Live Blackjack at Online Casinos
Blackjack is an exciting card game that is fun to play and easy to learn. There are a lot of great reasons to gamble online, such as the lack of crowds and the convenience of playing from your home. Playing live blackjack gives you an authentic casino experience that feels like you are there in person.
Live dealer blackjack is similar to other blackjack games, except you can watch the dealer handling the cards as if you were in a brick-and-mortar venue. Our team of gambling experts has recommended some safe online casinos that offer exciting game variations and a number of software providers.
There are lots of sites where you can play live dealer blackjack online for real money. However, finding the best sites requires research, time, testing, and knowledge of the industry. We have done the work for you using our B.E.S.T rating system. Our team of gambling experts has recommended what we think are the best live casino sites.
The best sites will depend on your region, but some of our top recommendations include El Royale, All British Casino, Bovada, and North Casino. These sites offer at least one version of live blackjack, but the variants depend on the available software providers.
Of course, since you’re focused on finding the top online casinos with live blackjack, you’ll want to know what’s available as far as games, side bets, limits, and features. We’ve got lots of fun and helpful information that’ll help you make the most out of playing blackjack live online.
- How to Play Live Blackjack
- Best Live Dealer Blackjack Games Online
- Online Live Blackjack Side Bets and Variants
- Are Live Dealer Blackjack Games Rigged
- Counting Cards at Online Blackjack Live Dealer Games
- Live Dealer Blackjack vs. Alternatives
- Advantages and Disadvantages of Online Live Blackjack
- Play Online Blackjack Live Dealer Now
- Live Blackjack FAQ
How to Play Live Blackjack
You might be apprehensive about entering a live dealer blackjack area for the first time. It’s different from playing against the computer without anyone watching (at least not that you know of, anyway). To know what to expect when you start to play live dealer blackjack for the first time, you need to understand the basic strategy.
The interface is very similar to a computer-powered table. The main difference is the chat feature and the live dealer. With live blackjack, the dealer can interact with the player using the chat feature or their microphone. In general, blackjack is a pretty simple game to learn and play.
Create an Account
To get started, the first thing you will need to do is sign-up for an account, this process usually takes under 5 minutes.
In order to start playing you will need to visit the site’s banking section and make your first deposit. Choose the method that suits you best (credit card, cryptocurrency, etc.) and get started.
Join a Blackjack Game
Live dealer tables are in a separate area of the website labeled “live casino,” and you might not see that menu item unless you’re logged in as a registered player. Once you enter the live dealer lobby, the tabs are broken down by games. Usually, the main page is the blackjack area. You then just need to choose which variation you want to play and which dealer you want.
Play Blackjack
Ultimately, blackjack is a game of chance. The objective is to score as close to 21 as possible, without going over. Face cards are worth 10, it is up to the participant if an ace is worth 1 or 11, and the remaining cards are worth their face value.
To bet on the game, you will need to buy chips. To do this, you’ll first move funds from your casino betting account to the live casino.
Some live blackjack tables are unlimited seats or common draw games, so you can hit, fold, or make other decisions as soon as the cards hit the table. But, if you’re playing a limited-seat game, you’ll wait your turn, as if you were in a land-based casino.
Tips for Blackjack Players
There are a few extra pieces of information that are helpful to know when you start playing.
- Tipping blackjack dealers is part of the game, as it is in person. There’s a tip button usually at the top of the screen.
- It’s helpful to familiarize yourself with your game panel. You’ll find a help section, chat information, tip designation, and audio and video controls.
- Casino bonuses aren’t always valid in the live casino area. Be sure to review the terms and conditions. You might need to meet the rollover requirement first.
Best Live Dealer Blackjack Games Online
The leading live dealer casinos online all include at least a few options for live blackjack. There are lots of different variants to choose from.
There are multiple software providers including Visionary iGaming, Playtech, NetENT, Evolution Gaming, and more that allow for so much game variety. If you are trying to decide which games are best for you, continue reading.
Early Payout Blackjack
- Studio: Visionary iGaming (ViG)
- US Availability: Yes
- Recommended casino: Bovada
- House Edge: 0.5%
- Table Limits: $5 to $5,000
- Unique Feature: Buyout offer for every hand
Early Payout Blackjack from Visionary iGaming offers a nominal 0.5% house edge and $5-$5,000 table limits. If you want to play live dealer blackjack in the US, this is a good option.
Early Payout Blackjack is the hallmark table of its collection. No one likes requesting a hit and getting a card that sends the hand over the 21 mark. But when you play Early Payout Blackjack, it’s possible to avoid busted hands altogether.
That’s because after the cards hit the table, you get a buyout offer based on the strength of your hand – a bit like Deal or No Deal. You could take the offer and call it a day (or a game) or stay in and face-off against the dealer. Definitely one of the best bets if you want to play live casino blackjack.
