If we have to name the two most popular card games on the planet, they would definitely be Poker and Blackjack.

They are players’ favourites worldwide, at brick-and-mortar and online casinos alike. Both games are available at live casinos as well, and you can play them at tables hosted by real-life dealers.

Once you join a live casino, you may be indecisive about which one you should play. We have done our homework and bring you all you should know about Live Blackjack and Live Poker. Stay with us as this guide should help you make your decision without difficulty.

Game Basics Explained

First, let us tell you more about the main differences when it comes to the two games’ basics. Although both Blackjack and Poker use cards, they offer an entirely different gaming experience. That’s why we have Blackjack fans and poker fans. If you wonder which of the two you may belong to, keep reading this article.

Blackjack is a card game where your main goal is to beat the dealer with a hand closest to 21 without exceeding it. It is a fast-paced game, and most live dealer Blackjack tables accept up to 7 players at the same time. The option you can use if all seats are taken is Bet Behind, integrated into most live dealer tables. It allows you to bet on one of the players at the selected table and you can choose them by their performance.

Hit, Double Down & Split

The options you can choose from include stand, hit, double down and split. If you create a hand of 21 in the first draw, you have a natural which pays 3:2 in most live dealer versions of the game. Beating the dealer without a natural earns you 1:1. If a round ends in a push, you get your original stake back. When the dealer holds an Ace, you will be offered to make use of insurance, which pays 2:1. What makes Blackjack popular with players is the fact that it has a low house edge provided you play it according to the proper strategy.

While Blackjack seems pretty straightforward, Poker requires more preparation as it is based on hands rankings. How many cards are included in a hand varies from one variant to another, but the goal is the same – beat the dealer with a hand of a higher rank. While in offline Poker games you play against other players, in Live Poker, you play against the dealer, which resembles Blackjack.

As for other rules Poker uses, they depend on the game variant you play. The biggest difference between Blackjack variations is in the side bets they offer whereas Poker games have their own rules, paytables and optional wagers.

Live Blackjack Variants You Can Play Online

At live casinos, you can find a selection of Blackjack games that vary based on the contributing providers. The tables support different betting ranges, thus catering to all kinds of players. While most providers initially launched tables where players can play standard Blackjack, today more and more of them come up with new takes on the popular game.

Some of the most exciting live dealer Blackjack variants include Speed Blackjack by Evolution and Quantum Blackjack by Playtech. While the former allows you to make a move regardless of the initial dealing order, the latter introduces multipliers that can boost your payout up to 1,000x. There is also Infinity Blackjack by Evolution, accepting an unlimited number of players and offering exciting side bets that can pay lucrative prizes.

Live Poker Variants You Can Play Online

When it comes to Live Poker, it comes in multiple variants. Most of them are created by Evolution Gaming with their most popular take on the game being Live Three Card Poker, whose name implies that it is based on three cards only. Another provider offering this game variant is Playtech. Other popular Poker games include Live Casino Hold’em and Live Ultimate Texas Hold’em.

Evolution is a pioneer when it comes to Poker as it is the first live casino provider that has introduced progressive jackpots to live tables. The ones you can hit a life-changing jackpot include Live Caribbean Stud Poker and Live Texas Hold’em Bonus Poker. When it comes to other innovations, we have to mention 2 Hand Casino Hold’em that allows players to play two hands at the same time.

It’s All About Strategy

What applies to both card games in question is that you can substantially increase your odds of winning if you use strategies for the selected variant. Although there are different advantage play methods like card counting believed to help you when playing Blackjack and Poker, we won’t discuss them here. The main reason for that is that they cannot help you when playing these games online.

If you want to master Blackjack, make sure to find the basic strategy that will show you which moves you should make based on your cards and the dealer’s face-up card. Find cheat sheets and learn whether you should stand, hit, double down or split depending on the cards you have received and the dealer’s card. When the dealer holds an Ace, you will be offered to use insurance, but we kindly suggest not doing so as this is one of the worst casino bets. Also, play other side bets reasonably as they can drain your bankroll as they come with a higher house edge.

As for Poker, the strategy you will use depends on the game variant you choose to play. You should consider playing RNG-operated games in free play mode until you learn the ropes and perfect the strategy for the selected game. It will tell you whether you should fold, raise your bet or make any other move that can help you beat the dealer with a better poker hand.

Final Thoughts

What you should keep in mind about both Live Blackjack and Live Poker is that they are skill-based games. It is the good and the bad news at the same time as you have to learn the rules and strategy before you start playing the game, but they can help you be more successful at the chosen table. Although payouts in these two games may not be as large as in slots, for instance, you have better odds of winning them unless you play side bets which involve a lot of risks.

Before you start playing any Blackjack or Poker variant, make sure to practice the game for a while as their live casino versions are available for real money play only. Once you start wagering your own cash, play responsibly and don’t exceed the amount you can afford to gamble no matter what!