Power Blackjack

Power Blackjack is a thrilling variant of classic blackjack that offers a unique twist with modified decks and the potential for increasing your bet amount with high entertainment potential.

Published by Evolution in June 2020, it allows an unlimited number of players to join the same table to enjoy a game of blackjack with additional rules and the potential to double, triple or even quadruple your bet amount after you’ve seen your first two cards.

This review will take a look at Power Blackjack’s core characteristics, payouts, common questions and provide help on how to play the game.

Power Blackjack has the following characteristics:

• 8-deck shoe
• The 9s and 10s have been removed from each deck
• You can Double, Triple or Quadruple your bet after any two initial cards
• You can Double, Triple or Quadruple your bet after Splitting
• You can Split initial cards of the same value
• You can only split once per hand
• Splitting Aces deals a single card to each Split Ace
• When the dealer shows an Ace, Insurance is offered to you
• Blackjack pays 3:2
• Insurance pays 2:1
• The dealer stands on soft 17
• The dealer checks for Blackjack on J, Q, K and Ace
• If hands tie, bets are Pushed

Power Blackjack, like Infinite Blackjack and Lightning Blackjack allows an unlimited number of players at the same table. In order to achieve this, players all go by the same initial two-card hand and then move on to make their own decisions about how to proceed.

Where Infinite Blackjack and Lightning Blackjack offer the options Hit, Stand, Split or Double, Power Blackjack also gives you the choice to Triple or Quadruple your bet.

Overall, a round of Power Blackjack will progress as follows:

1. Betting: Players only have 12 seconds to place their bets. After you place a main bet, you can also bet on up to 4 side bets, Hot3, 21+3, Any Pair and Bust It. More on the types of bets below.
2. Card Dealing: The dealer deals two face-up cards to each player, as well as one face-up and one face-down card to themselves.
   • If the dealer's upcard (the card facing up) is an Ace, players can opt for Insurance, where you wager up to half the amount of your original bet that the dealer will have Blackjack (an Ace and a ten-card). Then the dealer checks the hole card (the card facing down) to confirm whether they have Blackjack. If so, the round ends and payouts are made at 2:1 to those with Insurance, effectively allowing them to break even if they bet the full insurance amount.
   • If the dealer’s upcard is a King, a Queen or a Jack they will check for Blackjack.
   • If the dealer doesn't have Blackjack, the game proceeds to the next step.
3. Player Decisions: All players decide simultaneously how to proceed, with the dealer waiting for everyone to decide before moving on. As mentioned earlier, an unlimited number of players can join each table and share the first two cards in the hand, so this step may take some time. As a player, you can choose to:
   • Hit: Take another card. You can keep hitting until you Bust, but it’s good to have a strategy in mind.
   • Stand: Keep your current hand.
   • Double, Triple or Quadruple: Multiply the bet and receive one final card.
   • Split: If the initial two cards form a pair, you can Split them into two separate hands and then play them separately. You can also Double, Triple or Quadruple a Split hand.
4. Dealer Plays: After all players have made their decisions, the dealer reveals their second card. The dealer must hit if the total is 16 or less and stand on a soft 17 or more.
5. Determining the Round:
   • Tie: Your bet is returned.
   • Dealer Wins: All bets are lost.
   • Player Wins: You receive a 1:1 payout (unless you have Blackjack).
   • Player Blackjack: If you get an Ace and a ten-card, you receive a 3:2 payout.

There are 4 types of side bets in Blackjack:

• Hot 3: Pays if your first two cards and the dealer’s upcard have a total between 19 and 21. Each combination pays differently, so check out the table below.
• Any Pair: Pays if your first two cards form a Pair or a Suited Pair.
• 21+3: Also based on your first two cards and the dealer’s upcard, this bet pays if you get a poker-inspired combination.
• Bust It: Pays if the dealer busts, and the more cards in their hand, the higher the payout!

The table below shows the payout of each type of bet:

Return to Player in Power Blackjack Classic Blackjack’s RTP is higher than in Power Blackjack, so if what you’re looking for is a good return on bets, you would be better off going for the traditional version of the game. Overall, the theoretical RTP based on the first hand in the shoe is 98.80%. To compare, the RTP for regular Blackjack is around 99.50%, depending on the version you’re playing.

As for the side bets, they have the following RTP:

• Any Pair - 96.58%
• 21+3 - 96.09%
• Hot3 - 96.21%
• Bust It 94.71%

Power Blackjack reimagines the classic blackjack game with different elements such as the Triple and Quadruple Down options, and the removal of 9s and 10s from the decks. These elements significantly alter the gameplay, requiring players to adapt their traditional strategies and think more critically. New layers of strategy and excitement are introduced, making each hand more dynamic and engaging.

At first glance the game looks like it’s not worth the trouble - after all the RTP is much lower - however, if you’re a Blackjack aficionado who is looking for something new, Power Blackjack does offer a fresh take and some features that will challenge your brain, your skill and your luck. Combined with a high-quality stream and excellent dealer presentation and the potential for higher payouts, Power Blackjack is a standout choice in online blackjack. If you're looking to elevate your blackjack game and enjoy a more strategic and thrilling version, Power Blackjack is definitely worth a try.