Live blackjack guide
Written by Adiela de Bruyn 
Reviewed by Eugene JacobsBlackjack is easily one of the most popular card games. The objective of blackjack is to beat the opponent by building a hand with a total value that is close to but not more than 21. Live Blackjack seeks to replicate the same thing that is obtained in land-based casinos. It is hosted by a real dealer and streamed from a casino or studio. This means you can enjoy this game of real cards without leaving your own home.
Are you wondering if you should play live blackjack online or not? We've got you. In this piece, we shall unveil every necessary thing about playing live blackjack games in South African online casinos. Before you get to the end of this piece, we shall also give you some tips to play it better in real-time. You don't want to miss any lines; keep reading!
Table of contents
- Common Terms Used in Blackjack
- Card Dealing and Card Values in Blackjack
- Some Popular Live Blackjack Variations
- Live Blackjack Software Providers
- Live Blackjack on Mobile
- How to Play Live Blackjack Games in South African Online Casinos
- Some Tips for Playing Live Blackjack
- Frequently Asked Questions about Live Blackjack
Top 10 Live Blackjack Casinos in South Africa
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Common Terms Used in Blackjack
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Blackjack | The blackjack is the ultimate hand in the game, and it is typically formed by an ace and a 10-value card. |
| Up Card | This is the dealer's first card; it is dealt face-up. |
| Hole Card | This is the dealer's second card. It is a down-facing card. |
| Hit | When you choose to hit, you're raising the value of your hand by asking the dealer for one more card. |
| Stand | To stand means to decline any extra card and stick with your current hand value. |
| Double Down | To apply this strategy, you double your initial bet, take an extra card, and then stand afterwards. |
| Split | When the two initial cards dealt to you are of the same value, you can turn them into two separate hands. You'll then have to place an additional bet that is equal to the original bet. This is called splitting. |
| Surrender | When you have been dealt your cards and you don't like the hand, you can give up the bet. That way, you will lose half your bet. This is called surrendering. |
| Insurance | An insurance bet is a side bet that you can play when the dealer's face-up card is an Ace. You win the insurance bet if the dealer's hand is a blackjack. |
| Push | This is a tie between your hand and that of the dealer. |
| Bust | When your hand value is more than 21, you lose the bet. This is called a bust. |
Card Dealing and Card Values in Blackjack
When you're playing live blackjack games, you are not playing against other players but against the dealer. It is important to know how cards are dealt and the value of each card. Knowing this will help you make the best decisions when playing.
At the start of the game, you are dealt 2 face-up cards, while the dealer is also dealt two cards. However, one of the dealer's cards is dealt facing up, and the second is dealt facing down. The card values are explained below:
- Numbered cards: All numbered cards have their own face value.
- Face cards: Face cards (Jack, Queen, and King) are all worth 10.
- Aces: Aces can be worth either 1 or 11. You can choose a value that is more advantageous for your hand.
Some Popular Live Blackjack Variations
When you check the live casino section of any online casino, you will find different live blackjack games. To know the best one for you to play, you have to consider factors like your skill level, the speed of the game, and your budget. In this section, we shall look at some of the most popular live blackjack games.
Classic Blackjack
If you are one of the new players, it is best to stick to Classic Blackjack. It is the most popular variant of the game as it follows the basic rules without adding anything. The aim is to achieve a hand (player's hand) that is more than that of the dealer but at the same time not more than 21. You'll find this variant at most SA casinos.
European Blackjack
European Blackjack is similar to Classic Blackjack but with some variations. Unlike Classic Blackjack where both the hole and up cards of the dealer's hand are drawn immediately, In this game type, the hole card is drawn after players have completed their hands. Also, when compared to other variants, the European Blackjack has a lower house edge. All standard bets can be placed in this blackjack live and it is one of the best game types for new players.
Speed Blackjack
If you feel like the pace of the Classic and European games is too slow, you can play Speed Blackjack. It follows the basic rules of the blackjack but the dealer doesn't have any hole card. That is, the two cards that make up the dealer's hand are face-up cards. This makes it easier for players to place bets and make decisions. By so doing, it increases the speed and makes it faster than other games.
Infinite Blackjack
Infinite Blackjack is an interesting variant of the classic Blackjack game. If you're one of those players who wants to play live blackjack online with the utmost interaction, this might just be the best variant of blackjack live for you. In this variant of live dealer blackjack, there are an infinite number of seats at the blackjack table. This means that the game is not restricted, and an unlimited number of players can join in on the fun. Generally speaking, there are no special rules for infinite blackjack live, as it follows the standard rules of the game.
All Bets Blackjack
All Bets Blackjack is a very interesting blackjack variant that can be played with a live dealer. It was originally developed by Playtech, and it caters especially to players who are the most daring and love to explore all their options. As the name suggests, you can place “all” bets. You can split your first two cards if they are of equal value to form another hand; you can double down on a hand before taking the third card; and you can place an insurance bet if the dealer’s upcard is an ace. Etc. Overall, you're spoilt with betting options when you play All Bets Blackjack live.
Free Bet Blackjack
For more fun, excitement, and better-winning potential, you can play Free Bet Blackjack live. While other variants that can be played online allow you to double down or split your bet at an extra cost, Free Bet Blackjack will allow you to do these things at no extra cost at all. Don't think for a moment that this will affect your regular payout because it will not. You will still get paid double when you play split or double down when playing this variant of live dealer blackjack. Well, there are some rules to the game. In Free Bet Blackjack live, you can only double on 9, 10, or 11, and you can split most pairs but not 10s or face cards.
