Tired of waiting around during peak hours for a seat to open at the live blackjack tables? The wait is over, thanks to Playtech’s Live Unlimited Blackjack. This innovative live offering accommodates an unlimited number of players at a single table, hosted by skilled dealers trained to Playtech’s exacting standards. Strip rules apply, but the game also supports a variety of exciting side bets, including Perfect Pairs and 21+3.
Rundown of the Rules and Payouts
Playtech’s Unlimited Blackjack is dealt from a shoe containing 8 manually pre-shuffled decks. The game uses the U.S. card-dealing style, in which the live dealer receives their second card face down immediately after all players have been dealt their cards but before any playing decisions are made.
The dealer hits on 16 and stands on both soft and hard 17. Besides hitting and standing, players can split any pair of matching cards. The rules prohibit re-splitting and hitting split aces. The software automatically splits pairs according to basic strategy, after which players can either accept the split or fold and receive 80% of their initial bet back.
You can double down on any two cards, even after splitting pairs. If the dealer pairs an ace with a ten-value card to make blackjack, you lose both your original and double-down bets. However, you get your double-down bet back if the dealer draws an ace for blackjack when showing a ten.
Insurance, offered at odds of 2 to 1, is available when the dealer’s upcard is an ace. Blackjacks pay 3 to 2, while all other winning hands pay even money. Ten-card Charlies beat all dealer hands except blackjacks.
Gaming Interface and Remarkable Features
Unlimited Blackjack features a solid interface with a digital layout containing five main betting spots. Its biggest advantage is that it eliminates the wait even when all main betting positions are taken.
Thanks to the Bet Behind feature, an unlimited number of players can join the action at any time. When two or more players bet on the same spot, they can make independent decisions on how to play the hand. If one player chooses to hit and another to stand, the dealer will draw another card to the betting position, but the player who stood will not receive it.
Seated players can use the chat box and tip the dealers. Unlimited Blackjack supports a full range of optional side bets, with a house edge ranging from 95.90% to 96.30%. Here are the payouts:
- Red/black pairs pay 6 to 1
- Colored pairs pay 12 to 1
- Perfect pairs pay 25 to 1
- Flush pays 5 to 1
- Straights pay 10 to 1
- Three of a kind pays 30 to 1
- Straight flush pays 40 to 1
- Suited three of a kind pays 100 to 1
Closing Thoughts
The primary advantage of this Playtech release is that it removes seat-availability limitations while allowing players to bet on up to five spots at a time and experiment with a wide range of side bets. Friendly yet professional dealers who host the game further enhance its appeal.
