Most versions of online blackjack are almost identical, but this is simply not true for NetEnt’s Double Exposure Blackjack. In this game, players can see both of the dealer’s cards, which makes the gameplay a little more exciting. This small difference, however, is combined with a modified paytable – in this game, all payouts are even, including for blackjack.
Rules and Gameplay
NetEnt’s Double Exposure Blackjack is a virtual blackjack game that is played with 6 decks of 52 cards each. All cards are dealt face-up, including the dealer’s. Players can Hit or Stand, while Doubling the bet is allowed only if the first two cards have a hard total of 9, 10, or 11. The Double option is available only at the beginning of the round or after a Split.
In addition, players can Split hands that consist of two cards of the same value. The dealer in this game is required to draw to 16 and Stand on all 17s. In addition, the dealer wins all ties, except for tied blackjacks, which are a push and the bet is returned to the player. Another important aspect of this game is that all wins pay even money (1:1) and Insurance is not available.
Distinctive Features
The double exposure of the dealer’s hand is the most distinctive feature in this game. The rule gives a certain advantage to players, as seeing both of the dealer’s cards helps them play their hand more effectively. However, to make up for this advantage and keep the game balanced, developers at NetEnt have changed the payouts.
Players who beat the dealer are paid 1:1 even if they have blackjack, which typically pays 3:2 or 1.5 times the stake. This difference in the paytable may not seem significant at first, but it becomes apparent over time. In fact, this reduced blackjack payout, in combination with the lack of Insurance (or Surrender, for that matter), has led to a lower theoretical Return-to-Player. While in most standard blackjack games the RTP is around 99.50%-99.60%, here it is 99.33%.
Conclusion
Double Exposure Blackjack is easy to play and the rules are quite straightforward, which makes it perfect for less experienced players. It is certainly fun to see both of the dealer’s cards, but this advantage ultimately reduces the game’s average return, which is why players need to weigh all the pros and cons before wagering real money.