You can try Early Payout Blackjack from El Royale Casino.
All Bets Blackjack
- Studio: Playtech
- US Availability: No
- Recommended casino: Sports Interaction
- House Edge: 0.54%
- Table Limits: 00 to 2,500.00
- Unique Feature: Five side bets
Playtech has a relatively new game streaming from its Latvia studio as All Bets Blackjack hit the live casino floor in 2020.
All Bets goes way beyond live blackjack perfect pairs for players who appreciate bonus action, as there are four other possibilities for a total of five options. These include perfect pairs, 21 + 3, top 3, lucky lucky, and buster blackjack.
All Bets Blackjack is played with eight decks, shuffled after every round. It has a 99.46% player payout percentage. But, depending on the bonus opportunities you back, that number changes accordingly.
A Top 3 side bet has a 9% house edge, which is the lowest. The 21 + 3 prediction comes in on the highest end at 3.7%.
What makes this particular live dealer blackjack game so appealing is the possibility of a 200:1 payout. To contend for that incredible prize, you’d need to back the Buster side bet and then get a blackjack while the dealer simultaneously busts with eight cards.
You can check out All Bets Blackjack on All British Casino.
Perfect Blackjack
- Studio: NetEnt
- US Availability: No
- Recommended casino: TonyBet
- House Edge: 0.5%
- Table Limits: 00 to 500.00
- Unique Feature: Auto-play based on an optimal strategy
How do you feel about sitting back and letting the dealer make your decisions?
That’s what happens when you play NetEnt’s Perfect Blackjack. It’s a fast-paced game where you can play up to three positions and take advantage of two side bets – Perfect Pairs and 21 + 3.
It’s an ideal game if you want to play live blackjack for real money but aren’t entirely comfortable with the rules. Or you could be an experienced player who wants to be more hands-off. This is especially handy if you’re playing mobile live blackjack.
The way it works is that you select one, two, or three seats. You also have two optional bonus bets. Then, you can preprogram your preference of Auto Split and Auto Double Downs.
That’s all you have to do. The dealer will take care of everything else.
Perfect Blackjack could provide you with some optimal strategy tips to carry with you to another table. But you’ll have to pay close attention as the game moves quickly. If you’re interested, check out Perfect Blackjack at Fun Casino.
Seven-Seat Blackjack
- Studio: Fresh Deck / Lucky Streak
- US Availability: Yes
- House Edge: 0.62%
- Table Limits: 00 to 10,000.00
- Unique Feature: Bet Behind
Fresh Deck is one of two names best associated with live online blackjack for US players. It’s an aggregator of live blackjack, baccarat, roulette, and Casino Hold‘em. This particular seven-seat blackjack table isn’t a common draw game like the others on the list.
The house edge on this particular Fresh Deck blackjack table is 0.62%, but the optional side bets swing the odds more in the casino’s favor.
Backing a successful 21 + 3 guess pays 9:1 and has a 2.74% advantage. On the other hand, the Perfect Pairs prediction is a longshot with its 25:1 payout and 13.03% casino edge.
Infinite Blackjack
- Studio: Evolution Gaming
- US Availability: No
- Recommended casino: North Casino
- House Edge: 0.53%
- Table Limits: 00 to 15,000.00
- Unique Feature: Six Card Charlie rule and four side bets
Unless you’re looking for live online blackjack in the United States, Evolution Gaming is a name you’ll want to know.
Evolution Gaming is one of the premier live casino providers with not only more but more unique live dealer games than you’ll find anywhere else. The only downside is that it casts Americans aside.
If you have access to an Evolution Gaming site, like Fun Casino, be sure to give it a try. It’s the best place to play blackjack live online, like Infinite Blackjack.
This table has four side bets and is one of the few live dealer casinos with a Six Card Charlie rule. The Six Card Charlie rule gets you an automatic win with enough cards in your hand. This is a unique feature that gives you the opportunity for more winnings.
The Infinite Blackjack side bets include any pair, 21+3, hot 3, and bust it. Hot 3 is one of the more unusual bonus opportunities. It combines the player’s first two cards with the dealer’s cards.
Triple sevens pay 100:1, which is on the high side for blackjack side bets. Other possibilities include a 2:1 prize if the three cards total 20, 4:1 for a three-card 21, and 20:1 for a suited three-card 21.
Comparing the Best Live Blackjack Online
We have put together a table to help you decide which live blackjack game is best for you. There is more detailed information about the games listed above, as well as five additional games you may want to check out.
