Live Speed Blackjack - Review, Demo Play, Payout, Free Spins & Bonuses

Live Speed Blackjack Overview

Live Speed Blackjack is an interesting new variant of a traditional favourite. It makes things noticeably faster and rewards quick thinking. It has a great look and feel, is a generally upbeat game with engaging dealers, and there is good chat. Side bets are also available to give the game an edge.

Live Speed Blackjack is one of the newer Pragmatic Play live casino games.

Game Controls

1. Launch the table with the limits that suit you best.
2. Take an available seat.
3. Set any pre-decisions.
4. The dealer deals two cards to all players.
5. Make your initial decisions (double-down, split, hit, stand).
6. The third card is dealt based on decision speed, with the player who was quickest first.
7. Make any further decisions.
8. If you get nearer to 21 than the dealer, you win (or if they go bust whilst you still have an ‘active’ hand).

How to Play Live Speed Blackjack

Initial bets are placed prior to the cards being dealt. The dealer takes two cards on the initial deal and deals two cards to each of the other players. Only one of the dealer’s two cards is visible, which is referred to as the ‘upcard’.

Do you want insurance?

Insurance is a side bet that can be taken early on when the dealer's upcard is revealed. If it is an ace, players can take some ‘cover’ by betting on the dealer’s second card being a ten. This is a popular move when the player has a decent hand.

Split or double-down?

After the initial two cards are dealt, a player can decide to split or double-down:

• Splitting is available when the two cards are of the same value and essentially enables the player to have two separate hands. They can then take additional cards for both hands as long as they make an additional equal-sized bet for the second one.
• Double-down is given as an option if the player’s initial two cards add up to 9, 10, or 11. They can choose to double their initial bet. The only condition is that they can only take one more card.

Decide whether to hit, stand, or surrender

These are the main options a player has once the initial two cards have been dealt:

• Hit is when the player requests an additional card/cards to try to get closer to the target of 21. Most players will tend to opt for this if their two cards add up to 16 or less. If an additional card(s) takes the hand total above 21, this ‘busts’ the hand and the player is out of the game.
• Stand means the player is happy with the total from their two initial cards and doesn’t want an extra card. As a general rule, players tend to ‘stand’ on totals between 17 and 21.
• Surrender is when the player essentially gives up after the initial deal. This is usually done when the cards they are dealt are poor and/or the dealer has an ace. When surrendering, the player can keep half their original bet rather than losing the entire stake.

How to win

When it comes to how to win, Live Speed Blackjack is the same as normal blackjack in that you have to beat the dealer. This can be done in two ways: by having a higher value hand (up to and including 21) or still having a hand in play when the dealer busts his hand. A blackjack hand (an ace and a ten) beats a 21 achieved in another way.

Responsible Gaming

It can be easy to lose track when playing at online casinos, which is why it is always a sensible idea to set yourself limits before you start. All the major online casinos offer a range of tools to help, including financial limits (loss/deposit), session-length limits, and timeout options. Additionally, most will offer self-exclusion as an option should you need a longer break from gambling.

Betting Options

Once the initial deal has been made, there are two options for a player to increase the value of their bet: split or double-down. Splitting enables the player to pay extra to effectively have two hands in play, whilst double-down allows them to double the value of their initial bet if they feel they have strong cards.

Payouts

Main game payouts:

• Best hand = 1:1
• Insurance = 2:1
• Blackjack = 3:2

21+3 side bet - payouts and probabilities

• Suited three-of-a-kind = 100:1, 0.02%
• Straight Flush = 40:1, 0.02%
• Three-of-a-kind = 30:1, 0.52%
• Straight = 10:1, 3.10%
• Flush = 5:1, 5.88%

Perfect pairs side bet - payouts and probabilities

• Perfect pair = 25:1, 1.69%
• Coloured pair = 12:1, 2.89%
• Mixed pair = 6:1, 5.78%

Optimal Strategy

The optimal strategy in Live Speed Blackjack is the same as with standard versions. The main ‘highlights’ are:

• Always double-down on a hard 11 (when your two cards add up to 11).
• Always split a pair of aces or eights.
• Always double-down on a ten if the dealer’s upcard is nine or lower.
• Always stand with a pair of nines if the dealer’s upcard is a seven.
• Don’t take insurance bets (over time, they do not pay).
• Avoid playing any blackjack game where the odds for an untied blackjack are 6-5 or worse.

Whilst the above are key elements of the optimal strategy, remember there is no guarantee that you will beat the house.

Special features

Pre-decision

This is a new feature that allows players to decide in advance how they play a hand if certain events occur.

• Auto-stand will allow you to pick a value between 12 and 20 to stand on automatically.
• Auto hit allows you to set a limit (between 2 and 16) for when you want to take another card automatically.
• Double or split allows players to make the decision during the game. The range of hand values for doubles is 7-16, whilst the split can be anywhere between 2 and 20.
• Auto insurance automatically accepts insurance when the dealer has an ace. If it is switched off, no insurance is accepted.

Side bets

There are several side bets available to play during Pragmatic Play’s Live Speed Blackjack:

21+3 side bet

This bet uses the player’s first two cards combined with the dealer’s upcard to form a three-card poker hand. If this forms a straight, flush, or three-of-a-kind, the player wins a payout.

Perfect pairs

To win this side bet, the player’s first two cards must form some kind of a pair. Payouts vary depending on the type of pair.

Bet behind

The bet behind feature allows players to automatically follow the bet on another player's hand when they double, split, or take insurance.

Disclaimer: Live Speed Blackjack trademark / license is owned by Pragmatic Play. This site is not endorsed by Pragmatic Play.