You’ll be happy to hear that we have full pages dedicated to the different variations. Whichever type of blackjack tickles your fancy, we’ve got you covered. As well as standard Live Blackjack, look out for popular variants like Speed Blackjack, Free Bet Blackjack, Live Infinite Blackjack , Power Blackjack.
Best Live Casinos for Online Blackjack
One of the most exciting developments in live online casino gaming in recent years is live dealer games – and casino games don’t come any bigger than blackjack, well maybe poker or roulette.
Live online blackjack has a real online casino dealer at a real table being filmed live, paired with virtual betting software. In no time, you’ll see the action brought into your home like never before.
At Betspin.com we put player safety and security first. While we do accept a commission from partners which may affect brand positioning, we are dedicated to only working with trustworthy and reliable operators. All our reviews are written and rated independently of the paying partner and we reserve the right to decline commissions from operators who do not meet our standards. Our list of top live casinos is not comprehensive of every casino operating in the market but is updated continuously with the best and newest brands.
As the largest online casino dealer provider, Evolution typically offers a bit more than its competitors, including a large variety of limits, variations of classic games, and special side bets.
For the best live dealer online blackjack casinos, check out our list of recommended sites above. We only recommend sites we have personally tested out, and which meet our experts’ high standards.
On this page, we’ve got the lowdown on live casino dealer online blackjack. Everything you need to know to start playing today is right here but there is plenty more besides this.
Let’s get going.
What is Live Online Blackjack?
Live casino blackjack involves a real professional casino dealer using real cards to play blackjack as we know it.
The game is broadcast live via a high definition video stream. Using virtual software, players are able to take a seat at the table and be dealt a hand, just like regular blackjack. Online casino dealer sees the players’ decisions as they happen so they’re able to hit or stand in real-time. If you win, your account is credited immediately, just like virtual casino games.
There is also a live chat feature, which allows casino dealers and players to converse back and forth.
Live online blackjack was created to replicate the energy and excitement of a real live casino, complete with a real online casino dealer and real ambient casino sounds, at home. Close your eyes and you could be in Vegas.
How to Play Live Online Blackjack
- The objective of live casino online blackjack is to end up with a hand that totals more than the casino dealer’s hand while staying as close to 21 as possible, but no higher. It uses the international 52-card deck without jokers.
- The value of each card is represented by its number, apart from face cards (J, Q, K) which are all worth 10, and the Ace which can be worth either 1 or 11.
- Every player (including the casino dealer) is dealt two cards – although one of the dealer’s cards is face down – and then you can choose whether to hit or stand.
Bonuses and Live Online Blackjack
Live blackjack bonuses tend to come in the form of bonus cash for new players signing up to a casino, or by accumulating loyalty points by playing regularly. Bonus cash is basically free money that you can’t immediately withdraw, but can unlock by gambling it a certain number of times.
You’ll find that nearly every casino offers their new members welcome bonuses. Plus, these days, an increasing number of casinos entice players with promotions specifically designed for live casino dealer table games, such as live casino online blackjack.
You can read all about how live casino dealer blackjack bonuses work in our live casino bonuses section.
Welcome Bonus
The most common type of welcome bonus for new players is sometimes known as a deposit bonus. It involves the casino matching some or all of your first deposit, worth up to a certain value.
For example, a casino may offer a 100% bonus up to $500, so that you will start off with double the money in your account based on your first deposit, with the most you can receive being an extra $500.The extra cash will not be available to withdraw before you fulfill certain wagering requirements.
Welcome bonuses are great, since they offer players a genuine chance to win some extra money with significantly reduced risk.
No Deposit Bonus
This is another type of welcome bonus, but in this case you don’t need to risk even a dollar of your own money. Instead, the casino will provide you with a small amount of bonus cash simply for creating an account.
No deposit bonuses are a genuinely totally free chance to play and win real money, although the wagering requirements tend to be on the high side. Still, these types of bonuses are great for low stakes players who can’t afford big deposits.
Regular Promotions and Other Bonuses
The best casinos don’t use up all their offers on welcome bonuses, but also have promotions to keep existing players happy. Reload bonuses (which are basically the same as deposit bonuses, but apply to future deposits) are common. You might find enhanced odds or special offers on selected live casino dealer games – like getting your money back whenever any player at the table makes 21 in blackjack.
There are also VIP programs, which let players earn loyalty points over time that can be cashed in for prizes or other promotions. All of these and more you can read about in our bonuses section.
Live Online Blackjack on Mobile
These days, it’s more common for online betting and casino gaming to be done on a mobile device than a laptop, and the best live online blackjack casinos have done a great job of optimizing their software for these devices.
Live dealer online blackjack tables are easy to see on a small screen, and placing bets on your mobile device is simple and intuitive.
Although not every live online blackjack casino has a dedicated app just yet, be patient! This is definitely the direction in which things are headed. Plus, even without a dedicated live online blackjack app, many casinos have optimized their websites for mobile access.
Head over to our section on live casino apps for more details.
Tips and Strategy
Blackjack is a game of strategy. Although there is no way to guarantee winning each and every time, there are certainly ways to play smart.
Unlike games like roulette, which is a pure game of chance, to give yourself the best chance of winning at blackjack you need to make good decisions.
