Play Live Blackjack Online at CoinPoker with Real Dealers

There’s plenty to consider when choosing between Live and Digital Blackjack. Want the “real feel” of a live casino? Live Blackjack is for you. Prefer a relaxed pace? Digital might suit you better. Here’s a quick comparison:

Live Blackjack offers a more authentic casino experience, while Digital Blackjack is ideal for those who prefer a slower game. Another major difference between these two is the social aspect. With digital Blackjack, you’ll be the only one at the table, while live Blackjack puts you side by side with other players.

Your goal at a live blackjack table is simple! You need to get cards totaling as close to 21 as possible without going over (busting). To get started, the dealer will deal you two cards, whose total can never exceed 21. If you get a ten and an ace, however, you will have Blackjack, and you will get paid 3:2.

However, in all other cases, you will be given a variety of choices to make. We will now explain each one of these choices, what it means, and how the play affects the outcome of your hand. Learn when to use them all and you will have a good shot at beating the dealer the next time you play.

Surrendering

The surrender option is not available in every blackjack variant. Some live blackjack online tables offer early or late surrender, depending on game rules. Surrendering means you forfeit your hand and get half of your stake back when the situation seems unfavorable for your hand compared to the dealer’s up card.

For example, if the dealer is showing a nine, and you have a total of 16, you should usually surrender. The dealer’s odds of beating your 16 if you stand are high, as are your odds of busting if you hit. By surrendering at the right times, you get to minimize house advantage and increase your RTP.

Hitting

Hitting is one of the simplest actions in live casino blackjack. Pressing the hit button lets the dealer know you want another card. When you hit, your bet stays the same, and you simply receive another card whose value is added to your running total.

For example, if you have a total of 11 and you choose to hit, you will receive another card. If that card is a ten or any picture card, your total will now be 21, which is the best total you can have in the game. You can hit at any time until your hand is busted, even if you have 20 in your hand.

Doubling Down

Doubling down is a blackjack action that’s offered after you are dealt your initial two cards. If you choose to double down, you only get one more card. However, you also have to double your bet before you receive that card.

Doubling down can be very favorable in certain situations when the next card is likely to make you a strong hand. For example, if you are holding a six and a five, you have a total of 11. If you double down, you get to double your bet and potentially have a total of 21 after you receive your next card.

Standing

Standing is another common blackjack action that can be taken for two reasons. Either you stand because your hand is very strong, or you stand because you believe the dealer is likely to bust.

You should usually stand when you have a total of 18 or higher to start with. However, there are also situations where you are best off standing even at lower totals if the dealer’s up card suggests they are likely to bust their hand.

Splitting

The option to split your cards is only offered when you are dealt a pair to start with. In most cases, it is only advisable to split a pair of aces or a pair of eights. If you choose to split, you have to place another bet equal to your initial bet. The cards are then split into two new hands, both of which are played separately.

Once you have split, you will get to play each of your new blackjack hands from scratch. Each card will receive its second card from the dealer. You will then have the option to split again (if another pair is dealt), double down, hit, or stand on each hand.

Insurance

Whenever the dealer’s up card is an ace, players are given a chance to take insurance. Taking insurance means placing an extra insurance bet, which covers your loss in the case of the dealer having a blackjack.

While insurance may seem like a good idea to blackjack newbies, its expected value is always negative. As a general rule of thumb, you should ignore the insurance option at the live blackjack tables, as it never helps you reduce the house edge, regardless of the situation.

How to Play Online Blackjack Live in Five Simple Steps

While it has many rules to consider, the game of blackjack is fairly simple. Each blackjack hand follows the same pattern, with the dealer and player taking turns acting on their hands.

Before you sit down at one of our live dealer casino blackjack tables, you should know the basic steps of how to play blackjack hands. We are going to explain them in more detail below, but each blackjack hand is made up of these five simple steps:

1. Player Places Bets

Before any cards are dealt at a blackjack table, all players must place their bets. At a live blackjack table, you will have a set amount of time (not very long) to place your bets. You can bet on just one box or multiple boxes, or place various side bets for the coming hand. Once the betting time is over, it’s time to deal the cards.

2. Dealer Deals Cards

The dealer deals two cards to each of the players, all face-up, and two cards to himself, one of which is dealt face-down. If the dealer’s up card is an ace or a picture card, they will check their down card for blackjack. If the dealer has blackjack, all players who haven’t surrendered or taken insurance lose their bet. If the player has a blackjack on their initial cards, they are paid 3:2, unless the dealer also has a blackjack, in which case the hand is a push. In all other cases, the hand proceeds with players taking turns acting on their hands.

