Online Casino Live Dealer Blackjack
Online blackjack is a great product, as it allows you to avoid the crowded tables and smoky environment that you find at a land casino, while also featuring the ability to play as many hands at once as you like and more flexible wagering options. Unfortunately, some of the experience is lost in the cyber world, as you have no interaction with a dealer and the game moves a lot faster. Thankfully, online betting sites have overcome these issues with the introduction of live dealer blackjack.
Live dealer blackjack Any live casino worth playing at will have a range of live blackjack tables to choose from. It’s a table game favourite of most players after all. When you play a game of live blackjack you are playing physical cards, dealt by a real human dealer. Live Blackjack Live Blackjack is the best way to play 21 online and get an authentic gambling experience. The games broadcast from a casino studio to your computer with real dealers and cards. Our guide gives you the best live dealer blackjack casinos. Free Play Live Casino games are really hard to find. They do exist but you really have to hunt around for them. Fortunately, I’ve done the work for you. I list the live casinos that offer free play on Live Dealer Roulette, Blackjack.
Introduced several years ago, live games have grown in popularity as computers and internet speeds have improved. Live dealer blackjack games allow you to sit in at tables that are broadcast from studios throughout the world while also participating in the games directly. This manages to mix the best of both worlds when it comes to land and online gaming. You can read more about Video vs Live Dealer Online Blackjack here.
The Basics
Live dealer blackjack sees you selecting the style of game you want to play, with tables generally segregated by wagering limits. Once you are seated at a table, a video screen will load, which will see you facing a real-life dealer and table, which is broadcast either from a studio or a land casino location elsewhere throughout the world.
After the game loads up, you select your wager, which is represented in much the same way you’d see in a standard online game. Once all the wagers are set the dealer will say “No more bets”, and then begin to play out the hand.
When the dealer begins to play out the hand, he or she will slide cards out from the shoe, sliding them over a scanner and then putting them into the field of play. As these cards are scanned they will also be broadcast onto your screen, giving a double representation of the cards you, the other players, and the dealer are dealt.
After the cards have been dealt, players will take turns to play out their hands. Players will have a series of options placed in front of them, including hit, stand, double down, split, and sometimes surrender. When you select how you want to play your hand, the dealer plays out the hand, paying your winnings or subtracting your losses instantly. This is immediately reflected on your account balance, and the process starts over again just as it would in a real casino.
The Benefits of Live Dealer Blackjack
While live play and online play both have their own individual strengths, live dealer blackjack manages to take a hold of the advantages of both, giving what we consider to be one of the most complete and ideal blackjack experiences available.
Some of the advantages in live dealer games are:
Online Casino Live Dealer Blackjack
- You get to play from the comfort of your own home, avoiding the smoky interiors of casinos for the comfort of your favorite chair… plus you don’t have to even wear pants to play!
- You don’t have to deal with other players. I HATE dealing with know-it-alls at the casino who criticize you for splitting 8s or doubling down when they think it cost them a good card, and when I play live dealer I never have to deal with this.
- The dealers. The dealers in live dealer games have the same great attitudes that you often find at a land casino, and you are able to interact with them via a chat function. If there’s ever a time you don’t like a dealer, you can simply close the window and move to a different table or wait for a dealer shift, which happens very frequently online.
- Minimum bets and multiple spots. Many of the tables at a land casino nowadays have minimum bets of $25 a hand, but online you can find tables that take bets as low as $5 and still maintain a healthy 3:2 payout on blackjack, versus the 6:5 that you see all too often at land casinos these days.
Best Live Dealer Blackjack Software
As with everything online gaming, not everything is created equal when it comes to the various live dealer software being provided by casinos. Some providers have high-quality studios and cameras, and some are low-class joints that sound like they have toilets flushing in the background. These are a few of the software groups we feel put out the best live dealer blackjack software.
Net Entertainment – Net Ent’s live dealer casino product features high definition video cameras, multiple language support, and a product called “Common Blackjack”, which allows for up to 100 players to participate at any time. There are some excellent casinos offering Net Ent live dealer services, and we recommend checking out spots like Mr Green, Unibet, and Guts to play these live blackjack games.
Microgaming – Based on the Isle of Man, Microgaming is the oldest online gaming company around, and they have gone through great measures to create one of the most diverse and high-quality live dealer platforms in existence. The company’s live blackjack games also feature high definition cameras, multi-language support, and statistical analysis that is available for each hand. The company has also inked an agreement with Playboy, which gives players the chance to mingle with gorgeous dealers wearing the iconic bunny suit. If you’re looking to play live dealer Microgaming blackjack, you can do so at 32Red, Royal Vegas, and Roxy Palace.
