Go Live Dealer Blackjack
Introduction
Live Blackjack Summary; Tutorial; House Edge Comparisons; Rule Comparisons; Count Cards; High Stakes Tables; From the Blog; Live Roulette. Live Roulette Summary. Watch Live Blackjack Blackjack is a card game with a long legacy, played at both real-world and online casinos. The Live version of this classic casino game is played with real dealers. The Live Blackjack game combines the excitement and entertaining aspects of the real casino gaming experience. Free Live Blackjack Live Blackjack combines all the best from the real world and online casinos. You can play blackjack with live dealers right from the comfort of your own home and at the same time you enjoy socializing with professional croupiers and other players. You can play live blackjack right here for free, no deposit required. Live dealer blackjack is a game of online blackjack that is played in real-time and run by a real dealer. Some of the advantages of playing blackjack with a live dealer include: Professional dealers handle the game. Live video is streamed in high definition.
Live dealer blackjack rules vary quite a bit. All are dealt from a shoe, with about 50% penetration. I think nobody allows re-splitting any pair. In other words, one split only. Most stand on a soft 17. The most variable rules seem to be on surrender and the dealer peeking for blackjack.
Special mention should be made about the Ezugi game, where early surrender against an ace is allowed. The effect of this rule variation is a reduction in the house edge of 0.39% to a low 0.11%. Personally, I think they don't understand what they are doing and this rule won't last once they realize how beneficial it is to the player.
It is difficult writing live dealer software reviews when I don't have access to play or watch the games. This was the case with Ho Gaming and Vivo Gaming.
As to the appearance of the table and dealer, please refer to the screenshots at the bottom of the page, especially for Usoft.
Odds Comparison
The following table shows the configurable rules, to the best of my knowledge, at various brands of live dealer studios. An explanation of the column headings follows the table.
Live Dealer Blackjack Comparison
| Brand | Play | Decks | Soft 17 | DAS | Peek | Surr. | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amaya Software(Live) | Vera John Casino | 8 | Hit | No | No | No | 0.71% |
| Asia Gaming(Blackjack) | Casoo Casino | 8 | Hit | No | Yes | No | 0.62% |
| BetConstruct(Blackjack) | Casino British | 1 | Hit | Yes | Yes | Yes | 0.43% |
| Evolution Gaming(Infinite Blackjack (with six-card Charlie)) | Casoo Casino | 8 | Hit | No | Yes | No | 0.45% |
| Evolution Gaming(Live Dealer Blackjack) | Casoo Casino | 8 | Hit | No | No | No | 0.72% |
| Extreme Live Gaming(Blackjack) | Leo Vegas | 8 | Hit | No | Yes | No | 0.62% |
| Ezugi(Blackjack) | Casoo Casino | 8 | Hit | Yes | Yes | Yes | 0.11% |
| Ezugi(Unlimited) | Casoo Casino | 8 | Hit | Yes | No | No | 0.35% |
| FashionTV(Blackjack) | 8 | Hit | Yes | Yes | Yes | 0.41% | |
| Fresh Deck Studios(Blackjack) | Super Slots | 8 | Hit | No | Yes | No | 0.62% |
| Gameplay Interactive(Blackjack) | Casino777 | 6 | Hit | Yes | No | No | 0.46% |
| HO Gaming(Blackjack) | Vera John Casino | 8 | Hit | No | No | No | 0.6% |
| LuckyStreak(Blackjack) | Casoo Casino | 8 | Hit | Yes | Yes | No | 0.49% |
| Net Entertainment(Common Draw Blackjack (Live Dealer)) | Casoo Casino | 6 | Hit | Yes | No | No | 0.59% |
| Net Entertainment(Live Beyond Live Blackjack) | Casoo Casino | 6 | Hit | Yes | No | No | 0.59% |
| Playtech(Unlimited Blackjack (Live Dealer)) | BitStarz | 8 | Hit | Yes | No | No | 0.5% |
| Usoft Gaming(Blackjack Unlimited) | Playhub Casino | 6 | Hit | Yes | Yes | Yes | 0.43% |
| Visionary iGaming(Early Payout) | Sloto'Cash Casino | 1 | Stand | Yes | Yes | No | 0.69% |
| Visionary iGaming(Blackjack) | Sloto'Cash Casino | 6 | Stand | Yes | Yes | No | 0.69% |
| Vivo Gaming(Blackjack) | BitStarz | 8 | Hit | Yes | Yes | No | 0.5% |
| Wirex Gaming(Blackjack) | 8 | Hit | Yes | No | No | 0.56% | |
| Xprogaming(Blackjack) | Tusk Casino | 6 | Stand | Yes | No | No | 0.54% |
Column headings:
- Brand: Live dealer studio and in some cases the particular game.
