Atlantic City is home to some of the most sumptuous casino resorts in the USA, so it is only fitting for a software developer of Microgaming’s caliber to create an online blackjack variation that adheres to the widespread rules in this gambling Mecca.
The game follows nearly the same rules as those prevalent across Las Vegas. The main differences here are that the cards are dealt from an 8-deck shoe and that the late surrender rule applies.
Other than that, the Microgaming developers have equipped Atlantic City Blackjack with realistic graphics, pleasant ambient background sounds, and a simple interface that makes the variation suitable for players of all experience levels. Bets range from $1 to $200, accommodating both casual gamblers and high rollers with deeper pockets.
| Atlantic City Blackjack Summary | |
|---|---|
| Software Provider | Microgaming |
| Deck Number | 8 decks |
| RTP | 99.65% |
| Minimum Bet | $1 |
| Maximum Bet | $200 |
| Blackjack Payout | 3 to 2 |
| Dealer Standing Rule | Stands on all 17s |
| Exposure | 1 exposed, 1 hole card (peeks for blackjacks under aces and ten-value cards) |
| Surrender | Late surrender |
| Jackpot | N/A |
Allowed Moves in Atlantic City Blackjack
The objective for players in Atlantic City Blackjack is the same as in all other variations of the game: beat the dealer with a better hand total without going over 21. Each new round of play starts with a freshly shuffled shoe containing 8 full decks. The dealer peeks for blackjacks when showing an ace or a ten-value card and stands on all totals of 17 or higher.
As in traditional blackjack, players can hit, stand, split, double down, and buy insurance when the dealer shows an ace. One important difference is that late surrender is allowed on any two-card total; you can fold any starting hand after the dealer peeks for blackjack with an exposed ace or ten-value card. When you exercise the late surrender move, you lose half of your initial stake but keep the other half.
Pairs can be split three times to form up to four separate hands. Paired aces cannot be resplit or hit. Each split ace receives only one additional card. Unlike in some versions, ten-value cards like K-J can also be split. Players can double down on any two starting cards, and doubling after splitting a pair is also an option. When the dealer’s upcard is an ace, you can buy insurance by posting an extra bet equal to half of your original stake.
Specific Features of Atlantic City Blackjack
The interface and gaming controls of Atlantic City Blackjack are user-friendly. A betting round starts with players choosing a chip denomination and clicking the betting spot on the layout to post their wagers. The dealer receives one exposed card and one hole card. Both of the player’s cards are dealt face up.
If you accidentally post the wrong wager size, you can fix it by clicking the Clear Bets button. Players who flat bet can wager the same amount on each hand with the help of the Rebet button. You can check the rules by hovering your mouse cursor over the plaque displaying the table limits.
You can also turn off the background music, the dealer’s voice, and the ambient sounds. Those who want to speed up the pace of the game can take advantage of the Quick Deal feature. When the Auto Rebet feature is activated, the software automatically posts the same wager into the betting box, sparing you the hassle of doing it yourself.
Atlantic City Blackjack does not support any side bets. Players receive a payout of 3 to 2 for blackjacks, while all other winning hands pay even money. The insurance side bet offers the standard payout of 2 to 1.
It is worth mentioning that there are two versions of Atlantic City Blackjack by Microgaming that use the same set of rules. The Gold Series version is less impressive visually but supports up to five hands simultaneously. The other version offers more polished graphics and animations but allows you to play only one hand at a time.
Verdict
To wrap things up, Atlantic City Blackjack by Microgaming is a must-try for players who prefer low-house-edge games with great rules like late surrender. The single-hand version impresses with slicker animations and sounds and offers a long-term theoretical player return of 99.65% with optimal basic strategy. Try it out at some of our recommended Microgaming-powered casinos.