How to Play Live Dealer Blackjack – A Comprehensive Guide
What is Live Dealer Blackjack?
Live dealer blackjack is one of the most popular online casino games, bringing the authentic casino experience to you from the comfort of your own home.
Instead of mindlessly spinning a slot or playing against an AI, you play with a real dealer in a live dealer online casino. You can interact with the blackjack dealer and other players in real-time, making it feel like you’re sitting at a physical blackjack table.
Benefits of Playing Live Dealer Blackjack
The main benefit to playing live dealer blackjack is the banter with the dealer through a live stream and chat, making the whole experience just a little bit better. It also doesn’t hurt that many live dealer casino games add extra bonuses here and there.
Getting Started
Choosing the Best Online Casino for Live Dealer Blackjack
First and foremost, you need to make sure you choose a reliable live online casino if you’re going to play live dealer blackjack. Not all platforms are created equal, and there’s a ton of scammy sites out there.
Criteria for Selecting a Reputable Casino
- Valid gambling license – Ensures the casino is operating legally and is regulated by a reputable authority.
- Strong security – You need to make sure your personal and financial information is encrypted well.
- Payment options – Before you bet, make sure you can get your money on and off the platform within a reasonable amount of time.
Popular Online Casinos Offering Live Dealer Blackjack
- Vave
- CoinPoker
- Wild Casino
- BetWhale
- Bovada
- Lucky Creek
- HighRoller
- LuckRed
- FanDuel Casino
Setting Up Your Account
Registration Process
- Visit the casino’s website and find the registration button, usually labelled ‘Join‘ or ‘Sign Up‘.
- Next, fill out the registration form with your personal details, including name, email address, and date of birth.
- You may also be required to verify your identity by providing a copy of a government-issued ID, depending on where you’re gambling from.
Depositing Funds
Getting your money on and off most online casinos is pretty quick and easy, as there are usually several ways you can pay. This included credit/debit cards, e-wallets like PayPal, and even cryptocurrency like Bitcoin.
Simply select your payment method, enter the required details, and then decide how much you want to deposit.
Live Dealer Blackjack Rules and Tips
Basic Rules of Blackjack
Blackjack is a card game played against a dealer with the goal of getting a hand value closer to 21 than the dealer without going over.
You will be given 2 cards as soon as the game starts, and you will have to decide if you want another card to get closer to 21 or keep whatever is in your hand.
Objective of the Game
The main objective of real blackjack online is to get as close to 21 without going above it. For example, if you have 20, and the dealer only gets 19, you win the hand.
Card Values and Hands
In blackjack, number cards hold their face value, while face cards (Jack, Queen, King) are worth 10, and an Ace is flexible, counting as either 1 or 11.
Advantages of Playing Live Dealer Blackjack
While the core rules of blackjack remain consistent, live dealer blackjack often incorporates additional features. These can include multiple camera angles for some peace of mind when shuffling, side bets for extra excitement and potential winnings, and various betting options.
Interaction with the Dealer
As we mentioned above, one of the biggest advantages of live dealer blackjack is the ability to interact with the dealer and have some banter back and forth. You could even trash-talk your dealer if you really wanted to.
Real-Time Gameplay Features
Some casinos really try to spice things up and throw in live blackjack bonuses and unique little prizes. These prizes usually consist of something like free blackjack hands, free cash, or even free spins on a specific slot.
How to Play Live Dealer Blackjack Online
Placing Your Bet
Before each round, you’ll have a set amount of time to place your bet that will need to fit between the maximum and minimum table limits. In most cases, the minimum bet is much more annoying than the maximum, but regardless, it’s super easy to set how much you want to bet.
Minimum and Maximum Bets
Minimum and maximum bets when playing live blackjack online couldn’t be more straightforward. In most cases, there will be a flashing indicator of some sort letting you know exactly how much the minimum bet is.
It’s usually a little bit vague for maximum bets, where you’ll have to go digging for an exact number, usually in the $5,000 – $20,000 range.
Bet Types and Options
Beyond the main bet on your hand, live dealer blackjack often includes side bets for some extra fun. You’ll usually run into these types of side bets:
- Perfect Pairs (identical first two cards)
- 21+3 (poker-style hand with first two cards and dealer’s face-up card)
- Insurance (betting on the dealer having a blackjack).
