Live Dealer Blackjack
Blackjack has been around for hundreds of years in some form or another. In the twentieth century it evolved into a casino game, and then it used the internet to become an online gambling game. Now in the twenty first century it has evolved once more, not only becoming a mobile casino game, but also a live dealer game.
Like all live dealer games, Live Dealer Blackjack is played via a video stream on your computer, live from a studio. The dealer is no longer a computer program, but an actual living person on the opposite end of the video stream.
Top 3 Live BlackJack Casinos
#1. Mr. Green
Powered by Evolution Gaming that, in my opinion, is by far the best software provider of live dealer games and that also includes BlackJack. Mr.Green Casino brand has been around for a decade, serving a large amount of players and providing excellent service. Their site is themed about this mysterious guy in a green suit, who appears to be a high class casino player, playing for the highest stakes available.
If you are like that too, you should definitely join Mr.Green as they offer some of the highest betting limits in the industry. Choose between live dealer blackjack, roulette, baccarat, casino hold’em and their latest game – three card poker.
All new players can claim a $/£350 welcome bonus with a 100% match as well as free spins that are actually offered constantly, once you sign up and make your first deposit.
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#2. Vegas Paradise is a new online casino that was established a few months ago, but they’ve already managed to make a ”killing”. Their live dealer games are created and 
provided by MicroGaming, who aren’t as well known as Evolution, but still provide a great playing environment.
Games that are offered at Vegas Paradise live dealer casino are BlackJack, Roulette and Baccarat. MG have told us that they are working on a few more though, but for now, these are the ones you will be able to play.
New players get $/£200 welcome bonus, with a 100% match as well as between 10 and 20 free spins, depending on the monthly promotion going on at the time.
—> Play MicroGaming’s Live BlackJack at Vegas Paradise Now! T&C Apply 18 +
Top 3 Live Software Providers
#1. Evolution Gaming – simply outstanding offerings. The graphics are far superior than competitors and the footage that you will see on your computer screen will certainly make you feel that you’re in a land based, brick & mortar casino, rather than playing online. Games can also be played on an iPad or iPhone and as far as I know, Evolution is the only provider that offers Three Card Poker.
#2. PlayTech – also great live dealer games with stunning dealers and great quality video stream. PlayTech is the only one offering Sic Bo in a live dealer format, which certainly distinguishes them against the competition a fair bit.
#3. MicroGaming – usually known for their slot games, but MG are also providing many casinos with live dealer software. Although they only offer three games in this suite, if you want to mix their slot machines with some live casino play, casinos powered by them would be a nice choice.
Other notable live software vendors – Net Entertainment, Vuetec, Visionary iGaming.
How to bet?
Getting used to Live Dealer Blackjack isn’t as hard as it sounds. The player still has a computerized menu bar to place their bets with. The only difference is that other players can sit at the table in Live Dealer Blackjack. When you get to a live dealer table, you can place your bets with computerized chips just like in online blackjack. Move them into the betting circle and the dealer will deal you in.
How to play?
Live Dealer Blackjack is played just like land-based blackjack, or online blackjack for that matter. The real life dealer will deal out cards to all players in the hand. Once the dealer is done, the dealer will ask you what your decision will be. This is where you can hit or stand – and if you have the cards to do so – split or double-down. The dealer will do this for each of the players, before completing their own hand.
As with all blackjack games, the objective is take on the dealer. If you’ve got a better hand than the dealer you will win. You won’t lose just because another player has a better hand than you. You can just ignore those players if you wish.
All the standard rules of blackjack are applied in Live Dealer Blackjack. This means that if you go over 21, you are bust, and if there is a tie, the bets are pushed.
Pay-outs
Having blackjack will see you paid 3:2 in Live Dealer Blackjack. Insurance bets will always pay out at 2:1, and a standard win will see you pocket even money (1:1). Although the rules vary between Live Dealer Blackjack games, in most cases the dealer will always stand on 17, and must draw to 16.
Special features
One of the perks of playing Live Dealer Blackjack are its special features. With Live Dealer Blackjack, you have the ability to talk to the dealer and on occasion the other players, too. There is usually a chat box located, and players can type directly into the box. In some instances, they can actually talk with the dealer and other players via audio, thanks to a headset and microphone.
Tips and Tricks
Always remember, that the other players and the dealer are real human beings. Live dealer casinos usually have pretty strict rules about what you can or can’t say. Be respectful or you could find yourself banned from playing the game!
Overall Experience & Final Thoughts
Live Dealer Blackjack really is the next step in online gaming. True, it is still a relatively new bit of technology, so as such it requires a bit of tweaking (doesn’t everything at the beginning?) Live Dealer Blackjack may not be suitable for players running older browsers, or with older machines. If you have a modern PC and the latest software installed on your computer, then you shouldn’t have a problem running Live Dealer Blackjack, and will find it an exhilaratingly enjoyable online casino gambling experience.
All Casinos Offering Live Dealer BlackJack