Live Dealer Blackjack
The #1 game that you will find at live dealer casinos is blackjack. The game is one of the easiest to learn at online casinos and has some of the lowest table limits. For those looking to play at live dealer casinos, you will find plenty of options for blackjack.
Learn more about playing live dealer blackjack online, including which companies offer the game and the variants of live blackjack available. Also, learn about a unique side bet only available in live dealer online casino blackjack.
Top Live Dealer Blackjack Casinos
Ranking | Casino Name | Bonus Amount | Review | Payment Options | Minimum Deposit | Actions |
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4 |
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USD $1500 Bonus |
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$20 Min Deposit | PLAY NOW |
5 |
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USD $5000 Bonus |
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$10 Min Deposit | PLAY NOW |
How to Play Live Dealer Blackjack
It takes a couple of minutes to learn how to play live dealer blackjack online. The object of the game is to make a hand as close to 21 as possible. You are playing against a dealer. To win the hand, your hand must beat his hand, or the dealer must go over 21. This is known as a bust.
- Blackjack Hands: Point values are based on the rank of the card. Deuces through tens are worth face value. Face cards are worth 10 points each. The ace is the one exception, as it can be used as either a one or 11.
- The Deal: Each player starts with two cards face up, and they must decide whether to hit or stand. Players can continue to hit a hand until they reach 21 or bust. For dealers, they must draw until they reach at least 17. At this point, they must stand. Sometimes a game will require that a dealer hit a soft 17, which is an ace and 6.
- Natural Blackjacks Pay 3:2: If you are dealt an ace and a ten or face card, you win automatically with a blackjack. Blackjack generally pays 3 to 2 on your money. All other wins pay even money.
- Splitting Cards: Instances happen when you can make additional bets or receive extra hands. For example, if you are dealt a pair or two 10 point value cards, you can split the cards to make two hands. When you do this, you must place a bet equal to your initial bet. You can then hit as usual.
- Doubling Down: Also, players can double down on a bet at times. When you have a point value of 9 to 11, you can place a bet equal to your initial bet and double down. The catch is that you will only receive one additional card. For example, if you receive a 5 and 4, you can double down. However, if you catch a two, you will likely not win unless the dealer busts.
Other rules related to side bets apply to blackjack, but these can be explained in the lobby of the games you play.
Blackjack Strategy
Blackjack Odds & Probabilities: Learn how certain rules change the odds of a game of blackjack.
Blackjack Odds & Probabilities: Learn how certain rules change the odds of a game of blackjack.
Basic Strategy Charts: Memorize these basic strategy charts if you plan to play these blackjack variants online.
Basic Strategy Charts: Memorize these basic strategy charts if you plan to play these blackjack variants online.
Card Counting in Blackjack: Card counters gain an advantage over the casino, so read our primer on counting cards.
Card Counting in Blackjack: Card counters gain an advantage over the casino, so read our primer on counting cards.
Blackjack Tips: These tips help blackjack players increase their odds of winning, in online or land-based blackjack.
Blackjack Tips: These tips help blackjack players increase their odds of winning, in online or land-based blackjack.
Live Blackjack Bet Behind Feature
One significant difference between live and standard blackjack is the bet behind a bet. If seats are occupied at live blackjack tables, you can still play by making a bet behind a bet. You can select one or multiple players and make bets on their hands.
For example, you sit down to a table that’s full, and rather than wait for an open seat, you decide to bet on player 3’s hand. Hands are then played as usual, and you win when the player wins. Note that if a player decides to increase their bet, either by doubling down or splitting, your bet will double. If you bet $5 on player 3’s hand and they double down, your bet will be $10.
Payouts for bet behind bets are the same as in standard blackjack. If you choose to bet behind, we have a couple of tips to help you win more. First, players will be highlighted that are on hot streaks or winning consistently. These are good players to bet on.
