Live Blackjack

What is Live Blackjack

Live Blackjack is one of the most popular online casino games in Canada. Live Blackjack is a card game played against a dealer and the object is to get closest to 21 without going over. It may sound simple enough but there is a lot more to it. In this guide we will go through the basics of the game as well as some more advanced rules before you take on dealers in an online live casino.

How to play live blackjack at an online casino

Live Blackjack in Canada is played with anything from a single deck to eight decks in a shoe. Once all players at the table has confirmed their bets, the dealer starts dealing cards until each player has two face up cards and the dealer has one card face up and one down.

Then each player takes turn to act and will have a few limited choices based on their cards. When all players are done, the dealer reveals their face down card and then either draws a card or stays.

American Live blackjack

American Live Blackjack is the most common version of the game. The dealer must draw on 16 and stay on 17. Players can insure against a Blackjack, split any pairs and double down on any two cards.

The Table and the Dealer

When you first join the table you can occupy up to three seats by clicking the empty spots on the table. Use the chips at the bottom of the screen to decide how much you want to bet. This is often referred to as the ante and the sum of your ante will be used for other bets you may wish to make during the game. win.

Side Bets

Side bets are optional and can be placed alongside the main bet before the cards are dealt. They typically work independently from the main hand, and you could win regardless of whether the main bet wins or loses.

Two common side best are 21+1 and perfect pairs. The 21+1 bet is based on your two cards and the dealer’s face up card forming a three card poker hand, while perfect pair pays out if your first two cards form a pair. Depending on the pair (suit and colour), the payout will differ.

Insurance

Insurance is a type of sidebet offered if the dealer shows an ace. Any player will be allowed to make a side bet at the value of half the original bet. Once all side bets have been placed, the dealer will then look at the hole card. If it is a 10 or picture-card, it will be turned up. Any players who accepted the insurance bet will be paid 2:1. If the dealer does not show a blackjack, all insurance bets are lost and the hand continues normally.

Types of bets you can place on live blackjack

There are two types of bets you can place on Live Blackjack after the hand has started. Each type of bet is optional and will have the same value as your initial bet.

Splitting pairs

If your first two cards have the same value e.g. two 10s, etc, the game will prompt you to either hit, stand, or split. When you choose to split, the dealer will separate your two cards into two new hands and deal one more card on top of them.

You will now be presented with either hit or stand on your first hand. The left one from the dealer’s point of view. Even if either of your new hand makes a pair you will not be allowed to split again. The option to double is usually not available.

When you are done with your first new hand you have the same decisions to make for your second hand. After you are done, it is the next player’s turn to act unless you are last at the table before the dealer. Then it is the dealer who will act.

The exception to the Split rule is when you decide to split aces. Then you will only get one card per new hand and your turn is over.

Doubling down

Check the rules for Double Down before you sit down at the table. Often you can see on the table either Double 9-11 pays 2:1 or Double any 2 pays 2:1. This is a small but significant difference.

If your first to cards has a total value of 11 you have a few options available. You can either hit, stand, or Double Down. When you Double Down you will only get one more card and it can be either dealt face down or up depending on the table rules. The cost of a Double Down is the same as your initial bet.

Double on any 2 means that you can choose to Double Down on any total value of your first two cards except for a Blackjack. However, if you are dealt two 10s it is better to choose to Split than to Double Down considering that only an ace can improve your hand.

Either way, once you get your Double Down card your turn is over and the dealer moves on to the next player to act.

Rules & Instructions

Here we will go through a game round from start to finish with all the rules, instructions and possible outcomes.

Join a Table + Place Bets

First, select a free spot or spots (up to three) you want at the table. Use the chips at the bottom of the screen to set the value of your bet and wait for the dealer to give out the cards.

Insurance

If the dealer shows an ace, the first thing that will happen is that all players will be offered to place an insurance bet equal to their initial bet. When all players are done the dealer checks his face down card and either reveals a blackjack (players who made the insurance bet are paid 2:1 - all other bets are lost except those who were also dealt a blackjack - those hands are considered a push and the players bet will remain to the next game round) or not. If the dealer does not have a blackjack, all insurance bets are lost and the hand continues with the player sitting to the dealer’s left as first to act. Players who were dealt blackjacks win 3:2 and are no longer in the game round.

Make The Choice To Hit, Stand, Split, Double Down

Your first two cards may bring either four choices or an immediate win. If you are dealt a blackjack you win immediately as long as the dealer does not show a 10, picture card or ace. If your cards form a pair you may choose to Split or Double Down as we described earlier. If you stand you simply pass the turn to act to the next player. If you decide to hit you will get one more card to add to your hand’s total value. You can continue to hit until you get 21 or go over. They your turn is over.

Card Reveal

When the last player to act is done the dealer will reveal the face down card and act according to specific rules. The dealer must draw if the total value is 16 or lower. The dealer must stand on 17-21. If the dealer goes over 21, all players win regardless of the value of their hands.

Live Blackjack Plays & Payouts

If a player’s hand closer to 21 than the dealer’s, without going over, the player wins and vice versa. Consult the table below for all possible pay outs.

Soft hands

Since an ace can be counted as either 1 or 11 in blackjack, any hand that contains an ace is considered soft as the total value can be adjusted by hitting for a third card. The obvious thing to note is that an ace is required to hit a blackjack but another benefit is that a hand with an ace can’t go bust by adding a third card.

This gives soft hands a clear advantage. It is advisable to stick with the guaranteed value rather than going for a Double Down. An ace and a 9 could be either 10 or 20, but we would never recommend to Double Down on this hand as a 10. Stand on the 20 for a good chance to win without risking any more money.

Hard hands

Hard hands do not contain an ace or the value of the ace must be either 1 or 11 for the hand to still be valid and considered in play. For example, a 6 and a 7 is a hard 13. If you hit an ace next your hand will be a hard 14 since the value of the ace must be 1 because 13 + 11 would be 24 and a bust.

A hard hand can become soft depending to the ace. If you start with a total value of 5 and add an ace you go from a hard 5 to a soft 6 or 16. It is important to keep track of these changes because blackjack is a game of mathematics and there is a way to play optimum blackjack.

Hands to surrender

Surrender is not always available at a Live Blackjack tables in Canada, but this is a power move that can save you money in the long rung if used correctly. There are times when you have a very small chane of winning. An example here could be a hard 17 against the dealer’s shown 10. If you are allowed to surrender you get to keep half your bet and you quit your turn. You can never surrender if you have taken any other action first.

Strategy & Tips

Here is some basic strategy and tips:

1. Always keep track of the cards dealt. If the last three to five cards were low or high you have a higher possibility of the next card being the opposite.
2. Splitting aces gives you two chances of hitting 21. It is only called blackjack if you hit it naturally on your first two cards.
3. Never go for the insurance bet. You can easily lose both the insurance bet and your inital stake against a dealer’s ace.
4. Understand the difference between soft and hard hands. Many of your decisions will be based on this.
5. Do not split 10s unless the dealer shows a 4, 5 or 6.
6. Use the surrender option if it is available and necessary. It is better to cut losses than hoping against all odds.