3. Player’s Turn to Act

It is now your turn to act! Depending on the cards you are dealt, you will have the option to hit, stand, split, or double down. These decisions are totally up to you, and while there is an optimal strategy to consider, you are free to make any choices you want. You can choose to play “by the book” or go with your feelings and make a risky play to try and outmaneuver the dealer.

4. Dealer’s Turn to Act

Once all the players have completed their actions, it’s the dealer’s turn to play. The dealer turns over their down card and starts playing. Unlike you, the dealer is obligated to play by a set of rules that force him to hit or stand, depending on their total. The dealer also can’t double down or split their hand, but rather only hit or stand. The dealer may hit or stand on 17, depending on game rules, but will always hit on 16 and stand on 18.

5. Winners Decided and Payouts Made

If the dealer busts, all players who haven’t busted are paid even money on their bets. If the dealer stands, their hand is compared to all remaining hands at the table. If your total is higher than the dealer’s, you win even money. If your total is lower, you lose your bet and move on to the next hand.

Understand Live Blackjack Odds and Payouts

Understanding the odds is crucial to making informed decisions in live blackjack. At CoinPoker, we believe in empowering our players with knowledge. Here’s a comprehensive overview of what you can expect when playing live blackjack:

As you can see, the dealer wins less than 50% of the time in blackjack, but 8.48% of all hands end in pushes. Your best outcome is to get dealt a blackjack, which pays 3:2, while all other wins pay even money.

If you employ the best possible strategy, you should be busting 28% of your hands and winning 42.22% of all hands. Any deviations from optimal strategy will lead to these numbers changing in the house’s favor. Keep in mind that there are no further deviations you can make to push the edge in your favor.

Before you start playing, also remember to check for exact game rules. Different live blackjack tables may force the dealer to hit or stand on soft 17. Some games employ more decks of cards, which can change optimal plays in some situations. Finally, some blackjack games pay 6:5 instead of 3:2 for a blackjack, which you should always look to avoid.

Strategic Tips for Winning in Live Blackjack Games

Live blackjack may be a game of chance, but it also involves a serious strategic element. Unlike games like slots, your actions matter in blackjack. Playing the game wrong can mean giving the casino a significantly higher edge over you than necessary. To make sure you always get the best possible outcomes, here are a few basic online blackjack strategy tips to adhere to.

Memorize Basic Strategy:
Basic strategy is the name given to optimal playing strategy in blackjack. Before you play the game, you should study a basic strategy chart and learn it by heart. When playing online, you can even keep a chart on hand to remind yourself of the optimal plays. Any deviations from the basic strategy will only give the house a higher edge over you.

Play the Best Blackjack Variants:
We have over 150 live dealer blackjack tables. The overall RTP of these games differs, and you should always look to play at the tables with the highest RTP and lowest house edge. Make sure to pick blackjack versions with the most player-friendly rules at all times.

Be Mindful of Side Bets:
Side bets can be a fun way to add some flare to blackjack. However, they typically have a lower RTP than the base game and aren’t favorable. If you want to place side bets, make sure they are significantly lower than your base bet, as placing big side bets will cut a significant dent in your bottom line.

3 Best Live Blackjack Alternatives with High RTP 

Looking for games with a similar high Return to Player? Here are three top-notch alternatives to Live Blackjack that combine strategy, excitement, and excellent player value:

• Live Baccarat – With an RTP of around 98.9%, Live Baccarat offers a simple yet elegant experience. It’s fast-paced and ideal for players who enjoy low house edges and straightforward gameplay.
  
• Three Card Poker: This poker-style game blends strategy and social interaction, with potential returns of around 99.2%.
• Video Poker (Jacks or Better): With optimal play, the RTP here can exceed 99.5%. While not live, it’s perfect for players who want skill-based play and great odds.

Responsible Gambling for Live Blackjack Players

We are committed to providing a fun and exciting gaming experience, but we also prioritize the well-being of our players. We encourage responsible gambling and offer several tools to help you stay in control:

• Set deposit limits to manage your bankroll.
• Use our self-exclusion option if you need a break.
• Access resources for problem gambling support.

Our customer support team is available 24/7 to assist with any questions or concerns you may have about responsible gaming.

Get Dealt Into Live Blackjack Hands Here

We have over 400 live casino tables at CoinPoker, including around 180 live blackjack variations. Play anywhere in the world at our VPN-friendly casino that keeps your data private and your gaming anonymous. Join CoinPoker Casino and take on our friendly dealers for a live blackjack game!