Playtech is among the oldest and most recognized suppliers of online casino software, boasting an impressively large selection of blackjack games. The company’s blackjack suite is a great option for players based outside the USA who are looking to play the game of 21 for real money.
Playtech’s rich blackjack selection is unfortunately unavailable to US-based players. The software studio exited this market in October 2008 after the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act was signed into law. Nevertheless, the supplier operates across twenty regulated markets including Italy, France, China, the UK, Poland, Portugal, the Czech Republic, and Sweden.
The studio impresses with a large roster of online blackjack games, most of which have been optimized for play on portable devices. Playtech’s variations of 21 offer some of the most favorable playing conditions you can find online.
One distinctive example is their take on Geoff Hall’s Blackjack Switch, which yields one of the highest theoretical return percentages we have so far seen in online blackjack. When played with perfect basic strategy, this game has a casino advantage of 0.13% only.
Continue reading if this piques your interest as we inspect closely Playtech’s suite of blackjack variations, their distinctive features, and standard set of rules. Also covered are the supplier’s progressive jackpot variations of the game along with their suite of live dealer blackjack tables. We finish off with detailed overviews of six of the Playtech blackjack games we find particularly compelling.
Live Dealer Blackjack by Playtech Gameplay
Useful Features in Playtech’s Blackjack Games
Playtech’s blackjack variants impress with a rich set of great features that significantly improve players’ gaming experience. Most of the virtual tables are customizable allowing you to tailor your experience to your personal preference. The interface is quite user-friendly, which renders Playtech’s games suitable for blackjack novices who are yet to learn how to play 21.
Multi-hand Play
Strategy Warning Messages
Fast Play
Rebet and Deal Button
Double and Deal Button
Customization Options
Broad Table Limits
Cross compatibility
Multi-hand Play
Multi-hand play is possible in many Playtech blackjack releases including the highly intuitive Blackjack Surrender, UK Blackjack, and Cashback Blackjack. You can post chips in up to five betting spots to play five hands at a time.
Strategy Warning Messages
Strategy warning messages are displayed whenever a player deviates from the optimal playing strategy. If you happen to misclick a button or intentionally misplay your hand because you are not sure about the correct move, the blackjack software will ask you to confirm whether or not you really want to hit or stand. The feature can also improve your learning curve where basic strategy is concerned.
Fast Play
Fast play enables you to improve the speed at which your cards are dealt. This is especially useful whenever you play five hands at a time. The feature is referred to as “Turbo Mode” in some of the older Playtech blackjack releases. You can access it from the settings menu, located in the upper right corner of the gaming interface.
Rebet and Deal Button
The Rebet and Deal button gets activated at the start of each round. It automatically repeats your previous wager(s) and deals your new hand. This option is very useful for players who prefer to flat bet, placing the same amount of chips on each round.
Double and Deal Button
The Double and Deal button is pretty much similar to the previous feature, the only difference being it doubles your last wager rather than betting the same amount. We consider this feature handy for players who use progressive betting systems such as the notorious Martingale where you double your previous wager after each losing hand. With that said, we remind blackjack players to refrain from using such systems because they are grossly ineffective and detrimental to one’s bankroll.
Customization Options
Customization options are also available in Playtech’s blackjack software across many of the studio’s releases. One of the features we liked best was the option to tailor the color of the virtual tables’ felt to your personal preferences. This is available in games like Blackjack Surrender, American Blackjack, and Blackjack Switch where you have a choice from multiple felt-color options, including purple, green, dark grey, orange, white, blue, and pine green.
Broad Table Limits
The broad table limits are another great advantage of Playtech’s blackjack releases. However, the limits are customizable, which is why the minimums and maximums for certain variations may differ from one online casino to the next. The limits are displayed on plaques placed at the virtual tables so you always have them at a glance.
The games are generally favorable to small-scale bettors as the minimum wager is usually either $1 or $0.50. It is impossible to find such low limits at the landbased blackjack tables. In some cases, one and the same game gives you a choice from three sets of table limits, namely $0.10/$200, $1/$2,000, and $5/$2,000.
Cross compatibility
Cross compatibility is another benefit of playing Playtech online blackjack. Most games from the suite have been optimized for play on the go, giving players the ultimate flexibility of being able to play a blackjack hand or two on their smartphones or tablets.
Moreover, you can load them straight in your browser as many of the Playtech-powered casinos are available for instant play on desktop and mobile. The games work on iOS/Android and support both landscape and portrait mode.
Standard Set of Rules in Playtech Blackjack
It is impossible to list the exact rules of each Playtech blackjack variant, especially when we consider the great diversity of games the studio has so far released. It suffices to say most of the options play under rather favorable rules.
