Eve Luneborg
Blackjack is one of the most popular card games in the world, especially in casinos. Online, you can get an authentic live blackjack experience by streaming a real dealer to your screen. There are multiple versions available, and most live casinos offer hundreds of blackjack tables.
In this article, we’ll explain how live blackjack works, cover important rules and strategies, and introduce you to some of the top blackjack games and the software providers who create them. We’ll also give you our best tips to help you play smarter and win while playing live blackjack online.
Live casino blackjack is the classic card game played in real time with a live dealer. Instead of playing against a computer or random number generator (RNG) software, you watch a video stream where a live host deals physical cards on a real blackjack table. The set-up is exactly as in a land-based casino, except there is a camera on the players’ side of the table.
Typically, the game follows the same rules as regular blackjack, where your goal is to get a hand total that’s higher than the dealer’s, without going over 21. However, there are many versions of live blackjack available at Irish live casinos, so make sure you check the rules of the specific table before joining.
You place your bets on a virtual table, and then the dealer deals the cards and manages the game. It all works exactly as in a real casino. Depending on the game studios and game providers, you might also see a person come in and shuffle the cards by hand. Other studios use automatic shuffle machines — just like at brick-and-mortar casinos.
Interactions with the dealer and other players can be done using the in-game chat. Most often, you’ll also see history and statistics of previous game rounds on your screen, which can be handy if you’re using specific strategies.
The goal in blackjack is to get a higher-valued hand than the dealer, without going over 21. If your hand exceeds 21, you’ve busted and lost that round.
In blackjack, numbered cards (2 to 10) are worth their face value, while face cards — jack, queen, and king — are valued at 10. The ace can count as either 1 or 11, depending on what’s best for the overall hand total. For example, an ace and a 7 give a hand worth either 8 or 18.
Each player starts with two cards face up. The dealer gets one face-up and one face-down card. Based on your cards and the dealer’s up-card, you decide how to play your hand.
After you finish, the dealer reveals the face-down card (hole card). Based on the two cards, the dealer must hit until they have at least 17. If the dealer busts, all remaining players win.
If your hand is closer to 21 than the dealer’s, you win and get a 1:1 payout. A hand of 21 on the first two cards (an ace and a 10-value card) is called natural blackjack and usually pays 3:2. If your hand ties with the dealer, it’s a push, and you get your bet back.
Standard blackjack is American Blackjack, and if you see games marked only ‘blackjack’, it means this is the game, or at least the game the rules are based on. In a live casino, there can be hundreds of available blackjack tables, and most of them will offer this standard game. But there are also some special versions of the game, offering a different kind of blackjack experience. These games are often modern adaptations of blackjack and can offer bonuses or multiplied payouts. Here, we’ll have a look at five of the most popular blackjack games you’ll find in a live casino.
Lightning Blackjack is a live blackjack game developed by Evolution that adds an exciting twist to the traditional card game. This game uses six decks and follows standard blackjack rules, which also means the dealer must hit on soft 17. The house edge sits around 0.28% if you play a “perfect” game.
What makes Lightning Blackjack unique is the Lightning feature. Each game round, this feature will randomly assign multipliers between 2x and 25x to certain cards. If you win the round and have any of these cards, the multiplier is applied to your payout. This can give you much bigger wins than any regular blackjack game.
In Lightning Blackjack, the betting range is suitable for low to high stakes, so that all player segments can join. However, the game will appear to be more volatile than standard blackjack, due to a ‘Lightning fee’, which is equal to 100% of your bet. This must be paid in order to qualify for the Lightning feature after a win.
Gravity Blackjack is a live blackjack game from Iconic21, formerly BeterLive.This game uses six decks and follows standard blackjack rules, including the rule where the dealer hits on soft 17. The house edge is about 0.5%, which is typical for standard blackjack games.
What makes this game different from most other blackjack games is that an unlimited number of players get to play at the same table. There are also multipliers, up to 3,000x, that can be applied to your payouts, and if you want a different kind of game, you can also place side bets. All of this in a futuristic-looking game studio featuring professional dealers.
