Microgaming Software powered online casinos offer the most
diverse selection of blackjack games (and table games for
that matter) on the Web. Nearly forty different blackjack
variants have been developed by Microgaming, including
favorites like Vegas Downtown, Vegas Strip, Atlantic City,
Triple 7's, Spanish 21, Double Exposure, Big Five and
Bonus Blackjack. Most of these variants also come in
Microgaming's "Gold" versions, as well as multi-hand
formats.
In keeping with our game comparisons across
several software platforms, let's take a closer look at Microgaming's Vegas Strip version. Vegas Strip Blackjack
is an American Hole Card game played with four regular
decks of cards, all of which automatically get reshuffled
after every hand. The dealer must stand on Soft and Hard
17's and is permitted to check for Blackjack if showing a
ten-value card or Ace. If this happens, the player is
afforded an opportunity to take Insurance in the amount of
half the original bet. If the dealer has Blackjack,
insurance bets are paid 2 to 1. In other words, you will
win two times your insurance bet plus the original
insurance bet. The original bet is lost. In other words,
you come out even.
Doubling down is allowed on any two
cards, including split hands. Players can split hands
three times making the maximum number of hands played at
one time four. A pair of Aces, however, can only be split
once and can only receive one additional card. Split Aces
hit with a ten value card do not count as Blackjack, which
pays 3 to 2 at Vegas Strip, while all other winning hands
pay 1 to 1.
The betting interface at Microgaming's
blackjack tables is one of the most user-friendly out
there. A plus and minus sign increase the value of the
chips, which can range from $1 to $500 or more. Once the
value is set, clicking in the betting circle on the table
will lay the bet. Large Split, Double, Stand and Deal
buttons are located at the bottom of the screen, which
only light up when they are a viable option to play.
Buttons that are grayed out cannot be selected, which is
very helpful if you do not know what you are doing right
away.
Direct links to the games lobby, online casino
cashier and playing options round up some of the other
features. Options include game speed, sound and auto-play,
which allows you program the software to play consecutive
hands without engaging the software. The Auto-Play mode
uses the Universal Blackjack Strategy Table to play out
hands, so you know you are playing with the best casino
odds.
Microgaming casinos
offer a Stats button that allows you
to check hand results, including hand comparison stats
between you and the dealer. View a table of the dealer's
final hands compared to his initial cards, as well as
final hand and starting hand comparisons between your
hands and the dealer's hands.
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Microgaming Casino Game Reviews
