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Live dealer blackjack recreates the thrill of playing this classic card game in a casino from the comfort of your home or mobile. Check out the best live blackjack variants to play at our recommended live dealer casinos and hone your blackjack skills with our top tips!
Live casino blackjack gives you the chance to experience a real blackjack game as you would in an actual casino, but online. During a live blackjack game, you’ll see a real game table, real deck of cards, and a human dealer. All of this is made possible via a webcam which is streamed directly onto your desktop or mobile device.
You can chat to the dealer and other players during gameplay, making it a very sociable online gambling experience.
Live dealer blackjack brings this universally loved game to life online. In live blackjack, you play against a human dealer rather than a computer, which gives it a much more authentic feel.
You watch the action unfold through a high-resolution stream, and you can even chat and banter with the dealer during gameplay, which adds more fun and personality to the game. Playing live blackjack is also much more convenient than having to go to a brick-and-mortar casino, as you can play from the comfort of your couch or on your mobile when you’re on the go.
The aim of live blackjack is the same as regular blackjack. This is to get a higher hand than the dealer without going over 21, otherwise you bust and lose. All numbered cards are worth their value, while all face cards are worth 10 points. Aces can be valued as one or 11. The dealer handles all the dealing of the cards and typically uses eight standard 52 card decks.
Once the hand is complete, the cards are totalled. The best hand in blackjack is aptly named “blackjack” and includes an ace and any card worth 10. This beats all other hands, unless the dealer happens to also get blackjack, in which case you tie.
Standard betting options include “Hit” to receive more cards and increase your hand’s value, and “Stand” to stick with the hand you have. Here are some other key blackjack terms to be aware of:
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| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Bet behind | Bet on another player’s hand instead of your own. |
| Surrender | Recoup 50% of your bet if your hand does not look likely to win. |
| Double limitations | Double allows you to increase your bet by 100% if your cards are good. Some casinos will limit under which conditions you can double. |
| Split | Split allows you to split a pair of cards of the same value into two separate hands. You should always do this on a hand with a pair of aces. |
| 10-card Charlie | The rarest blackjack hand, where you hit on low-value cards until you have 10 cards with a winning value of 21. |
| Blackjack payouts | Payouts are the amount you can win if your hand wins. Different bets have different payout ratios. |
| Side bets | A side bet are additional bets you can make in a game other than the standard hit or stand. Examples include splitting pairs and doubles. |
| Insurance | Insurance gives you a payout even if the dealer has blackjack. However, it requires an additional wager and increases the house edge. |
One of the advantages of playing online live blackjack is that you can enjoy some exclusive game variants that you won’t find in brick-and-mortar casinos. These versions do not change the basic rules of blackjack, but they add some extra features to spice up the game. Here are some exciting live blackjack variants to try:
This thrilling live blackjack variant by Evolution allows infinite numbers of players and the opportunity to double, triple, or quadruple on any two initial cards, even after a split. Power blackjack is played with 64 cards less in the shoe, giving you the chance to test out new strategies. The game also comes with four optional side bets: any pair, 21+3, Hot 3, and bust it.
Free bet blackjack is very like classic blackjack, but with a few unique elements. For instance, players get a “free double down” bet on two cards with a hard total of nine, 10, or 11. There are also “free split” bets on all pairs except 10s and face cards. The game includes optional side bets such as perfect pair and 21+3, as well as the bet
behind rule.
VIP blackjack is very similar to the traditional version of the game, but with one big difference: the stakes are much higher. Players can bet up to $5,000 per hand, making this the perfect choice for high rollers. Befitting the name, you’ll be treated like a VIP at these tables, with the very best dealers on hand and minimal queues for
a seat.
If you’re looking to have some fun, Evolution’s blackjack party is the way to go. This low-stakes, free-for-all game features music and lively banter between the two dealers. There are seven seats at the table, but players waiting to join can still partake in on the action and bet behind the best players. Seated players can also bet behind any other seats at the table.
This exciting variant follows the standard rules of blackjack, but also includes the perfect pairs side bet. If your hand features a perfect pair (two identical cards of the same suit), you’ll bag the biggest prize. You’ll also be awarded if your hand features a standard pair. This side bet addition makes perfect pairs one of the most popular blackjack variants.
Bet behind follows the same rules as standard blackjack. What makes this game unique is that players who don’t have a seat at the table are still able to place bets on other players’ hands. This makes it a great option for beginner players in particular, as you can observe other players’ gameplay and pick up strategies without having to risk huge amounts.
There are many strategies you can employ when playing blackjack to try and increase your chances of winning. Our following top tips will have you playing like a pro in no time:
Live dealer blackjack is one of the best games to play if you want to maximize your winning potential. That’s because it has one of the lowest house edges of any casino game.