Choosing a Player to Bet Behind
If you are an experienced blackjack player and can spot players who are playing perfect strategy, these are also good players for bet behind. The bet behind bet is unlimited, meaning you can make multiple bets each game and can play the bet on each hand. You can even make these bets once you take a seat at the table.
Why Use the Bet Behind Feature?
Bet behind is a great way to take advantage of live dealer games when you are not seated. For inexperienced players, it is a way to learn proper strategy and still make a little money.
Companies That Provide Live Dealer Blackjack Games
Many think live dealer games are created and operated by the casino. In fact, the games are provided by third party companies and subcontracted through casinos.
Below is a list of some of the top companies that provide live dealer blackjack games:
- Evolution Gaming
- Playtech
- Visionary iGaming (ViG)
- Extreme Live Gaming
- NetEnt
- Microgaming
- Novomatic
- Vivo Gaming
- Fresh Deck Studios
- BetGames.TV
These companies all provide live blackjack games and a variety of live online casino games. The games are live-streamed from a studio at a central location with dozens or even hundreds of tables being played at once. You will notice other tables being dealt in the background if you pay close attention while playing.
The lobby and games provided by these companies are incorporated into your favorite online casinos. Gaming companies make money through the services they provide. The casinos then have a state-of-the-art live dealer casino setup that does not require additional tech support to operate.
Generally, live dealer casino games only allow betting from online players. A few online casinos offer a hybrid of live games. For example, Authentic Gaming does provide a variety of games that are streamed from live casinos. With these games, you are placing bets along with players in live casinos. This is the ultimate live experience.
Versions of Live Dealer Blackjack
Blackjack is the most popular table game in the world and the top game you’ll find at live dealer casinos. We’ve found up to a dozen variants of live blackjack, though most casinos offer two or three versions.
Some games below are more common than others. Here are a few of the blackjack variants you will find at live dealer casinos.
- American Blackjack
- Perfect Pairs Blackjack
- Vegas Strip Blackjack
- Atlantic City Blackjack
- Early Payout Blackjack
- Speed Blackjack
- VIP Blackjack
Generally, blackjack games will be the dominant game at live casinos. For example, Ignition Casino has 27 tables of blackjack out of a 33 table casino. This is quite common. In some instances, blackjack may be the only game offered in the live version of the casino.
So why are there so many tables of blackjack? Unlike standard online blackjack, live dealer blackjack has a limit to the number of players that can connect to a table. Just seven players can play at once at a table. If the casino has decent traffic, then they must offer an adequate number of tables to account for action.
As such, if you try and play in a game and the table is full, you can pick a different table and play from there. You’ll generally find multiple tables of standard blackjack with just one or two tables of blackjack variants.
More Live Dealer Games
Live Dealer Blackjack FAQ
As a general rule, US live dealer casinos offer versions of Classic Blackjack. Some variant blackjack rules exist, such as the Early Payout Blackjack. In the international gaming market, the base game in live blackjack often tends to be European Blackjack. Due to the large number of providers, you’ll find greater variety than that, though.
Yes. Pennsylvania, Delaware, and New Jersey have regulated online casinos that offer great live casino games. All other US states do not regulate online casinos, but law enforcement does not prosecute individual citizens who play online for real money.
Bet Behind is a method of betting in Live Dealer Blackjack, as well as a way of assuring that no one waits in line for a table. Like brick-and-mortar casinos, live casinos must deal with the possibility that more gamblers want to play than blackjack tables are staffed. This is especially true in online gambling, where 7 billion-plus people might show up at any given time.
To deal with that problem, “Bet Behind” rules were invented. This basically means, if you’re waiting for a spot at a live blackjack table, you can wager on any other player’s hand. They make the strategy decisions, while you make bets separately from their own wagers. Obviously, you want to study the game and gamble on a player who knows basic stratey and plays optimally.
Yes. Sites like Ignition Casino, Cafe Casino, and Bovada each have live dealer blackjack with bets as high as $5,000.