Casinos
Real Money
More
Live Casino
Regions
Speed Blackjack Review
Speed Blackjack, also referred to as Evolution Speed Blackjack, is pretty much similar to the traditional Blackjack card game but with the emphasis being on speed—of course.
Blackjack is a definite fan favourite for its simplicity, favourable house edge, and the dynamism which appeals to strategic gamers.
But the classic game does present a few shortcomings, including longer gameplay since you have to wait for other players.
It usually takes a while for them to make their decisions before proceeding with the game after the first two cards are dealt.
That’s where Speed Blackjack comes in with quicker game rounds. Dubbed the fastest live casino game on the internet right now, the Evolution Gaming-powered game is up to 30% quicker than traditional Blackjack!
Where to play Speed Blackjack?
Speed Blackjack is the product of the innovative live casino software provider Evolution Gaming.
That means the game is exclusive to Evolution online casinos, which if we’re being frank, are quite a lot.
For you, that means dedicating hours researching which online casino to sign up with to play the game.
That’s because merely having Speed Blackjack as part of the casino’s games lobby isn’t enough. You need to consider other factors like if the casino is licensed, safe, secure, fair, and transparent.
A quicker option is to go with our list of Evolution-powered online casino recommendations. All online gambling sites present on our list excelled in the above-mentioned factors and more.
They passed the legitimacy test with flying colours and promise to offer gamers fair gaming practices.
Taking your pick from our recommendations means spending less time looking for the right casino and more time playing the game. But it’s your call!
How to Play Speed Blackjack?
Earlier on, we mentioned how Speed Blackjack is similar to regular Live Blackjack in more ways than one.
Essentially, that means you play the game by the same rules, and it has the same objective. To win, you must have a hand card value higher than the dealer’s but not exceeding 21.
However, true to Evolution gaming fashion, Speed Blackjack does come with a few extra features to differentiate it from the classic game.
For starters, after the live dealer deals the first two cards in regular Blackjack, players need to decide either Hit, Split, or Double before the dealer can draw the next card for the game.
With standard Blackjack accommodating seven players at any given time, it means you’ll have to wait for all seven players to ponder and make their decisions which can be time-consuming.
But the beauty of Speed Blackjack is that as soon as the first two cards are dealt, speed comes into play because the decision-making window is reduced by at least 7 seconds!
Each player has to quickly decide whether to Hit, Stand, Split, or Double.
The dealer proceeds to deal the next card to the player who has quickly made the decision first.
After that the dealer continues to deal cards by prioritizing players who’ve made their decisions until all hands are complete.
That automatically means players have less time to make their decisions, and there’s no waiting time.
If you take too long, the decision is made for you as we’ll explain a little later! Now, do you see why the game rounds go faster?
While the Hit, Stand, Split, or Double, are the main betting options, Speed Blackjack allows players to make side bets which are as follows:
- Perfect Pairs: The two cards you receive must form a pair.
- 21 + 3: Made of the dealer’s card and player’s initial two cards.
Also, note that players can make Insurance bets if the dealer shows an Ace.
Speed Blackjack features & betting options
Evolution generally doesn’t disappoint when it comes to designing its live casino games studios, and it’s not about to start with Speed Blackjack.
While speed is the name of the game, Evolution Gaming in no way compromises the game’s quality to achieve it.
Instead, the live software gaming legend goes all out in designing the inviting game studio characterized by a slick red and gold theme to give off a luxurious but real-life casino feel.
A professional and friendly live dealer is there to greet and lead you through each round.
The game is displayed in optimal video quality and can be streamed to your desktop or phone.
Having a fast and strong internet connection will guarantee you a high definition live feed.
The gaming interface is user-friendly and features the necessary data needed for seamless gameplay.
Check your balance, the current value of your bet, split-screen mode, chat window, volume controls, betting history, rules, and payouts.
One of Speed Blackjack’s main features is that players are only allowed one split per hand, following which you can’t make a Double down.
Also, bear in mind that you can only Double down on the first two cards initially dealt to double your current wager.
But only use this feature if you’re confident in your hand, or else you should rather opt to Split and play with two separate hands.
Remember that the latter option is only possible if you have two identical cards.
The Auto Play feature is one of the game’s highlights, where the decision to Hit, Stand, or Double is made for you if you take too long.
Once the Auto Play feature is hit, players are left with one of two options.
Either, you stand if your hand value is more than 12. Or, if the player’s hand is equal to 11 or less, he will receive a Hit.
The Bet Behind option is another feature they added to the game. In this case, players can join the game and consequently bet on the hands of players who are already taking part in the game.
The feature comes in handy if there are no seats available and you still want to play.
Also, this tactic works to your advantage if there’s a player on the table basking in a winning streak.
You basically have a chance to ride on his luck.
With Speed Blackjack the following payouts apply with the main betting options:
- Natural Blackjack – 3:2
- Insurance bets – 1:1
Optional side bets have the following payouts:
Perfect Pairs:
- Same Colour/Same Suit – 25:1
- Same Coloured Pair – 12:1
- Mixed Coloured Pair – 6:1
21 + 3:
- Suited Trips – 100:1
- Straight Flush – 40:1
- Trips – 30:1
- Straight – 10:1
- Flush – 5:1
Speed Blackjack RTP, volatility, minimum stake & maximum stake
The minimum bet for Speed Blackjack is usually starts around $10 for the main bet and $1 for the side bets.
The maximum bet is around $2500, depending on the online casino that you’re playing at.
Speed Blackjack generally has a low house edge and a favourable 99.29% RTP when playing the main bets.
Mind you, the RTP is pretty much the same as for traditional Blackjack. However, each side bet attracts a different RTP as follows:
- Perfect Pairs – 95.9%
- 21 + 3 – 96.3%
Speed Blackjack hints and tips
Since Speed Blackjack is similar to the traditional variant, that means players can employ the same basic strategies.
While no amount of tips and tricks will secure you a win, the idea is to do all you can to keep the house edge as low as possible.
You can either use the Blackjack basic strategy chart that suggests when you should Hit, Stand, Double, Split, or Surrender.
If working with charts doesn’t appeal to you, try using the hard or soft hand strategy. A hard hand in Blackjack means your hand doesn’t contain an Ace.
On the other hand, a soft hand contains an Ace. Depending on your hand, you can decide on the next best possible action.
But after all, is said and done, never forget that with any casino game, the house will always win in the long run, so be sure to quit while you’re ahead.
A common misconception is that you need a large bankroll to win Speed Blackjack. That couldn’t be farther from the truth.
With the right strategy, you can stay in the game for long, even with low bets.
Lastly, and most importantly, try to manage your bankroll effectively by setting and sticking to your betting limits.
Final Thoughts
To sum it all up, two words describe Speed Blackjack—quick and slick.
Speed Blackjack is specially designed for the traditional card game lover looking for a quick-paced game that doesn’t take away from its essence.
Each game round is 30% to 40% faster than that of standard Blackjack.
But this, in turn, means beginners still trying to figure out Blackjack should rather sit this one out since they’re less likely to make decisions fast enough.
It helps that Evolution Gaming is behind the game, so an engaging, immersing, and interactive live casino experience is literally on the cards. Pun intended!
