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How to Play: 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.

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.

What Is Basic Blackjack Strategy?

Basic Blackjack Strategy is the mathematically optimal way to play blackjack. There is a statistically best move to make in any given situation you can be in while playing blackjack. This move depends on your current hand, the dealer’s up card, and the table rules. The best way to play blackjack live is to know what these moves are and use them accordingly.

Check out our basic blackjack strategy chart below if you want to know the exact steps to win blackjack.

We have to note a few things beforehand, though. Although this chart is tried and true and has been for decades, it won’t make you win every round and every hand. Just like every other casino game, blackjack has a house edge. That’s the inherent advantage of the casino over the players. There’s no simple way to overcome this advantage, so the player will always lose in the long run. That’s the nature of gambling.

Basic strategy in blackjack does not overcome the house advantage. However, it does minimize it. If you play according to the chart below, the average blackjack table will have a house edge of under 0.5%. That’s by far the best you can get with any game on even the best live casinos. It’s also why good players love blackjack so much – it’s not purely based on luck like roulette or similar games. Luck is still good to have, though.

Blackjack Strategy Chart

Below you’ll find the best blackjack strategy chart for most live tables with real dealers.

We should also note that the exact moves on this table depend somewhat on the table rules. For example, a single-deck blackjack chart would look a bit different. The one we made works for shoes with 4, 6, or 8 decks. In other words – most blackjack tables at casinos, both online and land-based.

Moreover, our blackjack chart was made with the assumption that the dealer hits to 16 but stands on a soft 17. Again, these rules apply to the overwhelming majority of live casino blackjack tables. We highly advise that you become familiar with this chart before moving on to advanced blackjack strategies.

H = Hit
S = Stand
SP = Split
Dh = Double if possible, otherwise Hit
Ds = Double if possible, otherwise Stand
Uh = Surrender if possible, otherwise Hit
Us = Surrender if possible, otherwise Stand
Usp = Surrender if possible, otherwise Split

Try the online blackjack strategy chart with one of the many tables at the 888 Live Casino!

Money Management in Blackjack

The situations that can occur in any live dealer blackjack game are infinite, so players looking to be successful will have to know online blackjack strategy and make use of itat all times. However, your moves are not the only control you have while playing. You also control the stake.

Money management is an essential skill every gambler should know. At its core, bankroll management protects you from losing too much or winning too inconsistently. However, it can have an even more important role while playing 21.

For starters, doubling is a key part of basic blackjack strategy. That’s the deeper level of money management you need to understand. Increasing your stake is a way of pressing your advantage if you have it. That’s why doubling is sometimes the best move to make, after all. If the cards you know look favorable, you double to win more. Moreover, card counting in blackjack is all about increasing the stake when the conditions are favorable.

Why is this so important? Because a winning blackjack strategy does not win the majority of the hands you play. Even professional advantage players only win about 42% of all blackjack hands. Winning blackjack is all about winning more money than you spend. If your bottom line is a positive number, you can consider yourself a winner.

If you’re just starting out, flat betting might be a good idea. Blackjack flat betting simply means that you’re wagering the same amount with each hand. You can find out more about flat betting in blackjack and its advantages here.

Note

The betting limits will also vary per table, so make sure to choose online that allows bets that coincide with the set casino budget.

Picking the Right Live Dealer Tables

Live dealer games provide a sense of being in a land-based casino and choosing where to play these games is essential.

Many online casinos are now offering live dealer blackjack, but players will find that the games do vary. Some providers use a studio, where the live dealer presents the games, while other casinos actually use a webcam in a land-based casino, which will offer a different experience. When choosing where to play live blackjack, know how the game is being transmitted as it can affect the quality of the game and the level of realism. Blackjack online strategies cannot change the fact that you’re playing at a player-friendly table (or otherwise.)

Also make sure that the casino site that has been chosen is using reliable and trusted software and that it is licensed and regulated, offering player protection for all. That much is a given, but it’s still worth mentioning.

Which Blackjack Tables are the Best?

You may have noticed that not all live casino blackjack games have the same RTP. Most hover around 99.5%, but not always. First of all, Blackjack RTP is calculated under the assumption that players are using basic blackjack strategy. However, the differences come down to small, subtle rule variations that can impact the game.

Most tables use standard Vegas Strip blackjack rules. Explaining how the differences impact gameplay is not easy, though. Instead, we’ll give you a list of the best rules in blackjack you should look for when deciding which table to use.

Dealer stands on soft 17
Double on any total allowed
Split and re-split allowed, including on Aces
Surrender option. Ideally, you want Early Surrender, though that’s hard to find
3:2 payout on blackjack (2:1 would be even better, but extremely rare)
Six-card charlie
As few decks as possible if you’re trying to count
High deck penetration (using more of the shoe before shuffling)

Also, note that many modern live casino blackjack games use common draw rules. This means that all players share the same hand. While this doesn’t change basic blackjack strategy, it may affect advanced tactics such as card counting. Read our Infinite Blackjack strategy guide for an in-depth guide on how all of that works.

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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:

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.

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:

4.6/5

April 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.

4.6/5

April 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.

4.5/5

April 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.

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.

Live Casino Editor

Our Chief Editor is a live casino aficionado with years of playing casino games online under his belt. His vast knowledge of the industry’s ins and outs makes him a great leader of our LC team, while his penchant for learning new things has made him a great strategist. This has come particularly handy with our in-depth articles and editorials, where his expertise can shine to the fullest.