Live Blackjack Software Providers
Evolution Gaming, Playtech and Pragmatic Play are three of the biggest names in the live dealer casino world. Evolution Gaming is the largest live-dealer software provider. It sets the industry standard with top-notch video streaming, smooth gameplay, and a variety of gaming options.
With the acquisition of Ezugi and NetEnt, plus the launch of Gonzo's Treasure Hunt, Evolution's status keeps growing. This first VR live casino game marks a big step forward.
Gonzo's Treasure Hunt is a slot-based live dealer game show. It will be interesting to see how Evolution enhances the live blackjack experience using VR technology.
Playtech is working on new technology to add augmented reality to its live blackjack, roulette, and baccarat games. This could challenge Evolution's lead in the industry soon. Playtech is one of the top software game developers. If you want to play online roulette for real money, check out their games.
Live Blackjack Bets
One of the disadvantages of playing at live casinos in the past was the pace of play. Some live blackjack tables gave players 30 seconds to place their bets in between rounds, which caused a delay in gameplay. Live blackjack speed has improved as the technology developed, so gameplay is much quicker.
A key thing to think about, especially if you want to try out blackjack betting strategies, is the table betting limits. The smaller the bet size allowed, the smaller your base unit can be. If you use an aggressive progression system, the maximum table limits will also be an important consideration.
Live Blackjack Rules
The rules for playing blackjack at land-based casinos or live online casinos depend on the variant you choose and the casino’s house rules.
Casinos decide on each table's betting limits and whether a blackjack hand pays out 3:2 or 6:5, or whether the dealer must stand on soft 17, for example. Rules may differ on a few things: whether you can bet behind other players, surrender your hand to keep half your stake, or make side bets.
If you'd like more information on blackjack rules, how to play, and the different blackjack game types, have a look at the following guides:
- Online Blackjack Game Types
- American vs. European Blackjack - Learn the Difference
- 10 Insider Tips from Your Blackjack Dealer
- Best Blackjack Betting Systems
Tips For Live Blackjack and Live Blackjack Strategies
If you're ready to start playing live blackjack online, we have a few tips to help you make the most of your bankroll:
- Manage your bankroll: it's always good practice to choose a table with a minimum bet that is in proportion to your budget. Ideally, the minimum bet should be 1% to 5% of the size of your bankroll.
- Use Basic Blackjack Strategy: playing blackjack with a solid strategy gives you the best options for each hand. An advantage of playing at a live casino rather than a land-based one is that you can use your blackjack strategy chart for reference while you play.
- Understand the Soft 17 Rule: if you're new to blackjack, choose games where the dealer must stand on 17. The Soft 17 Rule allows the dealer to hit on a soft 17 and potentially get a better hand. If you do choose to play these games, you need to adjust your blackjack strategy accordingly.
- Don’t take insurance: insurance bets have negative EV, which means that over time, you could lose money if you take them regularly.
- Choose tables that pay 3:2 for blackjack: some tables pay only 6:5 on blackjack hands. So, it’s smart to choose games with better payouts.
Card Counting in Live Blackjack
Card counting is a method blackjack players use to gain an edge. They keep track of the cards dealt to guess what might come next.
Card counting really separates blackjack from other casino games and adds an element of skill to the equation. If you want to try out other games where skill is required, look at some of the best online poker sites in NZ.
There are many card counting strategies. They range from simple level-1 counts to complex level-4 strategies. If you'd like to learn about card counting, have a look at the following guide:
- Practising Blackjack and Card Counting
It is extremely difficult to count cards while playing live blackjack for a number of reasons. Live blackjack is typically played with eight decks, and the shoe is usually replaced after four decks have been used.
This makes it difficult to keep an accurate count. However, for players learning to count cards, live dealer casino games can provide valuable blackjack strategy practice.
Card counting tips for new players:
- Learn basic blackjack strategy and practise regularly before you start counting cards.
- Choose a simple card-counting system to start off with. The Hi Lo system is simple and popular. It's better to play quickly with a good basic blackjack strategy than to play slowly with a complicated counting system that's difficult to implement.
- Always adjust your running tally to include the number of decks left in the shoe.