With the simple gameplay in Gravity Blackjack, this game is suitable for most players, but perhaps especially new ones. It’s also good for those looking for extra thrills, beyond the standard blackjack wins. The multiplier is sure to keep you on the edge of your seat.
Super Stake Blackjack by Evolution is a live blackjack game where you have the option to participate in the side bet called the Super Stake. This side bet lets you bet on pairs, and specific pair combinations offer higher payouts.
Other than this extra side bet, the game is quite standard. It uses six decks and sticks to the regular blackjack rules, where the dealer hits on soft 17. The base house edge is around 0.28% but if you use the Super Stake side bet, it increases.
With the side bet, you can take additional risks for the chance of getting bigger rewards. Successful side bets can significantly boost your winnings. As such, this game is great for players who prefer standard blackjack, but with the option for extra side bets to keep things interesting.
Super Boost Blackjack VIP is a live blackjack game developed by Stakelogic. It’s designed for high rollers and players who want a VIP experience at the table. The game uses six decks and applies standard blackjack rules, with the dealer standing on all 17s. The house edge is roughly 0.3%, but the use of side bets will make this fluctuate a bit.
In this blackjack version, you’ll find special side bets that increase the chance of boosted payouts. The “Super Boost” feature can trigger larger wins if you place additional bets on specific hand outcomes.
The Super Boost Blackjack VIP game mixes classic blackjack with extra betting options, and combined with a VIP setting, it gives off an exclusive feel that all high-stakes players will enjoy.
Live Blackjack Max by Skywind is a live blackjack game that focuses on simplicity and speed. There are six decks in use, and the game follows standard blackjack rules. The dealer must hit on soft 17. In Live Blackjack Max, the house edge is around 0.5%, which is standard for most blackjack games. However, this requires perfect strategic play.
When playing Live Blackjack Max, you get a game that’s almost as simple as it can be. It’s purely a standard game and does not feature any bonuses, multipliers, or side bets. In other words, what you can win is based on a regular payout table for American Blackjack.
If you prefer traditional blackjack gams where you rely more on skills and strategies and less on random luck, then Live Blackjack Max might be a good table option for you.
More or less all software providers for live casinos create blackjack games. Some offer only the standard versions, while others have been working on innovative variants to attract new players. Here, we’ll have a look at some of the biggest live dealer studios that deliver live blackjack to Irish live casinos.
Evolution is the market leader in the live casino game vertical, and they’re known for their high-quality live dealer games. You can expect immersive live blackjack experiences with professional dealers and hundreds of available blackjack tables. They use multiple camera angles, and you can rely on a smooth stream.
Blackjack games by Evolution often include innovative features like side bets and multipliers. They also offer plenty of tables with standard blackjack, so they have options for both traditional players and those looking for a more modern gambling experience. You’ll find Evolution’s blackjack tables at almost all Irish online casinos.
Some notable Evolution live blackjack games include:
Pragmatic Play is continuously gaining market share within the live casino vertical. Their game portfolio, including many live blackjack games, focuses on solid gameplay and user-friendly interfaces. All their dealers are professionals who stream live from Pragmatic’s studios.
Most blackjack games feature standard rules, but some also offer side bets og a bet behind option. This makes the games suitable for all kinds of blackjack players. Smooth streaming and responsive gameplay are at the core of Pragmatic Play’s strategy, and you can play just as comfortably on any device. You can find blackjack by Pragmatic Play at the majority of Irish live casinos.
Here are some of Pragmatic Play’s most popular blackjack games:
Playtech is one of the oldest and most established software providers in the online casino industry. They offer multiple blackjack variants with different table limits and side bets, so it’s suitable for all player segments.
Their live dealer studios feature professional dealers and tend to always have stable connections. Playtech’s games also often include user-friendly features, like statistics and bet history. This is great for players relying on information instead of gut feeling. You’ll often find Playtech blackjack games at Irish live casinos, but not at all of them.
