Evolution Speed Blackjack Review
Fancy a game of blackjack that moves along faster than most? Welcome to Evolution’s Speed Blackjack. We’ll explain how this quick-paced live game works in our Speed Blackjack review. The game is streamed direct from Evolution’s studio in Riga, Latvia. It’s hosted by friendly dealers and includes multiple side bets for you to choose from in each game. The base RTP is 99.29% for the main hand, the same as in standard blackjack.
Evolution Speed Blackjack
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How to Play Evolution’s Speed Blackjack
Speed Blackjack is hosted by a welcoming dealer and played at a traditional blackjack table. There are seven seats at the table, with one seat per player.
To start playing, decide how much you want to wager on the main hand, then place chips on any of the side bets that appeal to you. You can bet between £15.00 and £1,500.00, so there's a broad range of stake options to suit all types of players (including high rollers).
The goal in Speed Blackjack is the same as in standard blackjack: players need to get the total value of their hand closer to 21 than the dealer’s hand without exceeding that number.
The dealer will issue two cards to all player positions at the table, both facing up. They will then deal two cards for themselves: one facing up, the other down. The dealer will check for blackjack at this point if their upcard is a 10, jack, queen, king, or ace. They’ll offer the insurance side bet only if they draw an ace.
However, here’s where Speed Blackjack differs from standard blackjack. Players have seven fewer seconds to make decisions and place bets in Speed Blackjack than in other variants. Decision timers start ticking immediately after the first two cards are dealt. The dealer presents the next card to the player that makes their move fastest, whether that means choosing to hit, split, or double down.
Otherwise, the game is similar to standard blackjack in multiple ways. It uses eight decks and Vegas rules, and the dealer must stand on hard and soft 17.
Different Speed Blackjack Games
Speed Blackjack Features & Side Bets
Evolution’s Speed Blackjack includes the following features and side bets:
AutoPlay
Speed Blackjack incorporates AutoPlay that takes actions when players are too slow to react:
- If a player has a hand adding up to 12 or more, they will stand automatically.
- If a player has a hand adding up to 11 or below, they will hit automatically.
This can incentivise players to act within the seven seconds permitted to avoid having their actions decided by the software.
Side Bets
You can make three side bets in Speed Blackjack:
- 21+3: If your two starting cards and the dealer’s upcard make a three-card poker hand, you’ll win a payout. The valid hands are Flush, Straight, Trips, Straight Flush, and Suited Trips.
- Perfect Pairs: If your two starting cards make a pair, you’ll win a payout based on the cards matched. These may be a pair of cards with: the same suit and colour; the same colour; or mixed colours.
- Bet Behind: You can use Bet Behind to put a wager on one or more of the other players seated at the table.
Speed Blackjack Payouts
If you’re a seasoned blackjack player, you may be familiar with the payouts for each hand. But even if that’s the case, it’s always a good idea to refresh yourself before you play a new variation of the game. Speed Blackjack offers the following payouts.
|
Hand/Bet |
Payout |
|
Blackjack |
3:2 |
|
Insurance |
2:1 |
|
21+3 | |
|
Flush |
5:1 |
|
Straight |
10:1 |
|
Trips |
30:1 |
|
Straight Flush |
40:1 |
|
Suited Trips |
100:1 |
|
Perfect Pairs | |
|
Mixed Colours |
6:1 |
|
Same Colours |
12:1 |
|
Perfect Pair (Same Colour and Suit) |
25:1 |
Languages and Times
Speed Blackjack’s hosts speak English, but the UI language can be changed to multiple other options (such as Czech and Bulgarian). This may differ depending on your choice of online casino.
Speed Blackjack appears to be available 24/7. That allows players in different regions to play alongside others at a time that suits them. It’s also convenient for players who may work in varying shift patterns, as they can play according to their schedule.
Key Highlights
Evolution’s Speed Blackjack has the following main highlights:
Seven-second timeframe prompts players to make their decisions more quickly, allowing for a faster and more exciting experience.
Bet Behind feature allows you to take part while you wait for a seat or if you just want to wager on a fellow player.
21+3 and Perfect Pair side bets present more opportunities to win beyond the main bets.
Maximum payout of 100:1 for Suited Trips in the 21+3 side bet can make for some big wins.
Stylish studio set and well-trained dealers make for a more engaging experience.
Evolution’s Speed Blackjack Final Thoughts
Speed Blackjack may not be to everyone’s tastes. You may prefer a slower, more traditional game that gives you the time to make your decisions at a measured pace. But if you find yourself becoming frustrated by other players’ slow approach in other blackjack variations, Speed Blackjack could be what you need.
The reduced decision time makes for a much faster experience and encourages you to think fast (unless you want the AutoPlay feature to take over instead). You can make three side bets, including the Bet Behind option, with payouts of up to 100:1 available.
The studio set is elegant and includes some colour to keep Speed Blackjack easy on the eye, and the dealers clearly know what they’re doing. All in all, Speed Blackjack is recommended for blackjack fans and newcomers who want to try something a bit different.
Rating: 8.0
Speed Blackjack FAQ
Here are some of the questions we’re often asked about Speed Blackjack.
