A progressive jackpot is something that we typically associate with online slots. The lottery-like prizes of games like “Mega Moolah” attract the eager masses, but experienced players know that such titles can drain a bankroll fast. If you’re looking for a middle-of-the-road solution for your next gaming session, you might want to check out Playtech’s Progressive Blackjack.
This RNG release from 2016 gives you the option of trying your luck for the big bucks while keeping the return rates incredibly high. You can see how the magic happens by reading the feature breakdown in this review. Then, apply the tips learned here to hone your skills in the demo mode. We’ll recommend proper casino betting tips.
| RTP: | Features: | Gameplay: | Called Bets: | Demo: | Why Progressive Blackjack?
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9.8/10 | 10/10 | 10/10 | Yes | Yes |
This title doesn’t deviate from the classic Blackjack rules in any major way. The house uses a 6-deck shoe where every card but the joker is included. It draws until 16 and must stand on 17, soft or not. Splits are allowed in Progressive Blackjack, but re-splits aren’t possible.
You can hit split hands, except when you’ve got two Aces. Dividing a pair of A’s is not a good idea if you’ve put money on the side bet, but more on that later. The last standard options available here are double downs and insurance.
The dealer won’t peek for Blackjack when you see an Ace on the other side. Another rule that’s not a part of the game is the Ten Card Charlie. The house edge does increase from the absence of the above two, but the difference compared to a standard iteration is less than one-tenth of a percent.
Now that we’ve got the basics covered, let’s explore how to play Progressive Blackjack for the tasty jackpot. To qualify, all you need to do is insert a chip worth €1 or more in the coin slot area above the main betting circle. Doing so will activate a side bet that includes seven different payouts.
How much you win depends on how many Aces you’re dealt. One will give you x5 times your bet, the prize for two increases to x50, and so on. To land the progressive jackpot, you’ll need to draw four A’s of the same suit consecutively (e.g., an initial Ace of Spades pair plus another two on the next two hits). The chances of downing Playtech’s Progressive Blackjack jackpot are about 1 in 6.5 million. Needless to say, you’ll need to be extremely lucky for that to happen.
It’s super easy to start playing this title. Once the loading time is complete, locate the playing chips at the wooden area of the semicircle. Select a value that’s appropriate for you and put it on the “Place your bet” sign. Stack chips if you wish to increase your wager. Press “Deal,” and the round begins. You can hit and stand at will, while double downs are available only on the first move. In Progressive Blackjack and any other game of 21, splitting happens whenever you get two cards of identical value.
Keep in mind that your stakes need to be within the accepted limits, which can differ drastically per casino. They can be seen on the brown card at the top of the screen. Some versions have three wager tiers – €0.50-€50, €1-€100, and €5-€500.
Overall, this product is quite friendly to novice players. It will even display pop-up notifications if it thinks a move on your side is too risky or doesn’t make sense. For example, you won’t be able to stand with a single click if you got a pair of 2s, and the house has a 10. Of course, it’s possible to play Progressive Blackjack with these messages turned off.
There are only three additional buttons that are worth remembering. Their purpose is to customize your playing experience. The “color” icon that sits to the right of the discarded cards allows you to change the hue of the table. At the upper-right edge of the screen, you have the volume slider. Next to it is a spanner icon from which you can access your betting history, the “Help” section, and some more advanced settings.
And just like that, you know how to play Progressive Blackjack successfully. Before you dive in and bet real cash, feel free to test it here with no financial commitments. Get a feel for the flow of the game and practice basic strategy (see the guide below). However, keep in mind that the progressive side bet is not a part of the demo mode.
Blackjack will always be a popular choice in online casinos due to its almost non-existent house edge. A classic game of 21 typically has a return rate of 99.59%, which means that less than half of a percent separates you from the break-even point.
The Progressive Blackjack RTP is only marginally lower at 99.53%. Naturals pay 3:2, while a regular win is 1:1. Insurance offers the standard 2:1 cover, so this difference comes from the absence of the Peek and Ten Card Charlie rules. Still, the value is very high. For comparison, most of Playtech’s video slots with a pooled prize have a house edge of 5% or more.
Sadly, the top pot of this game doesn’t match those of “Justice League” or “Mega Millions.” Usually, you can expect to see a jackpot of around €200,000 or €300,000, but it can go higher than that. The side bet of Progressive Blackjack has a base RTP of 94.85% that increases as the jackpot swells. One it reaches €581,000 or more, players actually get an advantage over the house.
Becoming a Blackjack master isn’t a matter of art, but mathematics. Making the most out of your play sessions requires you to make calculated risks based on the information you have. Don’t worry; you won’t need to spend years crunching the numbers. The below table will provide you with the optimal move for every situation.
Feel free to use this basic strategy chart while you play Progressive Blackjack and other types where the dealer stands on 17 and uses a 4-8 deck shoe. However, never split a pair of Aces if you’ve got money on the side bet.
As one of the largest casino software developers on the market, Playtech’s portfolio is chock-full of gaming entertainments. Other legendary Blackjack releases from the studio include the “Double Attack” and “Switch” kinds.
In the first, you can see the dealer’s face-up card and decide whether to double your bet before your cards are dealt. The latter is played with two hands, and it’s possible to switch the secondary cards between them. This rule increases the RTP to 99.87%, making it even more profitable than Progressive Blackjack.
If you want to wager on Playtech games with real cash, we recommend that you go for Casino.com, Bet365 Casino, or Mansion. This trio is powered by the developer, but the sites also feature the finest work of NetEnt, Microgaming, and other big names in the industry.
| Blackjack Peek | Blackjack Party | Double Exposure Blackjack |
|---|---|---|
| If you sorely miss the dealer peek, this Playtech Blackjack release has you covered. All of the classic player-friendly rules are here. | A croupier, entertainer, and two side bets make this Evolution Gaming stream one of the most fun-filled live games you can play. | Are you tired of always guessing what the dealer’s second card is? Double Exposure Blackjack removes this advantage, but there’s a catch |
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