These include late surrender, peeking, and liberal doubling and splitting. Another unique thing about Playtech blackjack is that some games offer the rare Charlie rule. The rules we describe below are standard for the majority of Playtech blackjack variations.
Number of Decks
Dealer Rules
Hole Cards and Peek Rules
Blackjack Odds
Pair Splitting Rules
Doubling Rules
Insurance
Late Surrender
Charlie Rules
Number of Decks
The deck number varies between games but most Playtech blackjack variants usually play out of a virtual shoe, containing multiple packs. The deck number typically ranges from two to eight packs, although some Playtech-powered casinos would also offer single-deck variants of the game. Single-deck blackjack is less commonly available since it lowers the house edge.
Dealer Rules
Standing rules for the dealer are generally the same across most Playtech releases of the classic card game. The virtual dealers usually must draw to 16 and stand on soft 17 rather than hitting. Few variants of the Playtech blackjack offer the less favorable rule whereby the dealer hits soft 17. Such is the case in Blackjack Switch but the game compensates with other favorable playing conditions.
Hole Cards and Peek Rules
Hole cards and peek rules apply across most Playtech versions of the classic game. In games that use hole cards, the virtual dealer would check for blackjack provided their exposed card is an ace or a ten. This yields an advantage to the player because it prevents them from losing extra money to unsuccessful splits and double downs when the dealer flips over a blackjack. Some games like Duel 21 do not support the peek rule, though.
Blackjack Odds
Blackjack odds are standardized across the majority of Playtech blackjack releases. No 6-to-5 versions are available so far but this is not something to cry about considering this reduced payout leads to an increase of the house advantage. The vast majority of the variations offer the standard bonus odds of 3 to 2. Select few games pay even money for player blackjacks, including Blackjack Switch.
Pair Splitting Rules
Pair splitting rules usually work to the advantage of the player, who has the option to resplit to four hands in some instances. This is not possible in games like Duel 21 where doubling following a split is unavailable. The rest of the suite generally offers this rule, however. Resplitting aces is usually disallowed and so is drawing to split aces.
Doubling Rules
Doubling rules are just as liberal as those for splitting pairs. In many games, including Blackjack Surrender, you can exercise this move on any starting two-card hand. Few games allow this move only on hard totals of 9 through 11 including. Doubling after a split is normally available.
Insurance
Insurance is offered in the vast majority of the online blackjack games Playtech has released over the years. This rule comes into play whenever the dealer’s exposed card is an ace. The player declines or accepts insurance by posting an extra bet to the amount of half of their original stake. The dealer then peeks under their ace to check for a blackjack and pays the player at odds of 2 to 1 if their hole card is a ten. The original bet loses in this case.
If the dealer does not have a blackjack, the round continues as normal but the player loses their insurance wager. Insurance is grossly disadvantageous to the player and should always be declined. If you do not feel like dealing with this annoying bet against each dealer ace, you can deactivate insurance for the session to stop the prompts.
Late Surrender
Late surrender is one of the most advantageous rules you could possibly wish for in online blackjack. Not many variations available for online play offer it but some of those created by Playtech do. This rule saves you from losing money with bad starting totals when the dealer is in a powerful position.
Late Surrender allows you to fold the bad hand and get half of your bet back after the dealer peeks for blackjack. In some Playtech games like Blackjack Surrender you can exercise this move with any starting two-card total.
Charlie Rules
Charlie rules are available in some Playtech blackjack variations, including Blackjack Surrender where the seven-card Charlie is in place. Under certain conditions, the player can draw seven cards without exceeding 21. When this happens, the player’s hand is an automatic winner at even-money odds regardless of the dealer’s total unless it is a blackjack. The rule is in place on split hands as well.
Side Bets in Playtech Blackjack Games
Playtech offers blackjack games with several optional side wagers that can earn the player higher payouts. One of the newer releases, All Bets Blackjack, is particularly impressive because it features five popular groups of side wagers. We examine these in more depth below. Just to warn you, the house edges of all of these are significantly higher than those of the main games.
Perfect Pairs
Top 3 Bets
21+3 Bets
The Buster Bet
Lucky Lucky
Perfect Pairs
Perfect Pairs is easily the most popular side bet in the entire blackjack universe. It wins when the player’s or the dealer’s starting two-card total consists of mixed (6 to 1), colored (12 to 1) or perfectly matching cards in terms of rank and suit (25 to 1).
