Playtech takes live blackjack to a whole new dimension with the launch of its Soiree Blackjack tables where high rollers can put some serious cash on the line. Betting starts at $50, with players having the option to wager as much as $10,000 per hand. The game uses 8 pre-shuffled decks of cards and supports up to 7 seats at the live table. The live dealers in Soiree Blackjack draw to 16 and stand on all totals of 17.
The renowned software studio has incorporated a number of nifty features, designed to enhance high rollers’ experience to the maximum. Should the table be full, players can join the waiting list to watch the live action until a vacant seat opens.
They can also take advantage of the Bet Behind feature that enables them to wager on hands dealt to some of the seated players. Other useful features that render one’s experience pleasanter include dealer change, shuffle, and shoe change on VIP players’ demand. The game offers a very decent RTP of 99.52% for the main bets.
Standing and Hitting Decisions in Soiree Blackjack
In Soiree Blackjack, the live dealers change every half an hour. Players are granted 15 seconds after the previous round’s end to post their wagers on the layout. Play commences with all seated players at the live table receiving two face-up cards for their starting hands. This is a US-style dealing game, which is to say the dealer receives one face-up and one hole card.
Once the initial deal is over, players can draw more cards by clicking the Hit button. They can hit as many times as they like as long as their hand’s total does not exceed 21. Players who are satisfied with the strength of their hands can use the Stand button to decline drawing additional cards.
After everyone has acted on their hands, the dealer reveals their hole card and draws if their current total is under 17. Players, whose total is higher than the dealer’s without exceeding 21, win even money.
If a player has obtained a blackjack but the dealer has not, they are paid at the standard odds of 3 to 2. Players lose the round either when they have busted or when the live dealer has outdrawn them. If the dealer and player have the same total, the player neither wins nor loses. Soiree Blackjack automatically awards even money for 10-card Charlies.
Splitting Decisions in Soiree Blackjack
When the first two cards in the player’s hand have the same numerical value, they can be split into two hands. The second hand needs to be covered with another bet equal to the player’s original bet. The dealer then draws one card to each of the split cards and the player again can hit or stand.
Surrendering and resplitting are not permitted in Soiree Blackjack. A ten-value card next to a split Ace is deemed regular 21 and receives even money. Participants who bet behind somebody else automatically follow the actions of the seated player, unless they decide to split or double when the bet-behind player does not have enough money into their balance. In this case, they must either hit or stand.
Doubling Down Decisions in Soiree Blackjack
Doubling down is possible on any total as long as it consists of two cards only. This move requires you to make an extra wager to the amount you have initially staked. In exchange, you receive no more than one additional card. Doubling on split pairs is also permitted at this live table.
Note that if you double and the live dealer gets a blackjack with an exposed Ace, you automatically lose both your initial bet and the double-down wager. However, if the dealer obtains a natural with an exposed ten-value card and an Ace in the hole, you lose only your original stake while your double-down bet is returned to your balance.
Buying Insurance
Soiree Blackjack players can buy insurance when the dealer’s upcard is an Ace. Those who accept insurance must risk an amount equal to half of their initial bets. The insurance wager is treated separately from the main bet and bears no impact on the odds of winning with one’s initial hand.
Players are paid at a rate of 2 to 1 when the dealer flips over a ten-value card next to their Ace for a blackjack but they lose their main bets. Provided that the live dealer does not have a natural, the players lose their insurance side wagers and continue with their hands, again having a choice from hitting, standing, doubling, or splitting. When both dealer and player obtain blackjacks, the two hands push and nobody wins or loses.
Payouts for Side Bets
Similarly to other live tables powered by Playtech, Soiree Blackjack supports two intriguing side bets. The dealer/player perfect pairs side bet pays 6 to 1 for red/black pairs, 12 to 1 for coloured pairs of different suits, and 25 to 1 for suited pairs.
Soiree Blackjack players can also earn higher payouts from winning 21+3 side bets. These wagers pay when the player’s starting hand and the dealer’s face-up card form a three-card poker hand. The 21+3 bets pay 5 to 1 for a flush, 10 to 1 for straights, 30 to 1 for offsuit sets, 40 to 1 for straight flushes, and 100 to 1 for suited sets like three Queens of spades, for example.
These payouts, if earned, are awarded immediately after the initial deal before anyone has acted on their starting hands.