Live Blackjack Features

Playtech live blackjack tables are split into four distinct categories, with a couple of singular extra tables. These are:

• Unlimited
• Lounge
• Grand or Royale
• Soiree

Unlimited tables allow, as the name suggests, an unlimited number of players to play at the same table. No waiting around for a spare seat, watching like a hawk for a spot to come free here. Instead, dozens of players can play on the same single hand. If you choose to stand, your copy of the hand freezes where it is.

Individual players can also double down, but only once. You can only split your hand on certain combinations of cards – although which cards you can split on are determined by the optimum play table, which is good for the players. If you choose not to split, you cannot continue the hand. In this case you will get 20% of your stake back and then sit out the rest of the hand.

Lounge blackjack is Playtech’s name for their range of standard live blackjack tables. In general, these have the same side bets and house rules. However, some change between EU and American style. All that changes here is in the American style the dealer takes one face up card and one hole-card on the first pass and can then ‘peek’ for blackjack if the first card is an ace or 10 value.

This ends the hand immediately in a win for the dealer. In European blackjack the dealer only takes one card on the first pass. Therefore, they cannot ‘peek’ and end the hand early.

Playtech clearly label each table as American or EU style in the lobby preview, which is a simple but useful addition.

Grand & Royale tables are Playtech’s visually upgraded tables that add a rather gaudy feel to proceedings. Excess gold and shininess are not particularly this reviewer’s style, but we can see why it would appeal to many.

They certainly look different from the pale green and blue stylings of the lounge tables. They usually have a higher bet limit to go with the luxurious feel and décor of the tables, although obviously the exact limits are determined by the casino.

Soiree tables are Playtech’s answer to Evolution’s Salon Prive tables. To start with their not quite as exclusive as their competitors’ solo-player tables, as they allow the usual seven players to sit.

They also allow players with less than thousands in their account to visit the table, although you can’t sit down unless you have the minimum bet available – which is between £50 and £200.

The limits here can go extremely high, depending on the casino. When we played at BGO they went up to £10,000 a hand.

The unique feature here though, is players with sufficient balance (we don’t know what this is however, but its high) can request a new dealer – or ask for further time with the current host. Obviously, this can’t be abused. No-one wants to see particularly attractive or conversational dealers being forced into 12-hour-plus shifts!

But it can still be a nice feature, for those who have the money to use it. These tables also have a real understated classy feel to them, with minimal black décor that looks great.

Finally, there is Disco Jack table. This high-tempo blackjack table has party themed music and dressed up live dealers who are encouraged to chat to each other and to the players as much as possible.

Could be fun for people who want a less serious table, or one that moves faster. Although we would hope Playtech get some licenced tunes eventually, as the non-descript disco soundtrack gets old quite quickly.