The arrival of the internet has been massive for the casino gaming world, and people who had possibly neither the time nor the money to visit casinos before now have access to casino gaming. One classic game that has grown popular is online blackjack. People can learn about the game and then try their hand at it without even leaving the house. This has helped blackjack and other casino games to grow in popularity.
Rather than playing against a computer, however, some people prefer live blackjack, which involves playing with a live dealer, and the challenges and excitement that come with it. Below is a look at the live blackjack experience and why you should give live blackjack a try.
How live blackjack works
Different casinos offer live blackjack in different ways, but essentially, you play from home and the casino streams the action from the blackjack table to you on your computer or other device as it happens. If you’re sharing a table with other players, a camera may rotate to show you some of these other players.
The purpose of live blackjack, as well as of other casino games, is to recreate the experience of being in a brick-and-mortar casino as closely as possible. This is why the games feature a professional dealer. If not in an actual casino, the game is streamed from a studio that emulates a traditional casino and its different sights and sounds. It’s lively and entertaining.
Why try live blackjack?
Live blackjack and other casino games are incredibly thrilling, but here are some more reasons why you should give the game a try:
Immersive and authentic
The fact that you play the games in real time and that live blackjack recreates a traditional casino experience makes the game more immersive and authentic. Not only that, but it’s also accessible and convenient because you can enjoy the experience from your own home.
Private
When you’re in a traditional brick-and-mortar casino, you’re not likely to be alone at the table. You’re either sharing a table with other players or you have a crowd of onlookers standing around you, all following what is happening at the table. This can distract you from the game slightly and place you under the seeming pressure to make wagers you wouldn’t normally make. Live blackjack removes that pressure by allowing you to play privately at home.
Reassurance that the game is fair
The fact that you can see everything happening in real time via the web cam offers you and other players reassurance that the game is fair. In live blackjack, you can watch the dealer shuffle the cards (they may use a card shuffler), cut the deck and deal out the cards. When it comes to standard online blackjack, some players fear the casino may interfere with the game. This isn’t possible in live blackjack because the action is unfolding right in front of you.
The rules are the same
If you already know the rules for standard blackjack, you can just sit down and start playing live blackjack because the rules are the same. Importantly, if you don’t know the rules of blackjack and/or have never played before, you should stay away from live blackjack until you’ve become familiar with the game and how it works. Unlike in standard online blackjack, where operators often allow you to practice with demo games, in live blackjack you’re playing with real money from the start of the game. There’s no practice mode or practice session for live blackjack.
Interaction with the dealer and other players
Even though you’re playing from home, live blackjack still has a social side. You can interact with the dealer (although they won’t be able to see you and it’s via text) and, depending on the website you’re using, you can also chat to other players (via the text function). Remember that whether you’re playing live blackjack online or offline, you don’t want to upset other players by being overly talkative and offering unwanted advice.
Faster games
When you play live blackjack online, you can get straight down to the business of gaming. That’s because you don’t have to wait for other players and to queue for a seat at a crowded table. Since it’s often just you and the dealer, you can play more hands in an hour. This flow of play increases engagement and adds to the excitement of the game.
If you’ve not played live blackjack before, you’re in for a thrilling experience. It’s always best to make sure you have a solid grasp of blackjack before immersing yourself in the live experience. Thankfully, a lot of online casino operators provide practice modes so you can learn the game and build confidence before trying out the live game. Once you try, you might not even want to go back to standard online blackjack!
