If you are looking for a beautifully rendered online card game with a low house edge, simple rules, and a wide variety of exciting side bets, you might want to try Premium Blackjack. Developed by leading software supplier Playtech, this game showcases the studio’s expertise in every aspect, from the interface and graphics to the gameplay.
Premium Blackjack has been optimized for play across most desktop and portable devices. This authentic variation supports a broad range of side bets and offers players a choice of four betting ranges. Additionally, blackjack enthusiasts can wager on up to five spots at a time.
| Premium Blackjack Summary | |
|---|---|
| Software Provider | Playtech |
| Deck Number | 6 decks |
| RTP | 99.58% (95.38% for the 21+3 side bet and 93.89% for the Perfect Pairs side bet) |
| Minimum Bet | Four different minimums – $0.01, $0.10, $0.50, and $10 |
| Maximum Bet | Three different maximums – $100, $500, and $10,000 |
| Blackjack Payout | 3 to 1 |
| Dealer Standing Rule | Stands on all 17s |
| Exposure | 1 exposed, 1 hidden dealer card (no peek) |
| Surrender | N/A |
| Jackpot | N/A |
Allowed Moves in Premium Blackjack
Premium Blackjack is a variation of the classic game of 21 that uses six full decks of cards, which are reshuffled automatically by the software after each round. It assigns the same card values as conventional blackjack: aces count as 1 or 11, face cards as 10, and all other cards according to their pip value. The virtual dealer draws to 16 and stands on all 17s.
Players can bet on up to five hands simultaneously. The game is somewhat restrictive with respect to doubling and splitting decisions, though. Players can split any pair, including unlike ten-value cards, but resplitting is not an option.
Split aces cannot be hit. One card is dealt to each ace, and the hand automatically stands afterward. When a split ace receives a ten, the hand is treated as a regular 21 rather than blackjack and, as such, pays even money.
Doubling down is possible on any two-card total. After doubling the initial bet, the player receives a third and final card. Doubling is also allowed on split hands.
When the dealer’s exposed card is an ace, players have the option to buy insurance on each of their hands against a potential dealer blackjack. If they take insurance, an amount equal to half of the original wager is deducted from their balance.
This is a separate wager that does not affect the odds of winning with your original hand. If the dealer has blackjack, the insurance bet pays 2 to 1. Otherwise, you lose the insurance bet and the round continues as usual.
In Premium Blackjack, the dealer does not peek for a natural when showing an ace or a ten-value card. A player blackjack receives the standard payout of 3 to 2. The game pays even money to players with non-busted hands that consist of ten cards (10-card Charlies).
Specific Features of Premium Blackjack
Some of the most notable features of Playtech’s Premium Blackjack are the side bets the game supports. These wagers are settled first, immediately after the initial deal, and have no effect on the outcome of the original hand.
The first group of extra wagers consists of the Perfect Pair bets. You can place a side bet on either a player or a dealer pair. The payouts are 6 to 1 for red or black pairs, 12 to 1 for off-suit pairs of the same color, and 25 to 1 for perfect pairs made of suited cards.
In Premium Blackjack, you can also experiment with the 21+3 side bets. Wagers from this category win if your first two cards and the dealer’s exposed card form any of the following three-card poker hands: a flush (pays 5 to 1), a straight (pays 10 to 1), a set (30 to 1), a straight flush (40 to 1), or a suited set (100 to 1).
These side bets unquestionably add excitement to Premium Blackjack, but players should refrain from placing them frequently because they carry a sizable house edge. The overall theoretical return-to-player percentage of the game is a respectable 99.58%, whereas the 21+3 and Perfect Pairs side bets return 95.38% and 93.89%, respectively.
Aside from the side bets, Playtech’s developers have included several additional features in Premium Blackjack. You can disable the ambient sound effects or activate Turbo Mode for faster gameplay. Insurance and side bets can also be turned off if you do not plan to make such wagers.
Verdict
Premium Blackjack is an excellent option for fans of the classic card game who insist on clean graphics, immersive audio effects, and smooth gameplay. This enticing variation suits any budget. Casual players can bet as little as $0.01 per hand, while those with deeper pockets can risk up to $10,000 per hand.