Live Free Bet Blackjack Review – Strategy & Where to Play in the UK

What is Live Free Bet Blackjack?

Live Free Bet Blackjack is one of the more popular live dealer blackjack games in the UK. The big draw for UK players who prefer the traditional style of blackjack but would like to be able to double down and split. 

The key factor to Live Free Bet Blackjack is that you can double down and split and not have to risk any more money, thereby giving you an aggressive chance of winning. The downside to Live Free Bet Blackjack is that if the dealer hits a 22, all hands push or tie.

The goal of the game is the same as in regular blackjack. As a player, you must have a higher hand than the dealer without exceeding 21, but you will be given an opportunity to Double Down on the first two cards for Free, as well as split (with no additional bet) any pair except for 10’s. All of these Free Bets will be denoted by the fact that you’ll be receiving a Free Bet instead of chips.

The Push 22 rule offsets this positive point since any time the dealer draws 22, it is a push instead of a win for the player. The umbilical cord between the dealer and player support gameplay continues with blackjacks from a payout standpoint being 3:2, dealer stands on all soft 17s, insurance available, and the deck will be provided from eight decks. UK users can select the Infinite or Seven Seat (Live) format depending on each user’s preference for gameplay.

Rules & Core Mechanics

Free Bet Blackjack uses basic Blackjack rules with some key differences. You can double down "for free" on hard totals made of only two cards if their total is either a 9, 10, or an 11. 

You can split pairs of cards into two hands (any pair of cards except for 10s) without having to place an additional bet. The "free" bet is recorded using chips called Free Bet Lammers.

A winning hand gets paid just like a normal bet, while a loss or a push means the lammers are picked off the table. Push 22 means that all player hands will push when the dealer finishes with a total of 22. The game uses eight decks, and all dealer 17s stand. 

No player surrender option exists. Doubling after splitting is allowed if the player follows certain rules.

Versions & Side Bets

The two basic types of live Free Bet Blackjack are Infinite Free Bet Blackjack, which allows endless players to play as they choose against one common dealer hand, and Seven-Seat Free Bet Blackjack, a standard 7-player table.

Depending on the version and table, side bet options can vary, but most commonly include a 21 + 3 bet, an Any Pair bet, a Hot 3 bet, a Bust It bet, a Bet Behind bet, and a Push 22 bet. Side bets typically offer a higher payout but come with a significantly reduced RTP of generally 94 - 96%. It is important to check the exact paytables during gameplay.

RTP, House Edge & Payouts

The Return to Player (RTP) for Free Bet Blackjack is 98.45% – slightly less than that of traditional live blackjack – due to the inclusion of the Push 22 rule. This rule reduces the total of free split and double bets when calculating RTP because it adds additional targets to receive a push and decreases RTP potential. 

Although free bets decrease the variance on the individual hand, more pushes created by the Push 22 rule reduce potential long-term profits. The RTP for all side bets is higher than traditional RTPs, so they are considered high risk. Remember that the RTP is only a theoretical value based on extended playtime.

Strategy & Playing Guidelines

To play traditional blackjack, you usually follow the basic strategy; however, some adjustments may be necessary because of free bets that exist when playing with free bets in Free Bet Blackjack. You should always take both free doubles and free splits so as not to risk their bankroll's additional funds. There are no relevant exceptions to these strategies under the standard rules.

The Push 22 rule can affect your choices in a few unclear scenarios, particularly about when to hit on stiff hands or when it makes sense to stand. Experts recommend that you focus primarily on the standard approach, rather than trying to figure out how the rule changes things.

Additionally, managing your bankroll is very important, as you are encouraged to be more aggressive with gambling due to free bets. You will need to set both deposit limits and session limits.

 Recommendations on side bets are also slow to be used in moderation, as there is no method of playor strategy that will beat the house edge; the main purpose of gambling is amusement and control over your gambling experience.