Your Online Casino Live Blackjack Guide for 2024

Live Blackjack

Blackjack is one of the most popular games in any given casino. The rules are simple enough for anyone to understand and play, but there is enough strategy involved to entice more experienced gamblers who can beat the house edge. Due to its engaging nature, live dealer blackjack has become just as popular in online casinos.

Live dealer blackjack is available in Canadian online casinos where players can earn real money - and if you want to find out how, just keep reading. On this page, you'll learn about the following:

BEST CANADIAN ONLINE CASINOS

What To Know Before Playing

Before Playing

The goal of blackjack is to either get 21 or as close as possible to 21 than the dealer without going over 21 or "busting". That's all there is to it. You are not playing against any other players at your table, only the dealer. Blackjack is played using up to 8 standard 52–card decks of playing cards. Cards showing numbers two through ten are valued as shown. Face cards are all valued at ten and Aces are flexible, they can equal 11 or one.

Due to the level of attention and strategy required to play live blackjack, it has become all the rage in online casinos across Canada. Players are flocking to their favourite sites to play one on one with a live dealer not to just win big, but have an actual person dealing the cards.

Getting Into the Thick of It

Blackjack is a truly enjoyable game, especially when the table is winning and the live dealer is on a losing streak. You want your stack of chips to grow and in order to do that, you have to master the game. Just keep in mind that some blackjack sessions will be better than others and your chances of hitting a gigantic jackpot aren't very high, unless of course you've bet thousands of dollars at a hand. Regardless of how much real money you're playing for, your ultimate goal is to win.

We've found it to be easiest to start from the beginning with the basics, here are some simple steps you should know to start playing blackjack.

1
dealt two cards
You and the live dealer are dealt two cards each. The dealer has one card face down and one face up, while the player's cards are face up.
2
hit
If you don't have a blackjack and neither does the dealer, you ask the dealer to "hit".
3
bust
When taking cards, if you go over 21, you lose (bust). If you don't want to "hit", you can "stand".
4
draw or stand
Once the player is satisfied with their hand, the dealer turns his down card face up to draw or stand, as necessary.

On top of these basics, there are a few other terms and strategies that you can learn in order to play a better game.

You 'Stand', or 'Stay', when you don't want to be dealt another card, this can be done at any time after the first two cards are dealt. You can 'Split' when you are dealt two of the same cards, which separates them to form two new hands. In this instance you will need to place an equal bet to your original wager and two new cards are given to your new hands.

The most common belief is that Blackjack was first played in casinos in France around 1700. The game was then called Vingt-et-Un.

A more advanced play is 'Doubling Down'. This means you wager a second bet that matches your original bet, and you are dealt just one more card – no more than one. This is a move you might consider if you are dealt an 11, meaning that any face card would give you blackjack. Other betting options may include buying what is called 'Insurance', which is a side bet that the dealer has blackjack, and 'Surrendering', which is an option to give up your hand.

To start with, dealers have a specific set of rules that they have to play by. Unlike the players, they are not allowed to use their own judgment on when to hit or stay and they are not allowed to double down or split. If the dealer's first two cards are 16 or lower, the dealer must hit, and if their cards are valued at 17 or higher, they are forced to stay.

The Perks of Live Dealers

Live dealer blackjack is considerably more entertaining than standard online blackjack because it gives you a real person to go up against. Blackjack is a game between the player and the daelr and can be a bit dull when the dealer is a computer acting according to standard strategy. When you play against a real dealer the game is a bit less predictable and feels much more realistic and enjoyable. Not only that but you get the interaction of a real casino while being in the comfort of your home. It's the best of both worlds.

Live Dealer Blackjack Vs. Normal Online Blackjack

The purpose of online blackjack is to simulate the live experience of playing in a brick and mortar casino, however, it's far from providing the exhilarating feeling and excitement associated with the game. The software and electronics used for normal blackjack are still not able to replicate the live experience. However, with the introduction of live dealer blackjack online, players have a terrific reason to rejoice. The live version offers a range of advantages that often make it the preferred variation of casino online blackjack. Here's a more detailed breakdown of how these two match up against each other.

Live Dealer Blackjack

Players enjoy the feeling of interacting with a human dealer, much like they would at a brick and mortar casino.

It uses the latest video streaming technology to bring the action to you. Dealers are usually in a studio that is regulated by casino software licensing giants.

Players can engage with the dealer, via a live chat function that is offered. Allowing you to chat, as well as receiving advice and tips from them as you play.

Normal Online Blackjack

While online blackjack is played through Random Number Generator (RNG) software also, it lacks the ‘human touch'.

The sights and sounds are quite mundane as there is no "live" action happening.

Playing regular blackjack is a far cry from the brick and mortar version, where you can take in and relish the dealer calling out "black action" or other common blackjack terms.

