21 Goes Live at Your Online Casino

For the casino purist, blackjack remains a highly popular selection. Indeed the popularity of blackjack is so pronounced that players all over the world rank it on par with poker as their preferred game. An exciting innovation in online casino gaming has seen live dealer blackjack rapidly ascending the rungs of gaming popularity. Players are able to enjoy all the realism of Vegas-style blackjack from the comforts of home. And because it features the ultimate in casino realism, there is very little to differentiate the live-dealer game from the traditional blackjack game. The beauty of playing any version of blackjack lies in its simplicity. It’s a game that can be easily learned although it does take time to master.

How Live-Dealer Blackjack Trumps the Competition

Blackjack live dealer games combine all the excitement of table gaming action at a casino with all the convenience and comfort of playing from home. And it doesn’t matter whether you’re a novice or a seasoned professional – blackjack games are accessible to one and all. Players can opt in to enjoy live dealer blackjack games at all participating online casinos. The field is narrow – owing to the fact that innovative gaming software is required to power live-dealer games. Players at online casinos need to download the casino client and then power up their webcams to play live-dealer blackjack in real time, with real casino dealers.

The best part of playing live dealer blackjack is that you never need to leave home to enjoy it. You can lay back in your favourite armchair and play to your heart’s content. Live-dealer blackjack games are based on the Vegas Strip gaming variant. And there is very little to differentiate between land-based games and the live dealer gaming equivalent. Blackjack players are able to download the casino software from their favourite online casino and then make a real-money deposit online. The best part of the deal is that you can get up and running in double-quick time.

Enticing Gaming from Secure Facilities

The games are peppered with exciting action and a dollop of mega-jackpots for good measure. The games kick off in earnest with a live linkup to the secure live-dealer gaming facility. The casino dealers are ready to deal you in at a moment’s notice. Convenience is big on the agenda too – players will be able to enjoy oversized playing cards and preset minimums and maximums for online betting. While the use of a live video feed is certainly a big part of the action, players actually use the casino software to select their desired betting amounts. All tables sport a minimum and maximum betting limit. This allows players to select only those tables meeting their bankroll requirements.

How to Play Live Dealer Blackjack

Players will first place their real-money bets. It is important to note that the betting restrictions dictate what maximums and minimums should be adhered to. There is a designated time frame during which bets must be placed. After that period has elapsed, it is not possible to place wagers. Play begins when a dealer hands out a card to each player – face up. The second card is then dealt face up to the players. The dealer does not get a second card just yet.

The Blackjack Play

Starting on the croupier's left, a card is dealt face up to each player in turn with the croupier being last in rotation. A second card is then dealt in the same manner, face up to each player; the croupier does not get a second card yet. After the first two cards have been dealt, the players get a chance to improve their hand tallies. Hitting a total over 21 is called busting out. This automatically cedes your wager to the casino dealer. Players improve their hand values by selecting hit or stand. The former option results in another card being dealt.

Should a player’s two card total = 21, then a natural blackjack is recorded. Blackjack bets will pay off 3/2 if the dealer is beaten. Should the blackjack dealer exceed a count of 21, then all unresolved bets will be paid out. In the event that hand values are tied, then the resulting scenario is deemed a standoff. The next round of betting will determine the winner of the hand. Card values in blackjack are comprised of 10-value face cards and then nominal-value cards such as 2-10. Aces count as 1 or 11 depending on the other card/s.