Speed blackjack: the fast-paced live casino experience

One of the most popular casino games of all time is blackjack. From penny pinchers to high rollers, the game’s low house edge and potential for good win and payout odds have made it a fan favourite for decades. It is one of the few casino games where skill and strategy matter, with competent players potentially facing a lower house edge than players without basic knowledge and strategy.

Speed blackjack is a variant of traditional blackjack that emphasises, as you might have guessed, fast gameplay over careful card counting and thoughtful decisions. This makes it relatively less strategy-based than traditional blackjack as players have less time to work with, but some users really appreciate the fast-paced blackjack experience. Speed blackjack might not be quite as popular as traditional blackjack, but it is a widespread and much-loved game in its own right.

What is speed blackjack?

Speed blackjack rules are similar to traditional blackjack. The main difference is the emphasis on speed. Players have only about seven seconds to make decisions while playing, and there are benefits to guessing faster than other players. If you make your decision first, you receive cards before other players and have more time to contemplate the next round.

If they don’t act fast enough, online players of live speed games are typically subject to auto-dealing. This takes player decisions completely off the table, and you must grapple with the results, be they good or catastrophic. Many providers also enforce an auto-stand on a 12 or higher and an auto-hit on an 11 or lower, so your chances of salvaging your hand are usually fairly decent.

How to play speed blackjack

Playing live speed blackjack might sound intimidating, but the truth is that the game is more manageable than it initially appears. Players adhere to the rules of traditional blackjack (with the exceptions described above). The main difference between the two games is the necessity for quick card dealing and simultaneous decision-making. You must be able to quickly process your dealt cards and decide how to play within a few seconds. The faster you play, the more time you have to deal with dealt cards (assuming you hit).

Strategies for speed blackjack

Speed blackjack strategy revolves around managing your bankroll and making split-second decisions. Advice for new players is to master basic blackjack strategy before trying speed blackjack. That includes understanding common combinations of cards relative to their hit/stand odds. Sometimes using auto-decision features can help with some of the initial decisions (such as when to hit and when to stand), handling them automatically so you can focus on incoming cards.

Note that managing your bankroll in fast-paced games like speed blackjack can be difficult, and it’s always a good idea to make a budget before you sit down to play. When you have a cap on the money you can spend or lose, you will be less tempted to bet emotionally.

Benefits of playing speed blackjack

The main benefit of playing speed blackjack is the faster gameplay and reduced waiting time. Additionally, because the games are played so quickly, players have the opportunity for more hands per session.