Evolution Gaming – While Net Ent and Microgaming built their names with traditional online casino games, Evolution Gaming has expanded their brand by almost solely focusing on the live dealer element. The result of this is a polished gaming platform that has a full set of table games including blackjack, baccarat, roulette, Casino Hold’em, Three Card Poker, and Caribbean Stud. The blackjack side of things sees players able to play standard versions of the game alongside tables with Perfect Pairs, 21+3, and other sidebets. There are also variants that throw a few wrenches in the rulebooks in an effort to keep things fresh. Some of the big name casinos offering Evolution’s live dealer games include bwin, RedBet, Unibet, and LeoVegas.
Playtech– Playtech’s live dealer software is much like Microgaming and Net Ent’s as it featured HD cameras that produce high-quality games The blackjack tables are some of Playtech’s most popular, as they provide games for desktop and mobile devices, Bet365 is a great example. The games support play in the UK, Spain, and Italy, and can also be played via television systems.
Ezugi – Probably the smallest corporation on this shortlist, Ezugi’s quality isn’t as high as the other three, but it does manage to offer innovative live blackjack from the comfort of your own home. Mini-games, multi-tables, and social integration all help to make Ezugi’s games stand out as being worth your time.
Not sure how live dealer blackjack tables differ? Take a look at these bullet points for a very logical way to think about the selection of a solid live online casino.
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Mobile Live Dealer Blackjack
About ten years ago people would have scoffed at you for suggesting that you could play live dealer blackjack on your phone, but today that is a possibility and stands to be one of the fastest growing sectors for live games moving forward. Those looking to play games on their mobile devices will find that the games are specifically tailored for the small screen, with action buttons being found on the sides and the dealer being front and center, often times feeling more like you’re zoomed in on the action than you would be from your desktop computer.
While playing on your smartphone is nice, I have to say that my preferred way to play live dealer blackjack is on my iPad, as it gives you a larger screen to see what is going on and the product just seems easier for me to navigate. To me, nothing is better than being able to lounge on my hammock outside and still be able to pick up high definition quality dealers through my home’s Wi-Fi. Make sure to try both mobile versions to see which one fits your style best.
The Future of Live Dealer Blackjack
Online gaming has transformed and matured itself over the past 15 years, and moving forward it is going to be interesting to see how live dealer blackjack evolves to stay competitive. We are already starting to see the seeds planted for virtual reality live dealer games, which will allow you to play with a headset. This style of game would make everything in the studio or casino appear as if it were really in front of you, allowing you to look around in 360 degrees, all with stereoscopic 3D coming right at you.
Of course, we can also expect to see additional game variations being introduced, and it is likely that we will see more tie-ins (i.e. Microgaming and Playboy), which will change things up in terms of the presentation and features of set games.
Summary
Live dealer blackjack is one of the bold new ways that online casinos are trying to bring a land betting experience right into your home. The experience has a lot of advantages over more traditional forms of blackjack, and you can find excellent tables with 3:2 payouts on blackjack with lower minimum bets than you would see at your brick and mortar casino.
There are definitely some spots better to play at than others, and some software is definitely superior in terms of offering better quality feeds and more variations of blackjack. Moving forward, the future of live dealer games is bright and we are excited to see what developers can come up with in the coming years.
Related News
Live dealer games let you play your favorite casino table games from the convenience of your home, but in real-time with a real dealer.
Live dealer games come in the same types of table games that brick-and-mortar and online casinos traditionally offer.
Though not every table game is available in the live format, the most popular are. Options include blackjack,roulette, baccarat, casino hold ’em and three-card poker.
Live dealer casino games were introduced to the NJ casino market a few years ago and since then, have exploded in both offerings and the number of casinos streaming them.
The games are only available for real-money, with tables running $1 per hand up to $2,000 per hand in blackjack.
This live dealer guide takes you through the various casino games available in New Jersey as well as how to play. We also offer a comprehensive table outlining the games available at each casino and the hours of operation.
Best Live Dealer Casinos in NJ
Live Dealer Blackjack online, free
Online Casino Live Blackjack
How do live dealer games in New Jersey work
Live dealer games are transmitted via live stream from a studio to your computer or mobile device.
Whereas electronically dealt casino games require a built-in random number generator (RNG) to ensure fairness, live dealer games dispense with the RNG. Instead, you know the games are fair because you can watch everything the live dealer is doing in real-time, just like at a regular casino.
Having an actual person spin the wheel or deal your cards almost makes you forget that you are playing all by your lonesome on your desktop computer, smartphone or tablet. Instead, you picture yourself in a bustling casino filled with other gamblers and the continuous activity and excitement that energy-charged atmosphere imparts.
Live dealer games make you feel like you’re in the thick of the action. Yet, you still enjoy the same convenience and comfort of being able to play at home — or anywhere in NewJersey — whenever you wish, minus the traveling.
This table outlines a full list of online casinos offering live games in the state of New Jersey.
Can I play live dealer games on my mobile device?
