LIVE BLACKJACK

While the origins of blackjack are mere speculation, its popularity amongst casino players leaves no doubts! As one of the most-played table games in the world’s best online casinos, blackjack games are the keystone of any Live Casino portfolio. At EnergyCasino, you will find dozens on fantastic online blackjack tables like Perfect Blackjack, Power Blackjack and the fan-favourite Classic tables. Blackjack gameplay offers an intriguing blend of luck and skill, with a simple objective: beat the dealer’s hand and try not to go over 21. Let’s have a deeper look at the game’s rules, terminology and popular strategies that might help you reel in the chips!

BLACKJACK RULES

Before you dive in, you should take a moment to learn the basic rules, side bets and etiquette of live blackjack games and gain a better understanding of the house advantage. While the premise of the game is clear as day - try to reach the magical 21 hand total - it is not entirely accurate. The objective of the game is not only to get as close to 21 as possible but to beat the live dealer’s hand! This can be accomplished by having a total that exceeds the dealer’s and by not going over 21 when the live dealer does.

Blackjack is played using one or more traditional decks, containing 52 cards each. Up to eight decks are typically used, placed into a device called a “shoe”. On real casino tables, the dealer can usually host up to seven players. Live blackjack games in online casinos differ from their brick-and-mortar counterparts, in that some of them allow for dozens of players to enjoy the game at the same time. Keep in mind that in a blackjack game, you are playing against the live dealer and not other players!

Grab a seat at any of our live blackjack tables to get started, we recommend Blackjack First Person(not live!) if you’re new to table games. Blackjack First Person is an excellent way to learn the basics and try out the game without the added pressure of online blackjack timers and speedy rounds. If you are looking to try out live play straight away, you can find the best live dealer blackjack games under the Live Casino tab at EnergyCasino.

In short, you and the dealer will each have two cards. Players have the options to hit, stand or double down. Hitting will draw an additional card to your hand, increasing your total. Standing leaves your hand as is, and doubling down will double your bet in return for one (and only) card draw. On tables where splitting is permitted, you may split your hand into two when you are dealt two identical cards (eg: two 10s). Each of the cards will be played as an individual hand, and a bet equal to the original must be placed. On some blackjack tables, you may also encounter the option to surrender. In most cases, this will forfeit your hand and half of the original bet.

Your play concludes when you hit ‘stand’, and the turn passes to the dealer, who does not have the same playing options. In most casinos, the dealer must draw if the total is less than 17 and stand on a total between 17 and 21. The dealer’s first card, known as the upcard, is always dealt face up. The second – down card or hole card – is dealt face down and will be revealed when the player makes the aforementioned choices of hitting, standing, doubling down or splitting.

Exceeding a total of 21 is an automatic loss, and an unbusted hand which exceeds the total of the dealer’s hand is a win. As you explore other online blackjack tables, you will encounter different variations of the rules, so be wary of minimum bets, additional features (eg: triple down in Power Blackjack) and any strategy at play. For example, Perfect Blackjack tables will play the round for you, utilising the optimal blackjack strategy.

Blackjack CARD VALUES

In blackjack, all cards count as their face value.

• Jacks, queens and kings are all worth 10 points.
• The ace is 11 points unless doing so would push your hand over 21, in which case the ace has a point value of one.

BLACKJACK TERMINOLOGY

Here’s a quick list of useful blackjack terms.

Bankroll – the funds a player plans to bet with.

Bet Behind – a side bet in online live dealer blackjack, where players can bet behind one of the seated seven. The seated players can also bet behind other seated players.

Breaking Hand – a hard hand (one that does not contain an ace) that is valued between 12 and 16. Also referred to as a stiff hand, meaning that just one more card can push the hand over 21.

Bust – a hand that totals over 21. A bust also occurs when you stand on less than 21, but the dealers total is higher and is less than 21.

Chips – chips are used instead of cash, on real and live casino blackjack tables. Chips come in many denominations and are often colour-coded.

Double Down – you can choose to double your original bet in exchange for drawing a single card. This will be the only card you are able to draw for the round, so be wary of doubling down with a weaker hand.