Playing Your Hand
In most cases, you have to put down a minimum bet before you get your hand, meaning 90% of the time, you should just play your hand when using an online live casino.
Hit, Stand, Double Down, and Split
Once the cards are dealt, it’s your turn to decide how to play your hand. Your options include:
- Hit: Requesting an additional card.
- Stand: Keeping your current hand total.
- Double Down: Doubling your initial bet and receiving one more card.
- Split: If your first two cards are the same, you can split them into two separate hands.
- Fold: Forfeit half your bet and give up your hand.
Strategies for Optimal Play
While luck plays a role in blackjack, understanding basic strategy can significantly improve your chances of winning. Make sure you’re making decisions based on the value of your hand and the dealer’s upcard; don’t just blindly bet and ask to be hit, hoping for a 21.
Winning and Payouts
If your hand total is higher than the dealer’s without exceeding 21, you win and will be paid out quite nicely.
How Wins Are Calculated
- Standard wins pay out even money (1:1), meaning you double your bet.
- Blackjack wins payout 3:2.
- Tieing with the dealer is called a push, and your bet is returned.
Understanding Payout Rates
Payout rates, or odds, determine how much you win compared to your bet, as you can see above; however, payouts for side bets vary widely. In most cases, side bets have higher rewards for rarer outcomes.
Best Strategies for Winning Live Dealer Blackjack
Basic Blackjack Strategy
Before you go ahead and play at a live blackjack casino, you should have at least some semblance of a strategy. This could be simply a number you want to hit or stand with, or even something much more taboo like card counting.
When to Hit or Stand
Generally, if your hand total is 11 or lower, you should hit to draw closer to 21 and with a hand of 12-16, consider the dealer’s upcard.
If the dealer shows a weak card (2-6), standing is probably your best option, but if the dealer has a strong card (7 or higher), you should usually hit.
Basic Strategy Charts
If you’re like us, it can get a bit tricky to keep track of every single card variation, so a strategy chart can be super useful.
These charts usually show the most common hands and what to do when you’re in the situation.
Advanced Techniques
Advanced betting techniques exist for every single game you could imagine, including online live blackjack.
Card Counting
If you’ve ever watched the movie Rain Man, you’ll know card counting can be super profitable, but it also makes most blackjack dealers and online live casinos quite angry.
But to explain, card counting involves counting and keeping track of the cards that have already been dealt with to gauge the chances of other cards being drawn.
Betting Systems and Strategies
Betting “systems” can help you manage your bankroll and maximize your time playing blackjack online.
- Flat betting: Wagering the same amount on every hand.
- Martingale: Doubling your bet after every loss, aiming to recoup losses with a win.
- Paroli: Doubling your bet after every win, aiming to capitalize on winning streaks.
Tips for Enjoying Live Dealer Blackjack
Managing Your Bankroll
Nobody wants to see you bet yourself out of your house and home, so you need to make sure you manage your money well. Set aside a certain amount you are comfortable losing, and stick to it.
Knowing When to Quit
As we just mentioned, you gotta know when to quit and when your luck maybe isn’t up to snuff for the day. Quit while you’re ahead, or at least before you lose a ton of money—you can always play blackjack online again.
Taking Advantage of Bonuses and Promotions
Online casinos with live dealers are trying to get people in the door with their promotions, but if you’re smart, you can use them to come out on top. Make sure you take full advantage of the promotions, whether it’s free bets, rakebacks, or even just free hands.
Key Points
- Choose a safe and reputable online casino.
- Stick to a firm budget
- Understand the rules of live blackjack
Final Thoughts on Playing Live Dealer Blackjack
As for our final thoughts, live dealer blackjack is a ton of fun to play in a number of online casinos. But, like with any other game, you need to know your limits; a couple of hands here and there can take the grey out of your day but you don’t want to end up with no money.
FAQ
What is live dealer blackjack and how does it differ from regular online blackjack?
How do I place a bet in live dealer blackjack?
What are the basic strategies for playing live dealer blackjack?
Can I use card counting techniques in live dealer blackjack?
