Not every blackjack game pays out the same. At a basic level, when you win a blackjack round, you receive your original stake x2. That’s a 1:1 payout rate. However, many online blackjack games pay a 3:2 ratio, significantly affecting your long-term winning chances.
Last Updated on by Herbert Hanson
Best Live Dealer Blackjack Guide in 2023

5 min read
Immerse yourself in Live Dealer Blackjack Online casinos – your ticket to real-time, thrilling casino gameplay right from your home.
Here, we redefine online gaming by replacing random algorithms with human dealers.
Get insights, master strategies, and transform your gaming experience.
Ready to hit ’21’ with an edge? Your journey to becoming a blackjack champion begins on this page.
Top 7 Live Dealer Blackjack Casinos
We recommend one of the following seven online casinos for the best live blackjack online experience:
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Online Blackjack Live Dealer Explained
Blackjack players always complained about online casinos, claiming they disrupt the strategic and social element of the card game. Due to its popularity, it wasn’t long until casino software providers came up with a solution, live dealer blackjack.
This new way to play blackjack for real money online recreated the real blackjack experience through live video streams and cutting-edge graphics. The rules and gameplay remained, mainly, unchanged, but online live dealer blackjack combined the benefits of classic and online blackjack without any of the limitations.
Now, players could take a virtual seat alongside other players and watch as the dealer directed the action. The whole set (blackjack table, croupier, cards, etc.) is streamed in real time from casinos or studios, mimicking the gambling experience missing from online casinos.
Learn how to play below, but don’t stress too much; the bets, rounds, and payouts take place similarly to video blackjack in a more realistic format.
Live Blackjack Rules
Online and live dealer blackjack follow the same set of rules as the blackjack played at brick-and-mortar casinos, although these two game formats have enabled several variations. Still, we will cover the rules of the classic 21 game, employed at most live blackjack casinos.
- At the start of each round, players receive two cards face up. The dealer gets one face-down and one face-up card at this stage.
- Cards 2 – 10 carry their face value, while aces count as 1 or 11 and face cards as 10.
- The total of the cards during each round is the cards’ value. Whoever, dealer or players, comes closer to 21 without busting wins. Getting 21 from the first two cards is called a natural and pays out automatically.
The above actions do not require any action by you; the live dealer will automatically perform them at the start of each round. However, you won’t receive cards in that round unless you place a bet.
Blackjack Player Rules
After the blackjack deal, players can take specific actions, with additional options in advanced blackjack games.
- Stand – you indicate that you don’t want to get more than the initial two cards.
- Hit – the dealer will hand out another card; this action can be performed as many consecutive times as you like, or until you reach 21 or go bust.
- Split – when the dealer hands out two identical cards (i.e., two 8’s), there is the option to split your hand into two. This action doubles your bet, and you will receive cards on both hands from scratch.
- Double – this action doubles your original bet. When performed, you will only receive one more card from the dealer.
- Surrender – some blackjack variants support the surrender move, where players can give up and get back half of their bet.
Understanding the above can help you play at a live blackjack casino without disrupting the flow or being unsure of what is required of you. However, you should ace these before you take a seat since the action takes place at a fast pace at live dealer blackjack tables.
Blackjack Dealer Rules
Understanding the rules dealers must follow in live blackjack is essential, since you can use them to inform your own blackjack strategy.
Firstly, the dealer turns his face-down card up after all players get their two cards and stand, get 21, or go bust. Unless they automatically win all players or their total is 16 or below, they are compelled to take more cards. They must continue until they reach 17, where they must stand.
Getting 17 with an ace counting as 11 is called soft 17. For example, getting Ace-2-4 cards. Depending on the casino and the players’ hands, the dealer might be forced to stand when getting a soft 17.
Due to this rule where the dealer is not free to take any decision in live blackjack, players can strategize to win more often than not.
How to Play Live Blackjack Online
Unlike instant play games like slots, live blackjack requires a lot of decision-making and acting in each round. Understanding the above rules is crucial as practicing. However, online casinos do not provide a demo for their live casino games, like blackjack, due to the cost involved in their operations. From playing to getting the hang of the deal, here is how to get started:
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Select one of the live blackjack casinos listed on this page. If you are unsure, you can read about the best live dealer blackjack sites here.
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Sign-up by providing the requested information like a username, login details, full name, etc.
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Since most online casinos don’t provide live blackjack bonuses for new players, you must add funds to your account. A selection of banking options will be provided, with flexible limits.
The 3rd step is essential to play live dealer blackjack online real money. However, you can initially skip this and instead visit the live blackjack lobby to have a look. Due to the action occurring live, you can see how each round unfolds and the players’ moves. When you feel comfortable, you can buy some chips, place your bets, and start playing as described above. We also recommend reading about blackjack etiquette before you sit at the table.
Strategy to Win at Blackjack Live Dealer
Live blackjack is a strategic gaming option in itself since it comes with the lowest house edge among all online casinos. Usually, this is less than 1%. For reference, live roulette has an average 4% house edge, which can be as high as 10% for online slots.
Aside from this, you can use a few other strategies to further increase your blackjack winning chances and proficiency in professional gambling:
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Look at the payouts
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Consider jackpots and side bets
Although the standard live blackjack is excellent, to begin with, there are games with the same house edge but additional winning options. For instance, a random jackpot might be handed out to any active live casino player without any financial commitment. On the other hand, side bets or blackjack games that allow for surrender provide additional chances to win significant amounts in blackjack.
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Learn the odds of each blackjack hand
Depending on your blackjack hand and the dealer’s hand, you can use a blackjack strategy chart to calculate the odds of winning and the optimal action to take. This handy guide was devised by Roger Baldwin and is based on statistics. Using mathematics to your advantage is legal when playing live dealer blackjack from home.
The above live dealer blackjack strategies can help you start on the right foot. You should also remember to play at safe online casinos, not overspend, and stick to your limits and goals.
Lastly, don’t fall for card counting strategies and other ‘100% winning’ tips for blackjack that do not work at an online live casino.
Online Live Blackjack FAQs:
Can you play live blackjack online for money?
Yes, there are several online casinos with live blackjack games. These are powered by live software casino providers like Vivo Gaming, streaming the games live from a studio or real casino. As long as you have an available balance, you can visit the live casino lobby, take a seat, and start playing blackjack with a live dealer. From there, you can win real money at each round based on your bet and performance.
Where can I play blackjack with a live dealer?
There are many top USA live blackjack casinos to play. BetOnline, Slots.LV, Wild Casino, and Café Casino are just a few examples, powered by Visionary iGaming and bringing the real blackjack action to your home. You can instantly join these operators, sign-up, and claim a welcome bonus from this page. Anyone over 18 years old, based in the USA, is accepted.
Can live blackjack dealers see you?
No, since live blackjack is powered by a single video stream and broadcasted to the casino server. Players do not need to activate their cameras to play, which wouldn’t make a difference anyway. Still, this format lets you see the dealer and how much other players win during each round.
Is live or video blackjack better?
There is no correct answer as to which of the two blackjack games is better overall, but there is in terms of winning odds. Live blackjack is better, paying out at a 3:2 rate, while most video blackjack games pay 1:1.

Herbert Hanson
Author