Top 3 Bets
Top 3 bets comprise yet another exciting group of side wagers in this Playtech creation. These are successful whenever the dealer’s exposed card and the player’s first two cards form a paying three-card poker hand. The highest win in the paytable is 270 to 1 for suited three of a kind.
21+3 Bets
21+3 wagers also introduce some elements of poker to the game of 21. If your starting total and the dealer’s upcard form a winning hand, you are in for a bonus payout. The following three-card poker hands pay: flushes, straights, offsuit trips, straight flushes, and suited trips. The latter awards the biggest payout of 100 to 1.
The Buster Bet
The Buster bet awards bonus payouts whenever the dealer exceeds 21 with a specific number of cards. The highest payout of 2,000 to 1 goes to the player who receives a blackjack at the initial deal against a dealer who proceeds to bust with eight or more cards. The lowest prize is 2 to 1 whenever the dealer busts with three or four cards only.
Lucky Lucky
Lucky Lucky is yet another popular side bet you can find at many landbased tables. Playtech brings it to online players, giving them the chance to win a wide range of bonus payouts at odds of up to 200 to 1 whenever their first two cards and the dealer’s exposed card form specific combinations. The top prize is awarded for three 7s of the same suit.
Classic Blackjack Variants by Playtech
Playtech has several authentic releases that are likely to appeal to fans of classic blackjack. These are available across a broad range of Playtech-powered casinos so it won’t be long until you find them. The games impress with a classic, life-like feel and offer relatively low house edges.
Blackjack Surrender
American Blackjack
Premium Blackjack
Blackjack Surrender
Blackjack Surrender is easily our favorite from the entire Playtech suite of blackjack games. If you are looking for great rules and flexibility where splitting and doubling are concerned, Blackjack Surrender should be your variation of choice.
This game offers some of the best playing conditions we have come across while reviewing various online blackjack games. As you can guess by the name, this game supports the favorable late surrender rule, with players having the option to forfeit any two-card total they deem fit.
The rest of the rules are just as great as you can see by the rundown in the table below. A newer and improved version was recently released where you get to earn bonus payouts by posting the Perfect Pairs and 21+3 side wagers.
Rundown of Playtech’s Rules
| Deck Number | 6 decks in play |
| Blackjack Odds | 3 to 2 |
| Dealer Standing Rules | Draws to 16 and stands on soft 17 |
| Peek Rule | Hole cards are in play, the dealer checks under aces and tens |
| Doubling Rules | On any two-card total |
| Doubling after a Split (DAS) | Available |
| Splitting Rules | Resplitting to four hands is possible, players cannot draw to split aces |
| Surrender | Late surrender is available on any two-card total |
| Theoretical Return | 99.66% |
American Blackjack
In American Blackjack, you can play up to five betting spots per round but sadly the game’s playing conditions are not as favorable as those in Blackjack Surrender. It uses six packs of cards and lacks the surrender and peek rules.
Playtech compensates with an intuitive gaming interface that allows for various customization options. You can change the color of the felt, having a choice from many different hues. The exact table limits vary between online casinos although the minimum is generally low enough to meet the budget needs of all players. The Charlie rule is also available.
Rundown of Playtech’s American Blackjack Rules
| Deck Number 6 decks in play |
| Blackjack Odds | 3 to 2, even money is offered for player blackjacks when the dealer shows an ace |
| Dealer Standing Rules | Draws to 16 and stands on soft 17 |
| Peek Rule | Unavailable |
| Doubling Rules | Doubling on any two-card total |
| Doubling after a Split (DAS) | Available |
| Splitting Rules | No resplitting and split aces receive only 1 card |
| Surrender | Unavailable |
| Theoretical Return | 99.53% |
Premium Blackjack
This Playtech variation indeed offers a premium experience to blackjack fans, with its highly impressive visuals, realistic sound effects, and excellent playability. Furthermore, its rules are quite favorable, yielding a casino advantage below 0.50%. The table limits are usually $1 for the minimum and $500 for the maximum, with players being able to play up to five hands at a time.
This version is also equipped with the 21+3 and the Perfect Pairs side wagers, which works to the advantage of those who enjoy playing side bets. Players can increase the speed of the game by turning on Turbo Mode. We have listed the payouts for both groups of side bets below.
