For years blackjack has been entertaining numerous casino fans from all around the world. It is one of the most popular games that allows players to test their luck and win money while playing against skillful dealers. The reason why so many gambling enthusiasts prefer the game of 21 is the fact that it is extremely easy to play and if there happens to be a variation with a low house edge, there is an actual opportunity for good payouts.
Thanks to the massive popularity of the card game, there have been different variations of the game appearing at both land-based and virtual casinos. Due to the various rules and betting options that blackjack games are offering, it has quickly become one of the most preferred ways to gamble and win money.
For gambling fans, there is nothing better than having the chance to enjoy fun games and win huge amounts of money while doing it. Since online casinos are well aware of that, they decided to present players with a brand new way to earn money while playing blackjack. It is well-known that many interactive players decide to join web-based casinos just to test their luck on jackpot games. This is why certain gambling websites are now offering progressive blackjack.
This version of the classic card game combines the chance of enjoying a special edition of the casino game and try to win the progressive jackpot it offers. There are several online versions of classic blackjack that also present the opportunity of winning a massive sum of money by making a small side bet.
There is nothing complicated about paying progressive blackjack since the main goal of the game is the same as almost every blackjack version. However, instead of relying on the not so lucrative payout of 3 to 2, players prefer to try and win the constantly increasing jackpot of the game.
What is Progressive Blackjack
The idea of playing progressive blackjack might seem a bit ambiguous but in reality, there is nothing unusual or complicated about this variation of the casino classic. Players have the opportunity to play a standard game of 21 but they can also make a side bet that might result in sweeping a massive jackpot. The side bet is usually of a minimum value and players are betting on having a certain hand during the game. Usually, the highest value of hand that players need in order to win the jackpot is four red or four black Aces. There could be other rare combinations that may bring players smaller but still pretty generous payouts.
Although there are quite a few blackjack strategies that may help players in their betting adventures, sometimes the pace of the game does not allow massive wins in a short period of time. As some players are impatient, they prefer to play a riskier but more fun and eventually more profitable game. This is why progressive blackjack is actually quite popular among virtual players. Thanks to the enticing versions provided by some of the best software developers, players have the opportunity to enjoy thrilling, authentic and fruitful blackjack experience.
Alongside their regular bet, players have the opportunity to make another side bet which is usually with a minimum value. Thanks to this side bet, blackjack players have the opportunity to either hit an additional win or even land a bountiful progressive jackpot.
Once one lucky player hits the progressive jackpot, the huge prize starts increasing all over again. Usually, a small part of each playerās bet goes to the pot while the rest of it goes to the potās seed. This way even if the entire progressive jackpot is won by somebody, it will begin growing from a certain predetermined sum rather than starting to accumulate from zero.
How to Play Progressive Blackjack
As it was mentioned earlier, progressive blackjack is played the same way as its regular land-based version. Although the game sometimes uses a single deck with 52 cards, there are actually quite a lot of blackjack versions that use up to 8 decks which results in a total of 416 playing cards. The standard number of decks that are usually played, however, is 6.
The dealer draws two cards for each player, as well as for himself/herself. One of the cards of the dealer is dealt facing upwards while the other one called āholeā card remains unrevealed. The main objective of the game is to have a hand that totals as close as possible to 21 without actually surpassing this score. Depending on their hands, players can hit and take another card or stand and continue with the hand they already have. They can also double their bet and agree to get only one additional card or split their hand and form two separate hands.
The payouts for the main bet in progressive blackjack is the same as in any brick-and-mortar casino. If the player manages to achieve a score closer to 21 than the one of the dealer, the payout will be 1 to 1. If the luck is on the playerās side and he/she has a natural blackjack formed by an Ace and a Queen, King, Jack or 10 the payout is 3 to 2.
It should be noted that it is not possible to apply a card counting strategy when playing blackjack online since the decks are shuffled after every hand that has been played. Players should also remember that if they decide to split when playing progressive blackjack, they can split their hand only once.
If you play progressive blackjack you will notice that the dealer must stand on a soft 17 which is a hand with an Ace that counts as 11. This rule, however, can vary depending on the version of the game that you are playing.
The significant difference between a standard game of blackjack and its progressive version is the option that allows players to make a side bet that can bring them a massive jackpot. Usually, the size of the bet that will qualify you for the progressive jackpot is with a very small value which often equals a single betting unit. It is common for this type of blackjack to have a few progressive jackpots. Each one of them corresponds to certain rare hands that players might achieve in their game.
