Power Blackjack is a new live blackjack game from Evolution Gaming.
It’s based on live Blackjack and uses the technology developed for Infinite blackjack, to provide a one-handed game of blackjack with a twist.
If I was trying to describe Power Blackjack to someone, I’d say that it plays like Blackjack but has the feel of a game of Ultimate Texas Holdem, where you can increase your bet by two, three, or four times, once the initial two players cards have been dealt.
Apart from the 9’s and 10 being removed from the deck, all normal blackjack playing rules apply, except for a playing strategy, which has been modified to cater for a reduced number of cards in the deck.
Power Blackjack also has four optional side bets that can be played alongside the main hand.
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If you already know how to play blackjack there are a number of rule changes and playing strategies you’ll need to adopt when playing Power Blackjack.
So, I’ve produced this nifty comparison chart to explain the major differences between the two games.
Power Blackjack is a One-To-Many game, which means an unlimited number of players play the same hand, with each player able to make their own playing decision. The decision is remembered by the system.
When the game round has completed, your playing actions are compared with the outcome of the dealer’s hand.
If you beat the dealer, you’ve won and will get paid. A tied hand will result in a push and your stake will be returned.
If you lose, your main playing bets are lost.
The Power Blackjack game round starts with “Betting Time”, which is open for 12 seconds – so you need to be quick!
An initial bet is placed to play the hand – sometimes it’s referred to as an Ante Bet.
Then there’s the opportunity to play up to 4 optional side bets:
Hot3 Hand | Hot3 Payout |
---|---|
7-7-7 | 100:1 |
Total 21 – Suited | 20:1 |
Total 21 – Unsuited | 4:1 |
Total 20 | 2:1 |
Total 19 | 1:1 |
21+3 Hand | 21+3 Payout |
---|---|
Suited Trips | 100:1 |
Straight Flush | 35:1 |
Three of a Kind | 25:1 |
Straight | 8:1 |
Flush | 5:1 |
Any Pair Hand | Any Pair Payout |
---|---|
Suited Pair | 20:1 |
Pair | 7:1 |
BustIt Hand | BustIt Payout |
---|---|
Bust with 8 or more cards | 250:1 |
Bust with 7 Cards | 100:1 |
Bust with 6 Cards | 25:1 |
Bust with 5 Cards | 8:1 |
Bust with 4 Cards | 2:1 |
Bust with 3 Cards | 1:1 |
After Betting Time has completed the dealer deals two cards face up to the player position and one card face up and one face down to the dealer position.
This is where the first action of the game round comes.
The player has to make a playing decision on what to do next.
Depending on the cards that have been dealt there are six possible options to take:
Deciding what to do can be tricky. This is where having a playing strategy comes in handy.
Once all players have made their playing decisions the dealer can then act.
The dealer has one rule that he has to follow.
If his hand is 17 or above he has to Stand.
If it is below 17, the dealer has to keep taking cards until he hits 17 or above or goes bust.
The dealer stands on Soft and Hard 17.
Evolution Power Blackjack is not the same as other versions of Power Blackjack you’ll find online. So be very careful when you’re looking for a playing strategy for Power Blackjack, as there are a few out there and they are not suitable for this version of the game. Remember, 9’s and 10’s have been removed from the decks!
Evolution has developed their own Power Blackjack Strategy and it’s this version I’m going to share with you. For your convenience, I have created a Power Blackjack Strategy Chart that you can use when you’re playing online.
Like Basic Blackjack Strategy, Power Blackjack Strategy suggests the action the player should take after his first two cards have been dealt. The action is dependant on the value of the player’s hand and the visible card of the dealer.
Evolution points out that this may not be the most optimal method to play the game. But it’s what they have used to create the RTP for the game, which stands at 98.80% based on the first hand in the shoe.
When doubling down, bet either 2/3 or 4 times.
Your Cards | Dealers Cards | ||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Hard Cards | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | J/Q/K | A |
4-9 | H | H | H | H | H | H | H | H | H |
10 | QD | QD | QD | QD | QD | QD | H | H | H |
11 | QD | QD | QD | QD | QD | QD | QD | H | H |
12 | H | H | H | H | H | H | H | H | H |
13 | H | H | H | H | H | H | H | H | H |
14 | H | H | H | H | H | H | H | H | H |
15 | H | H | H | S | H | H | H | H | H |
16 | S | H | S | S | S | H | H | H | H |
17 | S | S | S | S | S | S | S | S | H |
18+ | S | S | S | S | S | S | S | S | S |
Soft Cards | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 10 | A |
13 | H | H | H | H | H | H | H | H | H |
14 | H | H | H | H | H | H | H | H | H |
15 | H | H | H | H | QD | H | H | H | H |
16 | H | H | H | H | QD | H | H | H | H |
17 | H | H | H | QD | QD | H | H | H | H |
18 | QD | H | QD | QD | QD | S | H | H | H |
19 | S | S | S | S | QD | S | S | S | S |
20 | S | S | S | S | S | S | S | S | S |
Splits | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 10 | A |
2-2 | H | H | H | H | SP | H | H | H | H |
3-3 | SP | SP | SP | SP | SP | SP | SP | H | H |
4-4 | H | H | H | H | SP | H | H | H | H |
5-5 | QD | QD | QD | QD | QD | QD | QD | H | H |
6-6 | SP | SP | SP | SP | SP | SP | SP | H | H |
7-7 | SP | SP | SP | SP | SP | SP | H | H | H |
8-8 | SP | SP | SP | SP | SP | SP | SP | SP | SP |
10-10 | S | S | S | S | S | S | S | S | S |
A-A | SP | SP | SP | SP | SP | H | SP | SP | H |
Key:
If you just can’t face reading my written review, take a look at my video review, where I demonstrate the playing strategy and talk generally about the game.
Power Blackjack has a poor return to player than regular Blackjack, so I have to ask myself why you’d want to play this version?
Power Blackjack returns to the player, based on the first hand in the shoe is 98.80%.
The playing interfaces for Power Blackjack follow the same standards that all Evolution Blackjack games use.
Power Blackjack can be played on all device types, with mobile devices having the option of being played in landscape or portrait modes.
When I first started playing Power Blackjack I struggled to understand why you’d play this game over something like Infinite Blackjack or even 7 Seat Blackjack.
The published RTP of 98.80 % is the worse of all Evolution Blackjacks, so that’s not the reason to play.
The Power Blackjack Strategy isn’t full proof, even Evolution point that out.
The side bets are interesting but no different from other games.
Well, I think it’s the fact that you can double, triple or quadruple your bet after you’ve seen your initial cards. This option is where the money can be made in this game.
But, it’s a high-risk tactic, especially if you’re used to doubling down in normal blackjack.
The fact that 9’s and 10’s have been removed from the deck, changes the dynamics of the hands.
I found my confidence levels were less – perhaps because I’ve not played the game much, and I didn’t use the facility as much as I thought.
Knowing the standard basic Strategy by heart doesn’t help, so my enjoyment of the game was hampered by having to keep referring to my strategy chart.
Overall I think it’s a good addition to Evolution Blackjack selection and it will have its loyal fan base.
Unfortunately I don’t think I’ll be a regular player at this table.