Live Blackjack (Evolution) - Review, Demo Play, Payout, Free Spins & Bonuses

Live Blackjack overview

Live Blackjack from Evolution Gaming has been available for fans of table games online for over a decade. One of Evolution’s most popular products, it is played with a traditional eight decks of cards. The game features standard European rules, and there are plenty of side bets available. Each table can accommodate seven players and, thanks to the bet behind feature, you can play whilst you wait to take your place at the table. The interface is user-friendly, and players can obtain guidance on the game from the croupiers.

You will find more Evolution Gaming casino games here at Slots Temple.

How to play Live Blackjack

If you are new to the game, this is how it works:

1. Bets are placed and cards are dealt: Players can set their bet using the interface betting options, with the minimum bet being £5.


2. Decide whether to hit or stay: Once the cards have been dealt to the player, they can decide whether to stay with the cards or hit another card. Remember that the dealer will be compelled to stick at 17.


3. Double or split: Players can double their wager on the cards they are dealt. If you receive two cards with the same value, you can split them and play two hands.


4. Do you want to buy insurance? You can buy insurance against the dealer dealing themselves a blackjack for double your stake. This pays 2:1 if this occurs.

How to win

Simply get closer to 21 than the dealer with their hand. The dealer wins a tied hand.

Special features

Live Blackjack offers the chance to bet behind as you wait for one of the seven spaces at the table to become available. You can wager behind one of the occupants of the seats; if they win, you also collect. Your bet can be different to the active player, but remember that they are the one to decide whether to stand or hit. You can see how many previous players have backed this seat before taking a place and which of the players have been successful in the previous game.

There are also two side bets available:

Perfect pair

If your initial two cards are a pair, you win if you bet on this before the deal takes place. You win if they are different suits or if they are the same suit. Remember that there are eight decks and the payout is 25:1.

21+3

This bet involves your two dealt cards and the up-facing card the dealer holds. Three cards of the same suit trigger this bet. If you manage to match three cards that carry the same value in a matching suit, the payout reaches 100:1.

Betting options

The betting options are shown before the games begin for the main stake, whilst side bets can be added.

Payouts

Standard bets

• A winning hand pays 1:1


• Blackjack pays 3:2


• Insurance pays 2:1

Side bets

Perfect pairs involve a bet on your initial two cards being a pair. The payouts depend on whether they are different colours, the same colour, or the same suit:

• Perfect pair pays 25:1


• Coloured pair pays 12:1


• Mixed pair pays 6:1

21 + 3

Once used, this wager combines your hand of two cards with the dealer’s upturned card to create a combination that pays out. It pays out for combinations as low as just three matching suit cards to a maximum 100:1:

• Suited trips pay 100:1


• Straight flush pays 40:1


• Three of a kind pays 30:1


• Straight pays 10:1


• Flush pays 5:1

Bet behind

If all seats are occupied when you join the game, you can opt to bet and follow one of the players at the table. You will see information on which players have been successfully followed prior to loading the game and who won the last game.

Optimal strategy

When to stand

Once your first two cards have been dealt, this is a key moment in the game. If they total 17 or more, it is always worth remembering that the dealer hits on 16 and stands on 17. Note that aces can carry a value of 1 or 11 and can revert to the lower level if you receive a high-value card. Check the dealer’s hand before you decide whether to stand, as you may have a winning hand with an ace valued at 11.

When to double down

If your hand is 10 or 11 and the dealer is holding a hand valued 2 to 9, doubling down is a favoured option.

When to split

Splitting can be a great option, giving you two potential hands, but this will depend on the value of your cards and what the dealer is holding. If you are dealt a pair of eights or a pair of aces, splitting is a good idea. On the other hand, a pair of aces or royal cards is a strong hand and should not be split.

Other pairs also offer potential, but this will depend on the dealer’s upturned card. If this is in the range 2 to 7, splitting is an attractive option. Naturally, your bet doubles for this option, which also affects a good strategy.

Side bets

Although the odds on side bets may look appealing, there is a good reason they are presented in this way. One aspect of strategy is to ignore the side bets completely. The high odds are reflected in an increased house edge, which is a major consideration.

Game controls

Here, we look at the controls on the screen. The bets are clearly displayed at the bottom of the screen before a game begins and the bets are called for. This is a timed window, so you need to be on the ball.

The basic rules of the game are indicated on the table showing the blackjack payout, insurance payout, and when the dealer is compelled to stand.

Although the hands are clearly shown on the table, an up-to-date indication of the values of each seat and the dealer’s hand is shown in a pop-up window to the left of the table. The winning hand or hands will be shown here.

The top right-hand corner is where you can click the menu icon to open the rules of the game, adjust the sound, and see the bet record.

Remember that here at Slots Temple, we offer players the chance to play a host of live casino games. As a strong advocate of responsible gambling, we also provide timeout and self-exclusion functions to help ensure your gaming experience is an enjoyable one.

Disclaimer: Live Blackjack (Evolution) trademark / license is owned by Evolution Gaming. This site is not endorsed by Evolution Gaming.