Yes, most live dealer games are currently accessible on Apple iOS and Android devices as well as on your desktop computer. So, it’s merely a matter of personal preference of which format you use.
To access the games, you need to be within NewJersey state lines at the time of play.
How to play live dealer games
New Jersey online casino players can choose any of the following live dealer games:
- Baccarat
- Blackjack
- Casino hold ’em
- Roulette
- Three-card poker
Depending on which casino you choose, different versions of these games with slightly different rules may be available.
Unfortunately, regardless of which casino and live dealer game you select, you won’t be able to practice for free to test the waters.
You can only play live dealer games for real money. Therefore, if you are new to live dealer play and you want to try a new-to-you game, be sure to do the following:
- Study the section of the casino’s website pertaining to live dealer games. Review the different versions of the game that interests you, including rules and bettinglimits so that you can make the best choice.
- Locate a similar regular online casino game that you can play in demomode for the same stakes you intend to play for real money. This will give you a good feel for the game and pinpoint any areas where you need further practice. Then you can make an informed decision whether or not to try the real-money version in the live dealer platform.
- When playing live dealer blackjack, casino hold ’em or three-card poker, make sure you know the correct basic strategy. It is OK to bring a chart with you to the table.
- A casino may offer variations of the same game. Try to select the version with the lowest house edge.
- Live dealer tables typically provide a wide range of betting stakes. However, don’t give in to the temptation to play for higher stakes than usual. If you are starting out, we highly recommend playing for slightly lower stakes than usual while you become accustomed to the live dealer format. You can always increase your betting stake later, especially if you are winning.
- Live dealer games aren’t available 24/7, but close enough to it that you have a wide window of when to play. Don’tplay when you are tired, hungry, not feeling well, upset about something or are pressed for time.
- Some live dealer games offer optional sidebets. However, the house edge is typically much higher than on the game’s standard bets. So, your best bet is to make these side bets only occasionally, or preferably, not at all.
Lastly, keep in mind that the houseedge on live dealer games tends to be slightlyhigher than on regular online casino game counterparts. It’s best to limit playing sessions to 90 minutes or less. If you’re winning, try to quit while you’re still ahead before you lose all your winnings back and more. Or if you see that the dealer is hot, don’t chase your losses. Avoid marathon sessions.
Live Dealer Blackjack
The most obvious difference between Live Dealer Blackjack and other online variants of the game is that the former is dealt from a traditional shoe.
Otherwise, the rules at Golden Nugget and Betfair Casino live blackjack will come off as familiar, albeit somewhat more rigid, than what NJ online casino players have come to expect:
- Shoe consists of 8 decks
- Naturals pay 3:2
- Dealer hits on soft 17
- Players can double down on any two cards, and double after split
- No re-splits
- Players cannot hit re-split aces
- There is no late surrender
Under this rule set, the house edge is 0.72 percent. This is considered quite high for blackjack. It’s assumed these mediocre rules — and the 50 percent cut card penetration – was chosen to discourage card counters, who could run rampant under more favorable conditions.
The betting spread for live dealer blackjack, and other live dealer games for that matter more closely resembles that found on live casino floors. For live dealer blackjack at Golden Nugget Casino, the minimum wager is $10 and the maximum $1,000.
Golden Nugget online live dealer blackjack also features two side bets, both of which are popular at land-based casinos in Atlantic City. They are Perfect Pairs and 21+3.
Perfect Pairs
- Mixed color pair (player’s first two cards): 6-1
- Same color pair: 12-1
- Perfect pair (same suit): 25-1
- Return-to-player (RTP): 95.91 percent
21 + 3
- Suited Trips (player’s first two card plus dealer’s up card): 100-1
- Straight Flush: 40-1
- Three of a Kind: 25-1
- Straight: 10-1
- Flush: 5-1
- RTP: 93.72 percent
Watch the video below as PlayUSA’s Vinny Goombatz gives a lesson on how to play live dealer blackjack at Golden Nugget.Tune in to twitch for more streaming video.
Live Dealer Roulette
Outside of the fact that Live Dealer Roulette outcomes are determined by a real roulette wheel, the game varies very little from other roulette games played online.
The wheel features two zeroes. Players don’t receive a return on their investment when a 0 or 00 is spun. This brings the house edge up to 5.26 percent, which is quite unfavorable for the player.
The minimum wager for Live Dealer Roulette is $1, and caps out at $1,000.
Live Dealer Baccarat
Like its blackjack counterpart, Live Dealer Baccarat is spread over a real felt. It uses physical playing cards to determine game outcomes.
Using the standard 5 percent commission rule, the house edge for winning banker bets is just 1.06 percent. For player wins, it’s 1.24 percent.
The tie bet is generally best avoided, as the house edge is nearly 15 percent. There aren’t too many NJ online casino games that have a lower return.
