Live Blackjack

Live Blackjack simulates the experience of being in an actual casino. With cutting-edge technology, you can play and interact with real-life opponents like in traditional casinos. 
The rules are simple but still have the potential for once-in-a-lifetime excitement. Live blackjack is exciting and very convenient. You can now play live blackjack from the comfort of your home while communicating with a real dealer on the other side of the screen. These dealers are highly trained experts who know the game's rules like the back of their hands.

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Best Live Blackjack Casinos - Nov 2024

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Brief History Of Blackjack

Blackjack is a game that has evolved over the years. A particular theory states that it originates from the ancient French game Vingt-et-un which means 21. Right from the 18th century, the blackjack game has been played by the elite and peasants alike.

From the luxurious casinos of Renaissance Europe to online sites that sprung up in the late '90s, this card game has continued to be relevant. Then came live streaming, which birthed the idea of the live casino. Once again, live blackjack was among the first to be broadcast to the public.

Live blackjack games are available on most online sites, both old and new, with some specialising in live casino games. The potential of this gaming section continues to catch the eye of software developers, with many of them jumping on the casino live bandwagon; however, only a few stand out at the moment. At the top of the pyramid is the award-winning Evolution Gaming that has been around for 14 years offering impressive online live blackjack games.

The gambling industry is a minefield, and picking the right casino can be a hassle when many online sites advertise enticing bonuses on the web. It is essential to get the correct information before diving headfirst into the sea of probabilities and hidden jackpots. The following are crucial criteria for an excellent live blackjack casino.

Platinum Live Blackjack from Evolution
Platinum Live Blackjack from Evolution Gaming

Licensing

The Gambling Commission is the regulatory body for betting in the UK, and a good live blackjack casino has to be licensed and regulated by the UKGC. A licensed casino ensures the safety and security of data and funds because there is a code of conduct to adhere to. Gambling can be addictive, so the commission enforces control measures to help you play responsibly.

Game Collection

Here, there is very little to elaborate on. A live casino has to have a good selection of Live Blackjack games. The more extensive the library of games to play live, the better the experience.

Customer Support And Reviews

This is the emergency response team of online gambling. A good customer team is indispensable, and an inadequate one is a possible danger sign. 

Reviews are much more important than people give them credit for. The feedback from other players could determine your gaming experience. Lots of negative reviews deter you from joining a particular site because it means that there is a lot to be unhappy about, while numerous positive reviews would signify the opposite and prompt you to try it out.

Payment Processing

Deposits are usually a breeze, and why wouldn't they be? It requires you to pay money into the casino. On the other hand, Withdrawals can take a longer time, depending on your preferred payment method. Use e-wallets to get your money in time. Fast and timely payouts are what you should look out for.

Starter Guide On How To Play Live Blackjack

  1. Select a licensed and regulated blackjack casino that offers a variety of live blackjack features. The key points to look out for when choosing a casino are listed in earlier paragraphs.
  2. Head to the website and create an account by signing up with the operator. This is the best time to claim any bonuses that interest you.
  3. The next step is to make your first deposit. You cannot play live blackjack in demo mode, so you have to fund your account using any payment platforms available on the site.
  4. Now it is time to choose the online blackjack live version you want to play. The variants are explained later on in this feature.
  5. Take your seat at an open table, and you are good to go. You may even get the chance to pick your favourite dealer.

How Does Live Blackjack Work?

Live Blackjack endeavours to stay in the lane of the actual casino experience. The main difference is that the game is streamed in real-time through a webcam from a casino lobby or a gaming studio. On the other hand, it differs from RNG (Random Number Generator) blackjack because you interact with a human and not a computer.

Rules Of The Game

  • The live blackjack dealer welcomes you to the table, and you place your bets before the game begins.
  • The dealer draws two cards for you and two cards from themself. Both your cards will be laid face-up on the table while the dealer has one face-up and the other face-down.
  • The objective is to get a higher number combination than your opponent without exceeding a total of 21. For example, if you get 19 and the dealer gets 17, you win. In the opposite scenario, you lose and walk away with nothing.
  • Going over the 21 mark is called a bust when you play live blackjack online, and you automatically lose irrespective of what the dealer has in hand.
  • With every win, you receive 2x your stake.
  • If there is a draw (called a Push), your stake is returned to you.
  • If the dealer busts, all other players at the table win their bets.

The major in-play options include:

Hit - This is when you request the dealer to deal you another card. It serves to increase your hand value, as long as you don't bust.

Stand - When you stand in live blackjack, you refuse to accept any more cards. It is the opposite of hitting because you are sticking to the cards in hand.

Split - You can split when your first two cards are of identical numbers. If you have two 7s, for example, you can split them into two separate hands. However, live blackjack rules require you to stake another amount on the new hand, identical to your initial bet.

Double - You can double your initial Blackjack bet in exchange for only one additional card. Once you opt for this, you cannot hit again. This option is not available for certain hands, so make sure you check the rules or confirm with the dealer.

Insurance - The insurance bet is one of the side bets for blackjack, but it is not common in many casino lobbies. This bet is available only if the dealer's first card is an Ace. In which case, you are betting that the second one will be a 10 value card (King, Queen, Jack and 10s).

Blackjack variations

Numerous versions of live blackjack have been created over the years. A particular concept or theme behind the table sets these variants apart, but the conventional rules remain the same.

