Blackjack has been the most popular game in casinos for years. There was a time where it was easy to find a fair or beatable blackjack game in every casino. Today, at least in Las Vegas, casino operators continue to alter the rules to increase their house edge. There are still good blackjack games around town but they’re not as abundant as they once were. Forbes has a deep dive on this problem casinos have created for themselves.
The house edge for blackjack is increasing to the point of where it’s almost no different than playing “carny” games. Variants of poker like 3 Card Poker, Ultimate Texas Hold ‘em, High Card Flush, and so forth are occupying more tables than ever. Blackjack variants don’t seem to have the staying power of poker games. Blackjack Switch is the one exception. This game seems to be sticking around while other new blackjack games come and go.
Scientific Games hopes to buck the trend of poorly performing blackjack variants with a couple of new games. The gameplay for Vegas Blackjack Fever is kind of bananas if you think of traditional blackjack games. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see this strange variation of blackjack in casinos. On the other hand…there’s U Turn blackjack. Enjoy the newest blackjack variants that should be hitting casinos soon.
Vegas Blackjack Fever
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=prqH5X2W1yo
Rules:
- The game starts with a normal wager and optional Precious Diamonds side bet.
- Two cards are dealt as usual for blackjack.
- Traditional blackjack game play ensues.
- Dealer hits on soft 17.
- Players may split all hands, including Aces, up to three times for a total of four hands.
- Players may double down on any hand – even after splitting or hitting – again including Aces.
- Players may re-double down up to three doubles. However, the total must equal the amount of the total wager of the hand.
- Players may surrender half of the bet on any hand with two or more cards – even after hitting, splitting or doubling.
- Any hand totaling 20 or less with six cards that hasn’t been doubled is a winner.
- Any hand totaling 21 with five or more cards that hasn’t been doubled is a winner.
- Player blackjack is always a winner – even if the dealer has blackjack.
- Blackjack pays 5:2
- If the dealer busts with a total of 22, the result of the hand is a push for all players still in the game.
U Turn Blackjack
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v8iFyVvGhUI
This game features a smart shoe. Every card is scanned by the shoe as it’s dealt. U Turn Blackjack is another “Push 22” game but doesn’t have the unique gameplay that Vegas Blackjack Fever offers and doesn’t look quite as interesting.
