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Evolution goes mad: No Nines or Tens in new game - Power Blackjack

Evolution Power Blackjack launches with a powerful double down system. 2x, 3x or 4x your starting hand for bigger winning chances. Quick review, strategies and initial thoughts on Power Blackjack here.

Power Blackjack is now available at Evolution Live Casinos after a short beta test. The new live dealer game is the latest in their popular Infinite Blackjack series of games.

Evolution Power Blackjack comes with several important differences:

There are no nines or tens in the 8 deck shoe - that's 64 fewer cards that appear during a normal game of 8 deck blackjack
Players can Double, Triple or Quadruple down on their initial two cards
There is no 6-card charlie rule in this game

Popular features from Infinite Blackjack are also carried over:

There are four available side bets: Any Pair, 21+3, Hot 3 and BustIt
An unlimited number of players can join the table, with no waiting times. Each hand can be played individually by the player as they see fit.

How to play Evolution Power Blackjack

To start the game, place a wager on the betting position or side bets. There is a 12-second window to place your chips.

Once you have bet, the dealer will deal two cards to themselves and the player position. You will then get to choose whether you stand, hit or double down on the hand. There are three available double down options: 4x, 3x or 2x.

If the dealer has dealt you two matching cards, you will also be able to split the hand into two individual hands.

The dealer will check for blackjack if their up card is a Jack, Queen, King or Ace.

As with a traditional game of live dealer blackjack - the objective is to have the highest value hand possible, with 21 being the best possible hand. Due to the removal of tens and nines - this is a much harder hand to get in this game.

If you hand beats the dealer (or they bust), you win. If the dealer has a better hand (or you bust), the dealer wins.

Power Blackjack Game Rules

Here are the full rules of Evolution Power Blackjack

Game is played with an 8 deck shoe
Vegas rules: dealer gets two cards
Dealer checks for blackjack if they have Jack, Queen, King or Ace
All pairs can be split
Blackjack win pays 3:2, taking Insurance and winning pays 2:1
Insurance is only available if the dealer draws an Ace
Double down (2x, 3x and 4x) option available on first two cards

Power Blackjack Side Bets

There are four available side bets in Power Blackjack. This includes two returning bets pioneered by sibling game Infinite Blackjack.

21+3 - Your first two cards and the dealer up card are paid out like a poker hand at the following payouts.

21+3 Hand	Payouts
Suited Trips	100 to 1
Straight Flush	35 to 1
Three of a Kind	25 to 1
Straight	8 to 1
Flush	5 to 1

Any Pair - This side bet pays if you two starting cards are a pair.

Any Pair Hand	Payout
Suited Pair	20 to 1
Pair	7 to 1

Hot 3 - This side bet takes into account your two cards and the dealers up card. If they form a total of 19, 20 or 21 - you win. Here;'s the payouts:

Hot 3 Hand	Payouts
7-7-7	100 to 1
Total 21 - Suited	20 to 1
Total 21 - Unsuited	4 to 1
Total 20	2 to 1
Total 19	1 to 1

Bust It - For this side bet, you are solely banking on the dealer busting. The number of cards the bust in will determine your prize.

Bust It Hand	Payouts
Bust with 8+ Cards	250 to 1
Bust with 7 Cards	100 to 1
Bust with 6 Cards	25 to 1
Bust with 5 Cards	8 to 1
Bust with 4 Cards	2 to 1
Bust with 3 Cards	1 to 1

Power Blackjack Strategy

With the removal of 9s and 10s - strategy looks very different in Power Blackjack. That means traditional strategy charts won't work at all.

Evolution has created an optimal strategy guide that can be found in the game paytable. Here's what they recommend for the best results:

How to split pairs

Split 2s if dealer has 6
Split 3s if dealer has 2-8
Split 4s if dealer has 6
Don't split a 5 pair
Split 6s if dealer has 2 - 8
Split 7s if dealer has 2 - 7
Split 8s wherever possible
Don't split 10s
Split Aces if dealer has 2 - 6 or 8 - 10

Outside of these outcomes, you should always hit

Quadruple Down Strategy

Quadruple down on 5s if dealer has less than 10 - otherwise hit
Quadruple down on Hard 10 if dealer has 2 - 7 - otherwise hit
Quadruple down on Hard 11 if dealer has 2 - 8 - otherwise hit
Quadruple down on Soft 15 or 16 if dealer has 6 - otherwise hit
Quadruple down on Soft 17 if dealer has 5 - 6 - otherwise hit
Quadruple down on Soft 18 if dealer has 2, 4, 5 or 6 - otherwise hit
Quadruple down on Soft 19 if dealer has 6 - otherwise hit

Hit or Stand Strategies

Hit on Hard 14 or less
Hit on Hard 15 (unless dealer has 5)
Hit on Hard 16 (unless dealer has 2, 4 - 6)
Stand on Hard 17 (unless dealer has 11)
Stand on Hard 18 or greater
Hit on Soft 17 or less
Stand on Soft 18 (unless dealer has 8)
Stand on Soft 19 or greater

Power Blackjack FAQ

What is the Power Blackjack RTP?

Power Blackjack has an RTP of 98.80% - giving it a house edge of 1.20%. This is one of the lowest returns for a live blackjack game

How much can I win on Power Blackjack?

The best payout in the game is the Bust It Side bet. You can win 250x your stake if the dealer busts with 8 or more cards.

What is the best Power Blackjack strategy?

The best strategy is to follow the in-game Power Blackjack tips. Click on the quick help option at the side of the game to view all the rules. This includes the strategies that can be found towards the bottom of the game.

Do I have to wait to play Power Blackjack?

An unlimited number of players can join the Power Blackjack table - so there are no waiting times in this game.

Power Blackjack Review

Simple changes make a powerful difference in Evolution Power Blackjack. The chance to quadruple down is a nice feature for high-risk players. And removing the 9s and 10s adds a whole new dimension to traditional strategy. It's not the most amazing evolution of the Infinite series - but it packs a powerful punch.

Emma Hall 12 Jun 2020 View more