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Power Blackjack Review
Power Blackjack, also referred to as Evolution Power Blackjack, is the latest addition to Evolution Gaming’s exclusive Infinite range and joins variants, such as Infinite Blackjack and 2 Hand Casino Hold’em.
This esteemed software development studio is constantly devising ways to cement its position as a market leader.
Creating new, improved, and exciting variations of 21 is part of Evolution Gaming’s mandate to provide players with a fresh twist of their much-loved classic game.
Like all games in the Infinite range, Power Black also offers unlimited seating to players. That is a welcome deviation from the standard version where players have to wait to play on a 7-seater table.
The unique twist to this game is that players can now boost their chances of winnings by not only doubling, but tripling, and even quadrupling their bets after they see the initial two dealt cards.
Where to play Power Blackjack?
Because Power Blackjack is exclusive to Evolution Gaming, it means only online casinos in partnership with this leading studio offer the game.
Given the number of online gaming operators affiliated with the software developer, it means you have countless casinos to go through before you decide where to play Power Blackjack.
Players have to consider factors such as the online casino’s overall game selection, casino bonusses, promotional packages, and wagering conditions.
You’ll also need to establish if the site is licensed, offers fair payouts, and is generally a safe gaming destination.
As you can imagine, the entire selection process can be time-consuming and can overwhelm any player. As such, we have decided to do the legwork for you.
Our team has researched and compiled top real money casinos that shine in the aforementioned areas. Simply take your pick from our list of recommendations, and you’re good to go.
How to Play Power Blackjack?
We mentioned how Power Blackjack is a variation of Evolution Gaming’s successful Infinite Blackjack. The game is also not too foreign from standard Live Blackjack.
Overall, Power Blackjack gameplay is based on rules from these two blackjack variants, with a few twists, alterations, and additions to spice things up.
Like the other variants, Power Blackjack is played with 8 card decks. However, the major difference is 9s and 10s are removed from the deck of cards.
That essentially means the dealing shoe now has 352 cards as opposed to 416. The aim of the game is still the same as the other Blackjack variations.
You have to try and beat the dealer by getting a hand that is higher than the dealer without exceeding 21.
To kick off the game, each round starts with an open betting window to allow you to place your bets.
Note that this window only lasts 12 seconds, so you need to make up your mind and place your bets as quickly as possible.
Click or tap betting chips according to the minimum and maximum stakes and move them to your preferred betting positions.
With Power Blackjack, you have the chance to place four additional bets using the following options:
- Hot 3 – Bet on whether your first two cards and the dealer’s cards total 19, 20, or 21.
- 21+3 – Bet on whether the player’s card and dealer’s face-up card forms a 3-card poker hand.
- Any Pair – Bet on whether the player’s first two cards form a pair.
- Bust It – Bet on the dealer’s hand being bust.
Once you’ve placed your bets, the dealer draws out two cards face up and places them in front of the betting boxes.
One face-up card and another facing down are placed in the dealer’s position. After you see the cards you’ve been dealt, you can decide to Hit, that is, to keep taking additional cards.
Eventually, you’ll have to Stand or your hand goes Bust. If you decide to Stand, it means you stop taking additional cards and stick to the cards you already have.
A third option is to Split. In this case, if the player’s hand has a Pair, you can decide to split the hand into two hands and play them independently of each other.
Lastly, you can Double, Triple or Quadruple your main bet by taking on only one additional card.
As mentioned earlier, the ability to make these extra betting decisions and enjoy more winning opportunities is the essence of Power Blackjack.
Once you’ve played your hand, it’s now the dealer’s turn to act. If the dealer’s hand is 17, or above, they can Stand.
If the number is below 17, the dealer can keep taking cards until they hit 17 or go bust. Whoever winds up with cards close to but not exceeding 21 wins the round.
Power Blackjack features & betting options
Power Blackjack is an exciting Blackjack variant that offers players gaming convenience. One of the game’s unique selling points is that it offers unlimited seating positions.
Regarding the gaming interface, Power Blackjack is played on a standard intuitive interface reminiscent of all Evolution Blackjack games.
The game takes place in an aesthetically pleasing studio characterized by a bluish background to give off a royal feel and is set on an intuitive interface that’s easy to navigate.
A charming English-speaking live dealer is present to lead you throughout the game, although you can change the language if you so wish.
You can stream the game onto any PC or mobile device you want to play on.
Regardless of the platform you use, expect nothing short of excellent video quality and audio to give you a realistic live gaming experience.
Like with all Evolution Gaming studios, you can tinker around and customize the settings to your liking.
As mentioned, the main highlight of Monopoly Live lies in the fact that you can choose to double down bets on two initial cards by either 2x, 3x, or 4x.
You can also multiply split hands by 2x, 3x, or 4x. You get the standard 3:2 payout for blackjack and evens for a standard win.
The main appeal of Power Blackjack, however, lies in the additional side bet payouts, which are as follows:
21 + 3
- Suited Trips – 100:1
- Straight Flush – 35:1
- Three of a Kind – 25:1
- Straight – 8:1
- Flush – 5:1
Any Pair
- Suited Pair – 20:1
- Pair – 7:1
Hot 3
- Three 7s – 100:1
- Suited 21 – 20:1
- 21 Points – 4:1
- 20 Points – 2:1
- 19 Points – 1:1
Bust It
- 8 or more cards – 250:1
- 7 – 100:1
- 6 – 25:1
- 5 – 8:1
- 4 – 2:1
- 3 – 1:1
Power Blackjack RTP, volatility, minimum stake & maximum stake
Power Blackjack doesn’t have the best RTPs compared to the other Evolution Gaming blackjack variants.
The game itself has a 98.80% RTP, which is based on the first hand of the shoe.
The side bets have different RTPs structured as follows:
- Any Pair – 96.58%
- 21+3 – 96.09%
- Hot 3 – 96.21%
- Bust It – 94.71%
To play the main game, you can bet as little as $1. High rollers can bet as much as $5,000.
Side bets, on the other hand, have a lower maximum stake of $250 for Any Pair, 21 + 3, and Hot3. Bust It has a even lower minimum stake of $100.
The minimum betting limit for side bets is the same as regular bets, they are $1.
Power Blackjack hints and tips
Regardless of the strategy you use while playing Power Blackjack, there are no guarantees you’ll actually win.
However, there’s no harm in employing a few tricks if it’ll increase your confidence levels.
The fact that 9s and 10s aren’t involved when playing Power Blackjack automatically alters part of the game’s dynamics.
The standard Blackjack strategies automatically don’t apply in this game.
Firstly, because Power Blackjack allows you to triple or quadruple your bet, it means you need to have a healthy bankroll if you decide to embark on this game.
Secondly, you need to know when to Hit, Split, Double Down, triple, quadruple, or Stand. For instance, never Split a pair of 5s, make sure you Triple, or Quadruple on soft 19, if the dealer has 19.
Also, always Hit on hard 14 or less. Again, remember that these tips won’t guarantee that you’ll win.
Final Thoughts
Evolution Power Blackjack is an interesting variation that’ll appeal to standard Blackjack lovers who don’t want to have to wait for a seat to open up at a table.
The fact that this game allows you to triple or quadruple your bets, even following a Split, means your chances of winning a huge payout are increased.
But even so, don’t overlook the fact that the game doesn’t have the most attractive RTP.
Also, since 9s and 10s aren’t present, it might throw off seasoned Blackjack enthusiasts who are used to playing their favourite card game using their long-standing strategies.
Overall, if you’re up for a challenge and looking to score big wins, then Power Blackjack might very well become your next favourite live table game from Evolution Gaming.
