Playtech has been working hard lately on developing fresh approaches to the game of blackjack. It is one of the most popular cards games, after all, and one in which the British software and services supplier has had a lot of success in the past.
The brand’s latest release is called Majority Rules Speed Blackjack, but you can also call it Best Strategy Blackjack, depending on the dominant game mode. The game was developed in collaboration with GVC and was exclusively launched for PokerStars, getting its network-wide release in July 2020.
By the looks of it, Playtech developers have found a new way of playing blackjack online with live dealers while maintaining some of the standard tropes of the game such as European blackjack rules and multiple-deck play. The main idea behind Majority Rules Speed Blackjack is community play, so the game is introducing a new way of betting via democracy. If the conditions for this game mode aren’t met - if there are not enough players for Majority Rules to be played – the game will not stop. It will merely switch to guided play where users follow the basic blackjack strategy.
Majority Rules Speed Blackjack with a live dealer is a one-to-many game played with two hands that accommodates and unlimited number of players.
European rules require the dealer getting one card on the initial deal the game is played with 8 decks. As soon as you load the game, you will see the splash screen with two game modes which are available. If more than 3 players are playing the game, the majority vote takes leverage over what will be the decision for the hand. As much as 50% of the votes is enough for a specific action to be immediately taken. If less than 3 players are active, the hand is automatically resolved based on the optimal blackjack strategy. As you are joining the table, the game will also ask you to give your instructions on account of automatically doubling your bet and automatically splitting.
When all the bets are made, the actions will take place and you will see small progress bars on the side of the hands to indicate the players’ vote on the offered actions. The regular options are split, double, stand or hit and whichever one has the most votes will be applied. The game rounds are quite fast (you get 10 seconds to make decisions), so is you happen to miss to mark your preferred playing option, the majority vote will still play through.
There are no automatic bet options, but there is the option to repeat your bet. The dealer is obligated to draw until 16 and stand on all 17s. Majority Rules Speed Blackjack comes with side bets, the usual package with Pairs and 21+3.
Majority Rules Speed Blackjack is a visually nice-looking game that appeals to players who enjoy unlimited blackjack games but often feel like the decisions of other participants affect their hands too much. Here, the majority decides, so in most cases, you ought to receive the optimal results.
It may not be the best option for beginners do to its super-fast gameplay, but experienced players will find it refreshing and attractive.