Some notable Playtech live blackjack games:
With so many versions of blackjack, it’s almost easy to forget about the classic ones. Here, we’ll have a quick look at three of the blackjack games that have been around the longest.
American Blackjack, also known as Classic Blackjack, is considered to be the standard version og blackjack and uses between six and eight decks. The key feature of this version is that the dealer receives both cards at the start — one face up, one face down (the hole card). If the dealer’s upcard is an ace or a 10-value card, they will check for blackjack immediately. If they have blackjack, the round ends, and players lose unless they also have blackjack.
Players can double down on any two cards and may also double after splitting. Resplitting is often allowed, including resplitting aces in some games. Blackjack pays 3:2, and the dealer typically stands on soft 17, although some tables require the dealer to hit. The house edge varies between 0.5% and 0.6% depending on the exact rules.
European Blackjack is a widely played variation of the classic card game, and typically, two decks are used in this game. One of the main rule differences is that the dealer only receives one card at the start of the hand. The second card is dealt after all players have completed their actions. This means players can bust before knowing if the dealer has blackjack, which is a benefit for the house.
Players can double down only on hands totalling 9, 10, or 11, and after splitting, double downs are not always allowed. A blackjack pays 3:2, and the dealer must stand on soft 17. Splitting is allowed once, but splitting aces results in only one more card per hand being dealt. The game offers a house edge of around 0.39% when played with basic strategy.
Spanish 21 is a blackjack variation played with six or eight decks, but all 10s are removed, leaving only 48 cards per deck. This increases the house edge, but the game includes several player-friendly rules to compensate.
Players can double on any number of cards, double after splitting, and even surrender after doubling (known as double down rescue). Unlike in standard versions, a player’s blackjack always beats a dealer’s blackjack. There are also bonus payouts for specific hand combinations, such as a 5-card 21, 6-7-8, or 7-7-7.
Blackjack pays 3:2, and the dealer typically hits on soft 17. The removal of 10s raises the house edge, but the extra options and bonuses can reduce it back to around 0.4% with optimal play.
Getting started playing blackjack at a live casino might be easier than you think. In fact, there are just a few steps you need to complete. Here, we’ll take you through all of them, and also explain how to play and withdraw your winnings. For this example, we’ve used one of the top blackjack live casinos — Wild Robin.
To get started, you need to pick a casino to play at. There are multiple options, but the one we recommend is Wild Robin. They have a great selection of live blackjack games, you can use their bonuses to play live dealer games, and their services are also good. If you’d like to try them, click the link here on our site, and we’ll take you straight through to their home page.
At Wild Robin, or your chosen casino site, click the ‘register’ or ‘sign up’ button, usually located in the upper right corner. This opens the registration form, which you need to fill out with your personal details and contact information. You’ll also need to create a password for logging in on the site.
Once logged in to your new account, you need to fund it by making a deposit. Go to the cashier and select a payment method, and enter the amount you wish to deposit. Then, you’ll get on-screen instructions explaining how to complete the payment for your specific payment method. All deposits will be credited to your account immediately or within minutes.
Once your account is funded, you can go to the live casino to pick a game. Pay attention to the specific blackjack rules the game uses and the table limits. Once you’ve found a game you like, click it, and it will immediately load and open directly in your browser, no matter if you’re on desktop or mobile.
Before you start betting, make sure you check out the game rules so you know which specific rules apply. It’s also recommended that you have a look at the payouts, so you know they are standard. Then, when you’re ready to bet, take a virtual seat and wait for the betting round. Then, continue playing for as long as you’d like.
After having played for a while, you’ve hopefully won. At this stage, you might want to consider withdrawing some funds. Go to the cashier, select withdrawal, pick your payment method, and enter the amount you wish to withdraw. Then, confirm the cashout and wait for the casino to process it. For your first withdrawal, the casino will ask you to verify your account, so when prompted, upload ID, proof of address and other requested documents to your account profile.
