The Top Live Dealer Blackjack Sites
Getting to the elusive 21…
When gambling online, blackjack games are basically the same as the game you will find at a real casino table – especially if you choose a live dealer site. The live streaming video will show you exactly what happens when the croupier handles the cards, because the webcams will show the game from different angles. You can hear the dealer speak, while you can also interact with the dealer and the other players in the game by typing in a chat box.
This is what you do to play a live dealer blackjack game:
- Register at one of our recommended sites, and choose a blackjack table to join.
- The dealer will deal each player two cards face up. You can then choose to add one or more cards by 'hitting' (receiving more cards), or ‘standing’ (keeping those two cards). If you ask for more cards and the total value of the cards is more than 21, you will be ‘bust’ (out of the game) and lose your bets.
- When you have decided you want no more cards added, the dealer will then play his or her own hand. The hand that is closest or equal to 21 without going over, wins.
- Some people say you should stand if you reach cards with a total value of 17 or more, because the chances of going bust if you ask for more cards will increase.
Our team of reviewers enjoys finding the best online gambling sites with live dealer games for New Zealand players. We ensure that the sites are trustworthy in every way and have good security in place so that you can transfer money for your bets into your casino account with confidence. Register with one of those top sites to enjoy their excellent bonuses and variety of blackjack and other games!
Live Dealer Blackjack: The Gameplay
Live dealer blackjack gambling plays somewhat like a cross between standard online blackjack and enjoying the game in a land-based venue...probably because that's pretty much what it is! Getting other players involved in the action is definitely a good thing if you prefer the camaraderie of playing the game offline to grinding away solo in an online casino.
Find an available spot at a table, stake your claim and you'll be dealt in for the next available hand. Tables tend to have around seven spots and, though they do tend to get busy during peak times, you won't have to wait too long for your turn to come around.
Players have a certain amount of time to place their bets, after which time the dealer will start drawing cards. You don't get too long to decide whether to split, double down, hit or stand so you better make sure that you're giving the game your full attention.
How Things Are Different From Regular Games
There are a couple of key differences between playing regular online blackjack and live dealer blackjack gambling. The most obvious is that real cards are used, and are dealt by a real dealer. If you're the least bit sceptical about online gambling being rigged, this definitely gives the game an advantage over standard online blackjack.
The game is also unique because it involves other players in a way that standard online blackjack does not – you may well find, just like in a land-based venue – that an inexperienced player ends up with the card you need by making a rookie mistake. But for every frustrating deal like that, you might end up with exactly the card you want thanks to a fellow gambler going bust.
If you've played blackjack in a land-based casino, the whole experience will feel eerily familiar and you'll settle in very quickly. For the rest of us, live dealer blackjack is a great way to get a feel for how the game is played in Vegas and Atlantic City, and enjoy a totally new spin on an old favourite.
What To Look For In Your Casino
A fantastic version of live dealer blackjack – with high quality video feeds, clearly legible cards and a slick, professional dealer – is important to look for when you're trying to find a good blackjack casino, but there's much more to keep track of when you're trying to find a top-rated casino.
A range of different blackjack variants in the site's standard online casino is always a good thing, for example, because it means you have somewhere to go if you decide that you need a break from live dealer blackjack gambling. Plenty of other games and evidence that the site uses the best software is a solid indication that they mean business and are serious about keeping players happy.
Finally, you'll want to look for a good welcome bonus whenever you join a new casino. A large bonus with low wagering requirements gives you a good shot at clearing this bonus money and actually being able to cash it out.
Choosing The Right Site To Play On
Right now, there are only a few different games to enjoy if you want to try live dealer gambling. Blackjack is, of these, probably the most popular because the game is so well known in New Zealand and all over the world.
Tables do get busy during peak times, and it's very rare that you'll have a dealer all to yourself, but that only serves to cement the resemblance between this game and playing blackjack in a land-based casino. If you're looking to give it a shot yourself, our team of reviewers recommends the sites on this page for a top-rated live dealer experience.
FAQs
How exactly does live dealer blackjack work?
Instead of the outcomes of the game being powered by a random number generator, as in standard online blackjack, a real person dealing real cards is broadcast to players via webcam. Those who have a spot at the table can then choose whether to hit, stand, double down or split in the usual way.
Where can I play the game?
Being one of the most popular (and relatively few) forms of live dealer gambling, live dealer blackjack can be found anywhere where live games are available. If you're not sure where to look, simply visit any of the sites listed on this page for a top live blackjack experience.
How does live dealer blackjack gambling compare to standard online blackjack?
Although the experience is pretty similar, there are a few key differences. For example, because other players are involved and the dealer dictates when bets must be placed, hands are dealt etc. players have much less control over the pace of the game.
Plus, you must join an existing table with other players and won't have one to yourself like in standard online blackjack.
How many decks are used in the game?
This varies from casino to casino, and is something that some venues don't like to share with players. You could try asking the dealer or other players if they know how many decks are being used if this is something you're really keen to know.
Can I use strategy to win?
While live dealer blackjack gambling is, theoretically, susceptible to advantage play in the form of card counting, it would take such a long time to make any money playing in this way that you're probably better off just hoping you have some good luck and playing as basic strategy dictates.
Can I play live dealer blackjack on a mobile?
Live dealer games are more common on tablet than smartphones, but you will now find that some venues offer them on both! We'd recommend that you play over WiFi where possible, as live dealer blackjack can make a serious dent in your data plan.
Is it fixed?
No. The best online casinos will never try to con you, and many will confirm that they're playing fair by posting information about the regular third party audits reputable sites are subject to, but it would be even more difficult for sites to cheat when real cards are being used in front of a number of players.
