Aria Brown
Without a doubt, Lightning Blackjack is one of the best live Blackjack games. You get the signature Art Deco aesthetics from Evolution Gaming's Lightning series, paired with numerous multipliers to boost your winnings.
Combining strategic Blackjack play with an element of luck for more explosive winnings, this a popular game for beginner blackjack players and cynically experienced gamblers alike.
You only need to know the basic rules of Blackjack to play. Winners get a multiplier of up to 25x when they go into the next round. A little luck can really go a long way here. We walk you through the full details in this Lightning Blackjack review to help you get started.
Table of Contents
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These casinos all carry Lightning Blackjack in their live casino. Importantly, they have a good reputation, and this is important when it comes to real money gambling, as in the case of all live dealer games. Stake offers the highest max bet and is usually the best choice for high rollers. However, other sites like Just Casino, with all the extra chips from their generous welcome bonus packages, can also be excellent choices.
Lightning Blackjack Basics
Lightning Blackjack is built on classic Blackjack rules. If you understand the principle of 21 without going bust, then you can get started right away. And quite literally too, because the game has unlimited seats so you will never have to wait.
A mandatory Lightning Fee the same size as your bet applies. This ensures you will get a Multiplier with your win, and the Fee is only with your base bet, and not when you Double or Split. As for the Multiplier itself, it comes with a bit of flexibility. You can use it in any round within 180 days. Which is awesome because you don't have to rush into it right away.
Rules and special features:
- 2 to 15x Multiplier awarded with win for next round
- 6 to 25x Multiplier if win was a Blackjack
- Multiplier can be saved for future rounds within 180 days
- Lightning fee applies to base bet, Double and Split exempt
- 8 Decks of 52 Cards
- Dealer stands on 17 - hard and soft
- Double Down and Split allowed
- One Split per hand
- No doubling after Split
- Dealer peeks with Ace
- Blackjack pays 3:2
- Insurance pays 2:1
- Unlimited Seats
- House edge of 0.44% (99.56% RTP)
Play Lightning Blackjack for free
There's no free play available for Lightning Blackjack. Since it's a live dealer game, there's no demo and it's exclusively real money play. Still, if you just want to go and see what it's like for yourself, you can simply go into the game without putting down a bet. Just go into Real Play, and you'll be sitting at the table and can watch the game unfold.
For practice purposes, most casinos will have a Classic Blackjack RNG game. This will have a demo mode that you can play for free.
Lightning Blackjack Video
By pressing on "Play", I understand that I will be shown content from Evolution Gaming.
Evolution Gaming
How to play Lightning Blackjack
 | Begin by choosing your bet size and placing your bet. A timer will appear on the game screen a few seconds before the round closes. |
 | The dealer than deals the player's first card, then their own up card. Then the player is dealt the second card and the dealer get's their hole card, face down. All players have the same hand, rather than getting individual hands. |
 | Players decide individually how they want to play this hand. You can hit, stand, split or double down. Bear in mind that the dealer must stand on 17, whether hard or soft. |
 | If the dealer has an Ace as an up card, you may also buy insurance. |
 | If you decide to stand, your decision will be noted. However, you will still see the dealer deal another card for all the players who decide to hit. If the hand goes bust on the third card, it will only affect the players who decided to hit. The dealer will keep dealing another card as long as there is a player at the table taking a hit. |
 | Dealer then reveals their hole card. They are required to stand on 17, and to hit on anything lower than 17. |
 | If you win, you will be awarded a random multiplier between 2 and 15x that is applied to the next round. If you win with a Blackjack, then the multiplier will be between 6 and 25x. The multiplier can also be saved for another round any time within the next 180 days. The exact multiplier value can be 2x, 3x, 4x, 5x, 6x, 8x, 10x, 12x, 15x, 20x or 25x, and which one you get is randomly chosen. |
Lightning Blackjack Preview
Lightning Blackjack Game Play
The game play in Lightning Blackjack is relatively relaxed, but with an unlimited number of participants, each round is time limited to ensure the game keeps moving. That means that you have to make a decision, or else it will be made for you.
- If your hand is 11 or lower, the default will be a Hit.
- If your hand is higher than 11, the default will be a Stand.
As any experienced player can point out, these moves are not the best strategically. Make sure you stay on top of the clock and make a decision for yourself. The option to Split or Double will only be available if there is sufficient credit in your bankroll.
Lightning Blackjack vs. Classic Blackjack Variants
It looks stunningly different and the multipliers are clearly a standout feature. But beyond that, how does Lightning Blackjack compare with popular variants like European Blackjack or Classic Blackjack?
To begin with, the only side bet in Lightning Blackjack is the insurance. Compared to the numerous side bets like 21+3 and Perfect Pairs available in Classic and European Blackjack, this might seem a little sparse.
But then there is the case that the multipliers in Lightning Blackjack and their corresponding Lightning Fee do balance that out. In fact, given that side bets don't usually have great odds, we think the Lightning Fee Multiplier setup is a great alternative gamble.