Blackjack is not considered just a game of chance, as strategy and skill play a major role in the recipe for success. However, some luck will be required as well, at least in the short term. Here, we’ll give you a brief overview of strategies and tips that can help you succeed when you aim to beat the dealer.
Basic blackjack strategy tells you which move is the mathematically optimal one, in any situation. By looking at your cards and the dealer’s up-card, you can play a perfect game that always gives you the best possible chance to win. The strategy tells you when to hit, stand, double down, or split. For example, the basic blackjack strategy will tell you to stand on a hard 17 or higher and hit on 11 or less. You should be splitting pairs like aces or eights, while you avoid splitting tens or fives. Consistently following this basic strategy will improve your long-term results by keeping the house edge at a minimum.
A progressive betting strategy means adjusting your bet up or down depending on previous results. Martingale is perhaps the most common strategy, and it dictates that you double your bet after every loss, so you can recover it all the next time you win. Another betting strategy is the Paroli, where you aim to maximise hot streaks instead of mitigating losses. These strategies and others can help you manage risk, but they don’t change the house edge or likelihood of winning a specific game round. They are meant as long-term strategies, but require a substantial bankroll to make it through losing streaks.
Not all casino bonuses can be used to play blackjack, and even fewer of them can be used to play live dealer blackjack. But there are some that allow bonus funds to be used for these games, and when you get such offers, it’s worth considering taking part in them. By claiming a bonus, you can boost your bankroll and prolong the playing time. Just make sure that you check what the maximum bet with bonus funds is, and how blackjack wagers contribute to the playthrough requirement.
Bankroll management means having a fixed budget, both on a per-game round basis and on a session basis. You should set a budget before you start playing, and then you must stick to it. Never chase losses by increasing bets when that’s not part of your overall blackjack strategy. Also, decide on limits for wins and losses, and walk away when you hit them. As for how much to bet per game round, the standard advice is 5%, but keep in mind that you have to start much lower if you’re planning on implementing a progressive strategy.
Not all blackjack games are the same, and not all of them offer the same payouts for all combinations and wins. Therefore, make sure that you play on tables where they pay 3:2 for blackjack instead of 6:5. It’s also beneficial that the dealer stands on soft 17. You also need to consider the number of decks used, because fewer decks usually mean better odds. Another thing to be aware of is that even though side bets add an extra thrill to the game, they are usually bad bets, having a higher house edge than the base game.
Responsible gambling is essential when playing live blackjack or any casino game. A big part of it is setting limits on how much time and money you spend, and sticking to them. Another part is that you gamble because you want to and find it entertaining, not because you feel you need to or to make money.
To ensure you gamble within healthy boundaries, decide on a budget you can afford to lose without it affecting your daily life. Avoid chasing losses by increasing bets to try to win back money. It’s also important to take regular breaks during your gaming sessions to keep a clear head.
If you feel that gambling is becoming a problem or affecting your well-being, you should immediately seek help. Also, use tools available at reputable and safe online casinos, such as deposit limits, self-exclusion, and reality checks.
Organisations like Gambling Care provide free support and advice to Irish players who struggle with gambling addiction.
Blackjack is one of the most commonly found games in live casinos, and there are many options you can choose from. You can, of course, play the standard traditional versions, but it can also be interesting to try some of the new and modern games where you get to play blackjack with a twist. Multipliers, side bets and other bonus features are great for players looking for some extra thrill.
When playing, you need to keep in mind that blackjack is not just about luck, as skills and knowledge are important aspects if you want to win long-term. Use the basic strategy combined with a progressive betting strategy to increase your long-term winning chances. Also, make sure that you pick the right table for you, as there often are different tables for casual players and high rollers.
Eve Luneborg – Live Casino Specialist at LiveCasino.ie
Eve Luneborg has been part of the online casino industry since 2014, when she moved to the sunny shores of Malta to pursue her passion for gaming.
