Top Live Blackjack Casinos in the US
With live blackjack, players can experience playing blackjack with real dealers at real tables at any time but within the comfort of their homes. If you wish to play live blackjack, you can find some of the best casinos in your state right here. You can also learn about the laws, rules of the game, common queries player’s have and much more.
Where can I play live blackjack in the USA?
History of live blackjack
The mid 90s were the watershed years for the internet. Amongst other big web-related events we had the following: Microsoft launched Windows 95, Amazon, Yahoo and eBay were also set up and Internet Explorer became the standard and mostly widely used browser world-wide . The birth of online casinos also coincided with this period. However, with dial up connections, playing online didn’t necessarily always result in a smooth experience. It was in 2000s that live casinos games really started becoming popular thanks to improved internet speeds and connections and other advances in technology which enhanced the player’s experience. As time passed, we saw the gradual introduction of smart phones which became pretty much the standard phone most individuals out there had and still have today. Smart phones enabled playing on the go as well enhanced graphics and a streaming quality which has only gotten better. Chat functions also improved which meant player-dealer interactions were smoother and the game could proceed uninterrupted by internet speed issues and fluctuations in connectivity.
Is live blackjack legal in the US?
Live blackjack is not illegal. However, under federal law, it is illegal for banks to accept gambling transactions for online bets – a law which was enacted in 2006 and is known as the Unlawful Internet Gaming Enforcement Act of 2006. That said, each state can still decide on its gambling laws and some states have also made blackjack illegal. If you want to be safe while playing Blackjack online, it would be best to check your state’s laws before depositing any money. Below is a summary.
- New Jersey: online gambling has been legal in New Jersey since 2013 to Residents and visitors alike. Players could enjoy all the same games you could find that a land-based casino. As of 2018, New Jersey legalized online sports betting.
- Pennsylvania: legalized online gambling back in October 2017.
- West Virginia: made it legal to gamble online with the bill passing in July of 2020.
- Michigan: after a few unsuccessful attempts has finally made online gambling legal as of January 2021.
- Nevada: is a complicated state. Although it is technically legal to gamble online, there are no licensed legal online gambling casinos.
Differences between online, land-based & live blackjack
Blackjack has the same core rules irrespective of where you play but the experience varies vastly based on if you decide to participate in online, land-based, or live blackjack.
Online blackjack
Online Blackjack is played through a computer software program that uses a random number generator. Random number generators are computer programmes used by online casinos which ensure unpredictable and random dealing of cards. A random number generator is the same technology that is also used in the slot and video poker machines. This software has been around for many years and casinos run checks on the software algorithm periodically to ensure it works to a T. It is thanks to this software that playing online for money is actually possible and keeps the odds and RTP consistent. You also have access to different blackjack variations. Whichever way you look at it, as a disadvantage or advantage, playing online means playing alone – you will not be seeing any other players. Instead of having interactions with other players and the dealer, you simply play against the computer.
Land-based blackjack
Blackjack started as a game in traditional brick and mortar casinos. Back when people had no other way to play, they would simple go to any land based casino in a state in which gambling was legal. Players would go inside the casino, cash in their money for chips, find an open seat at one of the blackjack tables, let the dealer know you are joining the game and place your bet. The bright lights, the din from all the machines, chips and coins, the interaction with real people, live dealers and so forth makes it quite an exhilarating experience and casinos remain a part of modern popular entertainment. However, unless you are lucky enough to live in one of those states where on finds land-based casinos, you would have to plan a whole vacation, including accommodation, and all the other expenses just to be able to enjoy a game of blackjack.
Live blackjack
Live HD blackjack video streaming takes place from a land-based casino or a studio. This allows players to experience all of the excitement the game offers with an actual human dealer, other players, real cards and actual blackjack tables. Players are able to connect with the dealers and have multiple camera views for every hand being dealt. The cameras also enable players to zoom in and out from the table. The dealers wear microphones and are able to talk to the players in real-time. Playing live blackjack gives you all of the same thrills as if you were sitting down at a casino table in an actual. Additionally, players are allowed to choose avatars to represent them at the table. Live dealers can also make mistakes which means players may find it easier to win than when playing against a computer. On the down side, you have a limited selection of blackjack games to play.
How does live blackjack work?
Have you ever wondered how it all comes together now? How a dealer halfway around the world can take your bets and deal your cards out to you? Well, with a few critical pieces of technology, it all comes together brilliantly and players can enjoy blackjack experience which is almost like being seated at a real blackjack table. Small but powerful cameras are placed around the table and the game is streamed live in high definition.
Optical camera recognition technology records every tiny detail in the game room which is then streamed to the player’s video link. This technology is able to capture all the action going including the shuffling of the cards and distribution of hands. Another essential piece of tech besides the cameras, is the the in-game control unit, which is the most critical component to being able to play live casino games. This device encodes the video that is broadcast.
