Pragmatic Play has added two gameplay mechanics to its Privé Lounge Blackjack offering, giving VIP players additional options while retaining the format’s land-based blackjack foundation. Face Down Double Down and Split After Split are exclusive to the premium single-player format, with the latter raising the game’s return to player to 99.51%.
The update follows the supplier’s Double Down After Split addition last year and forms part of its continued focus on live casino. In June 2026, Pragmatic Play said it would phase out its sportsbook and bingo operations after a strategic review, concentrating investment on slots and live casino.
New Mechanics Change Blackjack Decisions
Face Down Double Down lets a player increase their wager and receive another card while keeping that card concealed until the dealer finishes their hand. The mechanic introduces additional uncertainty to a decision that already carries greater risk through the increased stake.
Split After Split applies when an eligible hand results from an initial split. Players can split that hand again, creating another route for managing the cards they receive. The feature increases the Privé Lounge Blackjack RTP to 99.51%.
Both mechanics extend a format that has received several rule additions since its introduction. Privé Lounge Blackjack operates with one player at a time, allowing the experience to remain tailored to an individual customer.
VIP Format Continues To Expand
Privé Lounge Blackjack provides dedicated VIP hosts and trained dealers, alongside options that include dealer changes, longer sessions and shoe reshuffles. Players can extend sessions for up to 90 minutes, while the format carries minimum and maximum betting limits of €1,000/£1,000 and €20,000 respectively. Access requires a minimum account balance of €6,000/£6,000.
The product launched in late 2023, with Unibet and Betsson among its early operators. It began with five blackjack tables before reaching ten by May 2024. The wider Privé Lounge portfolio has since grown beyond blackjack to include Baccarat, Roulette, Roulette Deluxe and Russian Poker, which was introduced in July 2026.
The latest blackjack changes therefore add to an established VIP product rather than representing a standalone release. They also reinforce the format’s emphasis on giving players more control over individual hands while maintaining familiar blackjack rules.
Sharon McHugh, director of Public Relations at Pragmatic Play, said: “Privé Lounge Blackjack has delivered a truly premium experience from day one, combining personalised service with elegant gameplay. Face Down Double Down adds a new level of suspense to every hand, while Split After Split gives players greater strategic freedom and improves their potential edge. Together, they deliver a richer blackjack experience while remaining true to the classic gameplay that players know and enjoy.”
The update gives Pragmatic Play another live casino feature at a time when the company has identified the vertical as one of its primary long-term areas of focus.
Source:
“Pragmatic Play upgrades premium Blackjack with new Privé features”, igamingbusiness.com, August 11, 2026
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