Progressive Blackjack – Rules Strategy & Tips

Blackjack has been around since the early 1700’s when it is believed to have been introduced to casinos in France.

There are now too many versions to mention in casinos around the world, the aim of all, which is to get closer to a total of 21 than the Dealer without going over and going ‘Bust’.

One of the versions with the biggest potential payout is Progressive Blackjack. With the jackpot increasing until it is won and a chance to win a percentage of it as well as the full amount, Progressive Blackjack is well worth a go.

Progressive Blackjack Rules

Progressive Blackjack is a standard version of Blackjack that has an optional side bet, usually costing £1/€1/$1 depending on the currency you are using.

Whilst the important thing is to get as close to 21 as possible without going over, the same as standard Blackjack, the Progressive Jackpot side bet can give you a much bigger win than simply winning a hand against the Dealer.

The side bet focusses on Aces that you are dealt consecutively during the hand. The exact rules vary from casino to casino so the below isn’t set in stone and we recommend that you check the rules regarding the casino before you start playing to ensure you are getting the best deal possible.

If the first 2 cards that you are dealt with are both Aces, you win, the more Aces you are dealt the higher your reward. There is also a difference between suited Aces and non-suited Aces, as Progressive Blackjack is normally played with 6 decks of cards, you are looking to get as many Aces of the same suit as you can, up to a maximum of 4.

Remember, it only counts for your first cards, so the moment you are dealt a card other than an Ace, the Progressive Jackpot side of the hand is over and any payouts are made.

Payout Chart

The following is a fairly standard payout chart, as mentioned though this does vary from casino to casino:

2 Aces, Non-Suited: $25
2 Aces, Same Suit: $50
3 Aces, Non-Suited: $250
3 Aces, Same Suit: $2,500
4 Aces, Non-Suited: 10% of Progressive Jackpot
4 Aces, Same Suit: 100% of Progressive Jackpot

As you can see, even getting 2 Aces as your first 2 cards pay out considerably more than if you are simply playing Jackpot for a small stake, so when you find a Blackjack game that offers a Progressive jackpot it is worth having a go. The odds of winning are much lower than the standard game, but the much higher rewards on offer more than offset this.

Above is an example of the layout for a Progressive Blackjack game, the slot in front of each position is where you need to place your bet for the Progressive Jackpot, as you can see, it is possible to play more than one hand and you don’t have to play the Progressive Jackpot side bet for each hand, only those you choose to play.

The Progressive Jackpot for this table is over $210,000 so if you are dealt 4 Aces of the same suit in the same hand, that amount is yours!

Progressive Blackjack Strategy

There is no real strategy to the Progressive Jackpot side of the game as this is down to luck in being dealt Aces at the start of a specific hand.

However, as the hand also contains a standard game of Blackjack, we recommend you follow the Strategy outlined below and either play the side bet for each hand on top or reduce your stake for the game and play the side bet too if you want to be in with a chance of taking home a percentage of the jackpot.

Progressive Blackjack Tips

As the 6 decks of cards in Progressive Blackjack are shuffled after each hand, there is no use in trying to card count or remember how many Aces have been dealt and therefore what your chances are of getting the Progressive Jackpot as this resets after every hand.

If you want to play a standard game of Blackjack without the Progressive bet, we suggest you find a version that doesn’t include this bet as the house edge is lower than the usual game due to the extra amount that is added to the Progressive Jackpot.

If you are going to play the Progressive side bet which is the main reason for playing this version of Blackjack, remember to factor in the cost when determining how much to bet on the actual hand itself. Always ensure you play within your budget at all times.

As with any casino game, the main aim should be to have fun and this will only be done if you play within your means and don’t gamble with funds that you can’t afford to lose.

Don’t play when you are frustrated or angry – with the Progressive Jackpot often at life-changing amounts, it is understandable that if you get close and just miss out this can be frustrating. If you find yourself getting angry or upset at any time, walk away and calm down before playing as this will inevitably affect your decision making and could lead to higher losses than necessary.

Blackjack References:

Standard Blackjack Rules Strategy & Tips
Card Counting in Blackjack
Play Blackjack For Real Money