Then the dealer has to stand on both a hard and soft 17. Like in Classic Blackjack. And we're glad the game kept this rule as it puts the odds in the player's favor. Because even reaching just an 18 in your hand can beat the dealer. This has implications if you are playing Lightning Blackjack with basic strategy, and the multipliers also changes things. We discuss this below.
Basic Strategy for Lightning Blackjack
Basic strategy sees some major modifications in Lightning Blackjack. As mentioned, like in Classic Blackjack, the dealer stands on hard and soft 17. And you'll have more winning options open up as the dealer's probability of getting 21 drops. And a hand of 18 might already be a win.
However, the multipliers have an overall impact on your game strategy. Normally, you might not want to double down, say on a hand of 6; however imagine if you have a 25x multiplier. Very quickly, it's obvious that you might want to double down. The thing is, since there are 11 different multiplier sizes, it becomes very complicated to memorize the basic strategy for them all.
Also remember that the multiplier is only applied to the bet size it was won with. So for example, if you won a 25x multiplier during a round with a $10 bet, do not bet $11 or more on the next round thinking you will maximize the multiplier. The multiplier will only be applied to the winning equivalent of your previous $10 bet. And then the extra $1 is a normal wager without a multiplier.Strategy Chart for Lightning Blackjack from Evolution Gaming
Lightning Blackjack Tips and Tricks
We'll start with the basics. Since Lightning Blackjack is real money game, you want to be on top of your bankroll from the beginning. And remember that with each bet per round, there is a mandatory Lightning Fee that's the same as your bet size.
You don't have to use the multiplier immediately. You have the option to save it for your next round, any time within 180 days. So if you're feeling tired, don't feel pressured. You can save that 25x multiplier - or any multiplier actually - for another day.
While we normally encourage players to use basic strategy when playing Blackjack, the 11 random multipliers create a more complicated situation, particularly with regards on doubling down. Essentially, you have different strategy for each of the multipliers and it's just not practical. But of course, if you want to give it a go, you are welcome to use this Lightning Blackjack strategy chart.
Lightning Blackjack FAQ
- What are the multipliers in Lightning Blackjack?
- How much is the Lightning Fee?
- Is Lightning Blackjack good for beginners?
- Is Lightning Blackjack a RNG game?
- What side bets are in Lightning Blackjack?
- What is the min and max bet in Lightning Blackjack?
1. What are the multipliers in Lightning Blackjack?
There are 11 multipliers in Lightning Blackjack. They are 2x, 3x, 4x, 5x, 6x, 8x, 10x, 12x, 15x, 20x and 25x. A RNG (random number generator) will give you one with your win. If you won with a Blackjack, then the your multiplier will be guaranteed to be higher than 5x, but it will still be randomly awarded.
2. How much is the Lightning Fee?
The Lightning Fee is 100% of your base wager of a round. For example, you put down $15 for a round, another $15 will be charged for the Lightning Fee, making your total spend $30 for that round. Note that the Lightning Fee only applies to the base bet, and not when you decide to Split or Double Down.
3. Is Lightning Blackjack good for beginners?
Yes, Lightning Blackjack is an excellent choice for beginners. It is based on Classic Blackjack with Dealer standing on a soft 17. It's known as one of the most player friendly rules because your chances of beating the dealer increases significantly.
Do however keep the Lightning Fee in mind, as it can eat into your bankroll very quickly. For those whose financial resources are more limited, we recommend playing with half your usual bet size as to budget for the fee.
4. Is Lightning Blackjack a RNG game?
Although there is a RNG in Lightning Blackjack, it is used exclusively in the allocation of a random multiplier after a win. The game is otherwise a 100% live dealer game, with a very physical 8 decks of cards, and it's all played over a live stream. That also means there is no demo play for free like in RNG Blackjack games.
That having been said, Evolution Gaming does have a First Person Lightning Blackjack game. This is a hyper realistic computer animation of Lightning Blackjack, and it is actually a software based game with no live dealer.
5. What side bets are in Lightning Blackjack?
Lightning Blackjack offers insurance as a side bet when the dealer has an Ace up card. This is the only side bet available in the game. However, some gamblers see the Lightning Fee and multiplier as a side bet of its own, as you are in practice placing an extra bet on your own win with the fee, and the payout for this extra bet being the random multiplier.
6. What is the min and max bet in Lightning Blackjack?
Casinos set their own bet limits to each game, so there is no clear cut answer to this. We can however say that at the time of writing, Stake offered the most flexible betting range for Lightning Blackjack, with a minimum bet of $1 and a max bet of $25,0000. Many other casinos might have a max bet set at $5,000. For high rollers, this would make Stake the most comfortable choice.
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I am trained as a tax consultant, mostly because my father insisted that I get a normal job. Luckily, I listened to my heart and followed my passion in writing. Today I work as an online editor while traveling the world, which is why I'm rarely in my hometown, Toronto. By pure chance, I discovered the online casino review industry about ten years ago, and I have been testing and reviewing gambling sites since then. Personally, I prefer Blackjack and Poker games. I think the skills and strategies involved make them much more interesting than slots.