This new game offering from Amazon is very nicely designed to function on the Kindle devices. For context for this review, I'm not a hardcore blackjack player, which might affect my opinion of the app. I mostly just occasionally dabble with it on my computer, and almost never in real life. Also for context, I'm playing this on my K2.
One of the things that has struck me, especially with this game, is how responsive the e-Ink screen can be for games that require a quickly changing screen. It's not something I ever expected in terms of performance. It's not really that much slower than card games on my computer, because of all the animations they use.
Kindle Blackjack is designed so that you can plunge right into playing a game, or you can spend some time reading up on the game in general and learning some strategy. One of the Menu options is Instructions, which gives you 18 pages of information about the game of blackjack. When you open the game for the first time the screen displays basic info on how the Kindle version functions and it's enough to get started.
The game is designed to make excellent use of the keyboard (via shortcuts) as an alternate to having to use the 5-way for everything. This makes playing go a bit faster, since there's no 5-way maneuvering needed, and it helps save wear and tear on one of the most used Kindle buttons.
On the Menu is an Options section which allows you to set four different game settings, including game advice settings. If you have game advice set to only when wrong or hidden, you can hit the space bar at any time and play advice will pop up at the top of your screen. Another item on the Menu is Stats. This section gives a fairly comprehensive list of your current game stats. You can also start a new game from the Menu.
Game status such as your stake, current bet, and current play options are all at the bottom of the screen. The large middle part of the screen shows your cards and the dealer cards on a virtual card table. Near the bottom right corner are up and down arrows. Highlight and click one to increase or decrease your current bet.
The list of play options are little boxes, with the most likely play highlighted. So all you have to do to select it is click. If you want to choose a different play you can use the 5-way to move to highlight a different play box, or you can use the underlined shortcut letter, like H for Hit.
The game only allows you to play as a single player against the house. There are no multi-player options and there's no option to have other virtual players seated at the table and playing with you. Some may see this as a drawback, but for casual play it's perfectly fine.
There is no option to choose how many decks to play with. For casual play again this is fine. But a lot of people will consider this a shortcoming.
The only other real drawback is that for people with vision problems it would be difficult to see the game options and read the stats and such. The print is very small. You'd have to play with some sort of magnifying device. This might be alleviated somewhat on the larger DX screen, but since I don't have a DX I can't say. It would be nice if there was a "large print" option offered as part of the game for those who need it.
Overall this is yet another fun Kindle time waster released by Amazon. Perfect for when you have a little time to kill and may not be able to get absorbed in reading a good book. Blackjack
I'm an hour into playing this game, and just now realized an hour has passed. That part concerns me, as the last thing I need is another addictive game to play!
This is a good, basic game of blackjack for your Kindle and the price was certainly right - Free! I did briefly try out the customizations, with the one touted in the game description to make the dealer hit on a soft 17, and will have to see what else it will let me do.
Why not give it a shot and download it to your Kindle? After all, it *is* free!
If you own a Kindle, you know it is a great device for reading books. It also displays some diversity in terms of some of the word games and such that have become available in the recent months. See my review for EveryWord.
While it is a little fun to do something on the Kindle other than just plain ol' reading, the bottom line is that in these early versions, the Kindle is not the best device in the world to play these kinds of games.
The 2nd generation's 5 way controller is just too finicky for these games. Also, every "deal" is accompanied by several flashes as parts of the screen refresh. Distracting at first, annoying after 20 minutes or so of play.
As a free download it is an okay thing to have on my Kindle. I wouldn't pay to download it though.
Although there are people who are kvetching about the use of the Kindle as something other than books, I don't mind. Most of the games on the Kindle are free, so it's not as if you have a gun held to your head, forcing you to download them and play them endlessly.
The Blackjack for the Kindle is pretty basic - you can hit/stand/split/bet against the dealer. There's basic statistics being kept, so you can review previous games, etc. And it's free. Honestly, if it was a paid app, I probably wouldn't buy it because I'm not a big fan of Blackjack. However, it's a nice diversion for a few minutes when reading has gotten you worn down.
Worth a download.
I think they did an excellent job with this. I like how you can change the rules, and also the statistics it keeps on how you are following basic blackjack strategy. It would be nice if you could vary the number of decks. I haven't counted yet, but I think it is two. Good job.
Playing a card game on Kindle is a fun diversion. It transfers well from the 3-D world of holding cards, placing bets, and having a real-life dealer. Once my husband saw that he could play Blackjack on my Kindle, I had to cajole him into giving it back to me--yes, it's that good!
Here are Blackjack's strong and weak points:
Pros
* The game is already familiar to you.
* If you need instructions, they are readily available and easy to understand
* Playing solo is satisfying
* It can however, be played with a partner(s)-- a bit awkward due to its size
* If you can't make up your mind, the game offers advice
* If your selection wasn't good, the game `tutors' you
* The graphics are sharp and clear
* Its size and weight make it ideal to take along in a briefcase or purse
Cons
* Using the tiny 5-way button slows down the game
Suggestion for Kindle: Consider adding color and a `dealer's voice'. - Games - Kindle Games - Card Game - Blackjack'
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