soft 17. Players can double down on any two cards, including after splitting a pair. Aces can be split only once, and only one final card will be dealt to each. Special payouts are awarded for suited hand combinations:

  • Any suited cards – 2:1
  • Suited 11 – 3:1
  • Suited pair – 5:1
  • Suited blackjack – 10:1
  • Suited Aces – 60:1

Blackjack + Perfect Pairs

RTG has incorporated one of the most popular blackjack side bets into this game, aptly named Blackjack + Perfect Pairs. It is played under the traditional rules of blackjack – the dealer has one face-up and one hole card and must hit on soft 17. Players can double down on any two cards, including after a split.

In addition to the regular payouts, players can earn winnings of up to 25 times their original wager if their initial hand forms a pair. These bonus payouts are triggered only when the side bet is placed. The Perfect Pairs side bet is optional, independent of the main bet, and must be at least the table minimum. Depending on whether the pair shares only the same denomination, the same color and denomination, or is an identical pair, the payout is as follows:

  • Mixed Pair – 6:1
  • Colored Pair – 12:1
  • Perfect Pair – 25:1

Match Play 21

This blackjack variation largely follows the standard rules of the classic game, with a few notable exceptions. It uses so-called Spanish decks – regular packs with all 10s removed – so each deck contains 48 cards instead of 52. RTG’s Match Play 21 is a hole-card game, and the dealer is required to hit on soft 17. Players may double once per round and on any number of cards, and they are allowed to surrender at any time.

Ten different special payouts can be earned without placing any side bets. These payouts are awarded for specific card combinations; for instance, a 5-card 21 yields an additional payout of 3:1. The top bonus occurs when a Match Play 21 is achieved – when the player holds three 7s of the same suit without busting while the dealer’s upcard is also a 7. However, none of these bonus payouts are valid if the player doubles or splits a pair.

  • 5-Card 21 – 3:2
  • Any 6-7-8, 7-7-7 – 3:2
  • 6-Card 21 – 2:1
  • Any 6-7-8, 7-7-7 Suited – 2:1
  • 7-Card 21 (or more cards) – 3:1
  • 6-7-8, 7-7-7 of Spades – 3:1
  • Match Play 21 – 40:1

Super 21

Super 21 by RTG is another engaging online blackjack variant that offers bonus payouts for certain card combinations – a Diamond Blackjack, for example, pays 2:1. A regular blackjack (an Ace and a 10-value card), however, pays even money. The dealer has a hole card and hits soft 17. Players may double and surrender at any time. They also win blackjack ties and score an instant win if they hold six cards without busting.

  • Diamond Blackjack – 2:1
  • 5-Card 21 – 2:1
  • 6-Card 21 – 2:1
  • 6 Cards – Instant win
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