NETENT LIVE UPDATE – OCTOBER 2019

Since the beginning of 2019, well since Andres Rengifo, joined as Director of NetEnt Live, things have started to change at NetEnt Live.

The changes to the Live Dealer product have been subtle so far, so I thought I’d do an update to bring it all together into one place.

I’ve been fortunate as Andres spent some time with me going through the changes and giving me a glimpse of what’s to come. Unfortunately I’m unable to share the new stuff yet, but it is very impressive!

So here goes, in no particular order.

• Auto Dealing Shoes – The ShufleMaster auto shufflers have gone. All card games are dealt from manual shoes
• Blackjack is now played with 8 decks instead of 6.
• All the Roulette wheels are being changed during November / December. They will be supplied by TCS John Huxley.
• La Partage and French Layouts are no longer available on Roulette.
• Common Draw Blackjack has been renamed Blitz Blackjack.
• Euro Rules are used across all Blackjack tables.
• In rim betting is active in Roulette.

Perfect Blackjack is Now available across the network

It’s not available everywhere, as it’s a payable extra for the casinos. It is however available at Unibet Live Casino.

When it was initially launched, Perfect Blackjack was described to me as a way to play Blackjack and learn optimal strategy while playing.

While the game was played to optimal strategy there was no teaching or learning going on. So I gave the game a poor review.

Now, there’s been some acknowledgement that some of the initial marketing and what I had been told was wrong.

The game was never intended to be a “learning game”. It’s more a game of speed Blackjack, where the playing decisions are automatically performed according to Blackjack Basic Strategy.  This increases the player RTP to 99.66%.

Three hands can be played by an unlimited number of players with an Auto Play facility making it very easy to play.

If you want to use the game to “learn” what’s going on you need a blackjack strategy card in front of you, so you can see what playing decisions are being made. There’s one in the playing interface if you don’t have one to hand.

It’s not a game for me, but there is definitely a cross section of players it will suit.

Blitz Blackjack

Blitz Blackjack is a re-branded Common Draw Blackjack.

The basic game is still the same, however the presentation has improved immensely and they’ve got rid of the horrid ShuffleMaster dealing shoes. They may be great for increasing the hands per minute, but I’ve never met a player that liked them.

The down side is the game is played with 8 decks rather than 6, which brings Netent Blackjack inline with the competition.

It’s a shame as 6 decks are marginally better for the player.

Network Branded Casino

This technology has just been released by Netent. It’s not until you see it in action that you really understand what a game changer it will be for Netent and the casinos that use NetEnt live.

The example picture below shows the tables and studio in the generic layout and styling.

This is the same stream with Branding included.

The picture doesn’t really do it justice as there’s so many clever invitations packaged into the interface that make the playing experience so much better. Click on the link to go to Bethard to try it out for yourself.

Some of the concepts were first used in the Virtual Lobby pioneered with Live Beyond Live at MrGreen early in 2019.

I much prefer the real view, that’s what Live is all about! If you fancy experiencing this for real, head over to the BetHard Live Casino.

Expect this technology to be used at more Netent Live Casinos in the coming months.

I’m hopeful that operators will see this as an opportunity to create more intimate playing environments to draw players in, rather than the rather factory type environments that have become all too common.

The clever Casinos will realise this is what VIP, High Roller and serious players want.

NetEnt Live Games

Auto Roulette is about to undergo a make over.

I’d keep a close eye on NetEnt Auto Roulette as there are some interesting innovations around the corner.

There’s also some new table games coming. I can’t say what they are, however they’ll be a welcome addition to the existing Blackjack and Roulette.

Playing Interfaces

The playing interface have also been updated.

There’s now conformity across the board with screen layouts. There’s also  transition going on with the cameras, so currently some table views are not quite what they should be.

Most people won’t notice the differences and I’m not going to point them out. Suffice to say the camera views have been simplified and the money shots have been improved.

Summary

I’ve traditionally kept away from NetEnt live games, because they just didn’t suit my playing style.

However the changes being implemented present the games in a more immersive way that’s bound to prove more popular with players.

I like some of the tweaks to the game, although I’m personally not a fan of Euro Blackjack rules.

However the intimacy at the table is more likely to draw me back, especially as BJ now has the same side bets you get elsewhere.

Watch out for further changes leading up to the end of the year, plus some major announcements at ICE 2020 in February.