| Updated: Released in April 2019, Free Chip Blackjack is an intriguing variation of online blackjack from Playtech, one of the largest and most reputable developers of online casino software. With three types of side bets and free chips for doubling and splitting, Free Chip Blackjack is certainly among the most innovative and exciting takes on classic blackjack ever created.
Rules and Gameplay
Free Chip Blackjack is based on the standard Las Vegas-style game, but it also features some unconventional and interesting rules. It is played with six decks of 52 cards, and the dealer can peek for blackjack if their upcard is an Ace. The dealer hits on soft 17 and stands on hard 17 or higher. Players may hit or stand and can split up to three times. Hitting split aces is allowed, and players can double on any two cards.
So far, the rules seem quite standard. The objective of the game is also standard, as are the payouts for blackjack and insurance at 3:2 and 2:1, respectively. However, if the dealer’s upcard is a 10, the dealer automatically loses. The dealer also loses if the player is holding 17. In fact, the Bust Bonanza paytable lists several special situations that offer increased payouts.
Distinctive Features
As you can see, Playtech’s Free Chip Blackjack is not a typical game of blackjack. Let’s start with Bust Bonanza and its special rules for dealer busts. If the dealer goes over 21, they bust, and the player receives a regular 1:1 payout. The dealer also busts with a 10 upcard, resulting in a 3:1 payout. If the player has 17, the payout is 5:1. If both conditions occur simultaneously, the payout increases to 9:1.
If the player is holding 17 and the dealer’s upcard is an Ace, the dealer loses, and the player receives the game’s top prize of 45:1. It is also possible for both the player and the dealer to have 17. In almost all such cases, the player wins, but there is one exception. If the player’s 17 is formed with more than two cards, the current round is considered a tie.
Another feature that sets this game apart from other blackjack variations is its free chips. These free chips are available only in two situations, allowing players to double and split for free. Players can double on hard 9, 10, and 11 and split any pair except a pair of 10-value cards. In addition, the more free chips players collect, the higher the extra prizes they receive. One chip pays 3:1, two chips pay 10:1, and so on, while seven chips award an extra payout of 1,000:1.
Conclusion
Playtech’s Free Chip Blackjack is a unique and entertaining version of virtual blackjack with an average RTP of 99.23%. In addition to free chips and Bust Bonanza, it offers Playtech’s standard Perfect Pairs side bet.