Strip Blackjack Rules
Blackjack games in 2021 sometimes seem caught in a rat race of outdoing each other with innovations and new features. They either try to put a twist on classic blackjack rules or fill it out with side bets and other gimmicks. With all that in mind, it can be refreshing to just sit down for a classic round of 21. And if you’re looking for classic, straightforward blackjack, ISoftBet’s version fits the bill perfectly.
The blackjack on this part of the Strip varies greatly, depending on the casino. There is a wide range of blackjack games on the North Las Vegas Strip. It includes $5 3:2 games, as well as an abundance of 6:5 tables at the higher-end resorts. Many have high limit salons. Here’s our complete North Las Vegas Strip blackjack survey for 2020.
ISoftBet Blackjack is as straightforward and lightweight of a blackjack game as they come. It’s just you, your hand, and classic Vegas Strip rules. No side bets, no gimmicks, no juggling 5 hands at a time. Those who enjoy hunting for value in blackjack probably know that’s for the best. Generally speaking, the main bet offers the strongest RTP in any real money blackjack game.
Of course, what some call “straightforward” others might call “barebones”. Simplicity is the defining feature of ISoftBet’s title. You should give it a wide berth if you’re looking for something to spice up gameplay.
Game Rules and Features
To start with, this is an RNG blackjack game, which means it’s an entirely single-player experience. You play against a computer dealer, and all outcomes are decided by random number generation. This also means that there are no timers for placing bets. Just open the game and put down the stake whenever you’re ready. Additionally, RNG blackjack also offers very low minimum bets, upwards of $0.10.
Commonly referred to as Vegas Strip Blackjack, Strip Blackjack is a form of the popular casino game with origins in Las Vegas. It’s usually played with just 4 decks, which sets it apart from most other online blackjack games. Overall, though, a lot of rules that originate in Strip Blackjack have since been adopted as the standard for blackjack. Commonly referred to as Vegas Strip Blackjack, Strip Blackjack is a form of the popular casino game with origins in Las Vegas. It’s usually played with just 4 decks, which sets it apart from most other online blackjack games. Overall, though, a lot of rules that originate in Strip Blackjack have since been adopted as the standard for blackjack.
Once your stake is placed, you will be dealt the cards as per usual. ISoftBet uses 8 decks per shoe with medium deck penetration. If you’ve ever played 21 before, you’ll know how to play ISoftBet blackjack. Just get as close to 21 as possible without going over.
As far as the rules go, the dealer must draw to 16 and stand on any 17. You can split on any pair, and doubling is allowed after splitting. You can also double on any card total, but you’re only allowed one additional card after doubling.
The lack of side bets is fine, but we also would have appreciated some quality-of-life features. For example, an autoplay feature or the ability to quickly repeat the same bet. Still, thanks to the RNG mechanics, the gameplay is fast and smooth and you can play at your own pace.
Payouts and RTP
ISoftBet offers industry-standard payouts across the board, so there are no surprises here. Winning a hand pays 1:1, blackjack pays 3:2, and insurance pays 2:1. As always, though, insurance is a rather poor choice to make compared to most other options.
Las Vegas Strip Blackjack Rules
According to the blackjack house edge calculator, ISoftBet Blackjack RTP sits at 99.40%. This is a fairly decent return rate, but we would be lying if we said we’ve never seen better. The option to resplit would have gone a long way, for example. Still, player-friendly tules such as splitting on any hand ensure that the edge isn’t too far in the dealer’s favour.
Of course, such an RTP assumes you’re using basic blackjack strategy, which you should be doing at all times.
Recommended Tips
Las Vegas Strip Blackjack Rules
Just use our blackjack strategy chart for an 8-deck game, and you’ll be fine. Additionally, the game has a feature that warns you about particularly bad moves. It won’t guide you according to blackjack charts, but it’s enough to ensure you don’t make a major blunder.
The fact this game uses 8 decks means card counting would be quite difficult, but not impossible. However, since there are no side bets, you can also always be certain you’re making decent moves with a solid overall RTP. Avoid the insurance bet, and you should see decent long-term returns.
Summary
As you can see in our ISoftBet Blackjack review, there’s not a lot to this game. It’s easy to get into and designed to appeal to players who just want a simple round of 21. Obviously, if you’re looking for side bets and innovative features, you should look elsewhere. However, it’s overall a decent, well-polished product that delivers on its promises.