The advent of online casino sites is a crucial factor that helped the boom of blackjack games. In the past, blackjack variations were limited to a handful of standard games. However, as the popularity of online casinos grew, new variations of blackjack, including Pirate Blackjack, emerged. It is also popularly known as Pirate 21 blackjack.
Although it’s not new, it’s become more well-known thanks to significant software providers like Betsoft and Nucleus Gaming. This online casino news takes a look at the fascinating gameplay of Pirate Blackjack.
How to Play Pirate Blackjack
As with any online blackjack variant, the goal is to have a hand total of 21, or very near to 21 as without busting. The player wins if their hand beats the dealer without going over 21. However, in Pirate Blackjack, a win is guaranteed for any hand total of 21.
Due to the multi-hand nature of Pirate 21, each participant can take part in up to three blackjack hands at once. There are places where you can play with limits as low as $1 per hand and as high as $100.
Pirate Blackjack Game Rules
Before we go into the rules, understand that Pirate Blackjack is distinguished from other blackjack variations using “pirate” decks or Spanish decks with 48 cards. This is because it lacks the 10s cards.
The downside of not having the deck of 10s is that players may find winning with a natural blackjack more challenging. However, the house doesn’t have a great edge like the others because of many other advantages.
The following are some facts worth noting from playing pirate blackjack:
- The game has poor odds, which makes the absence of an insurance bet a positive development.
- A player has no shot at winning with the blackjack surrender strategy.
- All of the card values correspond to those of standard blackjack.
Dealer Rules
- In Pirate 21 Blackjack online, the croupier hits soft 17s.
- When playing online Pirate 21 Blackjack, the dealer must always hit on soft 17s.
- A natural 21 is revealed immediately to indicate a win.
- You win the bet if you score a 17 or higher and tie.
Double Down Rules
- Like in the Vegas Strip Blackjack, you can double down on any two cards. Usually, you can only double your wager before drawing a third card, which is an improvement.
- You can also Double after splits.
Split Rules
- One re-split is allowed per hand.
- After splitting an ace, you may hit and double down.
The “Match” Side Bet
This side bet is straightforward. You win if your first two cards rank the same as the dealer’s up card. The reward for a suited pair (such as two aces of hearts) is 9:1, but for an unsuited pair, the payout is 4:1. Only the larger reward will be given if both of your initial cards match the up card.
Pirate 21 Blackjack RTP and Payouts
The paytable in this game is significantly larger than in standard blackjack. The game compensates for the increased house edge caused by the lack of 10s by adding numerous additional payouts. Here are the key details to keep in mind:
- Every standard victory pays off at 1:1 (even money).
- A natural 21, a five-card 21, or a 6-7-8 or 7-7-7 of mixed suits earns a 3:2 payout.
- If you get a 21 with seven or more cards or a 7-7-7 or 6-7-8 in spades, you will receive three times your initial wager according to the rules of Pirate Blackjack.
- The payout is doubled to 2:1 if you get 6-7-8 or 7-7-7 of the same suit. However, there are unique characteristics of the triple 7. If the dealer turns over a seven simultaneously, you’ll win $1,000 on a base bet of $4–$25 or $5,000 on a bet of $25 or more if you also hit.
Remember that you can’t use the rare three-card combinations if you split or double down. The payout percentage of pirate blackjack is currently at 99.24%. That’s roughly 0.25 percentage points behind what you’d get with traditional blackjacks, but it’s still better than the returns you’d get at most slot machines or other table casino games.
Final Thoughts
One unique thing about pirate blackjack is how all the great things about traditional blackjack are still there. It adds additional features, like increased payouts and looser rules for splitting and doubling. Although the house edge is slightly higher, it is still within an acceptable range. Blackjack books may also be an excellent resource for learning different winning techniques for standard blackjack and more exotic variations like pirate Blackjack.
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