Blackjack variants are hit and miss. Games like Blackjack Switch are an anomaly. This twist on traditional blackjack has stood the test of time. It’s been in casinos for more than five years.
It takes years for new blackjack games to go from gaming expo to casino floors. Once a blackjack game makes it into casinos it’s often only guaranteed a trial that might last 30 to 90 days. Lately, few games have been sticking around after the trial. It seems as though there’s at least one Bonus Bet Blackjack game in casinos. This game might have a long life ahead of it.
The Global Gaming Expo (G2E) was just in Las Vegas and it doesn’t look like we’ll see too many new blackjack games in casinos in the near future. There’s just not too many concepts that seem groundbreaking.
Last year we introduced you to U-Turn Blackjack from Scientific Games. It’s another “push on 22” game that was at G2E once again. While the machinations of the game are unique, the gameplay itself leaves something to be desired. Time will tell if this game ever sees the light of day.
Creating new versions of blackjack isn’t easy. It’s even more difficult for the games to reach casinos. It took Down Under Blackjack a couple of years before it reached casinos earlier this year. While this game is another “push on 22”, at least it hasn’t unique traits to separate it from other blackjack games.
More New Side Bets
It seems as though gaming manufacturers are resigned to creating new side bets for casinos. These bets are always profitable for casinos. In turn, they’re not profitable for gamblers. Recreational blackjack players enjoy these side bets because there’s potential for a big payout. Experienced blackjack players tend to avoid these bets because they have a negative expected value.
Regardless of the blackjack rules for the base game, these bets often have a good house edge for the casinos. Traditional live dealer blackjack games now have at least one or two side bets. Electronic blackjack games have as many as four or five different side bets. These are much easier for gaming manufacturers to place in casinos than actual new blackjack games.
Gaming manufacturer AGS has three relatively new side bets available for casinos. While creating new blackjack games might make a larger impression, these side bets have a good chance of making it into casinos for more than just a trial period.
IN BETween: This is a unique blackjack side bet that pays odds when the Dealer’s upcard is IN BETween the player’s first 2 Blackjack cards. The max payout is 30-1. This looks like something action junkies might enjoy.
War Blackjack: Players can add a game of War to their traditional blackjack game. The AGS website says “The War bet for a six-deck game returns a house edge of about 1.17%.” That’s not too bad for a side bet. I don’t get playing War in a casino, but this isn’t the worst side bet you’ll find.
Jack-A-Tack: My synopsis – Get Jacks, Win Money. How many “one jack off” jokes will dealers be forced to tell with this bonus? This is probably the most simple of the three side bets.
