What is Power Blackjack?
Power Blackjack is another new variation of online Blackjack from Evolution Gaming. Like many other variations, it follows the regular Blackjack rules. However, 9s and 10s are taken out of the deck. As a result, the eight-deck shoe contains 352 cards instead of 416.
There are also some added rules in Power Blackjack that you won’t find in regular Blackjack. This includes the ability to double, triple, and quadruple your bet after the initial 2 cards have been seen.
Power Blackjack uses the same technology as Infinite Blackjack. It allows for an unlimited number of players to participate in the same round.
How to Play
This is how you play Power Blackjack from Evolution Gaming.
Step 1: Place your bets
Power Blackjack gives you only 12 seconds to place your bets. You start with the initial bet but you can place more if you want.
There are also four optional side bets you can place. You can read more about them in the side bets section of this guide.
Step 2: Make your decision
The dealer deals two cards to you and two to herself. You will then make your decision. Here are the moves you can decide to make:
- Hit: Request for a new card to improve your hand value
- Stand: Stop taking additional cards
- Split: When you split, you separate a pair of cards into two and play them as different hands
- Double, Triple, or Quadruple: You either bet x2, x3, or x4 of your initial bet.
You keep making any of these decisions until you stand.
While playing Power Blackjack, you can always see the total value of your hand and the dealer’s on the screen. This helps you make decisions faster.
Step 3: Dealers turn
Once all the players have chosen to “stand”, the dealer deals her cards. Here are the rules she follows:
- If her hand value is 17 or above, she stands
- If her hand value is below 17, she continues to hit until she gets 17 or above. Or until she busts.
- On a soft and hard 17, she stands
You will see the outcome of the game of the screen. If you win, the payout will be made instantly.
Side bets
In Power Blackjack, there are four additional side bets you can choose:
- Hot 3: A bet that the sum of the player’s initial two cards and the dealer’s upcard will be 19, 20, or 21 or are three 7s
- 21+3: A bet that the player’s initial two cards and the dealer’s upcard will form a poker hand
- Any pair: Bet on the player’s initial cards to form a pair
- Bust it: A bet on the dealer hand to bust
Payouts
| Regular bets | Payout |
| Blackjack | 3:2 |
| Winning hand | 1:1 |
| Insurance | 2:1 |
| Hot 3 Bets | Payout |
| 7-7-7 | 100:1 |
| Total 21 Suited | 20:1 |
| Total 21 Unsuited | 4:1 |
| Total 20 | 2:1 |
| Total 19 | 1:1 |
| 21+3 Bets | Payout |
| Suited Trips | 100:1 |
| Straight Flush | 35:1 |
| Three of a kind | 25:1 |
| Straight | 8:1 |
| Flush | 5:1 |
| Any Pair Bets | Payout |
| Suited pair | 20:1 |
| Pair | 7:1 |
| Bust it bets | Payout |
| Bust with 8 or more cards | 250:1 |
| Bust with 7 cards | 100:1 |
| Bust with 6 cards | 25:1 |
| Bust with 5 cards | 8:1 |
| Bust with 4 cards | 2:1 |
| With 3 cards | 1:1 |
RTP
- First hand: 96.58%
- Hot 3: 96.09%
- 21+3: 96.21%
- Any pair: 94.71%
- Bust it: 94.71%
Power Blackjack Strategy
Unfortunately, you can’t apply the basic Blackjack strategy to Power Blackjack. This is because the 9s and 10s have been removed from the deck.
The strategies provided here are based on what you should do after the first two cards have been dealt
When to Split
- If the dealer has got a 6, split 2s. If not, hit.
- When you have a pair of 3s, split if the dealer has between 2 to 8. If not, hit.
- With a pair of 4s, split if the dealer has a 6. If not, hit.
- DO NOT split a pair of 5s.
- A pair of 6s should be split if the dealer has 2-8. If not, hit.
- Split a pair of 7s if the dealer has 2-7, if not hit.
- Always split when you have a pair of 8s.
- DO NOT split a pair of J, Q, or K.
- A pair of aces should be split if the dealer has 2 – 6 and 8 – JQK, if not hit.
When to double/triple/quadruple
- If you have a pair of 5s and the dealer does not have up to 10, double down. If not, hit.
- Double down on a hard 10 if the dealer has 2-7. If not, hit.
- Double down on a hard 11 if the dealer has 2-8. If otherwise, you should hit.
- When you have a soft 15 and 16, double down if the dealer has a 6. If not, hit.
- When you have a soft 17, double down when the dealer has 5 – 6. If not, hit.
- With a soft 18, double down if the dealer has 2, 4, 5, or 6. If not, hit.
- With a soft 19, double down if the dealer has a 6. If not, hit.
When to hit or stand
- Hit whenever you have a hard 14 or less.
- With a hard 15, hit if the dealer does not have a 5.
- You can hit whenever you have a hard 16. But if the dealer has 2, 4-6, you should stand.
- Stand when you have a hard 17 except in cases when the dealer has an Ace.
- Stand whenever you have a hard 18 or more.
- Whenever you have a soft 17 or less, hit.
- With a soft 18, stand. But if the dealer has 8-Ace, you should hit.
- Always stand when you have a soft 19 or more.
FAQ
What are the differences between Power Blackjack and normal Blackjack?
The Power Blackjack shoe contains 352 cards instead of 416 in normal Blackjack due to the removed 9s and 10s. Also, players can double, triple, or quadruple after seeing the first two cards.
What is the RTP of Power Blackjack?
The RTP depends on the type of bet. It varies from 94.71% to 96.58%.
Which is the best strategy in Power Blackjack?
Power Blackjack uses different strategies from regular Blackjack. The steps to take are determined by what cards have been dealt. We have listed these steps in this guide.