The New Version of Blackjack Hitting the Market by Storm

So many people love casinos, because they offer something for everyone. The best of these venues will provide their customers with games that suit novice players as well as ones designed for more experienced gamblers.

There can be no doubt as to which of those categories blackjack falls into. This perennial casino favorite is a sophisticated and complex game of strategy that people study in depth to master.

Of course there is more than just a single version of blackjack. All of them operate on the premise that the gambler and the dealer are competing to get a hand of cards closest to 21 in value though.

The different versions are a way of keeping the game fresh for regular players. And there is one that is taking the gambling market by storm right now.

What is this New Variant on Blackjack?

The new version of blackjack that is causing such a stir in the casino gaming world is one that is largely being played at online casinos. That is no surprise as they are where most of the energy and growth are to be found in the casino sector.

It is known as live blackjack and it is part of the trend towards live online casino games that has been picking up speed in recent years. Where these differ from standard online casino gaming is that they replace the algorithmic opponent with human dealers and rivals. An online casino customer links to them using a live video stream.

These live versions of poker, roulette and blackjack have impressed regular online players of those games. That is because they enable the gaming to incorporate greater atmosphere and sociability; making it more like playing at a bricks and mortar casino but with added convenience and comfort.

That is the first thing that you need to know about live blackjack: it is played over the internet but involves face-to-face video contact with a dealer. Playing against a human dealer also makes the game harder and less predictable, which suits blackjack players who want to be challenged to the limits of their abilities.

The Rules of Live Blackjack

Being played in that way is not the only thing that separates it from the standard online blackjack games found at casino sites. There are also distinct rules that people who want to take part in a live blackjack game must be aware of.

In the form offered by most casino sites, live blackjack is played with eight decks of cards. Despite that it is still a relatively straightforward version of the game.

The valuation of the cards in a live blackjack game follows that of the classic game rules. This means that the number cards from two up to 10 are simply valued according to those numbers.

The three face cards – meaning the Jack, the Queen and the King – all have a value of 10 within the game. An Ace card can either be valued at 11 or one, with this being decided based on which is better for the players and the dealer during play.

When the game gets underway, each player is dealt a single card facing up. If the dealer draws an Ace to start with, improving their odds of a win, players can make insurance bets to counteract that.

With an insurance bet, you will get back what you wagered if the dealer makes blackjack, but you will lose if they do not achieve blackjack. Getting blackjack means landing a hand of cards worth exactly 21 and guarantees either the player or the dealer a win.

It is simpler than some of the other versions of the game, which has contributed to its success. You need to be very skilled to play double exposure or multi-hand blackjack, but live blackjack hews closely to the classic rules of the game in most respects.

The Set-Up

Live blackjack games are played online using a video link to studios run by the casino sites. These have the dealers and the blackjack tables and cards, so it feels like playing the game at a land-based casino.

That is another reason why people have taken to it to such a degree. The experience of a live blackjack game generally involves more than one player – sometimes up to seven.

It is important to remember that each player is competing individually against the dealer though. That is a key difference between blackjack and poker, where players are up against each other.

If you are unsure of what the different plays you can make are, take some time to learn the rules before starting.

Live blackjack is the hottest version of the game now, combining the convenience of online play with the classic casino blackjack experience.