Are you interested in playing blackjack on your iPhone or iPad? Do you want to improve your skills before you actually go for the real deal in Vegas? And are you interested in doing all of this without risking any real money? If your answer to all of these questions is yes, then this new app from Smash Atom Software, who also gave us the immensely popular Born to Be Rich Slots, which we reviewed earlier, is just the app for you.

Blackjack 21 + Free Casino brings the actual Blackjack experience to your iPhone or iPad, with vibrant HD graphics, realistic casino sound effects and challenging levels, just like it would be at a real Vegas table. While there are a lot of Blackjack games available on the App Store, this one certainly qualifies as one of the better ones.

Once you enter the Blackjack 21 + Free Casino, you have a default amount of cash points that are pre-allotted to you, and you can use them to play against the house while you attempt to earn as many chips as you can. The game is elaborately themed, right from the looks of the table and cards, to the rules that the house plays by, to the payout for blackjack — and is as close as you can get to the real experience. If you don’t like a particular look of the table, you can use the in-app options to change the felt color of the table, and even switch between tables with different stake limits at the click of a button.

Players can also choose from various game strategies like doubling down, insurance and splitting of pairs, in addition to various other useful tips and options. Since you are not putting in any actual money, Blackjack 21 + is a great way to actually get familiar with the game and its rules, before you set off on a real game. There are a variety of game statistics which can be referred to by players, which allow them to compare their scores and revisit their game strategy if required. If you are a beginner at Blackjack, you also get useful hints throughout the session on how to play, which makes it easier to learn the rules and cast a challenging hand.

Another good feature of the game, is that you have multiple game save options, which let you save the game at all levels, and come back at a later time to start off from where you left, without having to start all over again. Once you get the hang of the game, and start winning more and more cash points, you can go on and unlock higher levels, which offer higher stakes. The in-app game centre lets you view your progress, as well as lists of achievements that you can go for. And if you are the kind of player who likes to spend a lot of time on this game, there are hourly and daily bonuses that you can compete for and win, which gains you those extra cash points and helps you stay ahead of the house. You can also buy additional cash points via in-app purchases that cost as less as $0.99 for 20,000 points.

Blackjack 21 + is close to the real experience, not only because of the impressive and realistic visual and audio effects, but also because you get to play by the actual card game rules followed in major casinos. Social media sharing is also integrated and you can share your scores and achievements with your friends via Facebook or Twitter. Game centre leader boards lets you see how you stack up against your friends playing the same game.

Blackjack 21 + can be downloaded from the App Store for free, or you can upgrade to the full version for $2.99.It is compatible with all iPods, iPhones and iPads, running iOS 4.3 or later.

What’s good?

• Realistic graphics and sounds
• Hints feature for beginners

What could be better?

• None we can think of

Worth Having Application – Download the Application