Top 5 Tips to Play Live Online Blackjack
- Learn the rules before sitting down at the live online tables
- Manage your bankroll carefully
- Be prepared for the pace of pay
- Make sure you have a stable internet connection
- Try different blackjack variations
Hit or Stand?
Knowing when to hit or stand is one of the most important elements of this game, since it may make the difference between a winning or losing bet.
When you “hit”, you are asking for another card to add to your hand. When you “stand”, you are keeping the cards you currently have and nothing more. If you decide to “hit” and end up with a hand totaling over 21, it means you have “busted” and the house wins.
Know How the Dealer’s Cards Affect You
Ace: Since an ace can be a 1 or 11, casino dealer will likely be able to either hit 21 or draw more cards without busting – meaning the casino dealer is probably favorite in this case. You should still try to get a hand worth 17-21.
10, Jack, Queen, King: Since any of these four cards are a 10, if you’re holding as close to 11 or less as possible you stand a fair chance of winning. Keep in mind though that you could still easily
bust. You should hit if you’re holding 12 to 16 or 10 and under, and stand if your cards total 17 and up.
7, 8 or 9: Casino dealer’s shot of getting 21 is fairly small, so your chances of winning here are good. However, they can still score 17 or more, so you should hit only if you have 9 or under or 12 to 16. If you’re holding 17 or more, be sure to stand.
Double Down or Split?
When you double down in live casino dealer online blackjack, you’re doubling your original bet. The best time to do this is when you have a hand totalling 11. Otherwise, you could risk losing twice as much.
Splitting refers to converting two of the same cards from one hand into two. You will be dealt a new card for each hand.
As a rule of thumb, splitting 10s or 5s is a terrible idea, but Aces and 8s are ideal to split. Splitting Aces gives you a great chance of hitting 21, while splitting 8s is likely to both massively improve your hand and limit losses.
For this section, we’ve asked our experts to put together their top three tips to get the most out of live online blackjack.
Avoid Side Bets, But Do Bet Behind
In live casino dealer online blackjack, there are a variety of optional “side bets” you can make, like 21 +3 and Perfect Pairs. The temptation is that side bets offer higher payouts than the standard game. However, the casino dealer also gets an edge when you place them. Resist the urge, because over the long term you’ll lose money faster. Or at least, be aware of that house edge.
Instead, go for an option called “betting behind”, which lets you bet on another player’s hand. It’s fun because you don’t make any decisions for their hand and you can improve your knowledge of the game (and of winning) by choosing a player that seems strong and on their way to winning.
Make the Most of Online Casino Blackjack Bonuses and Variations
Live online casino blackjack bonuses can help boost your winnings and allow you to play longer. They are great for letting new players get used to the game without financial risk. Also, keep an eye out for live casino blackjack promotions that offer the best bang for your buck.
It’s also important to know which of the many live online blackjack game variants you like best and are most comfortable with. Some have different rules and betting limits, so you’ll want to ensure they suit your playing style and budget. Use your bonus cash to try them all out.
Split Aces and 8s, but Not 10s or 6s
When a pair of aces is split, you get two new chances to win the hand with one new card. Drawing a 10 for either hand will be enough to win.
With two 8s adding up to 16, you’re still pretty far from 21 plus at high risk of exceeding 21 with another card. But when 8s are split, you have a good chance of getting up to 18 with the next card.
On the other hand, two 10s give you 20 points which is so close to a winning 21! You’ll want to keep that intact since the likelihood of the casino dealer getting 21 points is very low. And with 6s, splitting them would lead to the worst hand of 16, should you get a 10 on your next turn.
Real Money Blackjack vs Free Play Blackjack
Normally, you can’t play live online blackjack for free money. You can however open a table and simply observe the action, which is a good way of getting a feel for the game before jumping in with your own money. You can watch how the online casino dealer interacts with the players, understand the pace of the game and see how the action plays out.
With traditional virtual blackjack, you can often play both for real and using free money. Obviously, if you play for free you can’t end up winning real money. But free play is still a really nice option to have. It lets you try out unfamiliar games and software without worrying about losing your own money. Sometimes you just want to scratch an itch, and free play can provide that just as well as risking real money.
Play Live Today
The future of online casino gambling truly is live dealer games, and blackjack is the world’s most commonly played casino game.
When you play live online blackjack, it comes alive like never before with fun, modern, and unique technology. Plus, when you interact with the online casino dealer and other players, the game becomes something more — it turns into an actual social experience just like in a casino.
Check out our list of recommended sites to find the best places to play live casino blackjack online today.
Other Live Online Casino Games
FAQs
Can I Play Live Online Blackjack for Free?
Normally live online blackjack can only be played for real money. However, you can usually play traditional virtual blackjack for free.
Is Live Online Blackjack Safe to Play Online?
Yes, as long as you are playing via a trusted and secure site, you should have no issues playing Live online Blackjack. Evolution Gaming uses state of the art live casino dealer technology that is independently verified by eCogra testing labs, so you know the software is safe and fair.
How does live online blackjack work?
Live online blackjack is a way to play real blackjack with a real casino dealer online, using a high quality video feed and virtual betting software.
Is live online blackjack legal and safe?
Live online blackjack is legal and safe, depending on where you’re located. You can check out our list of recommended sites to find the best and safest sites to play live online blackjack.