Strategy Suggestions For New Players

Blackjack continues to offer relatively good odds to those who understand a few basic rules of the game. Unlike other casino games of complete chance, blackjack actually requires a fair amount of thinking and strategizing, which is why you as a player have to keep a game plan in mind to succeed. Here are some basic strategic moves you can take advantage of when playing live dealer blackjack at your favourite casino.

The Lower Hand Approach

Most players are so focused on trying to reach 21 that they don't realize they can win, and win more often, with a lower valued hand. You can win blackjack with a lower hand if your dealer busts - which happens 28% of the time.

Correct Play Of The Day

If you decide you want to play live dealer blackjack frequently, it would be useful to memorize a mathematical chart that shows you the correct way to play each hand. Many live dealer blackjack online casinos offer free versions so you can practice and memorize the charts before moving on to real cash games and playing for Canadian Dollars.

Pro Tips for Casino Online Players

Whenever you play blackjack online keep in mind that a pro dealer is almost always going to stand when he has a 17 hand that's soft. You’ll also only lose out on your original bets so play smart throughout a match. Keep the following tips in mind as well and you'll do better in the games.

Always Split Two 8s

Don't forget to split two 8s. Getting a 16 is considered bad, so by splitting you improve your chances and needless to say, end up losing less money. If you draw a ten to both hands, you have arrived at two 18s rather than one 16 – so you improve your odds.

Do Not Split Two 10s

If you're lucky enough to land a hand that equals 20, don't split it. Your objective is to get 21, but if you have been able to get 20 within the initial two dealt cards, the dealer can only beat you with a 21, definitely not an easy hit.

Playing At A Reliable Live Blackjack Casino Online

Reliable Casino

CasinoOnline.ca is your ultimate destination to find the hottest Canadian Blackjack casinos online. We've spent hours scouring the web to find the best, most reliable and exciting casino online sites.

For our process of deeply evaluating each casino, we have inspected which licenses each top casino carries, what kind of reviews players have about the casino, how quickly they process winnings, and much more.

Start your winning live blackjack streak today!

Live Blackjack FAQ

Live dealer blackjack allows you to have the live casino experience with a real dealer, but in the comfort of your own home. This is the traditional game you see at physical casinos, so the experience isn't any different to the one at your local casino. With live video streaming, the game is played the way it should be - with a live dealer in front of you and not just a computer dealing cards. Lastly, instead of relying on RNG software, you face real cards being dealt. Players also have the ability to chat with the dealer if they have any questions about the game.
Players may need to download the casino software to play online live dealer Blackjack. This will vary from site to site. Some online casinos offer web-based play so that users can still play through their iPhones or mobile devices without having to download anything. In addition, you will need a reliable internet connection to stream the video of the dealer, along with a speaker to listen to them.
While rules vary slightly for each casino online, the rules are generally the same as they are in any live casino. Blackjack site bets are not necessarily offered at every casino and the rules of each casino vary on Doubles, Splits, & Surrenders. Nonetheless, if you know how to play any version of blackjack, you will undoubtedly be able to play the live casino online version at your favourite Canadian site.
Not all sites offer live online dealers, which is why we suggest that you review our Live Dealer blackjack list. We've recommended a selection of fully vetted online casinos that allow users to play live dealer blackjack. Since blackjack is such a popular game, you'll find it on the majority of Canadian Dollar gambling websites.
Online live dealer games have grown in popularity due to their likeness to playing in a real casino. Since these versions are far better graphically and more interactive than facing a dealer in the form of a computer, players are more involved and find the live dealer games much more exciting. In addition, having a charming gentleman or a beautiful lady dealing the cards makes this variation even more popular.
Bonuses will vary depending on the casino online. Most casinos grant players generous welcome bonuses that can help them start the game in a better position. Just make sure you read the fine print on the bonuses to take full advantage. These bonuses can give you a fantastic head start.
Game availability will vary depending on the online casino you're playing at. However, the vast majority of casino sites in Canada permit players to play live blackjack round the clock. Regardless of whether you want to get your game on early in the morning or late at night after the kids are asleep, there's a live dealer available to take your bets.
Online live dealer blackjack is run using the same rules and regulations as land-based casinos. The likelihood that a live dealer blackjack casino online is running a rigged game is extremely low as all major casinos are monitored by licensing agencies to ensure fair gameplay. In addition, the casinos we shortlist are licensed by fully recognized and official gambling authorities to ensure that players get their money's worth.
In some online casinos, you can see other dealers, but you will not see other players while playing live dealer Blackjack. This will depend on the online casino you are playing at. But since most players enjoy their privacy when playing live, they prefer not to be seen by other players. For this reason, the majority of live dealer blackjack online casinos don't let players see each other.