| Updated: October 1, 2024Tired of waiting around during peak times for a seat to open at the live blackjack tables? The wait is over thanks to Playtech’s Live Unlimited Blackjack. This innovative live product accommodates an infinite number of players, with a table hosted by skilled dealers who are trained to Playtech’s exacting standards. Strip rules are in place but the game also supports a range of exciting side bets from the Perfect Pairs and 21+3 categories.
Rundown of the Rules and the Payouts
Playtech’s Unlimited Blackjack is dealt out of a shoe with 8 manually pre-shuffled decks. The game uses US card dealing style, so the live dealer receives their second card face-down directly after cards have been dealt to all players but before anyone has made any playing decisions.
The dealer draws to 16 and stands on both soft and hard 17. Apart from hitting and standing, players can split any pair of alike cards. The rules disallow resplitting and hitting split Aces. The software automatically splits pairs according to basic strategy, with players having the option to either accept the split or fold and get 80% of their initial bet back.
You can double down on any two cards, including after splitting pairs. If the dealer pulls out a ten-value card next to their Ace for a blackjack, you lose both your original and double-down bet. However, you get your double-down bet back if the dealer catches an Ace for a blackjack when showing a ten.
Insurance at odds of 2 to 1 is offered when the dealer’s first card is an Ace. Blackjacks pay 3 to 2 while all other winning hands pay at even odds. Ten-card Charlies beat all dealer hands except blackjacks.
Gaming Interface and Remarkable Features
Unlimited Blackjack has decent enough interface, with a digital layout containing five main betting spots. The biggest advantage of this live game is that it spares you the wait when all main betting positions are occupied.
An unlimited number of players can join the action at all times thanks to the Bet Behind feature. When two or more players are betting on the same spot, they can make independent decisions on how to play out the hand. If one of the players chooses to hit and the other one to stand, the dealer will draw another card to the betting position but the player who decided to stand will not receive it.
Seated players can use the chatbox and tip the dealers. Unlimited Blackjack supports a full range of optional side bets, with their house edge ranging from 95.90% to 96.30%. This is what they pay:
- Red/black pairs pay 6 to 1
- Colored pairs pay 12 to 1
- Perfect pairs pay 25 to 1
- Flush pays 5 to 1
- Straights pay 10 to 1
- Three of a kind pays 30 to 1
- Straight flush pays 40 to 1
- Suited three of a kind pays 100 to 1
Closing Thoughts
The main advantage of this Playtech release is that it lifts the limitations of seat availability while allowing players to bet on up to five spots at a time and experiment with a broad range of side bets. The friendly, yet professional dealers who host the game further add to its appeal.