Blackjack Game | Provider | Unique Feature | Seats or Bet Behind | Side Bets | House Edge | Play Now | Availability |
Early Payout | Visionary iGaming | Buyout offer for every hand | Unlimited | Pairs, Rummy | 0.5% | Play Now at Bovada | United States |
All Bets | Playtech | Five side bets | Unlimited | Perfect Pairs, 21 + 3, Top 3, Lucky Lucky, Buster | 0.54% | Play Now at Sports Interaction | Canada |
Perfect | NetEnt | Automated decisions based on optimal strategy | Three seats – common draw unlimited | Perfect Pairs, 21 + 3 | 0.5% | Play Now at TonyBet | Canada |
Seven-Seat Blackjack | Fresh Deck / Lucky Streak | Bet Behind | Seven seats and Bet Behind | Perfect Pairs, 21 + 3 | 0.62% | Play Now at SuperSlots | United States |
Infinite Blackjack | Evolution Gaming | Six Card Charlie Rule and four side bets | Unlimited | Any Pair, 21 + 3, Hot 3, Bust It | 0.53% | Play Now at North Casino | Canada |
Unlimited 21 Blackjack Auto Split | Ezugi | Automatic splits built into the game | One seat – common draw unlimited | Pairs, Perfect Pairs, 21 + 3 | 0.61% | NA | NA |
Blackjack | BetConstruct | Honey Bonus side bet | Seven seats | Perfect Pairs, Lucky 7, Honey Bonus | 0.43% | NA | NA |
Power Blackjack | Evolution Gaming | Double, Triple, or Quadruple Down | One seat – common draw unlimited | Any Pair, 21 + 3, Hot 3, Bust It | 1.2% | Play Now at North Casino | Canada |
Free Bet Blackjack | Evolution Gaming | Free Double Down and Split bets | One seat – common draw unlimited | Any Pair, 21 + 3, Hot 3, Bust It | 1.55% | Play Now at North Casino | Canada |
Blackjack (six-deck) | Pragmatic Play | “Fastest Blackjack” with Auto-Stand and “Deal Now” | Seven seats with behind behind | No | 0.46% | Play Now at TonyBet | Canada |
Online Live Blackjack Side Bets and Variants
Blackjack has become much more than a simple game of beating the dealer, preferably with an Ace and a face card. Like poker, there are quite a few different ways to play.
RNG blackjack games, the ones played against the computer, provide more options because of their technical capabilities. But there’s not just one way to play live blackjack online either.
European vs. American Blackjack
One of the handiest things to know when comparing one live blackjack table to another is the difference between European Blackjack and American Blackjack. That’s because blackjack variations typically take on the format of one or the other. Be aware that some sites may call these games something else.
American Blackjack can save you a bit of money throughout your session, as you get the benefit of the dealer’s hole card.
In American Blackjack, the dealer receives one card up and the other down but takes a peek at the hidden card whenever an Ace or ten-value card is exposed. If there’s a blackjack, the dealer turns it over, possibly saving you some cash on double-downs or splits.
The second dealer card doesn’t come until players act on a European Blackjack table. You could split or double down, not knowing that the dealer is about to reveal an automatic win.
Some live dealer casinos with blackjack offer both these variants, while others offer just one.
Common Side Bets at Live Casino Blackjack Sites
Part of gambling is its entertaining aspect. If live blackjack were limited to standard gameplay, whether European or American-style, it would get stale for some players.
The best way to add a little pizzazz to the game is through optional bonus bets.
Side bets require a more significant risk, though. But the rewards are much more exciting than standard 1:1 payouts for wins and 3:2 for blackjack.
You might be most familiar with live blackjack perfect pairs bets. But there are quite a few other optional blackjack bets that vary depending on the studio behind the live blackjack games online.
Are Live Dealer Blackjack Games Rigged?
One of the most common questions about gambling online is whether the games are rigged or how players know that they’re not being cheated when participating in virtual gambling.
It’s an obvious concern, considering players are risking money on a game that’s not right in front of them. There aren’t any floor supervisors and pit bosses that can answer questions on the spot.
Do live casinos with blackjack rig their games? Let’s take a look.
Regulation and Recommendation
For years, it has been important to monitor the comings and goings of online gambling. Operators come and go based on player feedback and regulatory programs, although things have changed considerably since the early days when anyone could launch an online casino with no oversight.
Whether you’re using live blackjack online casinos, sportsbooks, or other virtual gambling providers, the top gambling websites we recommend are licensed and regulated, which is significant.
For example, the best live dealer blackjack sites, like those we’ve listed toward the top of the page, have been reviewed, re-reviewed, and consistently monitored for fair and safe gaming and payouts.
We also combine our research and impressions with player feedback and other reviews to maintain accurate information.
Double-Regulation for Live Blackjack Casinos
The next thing you’ll want to know is that there’s actually a double-regulation system employed in most live blackjack sites. That’s because both the games and the casino are licensed individually.