Face Cards – jacks, queens and kings. Also referred to as picture cards.

Hard Hand – hands that do not contain an ace.

Hit – a request to be dealt another card from the dealer, after receiving the two opening cards.

Hole Card – any face-down card. Often refers to the dealer’s face-down card.

Insurance – when the dealer’s hole card is an ace, you can insure your hand for half of the original bet. If the dealer gets blackjack(21), you are protected from the loss. If the dealer does not hit blackjack but beats your hand, you will use the totality of the original bet and insurance amount.

Pair – a pair is two numerically identical cards. Some casinos will count all 10-point face cards as pairs (eg: queen-jack, king-10).

Pat Hand – a hand with a point total between 17 and 21.

Push – when the player ties with the dealer.

Soft Hand – a hand that includes an ace which can be valued at both 11 and one.

Side Bets – side bets are additional bets that can be placed in a round. They can include 21+3, Perfect Pairs, Lucky 7s and others, depending on the game and provider.

Split – is a payer is dealt a pair, they will have the option to split the hand into two. Each of the two cards will play as an independent hand, and the wager on the second hand must equal that of the original.

Standing – when the player chooses to lock in the hand as is, often in fear of surpassing 21 on the next card.

Surrender – if a player wishes to forfeit their hand, the house will take half of the original bet and exclude the hand from the round.

Up Card – the dealer’s first card, which is always dealt face up.

MORE ON BLACKJACK

Casino games like roulette come with an inherent house edge, as each spin’s outcome is completely independent of the previous spins. Blackjack, on the other hand, is a game of both luck and skill! Each deck is limited to 52 cards, which means that your chances of winning are dependent on the cards that were played in the previous rounds.

What does that mean for you as a player? It means that, in theory, the game is beatable! The dependability of all outcomes on the previous draws allows players to alter their bets or playing strategy to maximise the payouts. Unlike any other casino game, using certain strategies and betting techniques may turn the odds in your favour and minimise the dealer’s advantage.

LIVE BLACKJACK STRATEGY

One of the advantages of playing live dealer blackjack games in real time is having the flexibility and opportunity to make strategically advantageous decisions. Blackjack is not all about luck! The understanding of mathematical probability and a simple playing strategy can reduce the house edge to less than 1%. By employing advanced techniques, based on cards already played, the player may even gain a slight advantage over the casino.

The casino’s sole advantage in blackjack is that the player draws first. Should a player surpass 21 on their draw, they automatically lose the wager, even if the dealer also busts. This also applies to a push, when the “double bust” rule comes into play. Should the player and dealer tie twice in a row, the player busts because they drew the card first.

Fortunately, not all is fair in love and blackjack. Players have some aces up their sleeves as well! Players receive a higher bonus payoff on blackjack, are able to double their wager in favourable circumstances and have the option to split pairs. Additionally, players can stand on totals between 12-16, while the dealer must hit a total of 16 or lower.

So, how can you beat the odds and get better at the game of blackjack? The most obvious advice is to start practising card counting and play under favourable rules (single and double-deck games). As mentioned earlier, live casino blackjack tables come with all the perks of the internet: convenience, speed and countless resources!

BLACKJACK BETTING SYSTEMS

When you’re ready for your first wager on blackjack, check out the many popularised strategies and betting tips. You’ll find detailed odds distributions and even charts with recommendations for your next move, in real time. In your quest for the best live blackjack tactics, you will come across guides and betting systems, with recommendations to try out the tried-and-tested Martingale or Parlay strategies, amongst others. Be wary! Given that blackjack outcomes are dependent on the previous rounds, betting progression strategies will never overcome the house edge in the long run.

LIVE CASINO WELCOME BONUS

If you’re playing at an online casino, check out the promotional offers before grabbing that seat at an online casino live blackjack table. At EnergyCasino, you’ll find a fantastic Live Casino Welcome Bonus and plenty of recurring promotions that may potentially help you boost your wins (or back up some losses)! Keep an eye out for our Cashback bonuses and Live Casino tournaments as well. All bonuses and promotional offers are subject to availability in your jurisdiction.

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