- 100 to 1 for suited trips
- 40 to 1 for straight flushes
- 30 to 1 for three of a kind
- 10 to 1 for straights
- 5 to 1 for flushes
- 25 to 1 for perfect pairs
- 12 to 1 for colored pairs
- 6 to 1 for black/red pairs
Rundown of Playtech’s Premium Blackjack Rules
| Deck Number | 6 decks in play |
| Blackjack Odds | 3 to 2 |
| Dealer Standing Rules | Draws to 16 and stands on soft 17 |
| Peek Rule | Unavailable |
| Doubling Rules | On any two-card total |
| Doubling after a Split (DAS) | Available |
| Splitting Rules | Resplitting and hitting split aces are unavailable |
| Surrender | Unavailable |
| Theoretical Return | 99.58% |
Unorthodox Blackjack Releases by Playtech
Playtech’s selection is also rich in unorthodox blackjack variations as you shall see from the games we cover below. Some of these variants are unique to Playtech’s blackjack suite and you will not find them anywhere else but in casinos powered by the supplier. Some of them offer unconventional twists while others feature the side bets we discussed earlier.
Blackjack Super 21
All Bets Blackjack
Double Attack Blackjack
Blackjack Super 21
Blackjack Super 21 offers some interesting rules, albeit not that favorable to the player. The most distinctive trait of this variant has to do with the blackjack odds. Blackjacks in Super 21 pay even money unless they consist of a suited ace and the ten of diamonds, in which case you win at odds of 2 to 1. This rule is in force even when the dealer has a blackjack.
There are also bonus payouts of even money for a six-card Charlie that has a combined hand total of 20 or less. A six-card Charlie that adds up to 21 offers a higher payout at odds of 2 to 1. Consult the table below for more details.
Rundown of Playtech’s Blackjack Super 21 Rules
| Deck Number | 6 decks in play |
| Blackjack Odds | 1 to 1 or 2 to 1 for a blackjack with an ace and a ten of diamonds |
| Dealer Standing Rules | Draws to 16 and stands on soft 17 |
| Peek Rule | Unavailable |
| Doubling Rules | On any two cards |
| Doubling after a Split (DAS) | Available |
| Splitting Rules | No resplitting or hitting split aces |
| Surrender | Late surrender is available |
| Theoretical Return | 99.22% |
All Bets Blackjack
All Bets Blackjack unites five distinct side bets in blackjack, giving players the chance to earn amazing bonus payouts. The game is also available in the live-dealer format but we shall tackle the RNG-based version here. You can find and play it for free at some of our recommended Playtech-powered casinos.
Apart from the additional wagering options, All Bets Blackjack plays like a conventional game of 21. This means it uses six packs, pays 3 to 2 for blackjacks, and offers insurance at odds of 2 to 1. This is an S17 game where the dealer stands on all 17 totals. We explained about this group of side bets earlier in the article. The game is also equipped with a progressive jackpot. Other than that, it offers the following rules:
Rundown of Playtech’s All Bets Blackjack Rules
| Deck Number | 6 decks in play |
| Blackjack Odds | 3 to 2 |
| Dealer Standing Rules | Draws to 16 and stands on all 17s |
| Peek Rule | Hole cards are in play, |
| Doubling Rules | On any two cards |
| Doubling after a Split (DAS) | Unavailable |
| Splitting Rules | No resplitting or hitting split aces |
| Surrender | Late Surrender |
| Theoretical Return | 99.55% |
Double Attack Blackjack
Double Attack Blackjack is easily one of the most original games in the entire Playtech blackjack suite. It features an interesting twist in the form of the Bust It optional side bet. It allows you to wager on the dealer’s bust hand or their bust card.
Also, insurance here pays at higher odds of 5 to 2, which basically means you get 2.5x your winning stake instead of just 2x. As for the side bets, the game offers several rewarding combinations with bonus payouts as follows:
- 200 to 1 for a dealer busting with suited 8/8/8
- 5 to 1 for a dealer busting with 8/8/8 of the same color
- 15 to 1 if the dealer’s bust card is a 6
- 10 to 1 if their bust card is a 7
- 8 to 1 if the dealer busts with an 8
- 6 to 1 if they bust with a 9
- And 3 to 1 if the bust card is a ten-value one
The game plays with eight 48-card Spanish decks as the 10s are removed from each pack. This decreases your chances of winning the last side bet as there are fewer ten-value cards the dealer can bust with. Blackjacks pay at even-money odds.
Rundown of Playtech’s Double Attack Rules
| Deck Number | 8 48-card Spanish decks |
| Blackjack Odds | 1 to 1 |
| Dealer Standing Rules | Draws to 16 and stands on all 17s |
| Peek Rule | No hole cards in play, unavailable |
| Doubling Rules | On any two cards, the player must double the side bet as well |
| Doubling after a Split (DAS) | Available |
| Splitting Rules | Twice up to 4 hands |
| Surrender | Late surrender after hitting, splitting, and doubling |
| Theoretical Return | 99.50% – 99.53% |