- Decks: Number of decks used. Penetration tends to be about 50% everywhere.
- Soft 17: What the dealer does with a soft 17.
- DAS: Is double after a split allowed?
- Peek: Does the dealer peek at hole card for a blackjack. In cases where there isn't a hole card, the value in the table indicates if the player will lose his original bet only (yes) or everything (no) if the dealer eventually gets a blackjack. Sometimes the dealer will peek only under 10 or under an ace. Possible values are:
- Yes = Dealer always peeks with either a 10 or ace up.
- No = Dealer never peeks. Player will lose all money bet doubling and splitting if the dealer gets a blackjack
- Ace only = Dealer peeks only under an ace up. If no hole card is taken, 'ace only' means the player will lose his original bet only if the dealer gets a blackjack starting with an ace up, but everything if starting with a 10 up.
- 10 only = Dealer peeks only under a 10 up. If no hole card is taken, '10 only' means the player will lose his original bet only if the dealer gets a blackjack starting with a 10 up, but everything if starting with an ace up.
- Surrender = Can player forfeit half his bet and not play the hand? This option is generally offered only after the dealer peeks for blackjack, but in the Ezugi regular game (as opposed to unlimited), the player may surrender before the dealer peeks.
- Edge = House edge
Screenshots
Asia Gaming.
FashionTV.
Ho Gaming.
Evolution Gaming.
Wirex.
In the Usoft game, the dealer will flash when any player gets a blackjack.
Blackjack Early Payout and regular blackjack by Visionary iGaming.
Blackjack early payout and conventional blackjack by Net Entertainment.
Written by: Michael Shackleford
Live dealer blackjack is one of the best additions to the online gambling market since the first online casino was launched in the 1990’s. Most online casinos now offer blackjack which is streamed with top-quality software, but now, thanks to our site, you can find the best of these sites that offer live dealer blackjack tables!
In most ways, it’s the same as sitting down at your local casino and playing a few hands of blackjack, except without having to leave your house. You can now even play on the go, with your tablet or smartphone, and win real money wherever you go. Live online blackjack has finally arrived and once you’ve tried it, you’ll never go back to your old casinos again!
Live BlackJack on Online Casinos for US Players
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A live online blackjack game needs to strike a balance between two extremes. It physically cannot have all of the factors that go into a game in the real world but, at the same time, the designers are pushing to get away from the standard digital-only format. At the moment, they seem to have found a great compromise. You still have an image of a table that exists only in cyberspace, except the events unfold in real time in front of your very eyes with a real-life dealer running the show.
The way it works is you have a box which is streaming from a real-life casino, so you can see him deal the cards in front of you and also interact with him via a chat box, while you make bets in your virtual lobby. This combined makes for a live blackjack game that runs smoothly, plus, as you can see him, there is no margin for corruption. As well as this, you may also be joined at the live table by several other players who could be playing from anywhere in the world!
The live blackjack you see on this site is guaranteed to be a live broadcast of a well-trained dealer, who is specifically running your live blackjack game from a remote location. You can even chat with them directly via the chat box if you are not convinced.
Blackjack with live dealers like this brings you as close as possible to the fun and exciting casino experience you would expect in bricks and mortar venues. As such, it really feels like they have beamed a real casino directly into your home!
In addition to blackjack, most of these sites have other live table games like live roulette and live dealer baccarat, which are also worth trying if you like all types of table games.
