Free Bet Blackjack from Evolution Gaming

Free Bet Blackjack is the second in Evolution Gaming’s ‘Infinite‘ family of blackjack games.

Like Infinite Blackjack, the first Infinite family member, in Free Bet Blackjack a single deal caters to a theoretically infinite number of players – a 1 to many blackjack table.

It also employs Evolution’s revolutionary physical to virtual card transition approach to solving the 1-to-many blackjack challenge. So irrespective of the many and varied decisions other players make during the game, the cards you see reflect your playing decisions only.

How to Play Free Bet Blackjack

Free Bet Blackjack’s main game introduces a few novel rules tweaks, bolded in the house rules list below.

The two that give the game its name are free bets offered for certain Double Down and Split opportunities.

Four optional side bets are also offered.

Main Game house rules

Like all Evolution blackjack tables, the game is dealt from an 8 deck shoe. Blackjack pays 3:2 and insurance is offered in the event that the dealer draws an Ace first card.

Other house rules are summarised as follows:

• The dealer will stands all 17’s
• You can Double Down on any 2 initial cards
• You can Split initial cards of equal value
• You are allowed one Split per hand.
• You can Split Aces (draw single card only)
• You can’t Double after Split
• Six Card Charlie rule applies
• Insurance is offered when the dealer shows an Ace
• You are offered Free Double on 9, 10 or 11
• You are offered Free Split on any pairs except 10s, Js, Qs or Ks
• Dealer pushes with a score of 22

The Free Bets

Free Double

If your initial cards are hard 9, 10 or 11 you are given the option to take a Free Double.

Take the option and a free bet equal to the value of your initial bet stake is placed. If you win the hand you collect the usual even money payout on both your bet and the free bet. If you lose, you only lose your initial bet stake (ie not double the value).

So if your initial bet was $10 you will collect $30: your initial bet stake plus the win payout on this bet, plus the win payout on the free bet.

Free Split

If your initial cards are a pair, other than a pair of 10s, Js, Qs or Ks, you are offered a Free Split. Take this option and your initial bet stake will be applied to the first Split hand (right side) and a free bet of equal value is applied to the second Split hand (left side).

The second hand is essentially a free hit. Win and you get a collect equal to your initial bet stake. Lose and you lose nothing.

Win both Split hands you will collect 3x your initial bet stake.

If you’re dealt a 5, 5 you will be offered both a Free Double and Free Split.

Dealer Pushing on 22

Taking some of the gloss off the free bets that are on offer, is the fact that the dealer doesn’t bust on 22. Rather, players’ bets are pushed (initial bet stake returned with no win payout).

The one exception to this is where you hit Blackjack, in which case the usual 3:2 win payout applies.

Side bets

In addition to playing the main game, there are 4 side bets offered: Hot 3, 21+3, Any Pair and Bust It.

They are exactly the same side bets (and payouts) offered on Infinite Blackjack, and are explained in the below screen grab.

Place any of these bets and your chip remains on the table while the possibility of a win remains. The side bets offer some big payouts, but based on the RTP rates applying (see below) they should perhaps be avoided.

Full house rules

…are here.

Theoretical returns

As is so often the case, applicable RTP rates suggest you should steer clear of the side bets.

• Main Game – 98.45%
• Any Pair side bet – 95.90%
• 21+3 side bet – 96.30%
• Hot 3 side bet – 94.60%
• Bust It side bet – 94.12%

Where to play Free Bet Blackjack

Leo Vegas, Unibet, 888 are your starting points.

You can also check the Free Bet Blackjack post in the forums for any new additions.

Free Bet Blackjack Video