Live Blackjack
That’s because there are a host of games for you to play, with slots and roulette just two options that understandably attract a wide audience. However, for many, blackjack is the go-to game for them and you can understand why, as it is a casino classic.
Of course, with the way technology has developed and improved over the years, playing this game has never been easier. There’s no need to visit a casino, you can simply load it up at the click of a few buttons and everything will be on your screen, whether you are playing on your mobile on the move or sat with a tablet on the sofa.
That simplicity has enabled the games to reach out to so many people and there’s no denying that playing blackjack in this way is a great way to pass time and it will keep you entertained – if you are lucky then you may also land some wins!
There is a way to make that experience even better – by playing live blackjack.
Here we will outline exactly what that entails, why you should try it and the ways you can benefit, along with some tips on how to react to certain situations.
So that means the rules are still the same. You will still be trying to hit the magic 21 number and you will still be coming up against the dealer and it will be down to you to make the decisions to beat them. Do you split initially? Should you stand on 16? Live blackjack is such a popular game because of the way it tests and challenges you to make quick calls to try and win each hand and that aspect of the game will never disappear.
For those of you that don’t know, we will give a quick rundown of how the game is played – and thankfully it’s pretty simple to follow.
The full deck will be used for this and picture cards – Jacks, Queens, Kings – have a value of 10, whilst Aces are worth either 1 or 1 . Your task is simple: you have to get closer to 21 than the dealer, although if you go over you will be bust.
You will be handed two cards initially, as well as the dealer, but they will only have one upcard that you can see. From there, you decide to hit, which is to ask for another card, or stick. Again, the aim is to get 21 or closer to it than the dealer. When you are happy with your cards, providing you’re not bust, the dealer will turn their cards over and the closest wins. The payout will be 1:1, although getting blackjack from the first two cards will pay 3:2 in most places.
Ultimately, the point is that the game doesn’t change when you play online blackjack live dealer. The rules remain the same and you can get the same buzz.
Terms
Whilst that’s an overview of the game, which is fairly simple to grasp, there are other aspects of blackjack that novices may not initially understand. And not knowing terminology or the meaning of certain things can be a big hindrance, particularly when you are playing for real money.
We have decided to help and we will offer a brief explanation of the different key terms you will come across and what they mean.
Blackjack – This is when you hit 21 with your first two cards, so they consist of an ace and a ten-value card.
Bust – When you go over 21 and therefore lose the round.
Bust Card – This will be the specific card that takes you over 21.
Dealer – The casino employee that will shuffle the cards and who you will be up against.
Deck – The 52 cards that the dealer will be using for the game.
Doubling Down – Once you have received the first two cards, players have the option to make a secondary wager up to the original bet amount and receive only one additional draw card, so it’s something that should only be done when you feel one card will be decisive.
Hole Card – One of the two cards in the dealer’s hand that is dealt face down.
House Edge – The percentage of the money wagered by a player that the casino will expect to win in the long run from each player. It’s 0.5% in blackjack.
Insurance – A side bet that you can make if you feel the dealer has blackjack. Players may make the insurance bet, which can be half of your initial stake when the dealer’s upcard is an ace. If the dealer has blackjack, the insurance bet is paid at 2:1.
Push – There will be occasions when you and the dealer end up with the same result, such as both having 18. In the case of a tie, it is known as a push and you will get your stake back
Splitting – This only occurs when you have a pair of the same value card from your initial hand. If that happens, you will be given the chance to split, which forms two bets. You will have to put the same stake on the new bet as well.
Upcard – The card in the dealer’s initial two-card hand that is dealt face up.
There are other terms out there that may help you but this should cover more than just the basics and if you understand what they mean it will help you when it comes to playing live blackjack.
Advantages Of Live Blackjack
Playing with a live dealer should give you a better experience as you are able to interact with a real person. So, instead of looking at a small screen that shows a standard green table, you will see the person you are coming up against and it makes everything much more realistic.
Obviously, the dealer isn’t a random man or woman who doesn’t know the game, because, like in land-based casinos, they will dress smartly, they will know the rules and you will be able to see all the actions they perform during the game. This gives the player a good insight into everything that goes on in the game and the professional manner in which the dealer conducts themselves will improve your experience at the table.
Essentially, you can combine the positives of going out to a casino with the practicalities of playing on your own device – it really is the best of both worlds.
In some cases, you can interact with the dealer in between hands via the live chat function. For some, that might not be what you want to do; however, if you want to strike up a general conversation it can be a way to pass time, whilst they can also help those of you who may be struggling to understand certain aspects of the game. It should be noted that all of the streaming provided by these casinos is of high quality, so it will run smoothly.
In terms of live blackjack disadvantages, there aren’t really many we can think of. The speed of the game may not be as quick as you want if you are on a busy table and some will argue that it can’t fully replicate being at a physical casino, but they are minor issues and, on the whole, it’s clearly an upgrade over the regular blackjack games you will play on your phone.
That’s partly what makes live blackjack, in particular, so appealing. Yes, on occasions the dealer may land a six to win from 15 in his initial hand, but that can happen – it doesn’t mean the game is against you. That’s the sort of unpredictability and excitement that makes blackjack such an intriguing and fun game for all involved. In addition, all reputable casinos are independently checked to ensure that their games are completely random.
House Edge
It should be noted that the house edge is 0.5% in blackjack which means it’s statistically one of the best games for you to play in terms of seeking a return from what you put in.
The house edge describes the mathematical advantage the gambling game has over the player, which is why they generally make money over an extended period of time. For roulette, the house edge is 5.26% whilst it varies from between 5-10% for those of you who are playing on the slots.
Therefore, blackjack compares extremely favourably and whilst there will always be a hand that frustrates or annoys you, live blackjack can offer good returns and the live element of the game should be even more reassuring when it comes to knowing it’s fair and secure.
Live Blackjack Offers
If the thought of the tension, excitement and thrill that blackjack provides hasn’t tempted you to try the game with a live dealer, then maybe this will.