Cashback Blackjack Live by Playtech is an online live dealer blackjack game released in 2021. It boasts an RTP of 99.56% with a minimum bet of $1 and a $1,000 maximum wager. The game is available on both desktop and mobile and presents an exciting new online blackjack variant.
Cashback Blackjack has already existed for a few years, but it was largely unavailable at live casinos. There’s an RNG version, for instance. However, live dealer Cashback Blackjack has never been attempted before, so we’re quite excited to bring you this review.
Game Specifications | |
---|---|
Game name | Cashback Blackjack |
Game provider | Playtech |
Game type | Blackjack |
Streaming from | Latvia |
RTP | 99% |
Bet range | €1 - €1000 |
Max win | 2,000:1 |
Side bets | Yes |
Supported platforms | |
Supported OS | |
Languages |
Czech
Dutch
English
French
German
Greek
+8
All supported languages
|
Cashback Blackjack opens with a fairly simple premise – players can opt to “take their money and run” at any moment by accepting dynamic payout odds. It sounds similar to Surrender, except that you can use it at any moment during a round. This option comes with some unique strategic considerations which we’ll get into further down.
This newest Playtech live blackjack table is one of the more exciting releases of the year. We enjoy it for two simple reasons. Firstly, it actually impacts the way you play the game. Players have an additional option at all times, which profoundly impacts the player experience. In other words, this isn’t just any old live blackjack game. However, the core concept and spirit of the game of 21 is still in place. Playtech Cashback Blackjack is different, but not so different to deter fans of the classic casino card game.
Moreover, the game comes packed with no less than 6 side bets. You’ll have more options than you’ll know what to do with. Currently, however, it’s only available in Italian native-speaking tables. We’re sure we’ll be able to play Cashback Blackjack in English soon enough, though.
Cashback Blackjack combines several ideals to make one of the more interesting new blackjack games out there.
First of all, it’s played with Common Draw rules. This means that all players at a given table share the same hand. However, all player decisions are completely independent. For instance, you can choose to Stand while someone else decides to Hit. In that case, your hand will be locked and any following cards will not affect the outcome for you.
Whenever the dealer hands the players a card, they’ll place it in a compartment on the table. The players will then see a computer-generated image only of cards that affect their hand as per the decisions they made.
This way of doing things offers several advantages over classic 7-seat blackjack. Minimum bets are much lower, and you won’t have to worry about available seats.
The basic gameplay here is identical to most other top live blackjack games. Your goal is to get as close as possible to 21 without going over. You have the option to Hit for another card or Stand if you don’t want one. Splitting is available if you have two cards of the same rank. Double draws one more card and then Stands. You can double on any hand total, and doubling is allowed after splitting. This is an eight-deck variant, and the dealer must draw to 16 but stand on any 17.
This brings us to the Cashback option and the game’s defining feature.
Essentially, Cashback allows you to surrender your hand and take some money back. The current offer depends on the circumstances of your hand. It dynamically changes if you opt to draw more cards, for example.
Strong hands get a bigger payout, allowing you to cut out any additional risk and just take cash. In contrast, relatively weak hands offer a Cashout that’s lower than your initial stake. However, this allows you to cut your losses and avoid completely losing the stake.
Strategically speaking, Cashout is similar to Surrender. However, Surrender can only be made on the initial deal if the dealer is showing Ace and it always pays half the stake. The Cashback decision can be made at any point, and the payout constantly changes.
As mentioned previously, the cashback option doesn’t come with a fixed payout. However, everything else like Blackjack and Insurance is industry-standard, as per the payout table below. Cashback Blackjack side bets have a more complex payout system. This also means that they’re a bit of a mixed bag when it comes to RTP, though.
Bet/Number of Cards/ Hand/Side Bet Values | Payout | ||
---|---|---|---|
Playtech Cashback Blackjack Paytable | |||
Winning Hand | 1.1 | ||
Blackjack | 3:2 | ||
Insurance | 3:2 | ||
Buster Side Bet Payouts | |||
3 - 4 | 2:1 | ||
5 | 4:1 | ||
6 | 18:1 | ||
7 | 50:1 | ||
8 or more | 250:1 | ||
7+ Player Blackjack | 800:1 | ||
8 or more + Player Blackjack | 2,000:1 | ||
Top 3 Side Bet Payouts | |||
Three of a Kind | 90:1 | ||
Straight Flush | 180:1 | ||
Suited Three of a Kind | 270:1 | ||
Lucky Lucky Side Bet Payouts | |||
Any 19 or 20 | 2:1 | ||
Suited 21 | 15:1 | ||
678 | 25:1 | ||
777 | 50:1 | ||
Suited 678 | 100:1 | ||
Suited 777 | 200:1 | ||
21+3 Side Bet Payouts | |||
Three of a Kind | 90:1 | ||
Straight Flush | 180:1 | ||
Suited Three of a Kind | 270:1 | ||
Player/Dealer Perfect Pair Side Bet Payouts | |||
Mixed Pair | 6:1 | ||
Colored Pair | 12:1 | ||
Perfect Pair | 25:1 |
Playtech Cashback Blackjack RTP is 99.56% thanks to the surrender-like feature and player-friendly rules. Of course, this assumes you’re using optimal blackjack strategy, which includes using Cashback only at the right time for it.
Also, the RTP of the various side bets can be vastly different:
Make sure to choose the game that suits your taste and budget. For more extensive guides on live blackjack basics, read this article.
The Cashback Playtech game comes with a wide array of side bets. Combined with the cashback call, there are quite a few options available. To be fair, though, these side bets are not exactly optimal strategic choices. If you take a look at the RTP rates we listed above, you’ll easily see why. This is especially true for Buster and Top 3 blackjack side bets, which offer an abysmal RTP.
Still, let’s take a look at how Cashback Blackjack works as far as the side betting options are concerned.
You can place any of these wagers independently of the main bet, and they can win regardless of its outcome.
As always with Playtech live casino games, Cashback Blackjack comes with features like live chat and audio settings. All of these are available on the panel to the left.