Speed Blackjack review - Rules, Strategy & Best UK casinos

What is Live Speed Blackjack?

Live Speed Blackjack is fast live Blackjack using real dealers with physical cards in a studio. The main rules are similar to traditional Blackjack, but you must make decisions very quickly and usually within the same timeframe as the dealer's instant deal. This also allows for more hands to be dealt per hour, resulting in more volatility for UK players due to the increased pace.

Rules & Gameplay

In speed blackjack, the basic procedures and guidelines of blackjack are still followed; however, speed is taken into account, and this will cause the importance of the small differences in the rules to be amplified. 
I always read the rules panel prior to sitting at a game with speed, because I believe that fast hands make every rule more important.

Speed Blackjack Rules that should be on your radar:

• Dealer Soft 17: Does the dealer hit or stay? This has a big impact on the house edge, as well as the RTP.
• Blackjack Payout: Confirm 3-2 or something else, as this affects long-term value.
• Deck Count: Affects odds and therefore your basic strategy assumptions.
• Doubling Rules: Do you double down on any two cards, or only on specific totals?
• Splitting Rules: What pairs can split and how often.
• Splitting Aces: One Card Only or re-split Aces.
   
• Decision Timer: How long do you have to make a decision, and are the decisions made at the same time?
• Timeout Behaviour: Do players auto-hit or auto-stand if they have not taken an action in time?
• Side Bets: Are there any side bets like 21+3 or Perfect Pair? They typically offer higher edges.
• Bet Behind: The player may follow other player(s) when tables are full.

Speed Features & What Actually Changes

There is a live timer in Speed Blackjack that greatly reduces downtime because everyone plays at the same time. There is much less time between rounds ending and starting, thus allowing many more rounds to be played within one hour, with a notable increase in variance. 
You should plan your decisions in advance using a basic strategy and never make a poor play simply to act faster than you otherwise would.

Side Bets

Many tables offer additional bets (side bets) in addition to the basic game in speed blackjack, such as 21+3 or Perfect Pairs. These additional bets are made using your first two cards and can use the dealer’s upcard. 
While offering an extra element of gameplay, the house edge on these types of side bets is generally higher than on the main game.
Personally, I treat side bets in speed blackjack as something entertaining rather than using them as part of my strategy. 
Always check prior to playing on any given table what additional side bets are on offer and ensure you know what the payout amounts are.

RTP, House Edge & Does Speed Change the Math

Speed Blackjack does not change Blackjack Odds. Speed Blackjack has the same RTP as Standard Live Blackjack based on the Same Variables for Blackjack Payout, Soft 17 rule, Double and Split, and Deck Count of Cards used. 
The difference is exposure; more hands played per hour provide a quicker experience for wins and losses. Side bets, via the side bet rule, have a lower RTP than that of a standard blackjack bet. 
When the numbers can’t be verified, it is more beneficial to focus on the playing style rules versus quoting unverified numbers for reward levels.

Strategy & Tips for Speed Blackjack

Your foundation for speed blackjack should incorporate your standard basic blackjack strategies along with additional speed-specific habits. 

Don't give up on making the correct decision just so that you can click through the cards quicker. 
It is important to know how timeout auto-actions work and to eliminate distractions like notifications.

The number of hands played per hour in speed blackjack is much higher, so you'll want to lower your unit size, apply tighter stop-loss limits, and apply time limits for stopping. 
As in standard blackjack, side bets are an option you may choose to add to your betting strategy or do occasionally; they should not be a focus of your strategy.