The dealers, who are responsible for shuffling, dealing the cards, counting chips, handle money etc, are highly trained individuals indispensable to a game of live blackjack. They view everything on a monitor which allows the dealer to see the online players enabling them to keep track of the bets being placed and the ones being closed.
What should you look for in live blackjack providers
Here are a few there are a few criteria you might want to keep an eye out for when choosing your online casino. They will help you get best experience possible.
Check out if the online casino is licensed and which license they should have in your state. This is important as a license for one state will not be the same as that used in another.
The majority of your online casinos will offer new customers some sort of sign-on bonus, which usually is a match on your first deposit. Also, look out for promos and offers.
You will want to look at the methods by which players can deposit and withdraw funds. Most of you were reputable casinos will offer multiple ways for players to deposit and withdraw funds.
All larger casinos will offer a wide variety of games and game variations. You might want to also look at the different software providers that the casinos are using.
What are the rules of the game?
The objective of blackjack is to beat the dealer by getting to exactly 21 or as close to 21 as possible.
- The players may purchase insurance which will give them a 2:1 payout if the dealer gets Blackjack and 3:2 if the player hits Blackjack.
- If the dealer is at 17 or higher, they must stand. Meaning they cannot be dealt any more cards. This does include a soft 17 (and that contains an Ace ultimately total of 17 or 7).
- Players will be able to double down on any two card hands once the game has progressed. This means doubling down on the initial bet in exchange for committing to stay and after receiving one additional card.
- Live Blackjack does not allow the option to surrender.
- Players are able to split two-handed cards and an additional wage at the same amount creating two severed hands. One split for two hands in total also split aces receives only one card on each split hand
- Players are allowed to bet perfect pairs on a live blackjack table. This allows the player to make a separate wager on whether their two cards will be paired. The odds will depend on which type of three pairs you receive. Perfect pair ( 6s -6s, Kh-Kh ), colored pair ( 4s-4c, Jh-Jd ), or mixed pair ( 9s-9h, Qh-Qc )
- .Players also have the optional wager of 2 + 3 bets. On their own two cards plus the dealer’s face-up card.
5 live blackjack tips
We could select many more tips but we just selected the ones we believe are the most useful and salient ones. However, if you are just starting with the game, a bit of further research would not go amiss.
- Managing your bankroll – by choosing a table that has a minimum bet that is around 5% or lower of your bankroll. For example, if you have $100 to spend, only go to blackjack tables for the minimum bet is $5 or less.
- Never take the insurance – Playing live Blackjack makes it extremely difficult to count cards, almost nearly impossible. The Odds on Insurance would be 9:4 when the dealer shows an ace, which means out of 13 plays, you’re more than likely to lose nine times.
- Know when to quit– Walk away if you have lost all the money you can afford to lose.
- Never split a pair of 10’s or a pair of 6’s – If you are dealt a pair of tens, you have a hand worth 20 points which is incredibly good, and the probability the dealer will get 21 is extremely low. Never break up a pair of sixes either, because it could lead to possibly the worst hand in Blackjack.
- If you have a set of aces or a pair of eights, split them – Split either one of those hands to make two hands. That way, you have an excellent chance of getting a blackjack on either hand. As mentioned a 16 is not worth keeping in blackjack, so always break up a pair of eights and play two hands.
The best live blackjack providers
Live dealer games are provided by third-party companies that the online casinos hire in order to create the best experience for the players. Online casinos operate with third-party suppliers that own large brick and mortar casinos or studios where these games are developed and streamed. one factor that makes a provider an industry leader is the ability to stream HD in the highest quality available. These companies should be able to offer details regarding device compatibility and an optimal experience on all main mobile operating software and desktop computers and browsers. Keep in mind the below list is not exhaustive. There are plenty of other software providers that offer high-quality gaming in the industry.
- AR Evolution Gaming
- Lucky Streak
- Bit time gaming
- BetGames TV
- Extreme Live Gaming
- Bet Construct
- NetEnt Live
- Playtech
Your questions answered
Latest casino news
WV online casinos joined their counterparts in NJ, PA and MI with a record-breaking month of October 2021 Figures released by the West Virginia Lottery Commission show that online casinos in the Mountain State produced $6.4 million in October 2021. This meant that West Virginia joined New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Michigan in registering record online […]
Read More
Want to get into live poker casinos but don’t know where to start? Our introduction to the live dealer poker games will get you up to speed in no time. Live dealer poker is an umbrella term denoting all types of casino poker available played with (or against) live dealers. This casino niche has been […]
Read More
PA casino fans produced new monthly revenue records for both online and land—based casinos, as well as sports betting Data from the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board shows that PA broke the record for gaming revenue (once again) in October 2021, with total numbers of $425,916,762 – an increase of 33% over October 2020. The figures […]
Read More