Blackjack review

Free Bet Blackjack: rules, strategy and RTP

Free Bet Blackjack is Evolution's blackjack with free doubles on hard 9, 10 and 11 and free splits on every pair except tens, paid for by the Push 22 rule.

When the dealer busts with 22, every live player hand pushes instead of winning. The infinite-player version launched on 31 May 2019.

Our verdict: For players who like free doubles and splits. Push 22 costs more than they add, so the RTP is below Live Blackjack.

Software: Evolution Gaming
Game type: Blackjack
RTP: 98.45%
House edge: 1.55%
Min. bet: $1
Max. Bet: $5,000
Release year: 2019
Side bets: Yes
Live game: Yes

Free doubles and splits Dealer 22 pushes RTP 98.45%

By Fiona Gallagher Updated Oct 6, 2026

RTP: 98.45% Main bet, Evolution
Seats: Unlimited
Decks: 8
Bet range: $1–$5,000 Default table limits
Launched: 2019 Evolution

RTP per bet

Free Bet Blackjack: RTP and house edge per bet

Push 22 costs 0.83 percentage points against Live Blackjack.

Bet	Payout	RTP	House edge	Cost per $100
Main bet, optimal strategy	1:1, blackjack 3:2	98.45%	1.55%	$1.55
21+3	Up to 100:1	96.3%	3.7%	$3.70
Any Pair	Up to 25:1	95.9%	4.1%	$4.10
Hot 3	Up to 100:1	94.6%	5.4%	$5.40
Bust It	Up to 250:1	94.12%	5.88%	$5.88

RTP: Evolution's published figures as quoted by Wizard of Odds and LiveCasinoComparer. They assume basic strategy.

What the numbers mean

RTP 98.45% $984.50

back on average per $1,000 wagered

House edge 1.55% $15.50

expected cost per $1,000 wagered

Turnover 65×

times a balance can be wagered before the house edge has, on average, used it up

How it works

How a round of Free Bet Blackjack works

One round

Bet Place the main bet and any side bets while the timer runs.
The deal You get two cards face up; the dealer gets one face up.
Your decision Hit, stand, double or split, using the chart below.
The dealer plays The dealer draws to 17 and stands on soft 17; hands are settled.

Table rules

Free Bet Blackjack rules and what each one does to your odds

Rule	At this table	What it means for you
Free double	Hard 9, 10 or 11	You double without staking more.
Free split	Every pair except tens	The second hand is free.
Push 22	Dealer 22 pushes your hand	Costs you more than the free bets give.
Decks	8	Standard shoe.
Dealer on soft 17	Stands	Better for you.
Six Card Charlie	Applies	Small gain.

Evolution's Free Bet Blackjack rules as quoted by Wizard of Odds and casino.org.

Free Bet Blackjack side bets

Side bet	#RTP	Top payout
21+3	96.30%	100:1
Any Pair	95.90%	25:1
Hot 3	94.60%	100:1
Bust It	94.12%	250:1

RTP: Evolution as quoted by casinos.com and LiveCasinoComparer.

Versions

Free Bet Blackjack against Evolution's other blackjacks

RTP and default limits of the closest Evolution versions on this site, as we list them.

Game	RTP	Min bet	Max bet	What sets it apart
Free Bet Blackjack	98.45%	$1	$5,000	Free doubles, Push 22
Infinite Blackjack	99.47%	$1	$5,000	Unlimited seats, Six Card Charlie
Live Blackjack	99.28%	$1	$5,000	Seven seats, Bet Behind
Lightning Blackjack	99.56%	$1	$5,000	100% fee, 2x–25x multipliers
VIP Blackjack	99.28%	$50	$5,000	High limits, same rules
Speed Blackjack	99.28%	$1	$5,000	Simultaneous decisions
Infinite Fun Fun 21 Blackjack	99.37%	$1	$5,000	Player 21 always wins
Blackjack Party	–	$0.50	$5,000	Two hosts, music

RTP: the best-bet figure verified for each game (sources on each game's page; – where none is published). Default limits: the figures we list on LiveCasinoRank. Features: Evolution's game pages. Casinos set their own limits on each table.

Cost per hour

What an hour of Free Bet Blackjack costs on average

Expected cost is stake per round × rounds per hour × house edge. Change the inputs in the calculator to match your own stake and pace.

Live Roulette 97.3% · 40 rounds/h

$11

Free Bet Blackjack 98.45% · 50 rounds/h

Live Baccarat, Banker 98.94% · 50 rounds/h

RTP: Evolution. Rounds per hour are an assumption for the example; Evolution does not publish a pace for every table, and real pace depends on the number of players.

Variance

How Free Bet Blackjack swings from round to round

Main bet with basic strategy

Small, steady swings; most hands win or lose one stake.

Suits you if: Long sessions.

Doubles and splits

Two or more stakes on one hand when the odds favour you.

Suits you if: Players following the chart.

Side bets

Rare wins at 25:1 to 100:1 with a much higher edge.

Suits you if: Small add-ons only.

Limits

Free Bet Blackjack bet limits

The range below is the default we list for the game. Each casino sets its own limits, so the table in your lobby can start higher or stop lower.

Game	Lowest min	Highest max	Range	What it means
Free Bet Blackjack	$1	$5,000

Default minimum and maximum bet: the figures we list for the game. Check the limits shown at the table before you play.

Free Bet Blackjack compared with similar games

Published Blackjack games on CasinoRank, best RTP first.

Game	Software	RTP	House edge	Min. bet
Live Speed Blackjack	Pragmatic Play	99.59%	0.41%	$5.00
Lightning Blackjack	Evolution Gaming	99.56%	0.44%	$1
Unlimited Blackjack	Playtech	99.54%	0.46%	$1.00
Blackjack Party	Evolution Gaming	99.5%	0.5%	$0.50
Infinite Blackjack	Evolution Gaming	99.5%	0.5%	$1
Infinite Fun Fun 21 Blackjack	Evolution Gaming	99.5%	0.5%	$1
Live All Bets Blackjack	Playtech	99.5%	0.5%	$1.00
Free Bet Blackjack	Evolution Gaming	98.45%	1.55%	$1

RTP and bets listed for each game.

FAQ

What is the RTP of Free Bet Blackjack?

98.45% on the main bet with basic strategy, per Evolution's published figure. Side bets return less.

How many decks does Free Bet Blackjack use?

Eight decks, shuffled by the dealer or a shuffler between shoes.

What does Push 22 mean?

If the dealer finishes on exactly 22, your hand pushes and you get your stake back instead of winning. Your own blackjack still pays.

Should I always take the free double?

Take every free double and free split the game offers; it costs you nothing. Wizard of Odds publishes a separate strategy chart for this game.

Where can I play Free Bet Blackjack?

At casinos that carry Evolution's live games; the ranked list on this page shows them. Check that the casino accepts players from your country and that online casino play is legal where you live.

Responsible gambling

Set your limits before you join a live table

18+ only

Licensed casinos check age and identity before they pay out. Play only where online casino play is legal for you.

Responsible gaming →

Time and budget first

Set deposit, loss and session limits in your casino account before the first bet, and keep to them when a round goes against you.

Limit tools →

Help is free

Confidential support is available if gambling stops being fun or starts to cost more than you planned.

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