Live Blackjack for US Players
Even though they make up the largest market for live dealer blackjack, United States players have fewer options to play live dealer blackjack than players in some other countries. This is largely because of the hostile legal environment in the United States since the passage of UIGEA (the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act) of 2006.
It is worth noting, that UIGEA doesn’t make it illegal for all U.S. citizens to gamble online and casino players can try legal online live blackjack games at operators active in New Jersey and Pennsylvania who have legalised online casino. State laws vary, so we recommend that you consult a reputable source of information about the laws in your state for more information. You can find some information on the legality in different states here.
At this time, Microgaming is one of the largest suppliers of live dealer games, but they don’t accept players from most US states.
The best way to learn which live dealer casinos accept US players is to follow the advice on this site or visit the homepage of the individual casinos. We offer pages about which live dealer casinos are available for US players, which should be a good starting point.
As live blackjack for US players is a very competitive market, you need be sure that you are finding one that is extremely experienced. That is why we would recommend casinos run by well-known providers for some time and played by thousands of Americans. As such, we would say these have the best live blackjack platform available for US Players.
The reasons for this are down to the styles they offer. Their blackjack variations offer the most player-friendly rules in the industry. These rules include the option to double after splitting and to double on any two cards. As well as this, the dealer also stands on soft 17, which favors the player. The house edge for these games is 0.41%, but only if you’re following perfect basic strategy.
Live Blackjack in Other Countries
Each country has their own unique set of laws and rules concerning online gambling. These laws create a situation where some live dealer casinos are available in some areas and not available in others.
You need to research the laws in your country before playing for real money.
If you don’t know which online casinos offer live blackjack in your country, a quick and easy way to find out is see if you can make a deposit. If you can get money into an online casino, it means they offer live games where you live.
This doesn’t always mean it’s legal, but players in most countries don’t have to worry about criminal prosecution. Most countries are more interested in the owners and operators, not the players when they start trying to shut down online casinos. At the same time, please consider that this doesn’t mean that you’ll be safe just because other players have been.
Contact an attorney or lawyer if you have any concerns or questions.
Game Variations
One of the things you’ll enjoy playing at live dealer online blackjack, which you often don’t see in a land-based casino, is the wide range of different options and rules.
We suppose it’s similar to visiting a bunch of different land-based casinos with each offering different rules and setups. However, even then, there is still likely to be a much wider variety of options available online.
It is also much easier as you haven’t the need to travel hundreds of miles between different places, as the best online casino will offer loads of options for live blackjack all in one place. As well as this, you can also switch casinos quickly and easily if you get bored of games on one site.
Here’s a list of some of the available options for online live dealer blackjack play:
- The number of decks – Most online games use 6 or 8 decks, but you can also find 7 deck games occasionally. These are put in play to prevent card counting mainly, but they can have a knock-on effect other on rules, like when to Surrender for example.
- Stand or hit a soft 17 – Just like at your local casino, the dealers will hit or stand on a soft 17 based on the house rules.
- Regional rules – Although blackjack is generally the same in every country, there are some differences between European and American blackjack. These reflect the options you have in-play. You can find out specifics about this here. As well as this, there may even be slightly different rules when playing at Vegas Strip and Atlantic City tables too. It’s important to read up on the rules before you start playing.
- Other rules – Other rules include the ability to double on any two cards or just on certain totals, how many times you can split if you can hit split aces and whether or not doubling down is allowed.
Betting Limits
Every casino, both online and land-based, sets its betting limits based on a number of factors.
Usually, casinos also have posted betting limits at their tables and real limits that they’re willing to use for true high rollers.
You probably won’t see a sign stating that a casino will accept a million dollar bet, but you can probably find some casinos that will. If you want to play at a higher limit in a land-based casino, you need to ask the dealer or the pit boss.
When you play online it can be harder to get the limits raised. You can contact the support department, but don’t count on it doing any good. As such, your best bet is to simply find a casino with high limits from the get-go.
Some of the highest live dealer blackjack limits can be found at European online casinos such as Guts Casino and RedBet Casino. They both offer the ability to wager up to $2,000 per hand. However, the highest one I’ve seen is the $10,000 per hand offered by Ladbrokes Casino.
