Live Blackjack from Evolution Gaming: Game Review - make the dealer go bust!

Blackjack is the most widely played casino game in the world and I have not played it in quite some time, so it was time to rectify that, shake off the rustiness and visit Genting casino and see if their live version of this extremely popular card game was up to scratch.

The game is played with 8 decks, players can bet in a variety of ways and the table allows up to 7 players play at any time.

Special Features

The object of this game is to beat the dealer by reaching a final score higher than the dealer without exceeding that magical number 21. The cool thing about this game is that although other players can be at the table with you, you are not competing against them but only against the dealer. Each player is dealt two cards and you add these cards together to get your hand score. Players can then hit or stand in order to improve their chances of a winning hand as much as possible. As soon as the dealer draws to 17 then they will stop and compare their score to yours. If the dealer’s hand is over 21 then they will go “bust” and you win.

Players can avail of the insurance option if the dealer’s upcard is an Ace. This a nice feature that lessens the risk if the dealer has blackjack even if the player might have blackjack as well. Insurance is usually equal to one-half of your main bet and this bet is completely separate from the bet on your hand.

It is also possible to place side bets in the game and they are Perfect Pairs and 21+3. The cool thing about these bets is that you have the opportunity to win on any side bet regardless of whether or not you later win on your blackjack bet. The Perfect Pair side bet gives players the chance to win if their first two cards comprise of any pair e.g. two aces, two 3s. The 21+3 side bet gives players the chance to win if your first two cards plus the dealer’s upcard comprise of the following winning combinations: suited trips, straight flush, three of a kind, straight, and flush.

The last feature to mention is Bet Behind. This allows players to place a bet on a hand dealt to another player at the table. The nice thing about this feature is that you will share the outcome of the other player's hand and the payouts for this bet are the same as ordinary bets.

Theme, Graphics and Sound

The game is presented in crystal clear HD with no lag whatsoever. It is visually stunning and really replicates an authentic casino experience superbly. It evokes a real “club” like atmosphere. The Blackjack table is nicely displayed at the bottom of the screen and you can clearly see which bets are being placed and how many players are taking part in a round.

The dealer of this game was called Elina and she expertly answered any questions that I had about the game. She was a real pleasure to deal with and was super friendly.

Win lines, Payouts and Jackpots

The game has eight standard 52 card decks, a fantastic RTP of 99.28%, and has a maximum payout of 100:1.

Below is a summary taken from the PayOut Table from the game.

• Blackjack pays 3:2
• Winning hand pays 1:1
• If the dealer has blackjack, insurance pays 2:1
• Perfect Pair 25:1
• Coloured Pair: 12:1
• Mixed Pair: 6:1

21+3

• Suited Trips: 100:1
• Straight Flush: 40:1
• Three of a Kind: 30:1
• Straight 10:1
• Flush: 5:1

Our Verdict on Live Blackjack

Live Blackjack is made by Evolution Gaming and it was a nice way to dip my toe into the world of Blackjack again with this game. It is presented in a very stylish and modern way by the Genting casino team. Another nice thing about this game is that it can be played on mobile so you can play on the go as well. It really is the closest thing to playing in a real casino, right from the comfort of your own home.

Beat the dealer with a nice hand in Live Blackjack!