This means that both the games and actual casinos are regulated separately so that each is held to a high standard. The main goals of the regulatory systems are to make sure that the games are fair and safe, and that the players get paid if they win.
Live Dealer Blackjack Streams
Aside from the regulation and recommendations, you can have even more confidence in live blackjack websites because the action happens right in front of you.
The best live casino providers have a multi-camera system with optimal camera detection technology. It captures everything from the dealer’s hands to the cards as they come out of the shuffle master.
As the streaming is live, you see everything happen in real-time. It’s as close as you can get to sitting at a table in a land-based casino.
Counting Cards at Online Blackjack Live Dealer Games
When you have a numbers-driven game like blackjack, you’re sure to have people who work to beat the casino through card counting.
Card counting is when a player tries to determine who has the advantage on the next hand. Card counters keep track of high and low values dealt with to try and figure out what will come next. The goal is to try to overcome the house edge.
Books have been written about it, and movies made, but card counting in blackjack is typically associated with land-based casinos.
Of course, with live dealer casino blackjack for cash stakes, some players are bound to give it a try. After all, you’re in the privacy of your home (or other location), and no one can see you.
So, can you count cards when you play real money live casino blackjack? The general consensus is yes, but it’s probably not going to get you anywhere.
First of all, you need to know that online casinos prohibit counting cards. It’s explicitly spelled out in the live casino terms and conditions. Here’s an example.
Cards are Live, But Bets are Tracked
If you’re wondering how a remotely managed online casino can tell if you’re counting cards, it’s actually quite easy for them.
Even though you’re playing live dealer blackjack, there’s a computerized component that allows you to bet on the cards you see on the table.
It keeps track of your betting and standard gameplay, and noticeable variations. This means that it can track if your bets seem like you are counting. The software would recognize it as a variation.
Live Blackjack Card Counting Challenges
Even if you could get away with counting cards with live blackjack mobile or online play, you’ve got a few additional challenges that you don’t have in land-based casinos.
- Many live dealer blackjack tables alternate and shuffle decks after every round
- Even if the dealer isn’t shuffling every time, there’s minimal deck penetration (typically no more than 50%)
Deck penetration is the number of cards that the dealer goes through before shuffling. When you’ve got six or eight decks in play, and those cards are shuffled frequently, counting cards is more effort than it’s worth.
You’re not going to come up with accurate numbers, and you’re risking losing the money you have in your betting account if you’re caught, so we suggest you stick to basic strategy for blackjack instead.
Live Dealer Blackjack vs. Alternatives
We’ve covered the two primary blackjack variations, European and American, and discussed live dealer blackjack at length.
But there are other ways to play blackjack. Real money blackjack games and side bets fall into one of three categories.
- Live dealer blackjack: a person deals the cards, and you’re betting and playing the cards in real-time with other remote players.
- Animated (RNG) blackjack: a virtual game. It’s RNG (random number generated), so the computer is shuffling and dealing the cards.
- Land-based blackjack: this game includes a live dealer and players at the table. It is a cash-based option and the most social, as you are seated with other people.
Comparing Different Ways to Play
You might be curious about how these three gambling vehicles stack up against each other when making your decision about which version of blackjack you should play.
It might be helpful for you to know what bets are available, how many hands per hour there are, and more when you are making your choice. Each different vehicle for playing has its pros and cons. We’ve put together a comparison to help you.
Live Dealer | Animated (RNG) | Land-Based | |
Format | Five to Seven Seats, Common Draw, Bet Behind | Heads-up or Multi-hand | Five to Seven Seats |
Shuffling | Manual or Shuffle Master | Computerized (RNG) | Manual or Shuffle Master |
Bet Behind | Available | No | No |
Side bets | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Average hands per hour | 60 | 750 | 60 |
Bonus / free bet opportunities | Rare | Yes, with a rollover | Yes |
Advantages and Disadvantages of Online Live Blackjack
Just like any live dealer game, there are pros and cons to playing blackjack. You may prefer playing the game in another format such as animated or land-based. Hopefully, having the advantages and disadvantages laid out for you will help you with making a decision.
Advantages | Disadvantages |
|
|
Play Online Blackjack Live Dealer Now
Real money blackjack is the most played table game at gambling sites, and live dealer blackjack takes the game to a new level. You get the best of both worlds when you visit live blackjack online casinos with real dealers, chat with other players, and have gameplay that’s nearly identical to brick-and-mortar venues.
You have read about some of the unique options for live blackjack. You have also learned about a wide range of side bets and rules, card counting, and why live blackjack online is fair and safe to play.
The list of recommended live dealer casino blackjack sites showcases the best you’ll find. The providers have been vetted and are continuously revisited and monitored for accuracy.
So, pick one of these top online casinos with live blackjack, get your virtual chips in play, chat with other players, and take advantage of playing at home or on the go.