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Updated by Emma Trotter
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Senior Vice-President
The best live dealer blackjack casinos offer high-quality streams, large bonuses and a range of high RTP games. They connect you with professional dealers in dedicated studios, allowing you to replicate the excitement of visiting a casino from the comfort of your own home.
This guide will highlight the best online live casinos for live blackjack games. We will explain why it is such a popular game, break down the rules and provide our top tips for success when playing live dealer blackjack.
It is legal to play live dealer blackjack in five states: Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, West Virginia and at CT online casinos. Online casino gaming is also legal in Delaware, but the First State has very limited live dealer offerings, if any.
A majority of the top online casino operators in these states feature live dealer games, as these are incredibly popular. For example, BetRivers Online Casino is one of the top PA online casinos that offers Live Blackjack.
More states may legalize online casino gaming in the future. Indiana lawmakers have been trying to generate support for online casinos over the past couple of years, while legislative efforts are continually underway in New York. We will update readers if live blackjack becomes available in any other state.
There are six key areas to focus on when seeking out the best live blackjack casinos. The best US online casinos we have recommended performed well in these categories:
The best live dealer blackjack casinos offer a variety of high-quality games. They include classic blackjack, Infinite Blackjack and fun variants such as Lightning Blackjack, which comes with interesting bonus features.
Online casinos rely on external providers such as Evolution Gaming and Playtech to supply their live blackjack games. They can only offer games from studios located within the same state, so they are constrained by their suppliers’ studio space. However, the best sites offer a few live blackjack variants, along with tables featuring limits to suit all budgets.
The streaming quality is a major consideration for anyone interested in playing live dealer blackjack at an online casino. Some operators provide unreliable, blurry streams with unreliable connections, and their games are prone to crashing. That is not the case at the elite casino sites we have recommended on this page, as they host high-quality streams, ensuring a dependable connection and a clear picture.
It is important to stick to licensed, regulated casino sites and mobile apps in those states. They fall under the jurisdiction of the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection, the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement, the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board and the West Virginia Lottery, while MI online casinos are regulated by the Michigan Gaming Control Board.
You can always rest assured that you will enjoy a fair, safe gaming experience at those sites, and that they will pay out on time and in full when you make a withdrawal request.
There are lots of live dealer blackjack casinos to choose from in Michigan, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania, so they need to offer a compelling incentive to sign up. There is also strong competition among West Virginia casino sites.
The best operators offer casino welcome bonuses to stand out from rival sites. You will then be offered recurring promotions, such as “bet and get” offers, reload bonuses, and loyalty rewards. They are aimed at existing customers, and they reward you for regularly logging in and playing casino games. We look for large, attractive sign-up offers and promo codes for casinos online that come with realistic wagering requirements when reviewing online casinos.
It is important to find a live dealer blackjack site that accepts your preferred payment methods. Online casinos that use PayPal are the norm, and most will also offer Visa, Mastercard, Discover, Play+, online banking and ACH/e-check for deposits. However, if you would like to use a less common method – such as American Express, Venmo or Skrill – conducting some research first is advised.
We also consider withdrawal speeds when reviewing live blackjack sites. The best operators offer same day payouts, with no fees applied and broad withdrawal limits.
Mobile online casinos make it very convenient for you to play live dealer blackjack. Just grab your iPhone or Android device, sign into your account and you can start playing in seconds, no matter where you happen to be.
The leading online casinos offer top casino apps, which you can download at the App Store or Google Play. Alternatively, just visit the site through your mobile browser, and you will be offered a mobile-optimized gaming experience. The best operators offer fast, reliable, user-friendly mobile apps and websites.
It is easy to create an account and start playing live dealer blackjack today. Just follow these steps:
Live blackjack at a website or mobile app is designed to perfectly replicate the experience of visiting a land-based casino. You can enjoy the social aspect by chatting with the dealer, and you can enjoy all the fast-paced fun you would experience in Las Vegas or Atlantic City.
Playing online live blackjack is a little more casual, as you can be sitting on the couch in pajamas when you join a game. However, you still need to follow the same table manners, treat the dealer with respect and behave yourself when playing live dealer blackjack.
One advantage of playing online is that you will often find a wider variety of games. For example, land-based casinos typically focus on just classic blackjack, whereas there are fun variants like Infinite Blackjack, Speed Blackjack and Lightning Blackjack at the best blackjack sites, as well as RNG-based blackjack options. You also benefit from bonuses at an online casino, which are not available at a retail venue, and it is also quicker, more convenient and more cost-effective to play online.
Evolution Gaming is the main supplier of live dealer blackjack games at US online casino sites and mobile apps. The company has built studios in New Jersey, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Connecticut and West Virginia, so millions of players can access its games. They include classic blackjack, Lightning Blackjack, Infinite Blackjack and Speed Blackjack.
Rival supplier Playtech has also set up studios in Michigan and New Jersey. It offers classic live dealer blackjack, along with Ultimate Blackjack, which has more seats. More suppliers may enter the market in the future, leading to a more diverse and competitive sector, but Evolution and Playtech are the market leaders on a global basis, and they provide a strong service. So whether you are looking to play live blackjack at online NJ casinos or in some other states that have legalized online gambling, you can put your mind at rest that you'll have access to live games from the best providers in the industry.
You will need to find a live dealer blackjack table that suits your requirements after signing up with an online casino. Firstly, consider the upper and lower bet limits to ensure they fit your budget. This is especially important if you intend to pursue a positive or negative progression strategy, such as the Martingale or the Paroli System.
