button in SafariLadbrokes-Backed Adrenaline Junkies Bring New Meaning to "High Stakes"
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Ladbrokes, a leading online casino and sportsbook in the United Kingdom, have just set a new world record, but it's not for any special features on their app. A team professional skydivers played the highest game of blackjack ever, while plummeting to the ground at 120 mph, all to celebrate Ladbrokes' launch of their new casino game Speed Blackjack.
The Jump
Hinton Airfield in Northamptonshire played host to the high-altitude stunt, as a team of four professionals took to the skies to play out a full hand of blackjack, despite being in complete free fall. With one member acting as a human table, and another, dressed up in a traditional dealer's outfit, handing out cards, two players were involved in the world's first blackjack hand whilst skydiving.
The stunt, which was certainly no mean feat, was overseen by Allan Hewitt, who has previously had a hand in organising stunt scenes for both the James Bond and Batman franchises. The full team are also no stranger to this kind of thing, as they worked with Tom Cruise on the Mission: Impossible series, which is known for its outlandish and dangerous stunts.
The Hand
The four skydivers, all former members of the Red Devils freefall parachute display team, were armed with specially designed magnetic cards and chips, to ensure that the hand could take place at 13,000 feet above the ground. Incredibly, they managed to get a full hand played out before they had to deploy their parachutes less than a minute later.
Precision was of the essence, as the players had a window of just 45 seconds to complete a full hand of blackjack. Against a dealer Q♥ the player first to act received 9♥4♣ for a thirteen. Unbelievably, to his right, the A♦K♥ dealt out saw the highest blackjack ever hit. The first player went on to bust, hitting and pulling the 10♥ and the same fate awaited the dealer, who made 24 with 5♦9♣.
Speed Blackjack
The dive was orchestrated and commissioned by Ladbrokes in celebration of the newest addition to their repertoire of casino games. Speed Blackjack is that newest addition, and is intended to offer a faster-paced blackjack experience.
Speaking about the new format, Head of PR at Ladbrokes Nicola McGeady stated: "We've seen blackjack played online, in casinos, and living rooms, but never while falling through the sky at 120mph. Speed Blackjack is all about quick-fire decision making, so we wanted to put it to the ultimate test."
Not only have Ladbrokes added Speed Blackjack to their comprehensive list of casino games, but they have launched a new Live Casino, which has been designed with customers in mind. To celebrate the launch, new customers can also get a £10 Roulette Bonus to play on its exclusive roulette table.
