Live Dealer Blackjack

How Do you Play Live Blackjack?

To play this game, there are a number of things you need to have. They include the following:

• A laptop or PC with a webcam – The webcam enables you to see the tables offered at the casino. If you are using a mobile phone, it has to have a functional front camera
• A stable internet connection – A fast internet connection is essential for a pleasant and enjoyable gambling experience while playing live BJ. If you however can’t find one, you just need to get a connection that’s stable.

Once you have these two, you can now visit any casino of your choice and start playing live blackjack online. Unlike other online casino games, you can only play live blackjack using real money.

Rules Involved When Playing Live Blackjack

As already mentioned, the same rules followed when playing BJ at the land based casino are the same ones you need to follow when playing this game live.

Objective

Your main objective is to ensure that your hand value is higher than that of the casino’s dealer, but without exceeding a total value of 21. If you happen to exceed this value, you will lose regardless of whether or not the dealer’s hand is above 21 or not. This is what is referred to as a ‘Bust’.

The Gameplay

When playing this game, you’ll be competing against the house. The table that you sit in will have a total of 7 other players and you’ll be playing using a 52 card deck. This number ensures that cards aren’t shuffled frequently.

At the start of the game, the dealer deals the cards, starting with the player sitting on his/her left hand side. The values range from 1-11. All number cards 2-10, will be valued at their face value. Queen, King, and the Jack will be valued at 10, while the Ace will either be valued at 1 or 11 depending on your preference.

The dealer will deal two cards to each player seated at the table, face down, while they also deal two cards to themselves. However, one of the dealer’s card will be facing up, while the other one – the hole card, will be facing down.

Once every player has been dealt with a card, they can decide to take any of the following actions:

1. Hit – This simply means asking the dealer to deal you with an additional card.

2. Stand – When you opt to stand, it means that you don’t want any more cards from the dealer.

3. Double Down – This means that you double your initial bet, which will lead to the dealer adding you an extra card to your hand.

4. Split – if you happen to receive two cards, with the same value, you may decide to split them and play them as two separate hands.

How Is the Outcome Determined?

Once every player is satisfied with their choices, the dealer then reveals his hole card. You are a winner if you have a hand value that’s higher than that of the dealer but less than 21. Otherwise, you lose! Also, you lose if you automatically if your hand value exceeds 21. This also applies to the dealer. If you have a hand value that’s similar to that of the dealer, then a draw is announced, and you get your full refund.

Special Cases

There are other special in-game occasions, where special rules are followed. For example, you are an automatic winner if the value of your first two cards will be equal to 21. i.e., if you get an Ace with a 10 value card. This is what is referred to as a natural blackjack.

There’s also the insurance, where if the dealer’s card facing up is an Ace, you can place an additional bet that’s valued at 1.5× your bet. After that, the dealer will take a peek to see whether the hole card forms a Blackjack. If it’s natural, and you have a lower hand value, you lose your bet. If not, the round continues as usual.