Launched in 2019, Perfect Blackjack focuses on the new players eager for knowledge that will, hopefully, enable them to explore other 21 variants.
The table consists of three players’ positions for an unlimited number of patrons; thus, the game offers customary table game feel combined with infinite concurrent participants. Perfect Blackjack uses eight manually shuffled decks in a 3:2 variant with two side bets, 21+3 and Perfect Pairs.
The game round begins with patron placing a wager; betting limits are set between €3 and €500. There are two additional buttons to select, Auto Split and Auto Double Down, which allows for automated actions for splitting and doubling. The dealer employs the European Blackjack dealing style and takes its upcard only after players have received theirs.
What makes Perfect Blackjack unique is this: Once the initial settings have been made, the dealer takes over the whole game. There are no additional interactions between online casino and players; no other actions are required by patrons.
The dealer follows the rules of the basic blackjack strategy and concludes each hand.
According to NetEnt, Perfect Blackjack uses a “perfect strategy engine,” which automatically plays each hand in real-time. The decisions “are based on predefined scenarios which consider both the dealer’s and players’ hand, taking the game actions which give the player the best odds of winning.”
In other words, other than sitting, observing, and learning — in addition to controlling autoplay buttons — patrons have nothing else to do in this live dealer blackjack.
As stated in NetEnt’s Fact Sheet, Perfect Blackjack has a 0.5 percent house edge. Just as is the case in Blitz Blackjack, the casino’s advantage in 21+3 side bet is 6.29 percent, while in Perfect Pairs, the house edge drops to 5.79 percent (not including variations depending on the type of pair).
The user interface is clean and slick. Betting info and balance fields sit neatly in the top right corner. The submenu is in the top left corner; settings are in the lower-left corner. The main controls appear in the center of the screen, including the Re-bet function, Undo button, and already mentioned Auto fields.
Depending on the deployment option, players might experience either fully branded backdrop or well-known casino settings with other tables in the background.
As is the case with other NetEnt’s live dealer releases, Perfect Blackjack is available on the tabletop, handheld, and mobile devices; the game supports all operating systems and major browsers.
So, what do we have here?
A pretty much conventional, Vegas-rules blackjack game from the highly reputable provider — with all the excellent features and high definition video stream we’re used to — that lets you have a rather small impact on your play while having an opportunity to learn to play better in a real money game.
While the concept is sound, it seems that the educational segment could be a bit more perfected.
Namely, the game is way too fast to follow by a beginner player. Dealers do not follow up actions with additional instructions. While the strategy engine seems to be conceived well, when it comes to stiff hands and advanced blackjack rules — quite applicable in complex situations — players cannot do a thing.
Thus, if you’re into the full-blown blackjack with a hint of feeling that comes with, say, online slots, Perfect Blackjack is the right game for you. Also, if you’re a beginner with an outstanding perception that allows you to keep track of a fast-paced environment, this game is a proper choice.
On the other hand, advanced blackjack patrons will most certainly opt for some other NetEnt variant that puts them firmly behind the wheel.
Be it as it may, it is worth mentioning that it’s great to see the learning aspect of blackjack innovatively mixed with the real money game.
Compounded with an everlasting sense of responsible gambling and playing within the limits of your budget, Perfect Blackjack will surely find its way among rookies and players looking to improve their choices against chances.
And, when it comes to chances, we can only wish you the best of luck.
- Respectable effort to educate players
- Vegas rules and medium betting limits
- Reputable provider, excellent UI
- Bit too fast for beginners to keep track of fast-paced tempo, though
“Perfect Blackjack is a notable effort to mix players’ education and real money game. By combining the basic, even optimal strategy with well-proven gaming features, NetEnt ventures into the whole new aspect of live blackjack experience. Hopefully, future versions will somewhat smooth out the current rough edges — which I believe is necessary to enable players to increase their knowledge base. Otherwise, it might be a safer option for patrons to practice outside of the real money realm and embrace live casino experience only when they’re fully ready.”
Andres Rengifo, Director of NetEnt Live