Hi Lo 13 – Our Review, Our Tips and Your Free Demo
Hi Lo 13 is one of the more exciting blackjack titles that allows for certain adjustments in the strategy. It offers one of the most straightforward side bets you will find – you would simply be betting whether the combined value of your first two cards will be above, below, or equal to 13. The odds of winning there are almost the same as the red/black bet on the roulette wheel, and it offers you a nice chance to boost your winnings. Putting the side bet aside, Hi-Lo 13 is a fairly standard blackjack system with favourable rules and high RTP. What makes it stand apart from other titles are the stunning graphics. Veteran studio Microgaming have struck the jackpot this time, providing us with excellent visual quality and easy gameplay. Hi Lo 13 is not available in all of our recommended casinos, but you can find in Ladbrokes, one of the staple UK brands.
- Exciting Side Bet
- Excellent Graphics
Hi Lo 13 is fairly popular among people who enjoy blackjack. Side bets were one of the first variations introduced to our beloved game, and High/Low is one of the easiest that you will find. It’s completely up to you whether you will place the side bet of course, or how you will integrate it in your strategy. You can read our thoughts about it in the next few paragraphs. The Return to Player is estimated to be 99.60%, which is fairly respectable even for blackjack games. There is no other casino game that offers you a similar chance to net a winning.
But First, Stop Reading and Play the Demo!
In blackjack, it is important to train your ability to make quick decisions. No matter how good you are with numbers, this can only be done by practicing. Fortunately, we have provided you with a free demo version of Hi Lo 13 that is exactly the same as the real thing! You can fiddle however you please with all the options, and place whatever stakes you want. You will be playing with a virtual balance that can be restarted with a simple reload – though blowing through £100,000 wouldn’t be a good testament for your blackjack abilities!
- One of the Highest RTPs
- Side Bet Boost
- Customisable Table
As you can see, Hi Lo 13 is a very straightforward game. The veterans from Microgaming have simplified the interface as much as possible, so you shouldn’t have any problems navigating through your play sessions. There is even a handy strategy advisor available, though in our opinion using it takes away from the joy of the game somewhat. You should really try out the different table designs, they can make each play session feel substantially different. The graphics are top quality – this is the second Microgaming title that gets top marks from so many of our reviewers, the previous one being another side bet blackjack variant: High Streak Blackjack.
Rules Overview and Side Bet Analysis
Hi Lo 13 European Blackjack employs one of the blackjack systems that favour the player. The dealer stands on all 17s and above. There are only two decks; this can be advantageous for you in certain situations, though in our experience those are pretty rare. You are playing with a single hand against the dealer, with a flexible betting range that is usually set at £1-£200. However, some casinos might offer you a higher ceiling. You can split cards of the same denomination only once, but there is no Peek which can be considered a drawback – our players like the extra bit of information that this rule provides, as it makes doubling much more feasible (read more in our Atlantic City Blackjack Review.
Of course, the main highlight of Hi Lo 13 is the side bet. You are simply betting on the total value of your initial two cards, and you have only three options – 1 to 12, 14 to 21, and 13 of course. As you can see, the odds of winning here are slightly below 50%. The side bet pays 1:1, and usually has a set limit of £25. Now then – how does it affect the game? Well… not that much, really. The side bet can only be placed after you’ve placed a regular wager. It is possible to build your strategy around the side bet; or you can consider it a boost for your main play. From a purely mathematical point of view, the side bet is not such a good idea in the long run, as it is likely to lower your winnings – remember, the odds are below 50%. That said, if we listened to math, we would never win anything in the casino. If you are lucky, then the side bet is one of your best chances to run on a profit, and to boost your balance a little bit.
So, Will You Give Hi Lo 13 a Try?
All to all, there is good reason behind the popularity of Hi Lo 13. It is a nice diversion from the regular old blackjack you’re used to. The side bet is an exciting feature that boosts the luck factor a little bit – this means that if you’re having a good day your winnings will be slightly higher, but you will also risk the opposite happening. The graphics are a definite highlight, and you should give this Premier Microgaming title a try even if you’re unsure whether the side bet is a good idea or not. The other good news is that it can be found at Ladbrokes, one of the leading online casino brands that should be well familiar to all fans of sports and gambling.