Evolution Live Speed Blackjack

What is Live Speed Blackjack?

Live Speed Blackjack has been created to provide a quick 7 seat game of Blackjack. It will appeal to the traditional blackjack player who likes to play their own set of cards at the table.

Existing games like Unlimited and Infinite Blackjack were created for scalability and speed by only using one player hand that many customers can play. Its appeal is more for beginners rather than seasoned players. Hence the need for a viable alternative, that’s where Speed Blackjack comes in.

The game is played exactly the same as normal seven handed Live Dealer Blackjack.  However, after players have been dealt their first two cards, the next card is dealt to the player that decided to “Hit” “Split” or “Double ” the quickest.

The dealer deals the next cards based on that priority until all hands are completed.

Two new AutoPlay features have been added.

1. If the player doesn’t respond in time then any hand with more than 12 will stand.
2. If the player has 11 or under and fails to act his hand will be hit.

Only one seat per player is permitted.

Optional Side Bets of Perfect Pairs, 21+3 and Bet Behind can be played.

The game round is about 30% quicker than normal 7 seat blackjack.

Speed Blackjack Video Review

If you prefer to see the game in action and hear what I’ve got to say about it watch my video review below.

It’s only a few minutes and I cover all of the things you need to know when playing this new live dealer blackjack game.

How is Speed Blackjack different from normal Blackjack?

The whole essence of Speed Blackjack is “Speed”, so the game has been constructed to deliver a speedy outcome for players.

Blackjack Basic Strategy should still be used if you’re planning on keeping your bankroll longer than a few minutes. It helps you decide what actions to take. When you’re up against a timer it’s easy to panic and to choose to do the wrong thing. Following Basic Strategy makes complete sense.

Let’s take a look at the differences that come with Speed Blackjack.

Similarities between Speed and normal Blackjack

• Both games are played with 8 decks.
• The game is played to Vegas Rules (where the dealer gets 2 cards).
• The dealer peeks for Blackjack.
• Dealer stands on all 17’s (Hard and Soft).
• Double Down on the initial 2 cards.
• Split any pairs.
• Split Aces only get one card.
• Blackjack pays 3:2, insurance pays 2:1.

Differences

• Betting and decision times were reduced by 7 seconds to speed up the game.
• The fastest decision first! The players who make their decisions fastest are dealt to first (after each player’s initial two cards are dealt).
• The decision timer starts after the initial two cards are dealt.
• One seat per player.
• Auto Stand on hands with 12 or more if player times outs.
• Auto Hit on hands of 11 or lower if a player times out.
• Up to 30% quicker than regular Blackjack.

Speed Blackjack Side Bets

3 optional Side bets can be played alongside the main Speed Blackjack hand.

Perfect Pairs – The players initial 2 cards dealt need to form a pair. The pair type determines the type of payout received. A mixed coloured pair pays 6:1, while a same coloured pair pays 12:1. A Perfect pair, same colour same suit pays a nice 25:1.

21+3 – The three-card hand is made from the dealer upcard and the players initial 2 cards. They have to form a valid poker hand to win a payout.  The best hand is suited Trips at 100:1, while a Straight Flush Pays 40:1. Trips pay 30:1 while the more common hands of Straight 10:1 and Flush 5:1 complete the payouts.

Bet Behind – This is where you place a bet behind another player on the table. You follow his actions and have no say in the play of the hand. Configuration options exist that allow you to automatically select what you do if the player Doubles or Splits his hand. This is a useful tactic if a player on the table is on a winning streak. You’re able to follow him and get some benefit from his luck.

Return to Player (RTP)

Speed Blackjack main hand has the same return to player as regular Blackjack, which is 99.29%

Side Bets RTP is:

• Perfect Pairs – 95.90%.
• 21+3 – 96.30%.

Playable Devices

Desktop View

Mixed Mode

Live Dealer Speed Blackjack can be played on all device types.

It doesn’t matter if you prefer landscape or Portrait play, both are very playable.

The cards appear a bit small on mobile phones, but the computer-generated images allow you to see the values of yours and the dealer’s cards very easily.

The desktop come in two modes, the default is Full screen unless connection problems are detected then mixed mode is automatically selected.

Summary

To be honest I was a bit sceptical of Speed Blackjack when I first heard about it.

I thought how on earth have they managed to reduce waiting time? Well, the answer is simple, deal the cards to the players that have made their playing decision first.

This means of course that subsequent cards after the initial deal are dealt in no particular sequence around the table.

It is quite possible for the dealer to keep dealing cards without a pause right to the end of the game round, which according to Evolution, shaves a massive 30% off game round time.

I’m a convert. Once I got used to the cards being dealt all over the place, the reduced betting time and quick decision making became almost automatic.

You know that you’re playing with like-minded players who like a quick game, so there are not many times you have to wait.

I think Chat will be a thing of the past on these tables, as there just isn’t enough time to engage with the dealer or other players. So much for Social Gaming lol!

It’s heads down and play away!