But be aware, If you play just 50 hands per hour it means you’ll be betting approximately $100,000 per hour at $2,000 a hand, and $500,000 an hour at $10,000 a hand. So be careful when you start playing at the highest limits.
Software Providers of Live Blackjack with Real Dealers
Just like you can find online casinos that use software from a wide range of vendors, you can find live dealer blackjack games offered by many different software companies. The most popular live dealer companies are listed below with a short summary covering the games they offer. You can also find more details about each provider on our live blackjack comparison page
Evolution Gaming is one of the most well-known live gaming software providers. They currently offer four different blackjack games, including two different VIP tables. Some of the rules and options available on one or more of the four variations of Evolution Gaming blackjack include double on 9 to 11, double on any, private table, ability to hit split aces, ability to re-split hands and surrender, with some casinos offering side bets too.
Microgamingoffers a single live dealer option that is a 7 seat multiplayer game using an 8 deck shoe. The dealer stands on soft 17, players aren’t allowed to double after splitting, but can only double totals of 9, 10, and 11, and are allowed to hit split aces. Along with Evolution Gaming listed above, Microgaming is one of the two biggest and most popular live dealer options.
Playtechoffers five different live dealer blackjack games. Their standard game uses an 8 deck shoe, which has 7 seats and offers a Perfect Pairs side bet, allows players to split only once. There is the option to double on any two cards, and you can double down after splitting. They also offer a game called Ultimate Blackjack, which they once called Unlimited Blackjack. It’s dealt from an 8 deck shoe and is designed to offer play from one to as many players who want to join, as opposed to having a set number of players at the table.
Live Dealer Blackjack versus RNG
Other than the visual difference, playing against the computer or a live dealer is much the same. The rules are usually the same, the betting limits are usually the same and of course, how the game of blackjack is played doesn’t change.
When the computer or the software is running the game, it uses a random number generator program, often called an RNG, to determine which cards are played.
Each card in the shoe is assigned a unique number and these numbers are placed in a unique order for each shoe based on the RNG.
Here’s an example:
In a shoe that holds eight decks of cards, you’ll have 416 unique numbers. This is because 52 cards per deck times 8 decks equals 416. These can be numbered in order but can depend on the combination the software programmer decided to use, but it makes no difference to the odds anyway. However, usually, the ace of spades from the first deck is numbered 1, with the ace of spades from the second deck being number 52 and so on.
Before each hand, the RNG runs and places each of the 416 cards on a stack, which we think of as the shoe. As each random number is presented, the card matching that number is placed on the stack until all of the cards are on the stack. In the case where the same number is generated more than once, it is ignored until the next stack is built.
When the software starts dealing the hand the top card of the stack, it is either burnt or dealt to you. If the first card was burnt, then you receive the second card. The next card is dealt to the dealer and the deal continues as normal.
As you can see, this is almost exactly what happens when a shoe is manually shuffled by a dealer or a shuffling machine. The difference being that the RNG does a better job producing random shuffles than the dealer or machine.
So what’s the difference between playing using the RNG software and a live dealer game?
In the end, you won’t find much difference. Your results should be close to the same in the long run.
With both options, card counting doesn’t come into play. Read the section on card counting below or go here for more information.
The main difference is that you can play quite a few more hands per hour using the RNG software compared to playing live dealer blackjack.
It depends on what you desired outcome is, but playing live dealer play with the same bankroll, rules, and bets, will generally let you play longer on average than playing against the computer.
If you assume a house edge of 1%, 50 hands per hour at a live dealer table, 100 hands per hour at the computer table, and an average wager of $100 per hand, you’ll lose on average $50 per hour playing against a live dealer and $100 per hour playing against the computer.
One difference between the two experiences is while playing live dealer, you can play your favorite games play a game with the cards being dealt by a beautiful dealer, who’s usually female. This may be a positive or a negative depending on your preferences, but sometimes a bit of human interaction, even if it’s across the Internet using cameras, is a nice refreshing change to normal online gaming.
