RTG Blackjack

When it comes to playing RTG games, you should know that this software provider has never been the type of push game after game onto the market, with no regard for quality control. Instead, RTG offers a smaller number of titles than, for example, Microgaming or Playtech, but the quality far exceeds the quantity, letting you savor the experience. Below, we have included some of the notable RTG blackjack variations that you will commonly find at online casinos, as well as, a brief overview of the important rules.

Classic Blackjack

Starting off with the simplest iteration blackjack from RTG, we have Classic Blackjack. This version of the game gives you the opportunity to play the purest form of blackjack, without any tacked-on special features or side bets. What you get is the absolute vanilla experience and all that comes with it.

As with any online blackjack title, Classic Blackjack includes its own set of rules which you should be familiar with if you want to be good at it. On the most basic level, Classic Blackjack is played with 6 decks and the scoring a blackjack hand pays the standard 3:2 ratio. Additionally, the dealer will draw to 16 and hit on a soft 17. Doubling is allowed under all circumstances, even after splitting a hand. Speaking of splits, you are allowed to split twice for a maximum of three times, though a hand of Aces can only be split once. Insurance is available and it pays 2:1, as per norm. As for Surrender, the availability of this option is decided by the casino on a case-by-case basis. The house edge of Classic Blackjack is calculated to be between 0.34% and 0.63%, with RTP values of over 99% in all cases.

Face Up 21 Blackjack

Face Up 21 Blackjack by RTG is a game in the same vein as Double Exposure by other software providers. The quirk of this title is that the dealer’s hand is always revealed to the player, allowing them to make choices based upon that information. Unlike other variations, where the dealer has a hole card, everything is out in the open, giving you the opportunity to make smarter plays.

In terms of specific rules, Face Up 21 is played with six standard 52-card decks. The dealer will hit on soft 17s when presented with the opportunity. The trade-off for seeing the dealer’s hand, however, comes in the payout ratio for blackjack. Whenever you are dealt an Ace and a 10-value card, the game will pay only 1:1, much like any other hand. Moreover, when the player and the dealer both score a blackjack, the dealer will win the tie. This is a drawback by all accounts and you should seriously consider these factors before putting down money on this game. Apart from that, doubling down is available on hard 9s, 10s and 11s, as well as, after splitting a hand. Splitting is allowed up to 3 times for normal hands, while you can only split Aces one time. The house edge of Face Up 21 Blackjack is estimated to be 0.90%, with an RTP value of 99.10%.

Match Play 21 Blackjack

Match 21 Blackjack by RTG is known as Spanish 21 by other software providers and it is not too different in terms of gameplay. Though still a blackjack game by its nature, it is somewhat different from what you might expect. For one, the six decks used in this game include only 48 cards, with the four 10s removed from each. This shifts the dynamic of the game and pushes the odds slightly in the dealer’s favor. However, there are certain rules to counteract this and keep the house edge within normal blackjack ranges. For starters, late surrender is allowed, allowing you to recoup part of your bet on a losing hand. Additionally, resplitting Aces is permitted, as well as, doubling after splits. Speaking of the double down feature, it can be used on any starting hand, regardless of its value. Last but not least, the player’s blackjack hand will always beat that of the dealer, unlike in Face Up 21, where the player loses the tie.

Other important rules concern the hand combinations that you can be dealt. Depending on the number of cards when forming a 21-value hand, you can get a different payout. Five-card 21 pays 3:2, six-card 21 pays 2:1, while forming 21 with seven or more cards will pay an outstanding 3:1. Additionally, holding a 6-7-8 or 7-7-7 hand will net you 3:2 and the same hands in identical suits will pay 2:1. Finally, scoring these combinations in Spades will bring in a 3:1 payout. Keep in mind that none of these payouts can be claimed if you have doubled down.

Perfect Pairs Blackjack

Perfect Pairs Blackjack is a special version of Classic Blackjack where the Perfect Pairs side bet is available to players. It is placed next to your original bet and it rewards you to different extents if you are dealt a pair. The payouts depend on the color and suit of the pair you are given. For example, a Jack of Spades and Jack of Hearts will pay 6:1, while a Jack of Spades and Jack of Clubs will pay 12:1. However, if you manage to get two cards of the same suit, you get to take home 25:1. The house edge on this bet is influenced by the number of decks used in the game. Since Perfect Pairs by RTG uses 6 52-card decks, the house advantage is calculated at 6.11%, which results in RTP values of 93.89%. For comparison, the RTP in the base game without the side bet amounts to >99%.

Pontoon

Pontoon is arguably the largest departure from the original blackjack formula, without crossing into a completely different genre. Pontoon is thought to have originated in Britain, although some suggest that there is some French influence, as well. Regardless of where it comes from, Pontoon has certainly become popular all over the world and is readily available at many online casinos. It feels similar to blackjack, however, there are some differences in rules, terminology and the overall feel of the game.

Starting with the basics, Pontoon is played with eight 52-card decks. A blackjack hand is called ‘pontoon’, a hit is called a ‘twist, while the stand move is referred to as ‘stick’. The real differences are introduced in the gameplay. For example, players may only stand or ‘stick’ on hands with a value of 15 or more, or alternatively, a 5-card hand. The latter is called a five-card trick and it pays 2:1, same as a pontoon hand. Doubling is allowed in most circumstances, such as on any hand value or after splitting. If you have split Aces and one of those is dealt a 10-value card, that counts as pontoon. The dealer will stand on any 17 and will win any ties. The house edge of Pontoon sits at 0.38%, which is low by blackjack standards, making this a fair game in terms of odds.

Super 21 Blackjack

Super 21 Blackjack is an interesting mix of favorable rules with some not so favorable ones. Unusual for this game is that the number of decks is not fixed, rather decided on by the casino in question. However, most go with the 6-deck setup. The dealer will hit on any soft 17 and stand on hard ones. Players, on the other hand, are given a large number of options, with relatively little restrictions as to what they can do.

Splitting is allowed up to three times for a maximum of four hands and this also includes Aces. In the case of Aces, players can hit or double down on split hands. Doubling down is permitted on any hand value and even after split hands. Furthermore, surrender is also available in all situations and there is also the option to surrender after doubling down, in which case only the original bet is lost. If you manage to form a hand of six cards or more without reaching a value of 21, your hand will win automatically. Similarly, if you form a 21-value hand out of 5 cards or more, the game will pay 2:1. This rule does not apply if you have doubled down, however. Finally, a player’s blackjack will win all ties.

The downside of this game is noticed when you score a blackjack. Unlike other games which offer the traditional 3:2 payout, or even the controversial 6:5 one, Super 21 will only pay even money on a blackjack. Basically, you get no advantage for scoring the iconic hand. With all of this in mind and assuming that the game uses six decks, Super 21 Blackjack by RTG features a house edge of 1.33% and an RTP value of 98.67%.