Live dealer gambling has become increasingly popular with the rise of online casinos. One of the games that stood the test of time and is still dominating the market today is blackjack. Nowadays, it’s impossible to find a platform that doesn’t feature at least a couple of variants of this game, with some even releasing their own. The famous casino brand BetMGM offers an exclusive variant – Double Up Blackjack – developed in collaboration with Score Gaming and introduced in December 2023. This article will examine everything about this innovative take on a legendary game.
BetMGM – An Industry Giant
Before we explore what this version of blackjack can offer to Canadians, let’s discuss BetMGM Casino and why it has been such a force in the iGaming market. Over the years, it has acquired a vast audience of players and dedicated fans. It is currently undoubtedly one of the biggest brands in the North American industry.
This is mainly due to their fantastic games and sports betting options. The platform features unique and exciting products for users to enjoy. Their sportsbook section is almost unparalleled by any other competitors. The sheer number of sports available, reasonable odds, and live-event options make this a perfect choice for any bettor.
Regarding online slots, the brand boasts hundreds of great options that new and experienced one-armed bandit fans will have a blast with. Many other digital games are available and come in many different variations. The possibilities are endless, and we are confident you won’t get bored with so much content available.
The same can be said for the live dealer section of the casino. BetMGM ensured that all the classic table games like roulette, blackjack, baccarat, and poker are included, with several unique variations, one of which we will discuss more in this article. Live casino fans will also be happy to know numerous game shows are available.
This is complemented by great promotional plans, attractive bonuses, competitive tournaments, and regular events that keep the players engaged. The brand is very active on social media and has garnered massive sponsors, which tells us they are only continuing to grow and expand.
The website’s stability is assured because the environment has been fully optimized to support thousands of punters at any given moment. Everything is functional, stable, and responsive. It’s obvious why so many people chose this casino as their primary platform. The operator is dedicated to providing an exemplary gambling experience to everyone, which resonates with players.
Collaboration with Score Gaming
With such a vast following, BetMGM recently partnered with Score Gaming, a known name in the software-developing community, to create a digital version of the very popular Double Up Blackjack. Seeing this type of collaboration isn’t something we see every day.
Score Gaming has established itself as one of the leading studios. It focuses on delivering impeccable table game experiences for land-based casinos and meticulously crafting exciting and innovative side bets. Over the years, it has expanded its offerings to multiple establishments.
Interestingly, before developing the exclusive game Double Up Blackjack, this software provider hadn’t dabbled with online platforms, as they have been exclusively dedicated to catering to real-life casinos. This may mark a turning point for this studio, and we would love to see their evolution to the iGaming space.
Even though many agree that the online market is oversaturated, there is no downside to having more options for consumers. More gaming choices will allow us to experiment with new and exciting mechanics and features we haven’t seen before, which is always a plus.
Double Up Blackjack: Review
Firstly, it’s important to mention that this online and RNG-based blackjack game doesn’t feature live-streamed tables with real dealers. This is a purely digital title that you can play at your own pace, and while there are punters out there who solely prefer playing live products, we think this one will undoubtedly find its target audience.
The visual presentation is serviceable and competent. It isn’t anything groundbreaking we haven’t seen before, but it delivers a clean user interface that is intuitive and easy to understand. You will feel right at home, especially if you have prior experience with this table game.
Be that as it may, you won’t be playing Double Up Blackjack for its looks. Instead, you’ll want to enjoy this title for its innovative mechanic that will completely change your decision-making process. As the name suggests, this variation implements a Double Up system that gives punters a new way to stake their money.
It allows you to double your initial bet with any two-card hand, excluding natural blackjack, without hitting afterward. This directly contrasts the famous “double down” option seen in other blackjacks where you’d have to hit. It means that instead of doubling 9, 10, or 11, you’d usually want to double on high pairs like 18, 19, and 20.
While this seems like a fantastic addition that only favors the players, it’s crucial to mention that an additional mechanic is added to tip the probabilities toward the house. Score Gaming’s signature End 16 rule is implemented, forcing players to return their bets if the dealer has a hand with a 16 value.
The dealer would have to hit under the same circumstances in standard blackjack environments. Statistically, hitting on 16 will result in higher chances of a bust, so this added rule protects the dealers and significantly balances the field, so players don’t have a huge advantage.
Additionally, the game features an attractive optional side bet called Bonus 16. It allows players to bet on whether the dealer will draw 16. The winning rewards depend on how quickly the dealer reaches 16. Initial draws grant a 4:1 payout, while additional hits can rack it up to 500:1.
All of this combines into a complete blackjack variation that successfully transforms the classic rule set into something new and exciting. The game provides players with an attractive RTP of 99.72%, but that percentage falls to 93.2% if you want to entertain yourself with the optional side bet.
Considering that the original Double Up Blackjack tables were first introduced in 2012 in land-based casinos, players have waited a long time to experience the digital version of this fantastic game exclusively at BetMGM Casino and Borgata Online.
Great For Experienced Players
While we think that Double Up blackjack is a remarkable variation of the classic table game, it’s evident that this title is primarily designed for punters who already have experience with the genre. We wouldn’t recommend starting with this if you are a beginner.
With no prior experience, it’s generally advised that you begin with standard blackjack tables to learn all the basic rules and bets. Studying the game, reading guides, and implementing strategies is much easier in regular tables, as plenty of online resources exist.
On the other hand, if you’ve played blackjack for a long time and you’re looking for something fresh that can spice things up and cure boredom, then we highly suggest you give Double Up a shot. It has just the right features that noticeably alter the gameplay, but it doesn’t change things drastically, so the game is unrecognizable.
You’ll incorporate new tactics as the usual double-down feature has been altered, creating a new playing field. We do not doubt this will spawn a new community of passionate punters trying to find the most optimal strategies and efficient techniques.
Mobile-Friendly
Nowadays, it’s safe to say that most of the iGaming player base prefers gambling on their smartphone devices. This type of accessibility is why so many new people are trying this hobby for the first time, as it’s very uncommon that someone doesn’t have a phone today.
While most online casinos tend to provide players with platforms that can natively run games through their mobile browsers, BetMG took a better approach that ultimately enhances the result. They developed a separate application that users can download and use to experience everything the brand offers.
This results in a stable and optimized environment where you won’t experience glitches or bugs on iOS and Android devices during your sessions. You can confidently rely on the fact that all the content has been ported to the application, so everything runs as smoothly as possible.
Double Up Blackjack is a perfect game to play on the go or from the comfort of your couch. It runs incredibly well on almost every device, with no stutters or slow loading times. We highly recommend that you give it a try if you prefer gambling on your phone.
Conclusion
Considering everything, BetMGM’s Double Up Blackjack is an excellent addition to an already vast library of blackjack variations. It puts an exciting twist on the already beloved formula, and we are confident that the reception from land-based casinos will similarly transfer to online platforms. The concept is simple, but adding the Double Up mechanic significantly impacts how things play out, which many will find thrilling. Give this one chance, especially if you consider yourself a true blackjack fan.