Blackjack Switch

This is an exciting blackjack variant invented by a British player, Geoff Hall, in 2009. In this game, you are dealt two hands, and you can switch the second card between both sides. You also have to make two equal bets at the start of the game.

Let's assume you have one 5-Ace hand and another Jack-8 hand. Blackback switch lets you swap the Ace and 8 with one another. So you end up with a 5-8 on the one hand and Jack-Ace on the other. The latter now amounts to 21, a natural blackjack. 

You can decide not to switch if you are dealt with two good hands.

Pontoon

This offers an exciting twist to the classic blackjack by allowing players to have a greater level of control. The key difference is that you place your bets after the live blackjack dealer hands you the first card. This influences your betting decision and gives you a better chance of beating the house.

Spanish 21

Spanish blackjack dates as far back as the '90s and is played with 48 deck cards instead of the standard 52. This is because the four 10 number cards are removed. Taking away the tens increases the house edge by about 2%, which may be considered less favourable, but this variant has less restrictive rules. You can bet as much as you want while the betting window is open. Also, your natural blackjack wins even if the dealer has blackjack also.

Why Play Live Blackjack?

Mobile Compatibility

Game developers now create games specifically for mobile usage. The famous HTML5 technology is the solution to enjoying all live casino games on the move. All you require to play live blackjack online with a seamless interface is a smart device running on a relatively modern OS and a stable internet connection.

High Stakes

The highest betting limits can be found on live blackjack tables. Players can wager up to a staggering £20,000 per hand on some VIP tables. Low rollers don't have to feel relegated either because many blackjack live games offer a minimum stake of £1.

Fair Play

The live casino does not run on an RNG (Random Number Generator), as with computerised online blackjack, so you do not have to worry about the game being rigged. Various camera angles in a live casino blackjack game let you see all the dealer's moves, from shuffling to drawing and dealing the cards.

Quality

When you play live blackjack on reputable online casinos, you are assured of high definition streams and realistic casino visuals. All the live blackjack dealers are prim and proper, just as they appear in land-based casinos, to give you an even greater sense of professionalism.

Interaction

This was left for last, though it is arguably the biggest reason you choose a blackjack live casino over RNG alternatives. It works because the blackjack dealer speaks, and you send in messages via live chat. Communication extends to other players seated at the table as well.

Blackjack Strategies

Gambling always involves the element of luck to a significant degree, so it isn't much you can do on unlucky game nights. However, compared to other casino games like slots and roulette, blackjack requires a decent amount of mental activity, and skill might turn the tables in your favour. These strategies are about knowing how to react optimally to any hand you're dealt when playing live blackjack.

Surrender

This blackjack strategy tells you to forfeit your right to play when your chances of winning are very slim.

For instance, when you are dealt a weak hand against a strong upcard of the dealer. Instead of losing your entire stake, surrendering makes you give up only half of your bet.

Card counting strategy

Developed by advantage player Edward Thorp, this live blackjack technique achieves an edge over the house. To implement this strategy, you must assign a value to every card based on a card-counting chart. Then you keep track of the values of the cards that the dealer draws.

According to the count, when the cards are in your favour, you should bet more, and when the house has the advantage, you should bet less. This, however, requires a high level of concentration and maybe more feasible when you play live blackjack remotely than when surrounded by the lights and music in a land-based casino.

Shuffle tracking

Another technique that requires a great deal of focus is shuffle tracking. The strategy tells you to analyse how the dealer shuffles, using your eyes to follow the cards containing 10 value cards and Aces. Once the game commences, you must monitor the cards that all players get, dealer included. You should realise when the groups of cards you had tracked earlier will come up and bet accordingly.

Honestly, this live blackjack strategy is no child's play, and the slightest distraction can throw you off your game. It is a hard nut to crack, even for seasoned players, so it is not recommended for beginners.

Tips

  • The insurance bet in live blackjack has a win rate of only 30%, which means you will lose on such a bet the majority of the time. It is safer for players to ignore it.
  • Blackjack strategies are effective techniques. You are playing against professional live blackjack dealers, so using some form of strategy will take you a lot further and help to minimise your losses in the long run.
  • Don't go beyond your budget and know when to walk away from a live blackjack table. Those who play responsibly get the most out of casino gambling.

Conclusion

Blackjack is the number 1 casino staple, and it helps that the game is easy to pick up. Some of the best online casinos in the UK offer Live Blackjack in their live dealer section. The classic blackjack game is now more thrilling to play at an online casino in the UK. Blackjack enthusiasts can find an array of Live blackjack tables on all licensed and regulated online casinos.

These live games are fair and have a low house edge. You can always perfect your skill by playing live blackjack online, but with this detailed guide, you should be ready to join in on the live-action.

 

Questions & Answers

What is Live Blackjack?

Live Blackjack is a variant of blackjack where you play against a live dealer. The actual physical live blackjack tables have been replaced by video streaming, where the action takes place in front of you.

Can you make money on live blackjack?

Yes, of course. There are several ways to make money at online blackjack and live blackjack. You can take advantage of the deposit and bonus offers. All you need to do is read the terms and conditions when you sign up for your online casino account.

Is online live blackjack rigged?

Live Blackjack is not rigged; these games are audited by third-party companies like eCogra, GLI, and TST.
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Can live blackjack dealers hear you?

No, they can't hear or see you, but you can communicate with the dealers through text-based messages. The dealers will reply to your message verbally through the live stream.
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