The house edge is a percentage that shows how much of an advantage the casino has over the player for a game. In most variants, the house edge on blackjack is around 0.5%, which is significantly lower than in other games. For example, the house edge on roulette can range from 2% to 7%, while for slots the average house edge is 4%.
As for the RTP, this shows how much a casino game pays back to players on average for every unit spent. If the unit is $1 and you bet $100 on a game with a 98% RTP, the average payout is $98 for every $100 spent. That’s why choosing a game with a high RTP is better, although be aware that even then there are no guarantees, as this average is taken across hundreds of thousands of rounds.
Online casinos compete to attract and keep players by offering generous casino bonuses and promotions. You can use these rewards to increase your bankroll or boost your chances of winning. Here are some of the most common casino bonuses you can expect at the top online casinos in Canada:
Before you opt in any bonus, make sure you read the fine print carefully. You need to know the wagering requirements, game restrictions, and game contributions. These details will affect how much you can win and withdraw from your bonus.
You should also check which games are eligible for the bonus, as some promotions do not allow you to play live games to contribute to wagering requirements.
You will need to deposit to play live casino games like blackjack as they are not available in demo mode. The best operators will offer a range of secure casino payment methods, but here are some of the most popular in Canada:
Deposits are instant, but withdrawal times will vary depending on the casino and the payment method. If you’re a new player, you must verify your identity by supplying ID (passport, driving licence etc.) and proof of address (utility bill, bank statement etc.). Once verified, you’ll then need to wait for the casino to process your request. It can take anywhere between a few hours to two working days for the casino to approve a withdrawal.
As for the time to receive the money in your account, the time varies depending on the method. E-wallets are the fastest, while bank transfers and eChecks are usually the slowest.
One of the downsides of live dealer games is that you typically can’t access them for free at online casinos. This is due to the added costs of using a studio, having human dealers and streaming the games to players.
When it comes to standard casino games and slots, however, you will have the choice to play many of these for free.
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| Real money blackjack | Free blackjack |
|---|---|
| ✅ Claim cash wins | ✅ Play without financial risk |
| ✅ Greater choice of games including live dealer | ✅ Test a new blackjack game for free |
| ✅ Access casino bonuses | ✅ Practice blackjack strategies |
| ❌ Cannot practice betting | ❌ No live dealer games or bonuses |
| ❌ Can lose money | ❌ Can’t win real money |
Live casino games are fantastic on mobile devices. Thanks to HTML5 technology, you can simply visit the mobile casino via your device’s browser and enjoy the games on offer.
Alternatively, many operators now offer downloadable mobile app for iOS and Android devices. Casino apps come with many benefits, including intuitive UI, push notifications, enhanced connectivity, and personalized gameplay.
As live casino games become increasingly popular among online players, more and more software providers are starting to develop such games.
Leading developers like Evolution Gaming, Pragmatic Play, and Playtech are known for razor-sharp stream resolutions, professional and friendly dealers, and thrilling gameplay features. You can find out more about what they offer through our dedicated guides:
We take the review process very seriously, which is why each casino we list has been properly vetted to ensure you have the best possible gaming experience. Our team of casino industry experts is completely impartial and investigates various criteria, including security and licensing, game choice, bonuses and promotions, secure banking, payment methods, and customer support.
We have done the hard work and shortlisted the new and established casinos that offer the best live blackjack live titles, along with other great features including fast withdrawals, game variety, and mobile gameplay.
| 🏆 Best overall live blackjack casino | JackpotCity Casino |
| 🔥 Best live blackjack bonus | Spin Casino |
| 📱 Best live blackjack mobile casino | LeoVegas |
| 🛠 Best for software providers | Ruby Fortune Casino |
| 🎰 Best for live casino game selection | PlayOJO Casino |
Yes, and it’s very straightforward. All you need to do is choose one of the online casinos we recommend. Each site we highlight has a selection of great live dealer blackjack games.
JackpotCity is our top pick for live dealer blackjack in Canada. The site features generous bonuses and a great selection of blackjack games. We also recommend checking out our other live blackjack casinos.
Live blackjack uses a human dealer and streams the game live in real-time to your device from a remote studio. Standard online blackjack uses random number generator (RNG) software to randomize outcomes, and you will play against the computer.
Yes, and it’s the only way to play. Live dealer games are only available as real money games. The overheads of real studios, dealers, and technology mean providers cannot offer free demos.
Yes, you can! Each of the online casinos we recommend is available on mobile. You can either access it through a mobile browser or download a dedicated free app for iOS or Android devices.
Yes, of course. Live blackjack is entirely safe if you choose a game from a reputable software provider at a licensed online casino.
No, online blackjack live games do not support webcams or microphones from players. However, you can see the dealer and chat to them via instant messaging.