Live Dealer Baccarat also features a Dragon Bonus Player side bet. This pays out on naturals and non-natural wins where the player wins by at least 4 points:
- 1-1 for a natural win
- 30-1 for non-natural win by 9 points
- 10-1 for non-natural win by 8 points
- 4-1 for non-natural win by 6-7 points
- 2-1 for non-natural win by 4-5 points
The house edge on this attractive side bet is just 2.65 percent.
The betting spread for Live Dealer Baccarat is $1 – $200. By comparison, it’s difficult, if not impossible, to play baccarat for a minimum wager of less than $5 at land-based casinos.
Live Dealer Casino Poker
Casino Hold ’em is a table game that turns the player’s focus back toward the dealers. In doing so, players of all skill levels can feel confident about playing the game. There is no need to worry about sharks and grinders roughing up the novices.
The game uses the typical 52-card deck. Each player places an ante and receives two cards.
Based upon his or her two cards, each player must then decide whether to fold or place the call bet. A fold causes the player to forfeit the ante bet; the call bet must be twice the value of the ante.
The dealer deals the entire five-card community board. Players and dealers alike will make the best possible five-card hand out of the five cards on the board and the two cards in their hand.
Live dealer games played online versus live
Live dealer games bear more similarities than differences to table games spread at brick and mortar casinos in Atlantic City. Both feature real dealers, real playing devices (chips withstanding), and both encourage social interaction. Live dealer players can even tip.
Of the few differences, most favor the online live dealer format.
For one, the game moves at a somewhat brisker pace compared to live, as all calculations are handled digitally. Then, of course, there is theconvenience of being able to play from one’s own home computer. Anonymity may also be a plus for some players.
At present, the main disadvantage of live dealer is accessibility. The format is only supported by one casino, and at only select times during the day.
Land-based casino players also have more side bets to choose from, although some may argue this is actually a disadvantage, as these bets tend to pay low returns.
Finally, the rule sets are a bit more rigid compared to live Atlantic City games and even internet casino games.
Free live dealer at NJ online casinos
New players on Golden Nugget online casino can take advantage of a $20 no-deposit bonus when they sign up with the site using the online promo code PLAY20.
This will essentially get them started playing Live Dealer games on the site for free. There is a one-time wagering requirement. However, casino games count just 20 percent towards meeting it.
Golden Nugget online also offers new players a 100 percent first deposit match bonus of up to $1,000. The wagering requirement is five times the deposit, plus the bonus. Casino games count only 20 percent towards meeting the requirement.
Betfair offers new players a $30 no-deposit bonus if they sign up with the online promo code PLAY30.
There is no specific wagering requirement on Betfair. However, players must make a minimum deposit of at least $10 before they can take any cash off the site.
Betfair also offers new players a 100 percent first-time deposit bonus of up to $1,500. There is a 20-times wagering requirement and casino games count just 10 percent towards meeting it.
Top live dealer games in New Jersey by return
Despite the somewhat unfavorable rules, Live Dealer Blackjack offers players the best return at 99.28 percent. Baccarat banker bets are a close second at 98.94 percent, followed by player bets for the same game (98.74 percent). The best side bet is the Dragon Bonus Player bet (97.35 percent).
After that, there’s a fairly big gap, as Live Dealer Roulette and most side bets offer returns in the 95 percent area.
Can live dealer games push Golden Nugget across key revenue threshold?
On its own, it’s unlikely that live dealer games resulted in a significant revenue uptick for Golden Nugget Casino. Why?
- The number of blackjack seats are capped at 21 across three tables. Digital blackjack games can theoretically service an infinitenumber of players.
- There are just one roulette and baccarat table, and they’re only open 12 hours per day.
- Online casino makes the bulk of their revenue via slots.
That being said, when live dealer first launched, Golden Nugget was taking in roughly $3.5 – $4 mm per month. That figure has soared ever since.
Admittedly, the introduction of more slots and the launch of Play SugarHouse under the Golden Nugget umbrella probably played a huge part in the surge. But it wouldn’t be unheard of if Golden Nugget’s live dealer games attracted a new demographic, who started out at Live Dealer games and graduated to fully digital endeavors.
A critical product for NJ online casinos
We don’t have great data on how the live dealer product performs relative to traditional online gambling products in markets like the UK.
But it’s obvious that, absolute performance aside, the product has been a growth center for operators and has quickly become a staple at top casino sites like Sky, bet365, and William Hill.
The live dealer product may serve an even more important function that revenue generation at New Jersey’s licensed online operators.
One of the standing issues facing online operators in New Jersey is a lack of consumer familiarity and trust with online gambling products. Live dealer products could provide a useful tool for bridging that divide.
By bringing the worlds of the online product and the live casino product closer together, online casinos may find that consumers who are primarily comfortable with the land-based casino product gain a greater comfort level with the online casino product.