There are variations of progressive blackjack that can be played with multiple hands. This way players can place up to 5 bets and play 1 to 5 hands which can improve their chances of hitting the jackpot. It should be noted, however, that there are some progressive blackjack variations that do not allow side bets for more than one hand.
The side bet that will qualify players for winning the progressive jackpot can be placed only before the cards are dealt. As it was mentioned before, a small percentage of that bet adds to the sum of the jackpot.
Types of Bets on Progressive Blackjack
Since this version of the classic card game is based on the rules of standard blackjack, the main bet of the game does not differ than the typical one. Fans of the game should not have any issues playing the main game and understanding its rules. However, in order to be able to win the progressive jackpot, players must make a side bet that differs than the ones you are used to seeing in other blackjack versions.
Main Bet
To enter any progressive blackjack game, you will have to make the main bet. You can opt for playing with chips of a lower denomination which may vary between $0,5, $1, $5 and $10. There is also the possibility to play big and use $25 or $100 chips. Each blackjack game, including the progressive one, has a betting minimum as well as a limit that would be signified somewhere in the game. Usually, the betting minimum is somewhere around $1 while the maximum can reach $100. However, these numbers may vary depending on the blackjack game you are playing.
Some variations of progressive blackjack offer additional side bets which will not apply for the jackpot but they can reward players with additional payouts. One of the advanced wagering options is the Insurance. It works as a security bet in situations when the dealer might have a blackjack. If the dealerās card is an Ace, players can avoid losing in the cases when the hole card is with a value of 10. If the dealer has indeed a blackjack, the payout for insurance bet is 2 to 1. However, not every variation of progressive blackjack offers this type of side bet.
Split and Double are also treated like side bets which means that players should make additional wagers if they decide to use these moves in their game.
Possible Progressive Blackjack Payouts
As for the part that most players are anticipating, there is a side bet that those who join the progressive blackjack table should make. It is a wager which is independent of the main one and it should be done before the cards are dealt. It usually has a very low value and it guarantees that players can qualify for the progressive jackpot.
It should be noted that not all versions of this game obligate players to make both the main bet and the side bet. However, if this is the case, you can simply choose to play another variation of blackjack.
The great thing about the side bet is the fact that it usually is with a minimal value which most often is of a single betting unit. The amount of each playerās bet that goes to the accumulating jackpot is about 9%. This contributes to the fast increase of the constantly growing prize. About 1% from the same bet is added to the potās seed. This is the reason why even if the entire amount of the progressive jackpot is won, the new accumulation of the prize will start from a predetermined sum rather than 0.
Progressive Blackjack Strategies
Just like any other variation of blackjack, there are some strategies that can be applied while playing its progressive version. The following tips apply to the games that use six decks, the dealer does not peek for a blackjack and the player can double after splitting.
Players should stand when they are holding a hard 12 or higher. The same applies if they have a soft 8, 9, 10 or a pair of tens and this is regardless of what the dealerās hand is. It is advised to hit a soft 12 to 16 when the dealer is holding 7 to 10 or an Ace. If you are holding a soft 8, while the dealer has a 9, 10 or Ace you should hit. A pair of nines should not be split and players are advised to stand if the dealer is holding 7, 10 or Ace.
Having hard 4 to 11 usually means that it is the best to hit, despite the cards that the dealer is holding. Holding soft 3 to 7 is another situation where players could benefit from hitting. If you are holding 2-2, 3-3, 4-4, 5-5, 6-6 or 7-7 against a dealer with 7, 8, 9, 10 or Ace, it is recommended you should hit. If you have a pair of twos, threes, fours, fives, sixes, sevens, eights, nines or Aces and the dealer is holding 1 to 10, it will be the best if you split. There is an exception when you are holding 4-4 against a dealerās hand of 2, 3 or 4. In this situation, it is best if you hit. It is also advised to hit 4-4, 6-6 or 7-7 if the dealer has 8 or 9. When you have two fives, it is a good opportunity to double, unless the dealer is holding 10 or Ace. Another good chance for doubling is having hard 10 or 11 when the dealerās card is 1 to 10. Doubling on soft 3 or 8 is a good strategy against a dealerās 5 or 6 card.
