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How to Play: Live Blackjack Strategy

Live Blackjack Strategy

If you want to win this world-famous casino game, you'll need a good blackjack strategy. That's one of the main reasons why some many people love playing it – because the player is (partly) in control of their destiny. Knowing how to win at blackjack online is crucial to your success.

The good news about live blackjack strategy is that it's virtually identical to the traditional game played in brick-and-mortar casinos. The bad news is that you still have to learn it, which can be tricky for a beginner.  We don't want to worry you, of course. The basic blackjack strategy for beginners is a matter of following a simple chart. The key to true mastery, however, is understanding why some moves are better than others. You can then use other techniques such as card counting to press your advantage.

Let's not get ahead of ourselves, though. On this page, you'll find a basic blackjack strategy guide with charts and tips for new players. By the time you're done reading through you'll be able to cut the blackjack house advantage to its bare minimum. Also, note that this page does not cover the basic rules of blackjack. Check out our live blackjack tutorial if that's what you're looking for.

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Basic blackjack strategy is the first step any prospective player needs to take if they want to become good at blackjack. However, remember that it's just the tip of the iceberg. It's a solid foundation that you can build on.

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What Is Basic Blackjack Strategy?

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Note

Picking the Right Live Dealer Tables

Card Counting

Card counting is a great blackjack strategy that can be used when playing live dealer games online. It is a well-known advanced blackjack strategy, made famous by the likes of the MIT blackjack team. It’s one of the most well-known forms of advantage play. As such, there are many misconceptions about it.

The premise is simpler than most people expect. You just keep track of cards as they are played through. This gives you knowledge of what cards are still in the shoe.

A common misconception is that card counting improves your chances of winning a blackjack hand. It doesn’t. Card counting hopefully gives you an idea of the chances your next hand has to win. If you have a better shot than usual, you increase the stake. If not, you play at the table minimum or leave the table altogether.

This involves knowing how many high and low cards are dealt from the deck. If players see a large number of low cards being dealt, there is a better chance that the next cards will be of higher value. Higher-value cards are generally good for players, so that would be a good moment to raise the stakes. The simplest form of card counting in blackjack is called Hi-Lo. You can find a detailed guide to Hi-Lo card counting here.

Card counting cannot be used with standard online blackjack games but can be employed with live blackjack since the deal is live and not computerized. Since there are real shoes and real cards, it’s possible to count them. That said, the effectiveness of card counting for live online blackjack is questionable. It comes down to deck penetration, or how much of the shoe the dealer goes through before shuffling. If it’s too low, card counting is useless. Still, it’s worthwhile to try this blackjack strategy online.

Using Blackjack Bonuses

Card counting in blackjack is one of the few ways you can use to actually beat the casino house advantage. However, it’s hard to do in live casinos, and may get you banned. It’s also not necessarily consistent until you get good at it.

So is there a good strategy to beat blackjack without counting cards? Yes, in a way. Like we said, winning blackjack strategies are all about getting a net positive. One way to do so is through live casino bonuses. A nice bonus can award free funds to play blackjack. That way, you can end up “in the green” even if you’re losing more than you’re winning.

Other blackjack bonuses include cashbacks and refunds, which again swing things in your favor. A 5% loss cashback doesn’t sound like much, but it might just be enough to beat that 0.5% house advantage.

We already have a list of the best online blackjack bonuses available. Alternatively, here are some great live blackjack bonuses available right now:

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100% up to €100 New Player Bonus

Deposit min. €10. Max. bonus €100. 30x wagering (game weighting, table coverage and max. bet rules apply) on deposit and bonus to make the bonus balance withdrawable. Time limits and T&Cs apply.

Further Reading and Blackjack Strategy Guides

Our blackjack strategy guide has hopefully prepared you to take on this amazing game we love. Like we said, though, this is just the tip of the iceberg. Here are some other useful resources if you want to know more about blackjack strategy:

Top Casinos to Play Blackjack Live

Before we wrap up our blackjack strategy tutorial, here’s a last bit of advice. If you want to play blackjack online for real money, make sure you pick the right casino. First of all, this is where you’ll find the best tables. Secondly, your life will be a lot easier with good payment terms, quick withdrawals, and proper customer service. Moreover, top blackjack bonuses can make a big impact on your bottom line.

In short, don’t take your decision lightly, and make sure you shop around before committing your hard-earned cash. We’ve listed some incredible casinos below for you to try out your new-found blackjack expertise:

LeoVegas

4.6/5

December 2024

Considered one of the best live dealer casinos on the market, the LeoVegas Live Casino is a great destination for both low and high-rollers who enjoy numerous games and attractive tailor-made bonuses. The platform is available on a top-notch mobile app offering 24/7 authentic casino action.

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Dafabet

4.6/5

December 2024

Malaysian, Chinese and Hindi audiences have become the most faithful following for Dafabet – no wonder, since they feature native dealers in these aspects. Overall, Dafabet includes all the components that make live casino worth playing: strong game selection, live chat, polite native dealers and an authentic atmosphere.

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Playamo

4.0/5

December 2024

Playamo certainly offers live casino fans solid variety in terms of games, bonuses, and payments. Moreover, it’s accessible in many countries across the world, and in different languages. Whether you’re new to live gaming or have been on the playing field for years, the casino will have you feeling right at home with the flexible table limits and friendly dealers.

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FAQ

  • Is it better to play live blackjack?

Live blackjack is almost universally considered better than RNG online blackjack. The reasoning is that an actual card shoe and dealer not only feel better to play, but also offer opportunities for counting cards and similar techniques (which may be hampered by low deck penetration, however.) That said, compared to blackjack at brick-and-mortar casinos, it can’t be called strictly “better.” First of all, advantage play is most effective at land-based casinos. However, playing live online is much more convenient and affordable.

  • Does basic blackjack strategy work online?

Absolutely! Almost all strategies to win blackjack are effective while playing online, including basic strategy charts.

  • Is online blackjack the same odds?

Mostly, yes. In fact, some rules are strictly better in live casino blackjack compared to real-world tables. For instance, some Las Vegas casinos offer 6:5 payouts for Blackjack. Live online games never have that issue.

  • Is blackjack a game of skill or luck?

A bit of both. Luck is definitely a big factor. However, unlike with most other casino gambling games, so is skill. A skilled player can get quantifiable better results than one that isn’t playing strategically.

  • Can you cheat online blackjack?

Not really, no. There have been issues with cheaters in the past, but even if you figure out a way you won’t get much out of it. Casinos and providers are quick to detect and stop foul play. Additionally, you probably won’t be able to withdraw your winnings if caught cheating.

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