VIP Blackjack
If you think you're a special player at the casino, then you need to play live dealer blackjack by sitting at VIP blackjack tables. This variant of the live dealer blackjack games is specially made for high rollers with a lot of money and discerning individuals who seek a refined and personalized gaming environment. Depending on the software provider that made the version you are playing, expect the minimum stake to start at around $50. That's more than 900 Rands. This means that if you're on a budget and don't have a lot of money, this live online blackjack might not be the best option for you. However, the experience when playing VIP Blackjack is very intense and entertaining. If you think you've got what it takes and want to play live dealer blackjack online game, you can play VIP live blackjack online and win some money in real-time.
One Blackjack
Pragmatic Play says Live One Blackjack is the one blackjack live game that you should try playing if you want to play live dealer blackjack at all. The live dealer game maintains what you'd expect from standard Blackjack as it follows the same rules but provides you with a better-winning potential. It is a single-seat blackjack game allowing players to make decisions using the same box. Live One Blackjack has 4 side bets, some of which you won't find in most of the other variants of the game. They are the Crazy 7, Blust Bonus, 21+3 and the perfect pair. Don't let the One Seat in Live One Blackjack confuse you, the game accommodates an unlimited number of players.
Lightning Blackjack
Last but surely not least is Lightning Blackjack, which is designed by Evolution Gaming and is played with multiple decks of cards. This live online blackjack game is basically the same as the classic blackjack game but has supercharged RNG-based Lightning Card multipliers in every game round. The multipliers in the game depend on the score of the winning player. It is an exclusive game to Evolution Gaming, and it can see Blackjack players make good returns when they stake even the minimum bet. The multipliers of a winning hand can be 2x, 5x, 8x, 10x, 15x, 20x or 25x. Regardless of the multiplier that comes, you're sure to win even more. This real-dealer blackjack also allows the placing of side bets. If we were to suggest that you play online blackjack, we would recommend Lightning Blackjack tables.
Live Blackjack Game as can be found at Casino Tropez. (real money only)
Live Blackjack Software Providers
The different variants of live blackjack games available are provided by some of the most reputable software providers in the industry. Most times, the games are streamed from the studios of these software providers. It is worth noting that Evolution Gaming has the most variants, as it is the king of live dealer games. Here are some live blackjack providers:
- Evolution Gaming
- Pragmatic Play
- Playtech
- Ezugi
- Microgaming
- Netent
Live Blackjack on Mobile
Playing blackjack live games involves high-level video streaming. So it is important to use a mobile device with qualities that make streaming easy. The good thing is that almost every live casino and software provider uses technologies that allow the running of live blackjack online on mobile devices like phones and tablets. All you need is a good internet connection and a smart device. To make up for the screen size, you can put your phone in landscape mode when you want to play live dealer blackjack games.
How to Play Live Blackjack Games in South African Online Casinos
Now that you know the most important things about playing at live blackjack tables, you are ready to try your hands at this interesting card game. In this section, we will tell you how to play online blackjack live dealer games in South African online casinos.
- Find a Reliable Casino: The first thing to do is to find a reliable casino. The casino should be properly licensed and have live blackjack available. Check out our article on the best online casinos in South Africa to choose one that suits you.
- Open an Account: Once you find a real casino that you like, you can open an account in less than 10 minutes. Just visit the casino's official website and click "Sign Up or Register." You'll be taken to the registration page, where you can create your account.
- Start Playing Live Blackjack: Once you have created your account, it's time to start playing live blackjack. Visit the Live Casino section, and you can select one of the blackjack variants available. Place bets and wait for the dealer.
Some Tips for Playing Live Blackjack
Like most online casino games, winning live blackjack at a real casino is heavily dependent on luck. However, there are some decisions that you can take to improve your chances of winning. Some of these are:
- The first tip is to choose the variant that you understand.
- Always split anytime you have a pair of 8s or a pair of Aces.
- If you have a pair of 10s, you should stand, as you are very likely to win that round.
- If your hand value is 12 or less, you should hit. Although you risk drawing a 10, you are more likely to draw a card of lower value. The most important thing is to consider the dealer's hand before making your decisions.
- Stand if the dealer's up card is less than 10 and you have a hand value of 17 or more.
Frequently Asked Questions about Live Blackjack
What is the objective of live blackjack?
The objective of live blackjack is to have a hand value that is greater than that of the dealer without exceeding 21.
Can I play live online blackjack in South African casinos?
Yes, you can play live blackjack in SA casinos. Check out our list of the best casinos to play live blackjack.
Can I play live blackjack with casino bonuses?
Sometimes, you won't be allowed to play live blackjack with casino bonuses. However, some casino bonuses have live casino games as eligible games.
Is playing live blackjack safe?
Yes, playing live blackjack is safe. The casinos and software providers are properly licensed.
Can I play live blackjack for free?
No, you can't play live blackjack for free. However, you might be allowed to play the electronic version for free. You can use this to learn how to play live blackjack.
Adiela de Bruyn
Adiela founded the website and has over 17 years of experience in the gambling industry. She reviews all listed casinos and carefully checks licensing, safety, and legal requirements before anything is published.
Eugene Jacobs
Eugene is our compliance and audits expert with years of experience in the online gambling industry, carefully verifying licensing, regulatory standards, and fairness before every page is published.