Best Progressive Blackjack Variations
If you want to enjoy a classic game of blackjack and test your chances of winning a huge jackpot, then you can head to several online casinos that will present you some of the best progressive blackjack variations. The games that will be listed below are all provided by great software suppliers who know how to combine the snazzy look of a blackjack table with the bountiful prize of the constantly growing jackpot.
Triple Sevens Blackjack
Triple Sevens Blackjack is a wonderful representation of classy blackjack with some additional features that give the game extra excitement. It is provided by the amazing software company Microgaming which is a leader in the iGaming industry. Not only the game can impress with crisp graphics but it also adds some advanced options that can easily make any player instantly richer.
Although Triple Sevens follows the outlay? and the rules of the standard game of 21, there is a side bet that can change the outcome of the game in an instant. Thanks to this extra betting option, players have the opportunity to qualify for an extra large progressive jackpot. This way they can add a generous prize to their win.
The objective of the game is the same as in every version of blackjack. You must beat the dealer without exceeding a score of 21. If you happen to be extremely lucky and you get three sevens of the same suit, you will also sweep the progressive jackpot of the game. This is a truly generous prize for having an extra luck that day.
There is also the Insurance betting option which allows players to avoid losing when the dealer has a blackjack. Even if you do not stand a chance against his/her hand, you will still enjoy a 2 to 1 payout if you make an Insurance bet.
Although the progressive jackpot of Triple Sevens can be hit only if you have three sevens of the same suit, there are other beneficial combinations that can still bring you pretty good payouts. If you manage to have three sevens of different suits, two sevens or even one 7-card, you can get paid if you have made a side bet prior to the dealing of cards.
Progressive Blackjack by Playtech
If you want to experience a great blackjack game which can also make you richer, then you should head to an online casino powered by Playtech. The software developing company is one of the top suppliers when it comes to gaming products and they definitely know how to attract players and give them a reason to play.
Those who are fans of the casino classic will have no issue playing Progressive Blackjack. The game uses six decks and the cards are shuffled after every hand. The basic rule of getting as close as possible to 21 applies here as well and the bets that you can make are the typical ones. However, there is an additional side bet which gives players the opportunity to hit the jackpot that has been accumulating for a long time.
When it comes to winning the progressive prize, it is all about the Aces. If you have made a side bet and you get two Aces of any suit, you will receive a payout of 25 times your jackpot bet. If you have a pair of Aces of the same colour, you will enjoy a 100 to 1 payout. Having three Aces of any suit will pay 250 coins, while four Aces will bring 2,500 coins despite their suit. The biggest payout of 5,000 coins is received for four Aces of the same suit. Hitting the progressive jackpot may not be easy but if you are lucky enough to have two Aces of the same suit, split them and then receive another pair of suited Aces, then you will take the biggest prize of the game.
The game also offers an Insurance bet and it uses the so-called 10-Card Charlie rule which means that the player will be paid if he/she plays with 10 cards without going bust.
Progressive Blackjack by WGS Technology
If you happen to be a fan of blackjack but you are constantly looking for progressive jackpot games that promise huge prizes, then you can now combine both of the gambling experience and play Progressive Blackjack. It is yet another online version of the casino classic that in addition to the general payouts offers the chance of landing jackpot prizes.
Those who are enjoying playing at virtual casinos may come across Progressive Blackjack powered by WGS Technology. The game is played with 4 decks and the cards, as in any virtual blackjack variation, are shuffled after every hand. It is a game that can easily make players win a generous jackpot or prizes for other rare combinations.
Players can choose whether to make a side bet or not. The size of the bet that will qualify them for the jackpot, however, is very modest and they need to make a wager of only $1. Since a small part of every playerās bet goes to the pot, the jackpot of Progressive Blackjack is constantly increasing.
The winning combination that will award you 100% of the pot is 4 Aces of the same suit. Even though you may not be lucky enough to sweep the massive jackpot, however, you can still enjoy a pretty good payout for other card combinations. Having four Aces of any suit will pay 10% of the pot. If you hold three Aces of the same suit, you will receive $2,500, while three Aces of a different suit will award you with $250. Lastly, two suited Aces will pay $50 but if they are not of the same suit, you will get $25.
Progressive Blackjack by WGS Technology also allows you to play with several hands which can ultimately make the game more rewarding for high rollers. Even though this feature is available in the game, this version of blackjack is also suited for players who like to play with lower stakes. After all, it does not matter how big your main bet is because the side bet for the progressive jackpot is always just $1.
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