Another difference is when you play against the computer, it’s almost always you against the machine, one on one. Even if you’re able to place more than one bet, you’re just playing heads up against an invisible dealer.
Many live dealer blackjack games are set up more like traditional blackjack games with numerous places around the table for other players.
When you play at a table with other players you have to wait for them to act just like in a land-based casino. This can slow the game down a great deal and become irritating if one of the players is slow or has a poor Internet connection.
Ultimately, it is fair to say the pro’s of live dealer blackjack outweigh the cons, but really, it is all about personal preference.
Card Counting and Live Dealer Blackjack
Many blackjack players know that the only way to beat the game, in the long run, is to change the house odds in some way. The most common way for blackjack players to change the odds is to learn how to count cards.
Most blackjack games played online use a random number generator and the cards are basically shuffled after each hand. This makes it impossible to gain an edge by counting cards.
When you play on a live dealer blackjack game, as it looks just like a game you can play at your local casino, many players ask if it’s possible to gain an edge by counting the live dealer game online.
However, the short answer to these players is no.
We suppose it is theoretically possible to reduce the house edge by counting, but the reality is the casinos know counters exist and know that they can easily use computer programs to track the cards while playing at home. So, they’ve made their games in a way that means counters can’t beat them.
The main thing online live dealer casinos do to combat counters is to shuffle the cards more often. Most state they shuffle the cards as often as they deem necessary, while some state they shuffle after four decks have been dealt from an eight deck shoe.
This creates a level of deck penetration that makes it practically impossible to overcome by counting. In addition, you might not be able to tell when a new shoe is put into use, but this depends on how that specific table is laid out and how the camera angle is used in the different software solutions.
Free Live Dealer Blackjack
The best way to play blackjack is with real money, but some live casino sites may let you try their games for free. You’ll usually only be able to get a limited demonstration though.
Live casinos have a limited number of seats and resources, and they want them occupied and used by players who are playing for real money. Some casinos might do it, but the only way to know for sure if an online casino offers free live dealer blackjack is to log into your account and try to play.
If you’re just looking for free blackjack games, digital examples are out there and nearly almost every online casino offers free blackjack play on their non-live dealer games. However, you don’t get all the perks you do from a live blackjack game.
This is because live dealer games cost the online casinos more money to run than their normal games. The added cost of paying the dealers and support personnel, plus the expense of the cameras and streaming feeds all take away from the bottom line, casinos are businesses and they want to make money.
Go Live Dealer Blackjack Online
This is the main reason the casinos only want real money players at their live dealer games. Blackjack is traditionally a low house edge game anyway, so if they add the cost of offering the game for free, it reduces the edge further.
Go Live Dealer Blackjack
When an additional player is added to the normal blackjack games run by software, the extra expense is almost zero. The cost of the software and bandwidth has already been paid, so a casino has to have thousands of free players on the regular games before it costs them extra.
The casino knows that if they can get thousands of players to try their blackjack game for free, some of the players will make a deposit and play for real money, easily covering the small added expense.
Bitcoin Live Dealer Blackjack?
Live Blackjack Dealers Usa
One of the recent fads in the online gambling world is the ability to use Bitcoin to play. While a few online casinos that exclusively use Bitcoin have been launched, many traditional online casinos have started accepting it along with their other deposit methods.
This means that if you want to play live dealer Bitcoin blackjack, it is now easier than ever and most also offer live dealer play.
Once you make a deposit, it doesn’t matter what method you used, as the gameplay will be the same. When the Bitcoin is deposited, it’s converted to the standard currency you play in. For example, If the site supports wagering in US dollars, then the Bitcoin is converted to dollars before you start playing.
If you want to play solely in bitcoin, the aptly named Bitstarz is an example of an online casino that exclusively accepts Bitcoins for deposits and offers live dealer blackjack in various formats.
Summary
Live dealer blackjack play isn’t for everyone, but it does offer a great alternative to traveling to your nearest casino to play a few hands. Plus, at online casinos, you can usually find better game selections, as well as always a free seat. It has much more to offer that it’s virtual counterpart, with a much more realistic and satisfying method of gameplay.
