Live Blackjack

Blackjack is one of the most popular card games in the world, and has long been a staple of casinos both real and virtual. If you fancy playing some live roulette over the web, why not check out some of the offerings in the table below?

What is Live Blackjack?

Blackjack, also known as 21, is a simple card game, in which players are dealt two cards and are then asked whether they want to twist (take another card) or stick (keep the hand that they have). The aim of the game is to have a hand with a total as close to 21 as possible, without going over this amount. Blackjack was one of the first casino games to make the transition from the world of brick and mortar casinos into the virtual world of online casinos, with a random number generator shuffling the cards rather than a real life dealer.

Feel the atmosphere, play the game

While this version of the game has proved to be very popular with online gamers, it lacks the atmosphere and the transparency of a real life game of blackjack. Players have to take it on trust that the cards are being shuffled fairly, and although most reputable online casinos are independently audited in order to prevent foul play, this is not as reassuring as actually being able to see a human dealer shuffle the cards. Also, while the graphics on some websites are pretty impressive, they are no match for the real thing. Recently, many online casinos have taken to offering live blackjack as a means of addressing these issues and providing a better gaming experience.

Real cards, dealt by a real dealer

In a live blackjack game, real cards are dealt by a human dealer, and converted into virtual cards by a scanner so that they can be used online. This can all be seen via a live video link streamed over the web. Players can discuss tactics, rules, or anything else that takes their fancy with the dealer, and each other, using instant messaging or a headset with a microphone. This helps to recreate the social aspect of playing blackjack in a brick and mortar casino, as well as giving the games a more authentic casino atmosphere. Bets are placed in the same way as they are in non-live online roulette, via a betting console within the gaming window. Some sites require you to download special software before you can play their live games, whereas others may work within the web browser, and there are advantages and disadvantages to each approach. On one hand, it can be a bit of a hassle to download and install proprietary software, and this may not even be an option if you are using a shared computer. However, in some cases dedicated software can look slicker and run smoother than browser-based live betting consoles. Overall, if you enjoy playing casino blackjack, but want to play it in your own home, then live blackjack is without a doubt the best way to go about it.