It is also helpful to consider the speed of the game. Some players like to play fast and get in as many hands as possible in an efficient manner. Others prefer a more languid pace, allowing them to savor the action, so you can choose accordingly, with Speed Blackjack often available for anyone that likes a faster pace. You can also look out for any preferred formats and bonus features – for example, Lightning Blackjack offers the potential for huge multipliers on your winnings.
There are certain rules that you or the dealer must follow when playing certain live blackjack variants. Some games also have interesting features and bonus options. These are the main features and rules to look out for:
This allows you to bet on the hand of a player sitting at the live dealer table while you wait for a seat to free up. An icon may inform you which players are on a hot streak. This is a popular feature on Evolution Gaming’s Blackjack Party, but it may be available on other games too.
This option allows you to give up half your bet amount and claw back the remaining half after seeing your two cards and the dealer up card. You might consider surrendering if you feel
Games like Infinite Blackjack offer side bets, such as wagering on any pair to be dealt or a 21+3 side bet. They have different payout rates to the main bets, and they should be explained in the accompanying blurb when you click on the game. You can also ask the dealer for clarification.
Classic blackjack rules allow you to double down on your first two cards, meaning you double the size of your bet. Some games may not permit this, but it is usually available.
This rule means you can only double down on hands of 9, 10 or 11 on certain games.
The ability to hit split aces is helpful, as it increases the RTP (Return to Player) rate of the game. Many blackjack games only allow you to receive a single card alongside each split ace, but some permit you to hit again in a bid to get closer to 21 if the additional card you receive leads to a poor hand.
This rule allows you to split pairs in a single hand multiple times. It means you can create up to four hands from a single hand.
This is the rarest hand in blackjack. It requires you to be dealt 10 cards without exceeding 21. The chances of it landing are around 1 in 100 million. Some casinos stipulate that if you get 10 cards without busting, you automatically win. You may also find that you automatically win with a five, six or seven-card Charlie when this rule is in play.
Live blackjack has a very high Return to Player (RTP) rate. That means you have a better theoretical chance of success when playing blackjack online compared to alternate games you would find on roulette sites. However, you need to apply the right strategy to unlock the full RTP. Here are some points to consider:
If you follow those basic strategic principles, you will boost your chances of enjoying a successful session of blackjack with live dealers. You can also research additional principles to increase your prospects. The best live blackjack sites also allow you to play virtual blackjack for free in demo mode. That allows you to master the game before playing live dealer blackjack for real money.
Counting cards is designed to increase your chances of success when playing blackjack. The idea is to keep a running count of the high and low value cards that have been dealt to you and your fellow players. You then wait until the shoe – the combined cards from the various decks used by the dealer – tilts in your favor and start betting then, or you increase your bet size at that point.
This is not illegal, but casinos eject anyone found to be counting cards. The dealers running live online blackjack games will take various steps to prevent players from gaining an edge by counting cards. They use various decks and regularly reshuffle them. The online casinos also use monitoring software to identify any players following suspicious betting patterns that could indicate card counting, and you may find your account restricted or closed if you are suspected of doing so.
Our live dealer blackjack tips are designed to increase your chances of success when playing this popular game:
Emma Trotter is a Senior Editor at Casinos.com. Emma has worked as a staff writer and editor for nearly two decades, extensively covering celebrity news and the Las Vegas entertainment, casino and tourism scenes. She spent several years in in-house roles at Caesars Entertainment and Wynn Las Vegas before stepping into iGaming affiliate site content.
Read Full BioIt is safe to play live blackjack online at regulated casino sites and mobile apps. Our experts have thoroughly vetted all the legal online casinos that offer live blackjack games in states like New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Michigan, West Virginia and Connecticut. We can now recommend a selection of secure live blackjack sites for readers to sign up with today.
In theory, it is possible to count cards when playing live dealer blackjack. However, it is difficult, as the game is played with multiple decks and they are regularly reshuffled. The operators also use monitoring software to identify any players that could be counting cards, and your account may be restricted if it spots suspicious betting patterns.
You can often receive casino bonuses for live blackjack at the best sites. However, you may need to complete high rollover requirements on your bonus funds if you play blackjack. The game has a very high Return to Player (RTP) rate, so it may only count 10% or 20% towards satisfying the playthrough requirements.
The minimum bet is usually $1 per hand on a live blackjack table. You may occasionally find a site that offers a lower minimum deposit, but $1 is the industry standard. The bet limits should always be clearly displayed when you click on a game, but you can ask customer service for clarification if you are unsure.
There are live blackjack games that should suit high rollers at leading online casinos. For example, you can bet $10,000 per hand when playing Lightning Blackjack with a live dealer at Caesars Palace online casino, $5,000 per hand on classic blackjack or Infinite Blackjack.
You do not need to know blackjack strategy to play live blackjack, but it will significantly improve your chances of success. Blackjack has a very high theoretical payout rate, but only if you make the correct strategic decisions when it comes to sticking, hitting, splitting cards and so on. As such, we recommend nailing the strategy before playing.
The live blackjack payout rates should be exactly the same as RNG blackjack games. Virtual blackjack powered by RNG software is designed to replicate the experience of playing at a land-based casino, with the same Return to Player (RTP) rate. That is also the case with live dealer blackjack, as you are playing the same game.
The dealers in live blackjack cannot cheat if you use a licensed, legal online casino. They are tightly regulated, and their games are independently tested on a random basis to ensure everything is fair and trustworthy. Just avoid unlicensed offshore casino sites, where there is nothing in place to stop dealers from cheating.
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