The latest development among new online casinos seems to be that many of them are now focusing first and foremost on live dealer casino, while other games come second, this is a natural development and something we have foreseen for a while.
There is sure to be some very exciting advances in live dealer blackjack in the near future, but in the meantime, we hope you enjoy playing it as it is as much as we do!
Live Dealer Blackjack FAQ
How Can I Play Live Blackjack Online?
Playing Live Blackjack online couldn’t be easier in this day and age. There are countless casinos online where you can play the game online, in great quality and in various different styles. Depending on where you are from, will depend on what live blackjack is available to you, but luckily, we have your back. You can find our top picks for online casino sites above, but we also have some pages dedicated to regions specific Live Casino Blackjack. As such, you can check out our US Friendly Blackjack Page, our Canada Blackjack Sites page or our European Blackjack Page, to find the best casinos for wherever you are from!
Can You Count Cards In Online Live Blackjack?
Although it may seem that in theory, as it looks just like the casinos that you play in a real life, that it is possible to count cards, it is actually not. As casinos are aware that players in their own home can use software to track the cards, they have put systems in place to prevent this from happening. The cards are shuffled far more regularly than in real life casinos, usually, after 1-4 decks have been played, so a full shoe is never played all the way through. You can learn more about card counting here!
Can You Play Blackjack For A Living?
It is possible to play Blackjack for a living, but we do not recommend quitting your day job just yet. It takes years of practice, a head for numbers and a fair bit of luck. There is, of course, numerous people who have made a living by it, but it is not easy and takes a lot of sacrifices to accomplish the goal. For us, we would always recommend playing for fun and winning a bit of cash on the side, rather than dedicating all your time to it and ALWAYS make sure you are betting within your means.
Can You Make a Living Playing Blackjack Online?
It is even harder to make a living from Blackjack online due to the fact that if you are playing Live Dealer Blackjack, the decks are shuffled much more regularly, and if you are playing virtually, then it is completely random. Although some people play Live Dealer Poker online for a living, Blackjack is much harder to do so with. Again, the same goes as for Blackjack for a living at all, don’t quit your day job just yet, as it will take a huge amount of skill and luck to become comfortable enough from playing online blackjack and you are best suited to do it for a bit of money on the side. Also, DON’T ever spend more than you can afford to lose under any circumstance, as this is even easier to do so online as it is much easier to get carried away from the comfort of your own home. You can read more here about playing for real money online!
Is Online Live Blackjack rigged?
It is incredibly unlikely that any type of online casino game is rigged, even less so the Live Blackjack games, as everything is recorded and streamed live, so there would always be evidence. There is also no need for casinos to do it due to the VERY high turnover they receive. There has been no recorded evidence that supports a casino doing anything untoward in the past, but if it did come to pass and they were caught, it would be all over the internet, the company would be sued, fined then shut down and those responsible would be prosecuted. There are various organizations in place that are specifically to prevent these things happen and if you think there is something afoot you can contact them to assist you. We also always recommend making sure that you only sign up at a reputable casino and which have all the necessary certifications on their page. Your best bet is to read casino reviews before signing up at any casino, our site is the perfect place to find a great casino and any casino you find on our page will be trustworthy and of the highest quality, you can find reviews here or read more about blackjack being rigged here!
Responsible Gambling
Gambling can be addictive and problem gambling can lead to other issues. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem you can get help. The first place to look for help is http://www.gamblersanonymous.org/
Signs of problem gambling include hiding your gambling activities from other people, gambling with money you can’t afford to lose, like your rent or house payment, and feelings of anxiety when you lose. Many other signs may be less noticeable. If you’re worried that you or someone you know has a gambling problem, please seek help immediately and research ways to spot possible gambling problems in yourself and others.
Most online casinos offer a service that allows you to be placed on a list of players who have self-excluded themselves from playing. Contact the support department of any online casino where you’re considering playing for additional details about being placed on the excluded list.
You can learn more about responsible gambling and how to set your limits when playing live online blackjack at GambleAware.co.uk.
Last updated on the 20th August 2019