If you are ready to break the routine and go for a more challenging game of blackjack, Microgaming's Hi Lo 13 European Blackjack from their Gold edition may be just what you are looking for. Using a traditional set of rules as a basis, three additional betting options are introduced, offering an extra winning opportunity before the dealer's final hand total is even revealed.
The player begins by selecting the betting amount and placing it on one or more of the relevant fields – main bet, Hi, Lo and 13. Here, the player is actually wagering on the first two cards being higher, lower or equal to the total of 13. These bets are entirely optional but the player is required to place a minimum of $1 on the main betting area. This is done automatically upon selecting one of the extra betting options. In cases where one of the dealt cards is an Ace, it will be valued as 1.
Apart from that, the game takes its regular course and the player continues playing against the dealer. Together with the options to hit or stand, one can also place the insurance bet, split two equal value cards (excluding face cards) and double down. This particular option comes with certain limitations; it is not available after the player splits the hand or when the hand total is anything but hard 9, 10 and 11. European Blackjack does not hold a Surrender option and the dealer stands on all 17 hands.
The maximum of $1,000 can be placed on the centre bet field and $25 on each of the additional betting areas to the right: Hi, Lo and 13. The minimum bet is $1. Payout ratio for Hi and Lo fields is 1:1, while betting on the 13 field can bring 10x your bet increase. Regular payouts remain unchanged – 1 to 1 for a standard hand, 2 to 1 for the insurance and 3 to 2 for blackjack, bringing the RTP percentage to 99.6%.
Bets pertaining Hi, Lo and 13 fields are pretty much a game of chance and it is up to the players to discover if luck is willing to be a lady. Regular hand gameplay will require a basic strategy, unless you enjoy the risks of hitting on a higher value combination. In most cases, pairs with the total under 11 can take an extra card and Aces should always be split. Before making a final move, the player should always take the dealer's card into consideration. Higher upcards can cause the dealer to bust, and if your combination can take it, you should definitely draw.
Doing what they do best, Microgaming team continues to release exciting and profitable blackjack variations with supreme graphics and dynamic flow. Hi Lo 13 European Blackjack Gold combines all elements of the skill-employing standard blackjack game with the gambling feature adding to that sweet taste of risk.