Lightning Blackjack Live Casino Game Review

12/11/2021 | Categories: Bitcoin Live Game Show Reviews | Published by: Joe | Last updated: 05/01/2024

Evolution Gaming’s Lightning series of live dealer table games has wowed crypto casino players for a few years. Lightning Baccarat, Lightning Roulette, and Lightning Dice have already showcased what can be done when introducing a little anarchy (via multipliers) into conventional table games. Launched in 2021, Lightning Blackjack may have been late to the party, but few bitcoin bettors will grumble at that given the rich rewards in store.

Of course, chief amongst the features are the multipliers you can bag by landing specific hands in the game. An RTP rate of 99.56% isn’t going to hurt this game’s chances of being a top title for Evolution, either.

In terms of gameplay, Lightning Blackjack shares its multipliers with other top Evolution Gaming titles, some of which are mentioned above. These can boost your wins by up to 25x your bet. Those multipliers may not quite reach the heights of other games, but blackjack is a lot easier to bag a victory on than, say, roulette. Let’s explore the rest of the game in our Lightning Blackjack review.

Theme and Design

On the face of it, Lightning Blackjack doesn’t look much different from other top Evolution Gaming table games. A golden backdrop, ruby red table, and well-dressed dealers are the norm here. The game can also be played in First Person mode, so if you fancy jumping between the live stream and a more RNG-centric title, simply opt for First Person Lightning Blackjack instead of the default release.

As with most Evolution Gaming titles, this one is streamed from multiple studio floors and is fully mobile compatible. It lacks some of the adjustable cameras you can commonly find in Lightning Roulette, but that isn’t that important, with a lot of the action taking place between two cameras – the table cam and the “lightning camera” on the board behind the dealer.

Specs and Gameplay

Now we’ve got the aesthetics out of the way; it is time to start paying attention to the specs. The game itself uses a total of eight decks (52 cards per deck), with the card dealt manually from the shoe. The dealer will always peek to check for blackjack and will stand on any 17s. Doubling down is made possible on the first two cards only, while you are entitled to split any pairs. Splitting aces will see you receive just one card.

Lightning Blackjack costs at least 1.00 a pop, while the cost of a hand can rise to 5,000.00 if you’re feeling adventurous. The top bet can increase to 10,000.00 in some crypto casinos. The game can naturally be played using BTC stakes, so expect different values if you’re betting with cryptocurrency.

Traditional winning blackjack and insurance hands pay out at 3:2 and 2:1, with any win resulting in a 1:1 payout. This is all normal. The game has an RTP rate (on the first hand only) of 99.56%.

Regarding how the basic game works, there is nothing overly unique or new added to the mix. However, the multiplier mode brings some fresh rules into play, and they are a touch different from what you may have seen in Evolution Gaming’s other “Lightning” games, so let’s look at those next.

Bonus Features

Officially, there are no side bets in Lightning Blackjack. However, the Lightning Bet is considered a side bet. This puts it in stark contrast to some other Evolution titles, where the Lightning Bet is standard.

The cost of a Lightning Bet is double your ante, and you can pocket winnings of 2x up to 25x with it. The fee from side bets funds the multipliers. After the betting window closes, multipliers will be randomly assigned to numerous hand values. You’ll pocket a straightforward payout on the outcome of your hand and a multiplier prize if your winning hand total matches one of those set to receive multipliers. Those hands include 4-17, 18, 19, 20, and 21, and, of course, blackjack.

Multipliers consist of 2x, 3x, 4x, 5x, 6x, 8x, 12x, and 25x. Any hands can pay between 2x and 15x, but blackjack is always worth 6x up to 25x.

Now, this is where things get messy, to a degree. Following a multiplier win, you won’t immediately receive your prize. Instead, the multiplier becomes “Active” on your next hand. You will then need to win the following hand to receive your multiplier. If you lose the following hand, you’ll lose the multiplier, too.

If you manage to win two hands in succession, you’ll have earned the multiplier. You don’t need to use the multiplier straight away. Evolution gives you 180 days to use it. In effect, you have 180 days to play that second hand. When you decide to play the next hand, the multiplier is added to your bet’s value. If you up the ante bet between hands, the multiplier only applies to the same figure you previously wagered as a Lightning Fee. The remainder of any increased bet is paid out at 3:2.

It is worth noting that only one Lightning Fee is paid per hand, and any hands that you split, or double won’t have Lightning Fees applied. However, the multiplier will only apply to the highest-ranking hand if you split. Lightning Fees are lost in a push, although your main bet is returned. Once a multiplier is active, you’ll lose it (but you get your stake back) in the event of a push on the second hand.