Live Blackjack

Blackjack attracts more casual players than any other card game and it does this because it’s relatively simple to pick up and play. However, jumping straight into a game without any prior knowledge could be costly, so before you dive in, take a look at this guide to the basics. We’ll look at everything from the essential rules of Blackjack, to the strategies that can help you get to grips with the live dealer version of the game.

New Zealanders have access to some of the most popular live blackjack games. Below we have listed the top 5 that dominate. It is no surprise that the top 4 are all from Evolution Gaming and this is simply because its games are such high quality that players vote for them time and time again.

1. Infinite Blackjack by Evolution Gaming – A game-changing variant where unlimited players can join a single table, offering side bets like Any Pair and 21+3 for added excitement.
2. Power Blackjack by Evolution Gaming – This variant lets you multiply your bets mid-hand, with no 9s and 10s in the deck.
3. Blackjack Party by Evolution Gaming – A popular version for low-stakes players and is perfect for beginners or blackjack players who like to play small bets.
4. Speed Blackjack by Evolution Gaming – For those who value time, Speed Blackjack reduces the waiting period, allowing you to make quick decisions and play many hands in a short time period. It's ideal if you have a few minutes spare on your coffee break or smoko.
5. Playtech’s Quantum Blackjack – A unique twist with multiplier bonuses of up to 1000x. 

Live Dealer Blackjack provides many features you just won’t find on traditional “virtual” table games. Sure, it’s a little slower and if you’re a grinder who likes to play multiple tables at once then you may be more limited. But you simply can’t beat the level of immersion, nor can you compare to the sense of community you feel by playing in real-time with players from all over the world.

The rules of Blackjack are anything but complicated. However, there are a few important things that you need to consider before you get started.

• The Basics: A game of Blackjack begins when both the player and the dealer are dealt two cards, with one of the dealer’s cards being dealt face-down. The player acts first and tries to get as close to 21 as they can. The dealer acts afterwards and tries to beat them.
• The Moves: There are a few basic moves to consider when playing a hand of Blackjack, including:
  • Double: Your stake is doubled and you are dealt another card, at which point the hand ends.
  • Split: This can be triggered when a pair is dealt. It “splits” the pair into two separate hands, which are then played individually.
  • Insurance: A bet placed when the dealer’s up-card is an Ace. It pays 2:1 if they turn a 10, which would usually give them a game-winning Blackjack.
  • Surrender: The player “surrenders” their hand and gets some of their stake back.
• Side Bets: A side bet is offered in addition to a traditional game of It is something that players utilize with an additional bet, often placed as an ante, and one that comes with a list of payouts:
  • Perfect Pairs: Players are rewarded when their hand makes a pair.
  • 21+3: A three-card hand is made from the player’s two cards and the dealer’s single up-card. The stronger this hand is, the higher the payouts will be.
• Styles of Game: There are a few rules that can differ from one game of Blackjack to the next, even if it uses the same format and number of decks, this includes rules such as:
  • EU Dealing: The dealer only gets their second card after the players have made their decisions.
  • US Dealing: The dealer gets their second card at the same time that the player gets theirs.
  • Multi-Seat: A multi-seat game is one that allows you to play several hands at once by sitting in several different positions. This isn’t available on all Live Dealer Blackjack games and you may need to stay active to keep the seat.

Blackjack has some of the highest payouts of any casino games. In its original format, with a single deck, no side bets and traditional rules, Blackjack has an RTP in excess of 99.5%. There are a few things that can lower this, and we have discussed these below, but even with these active Blackjack still has a high RTP when compared to other games:

• Decks: Generally speaking, the more decks that are used, the lower the RTP will be, albeit only slightly.
• Unique Features: Some features, such as those used in games of Blackjack Switch, can actually improve the payout, but others can reduce it.
• Dealer Actions: All Blackjack games, including both virtual and Live variants, have dealer rules which determine when they will stand and hit. These have a big impact on payouts.
• Blackjack Value: Traditionally, Blackjack games reward a payout of 3:2 for a Blackjack. Many newer games in land-based casinos, however, have switched to a payout of 5:4, which reduces the RTP.

It’s often said that a game of Live Blackjack is about getting as close to the number 21 as you can. This is certainly part of the game, but in reality the real goal is to beat the dealer. If you have a higher score than them, or if you have a qualifying score and they go bust, then you win.

This is a small differentiation but it’s key and it could change how you play the game for the better. It’s also something that plays a big role in Basic Blackjack Strategy, which is used by all professional players.

This strategy is based on a series of moves, which themselves are based on probability. These rules will teach you which moves offer you the best chance of winning based on the starting strength of your hand and the dealer’s hand.

A few of the basic tenets of Basic Blackjack Strategy include:

1. Insurance - The irony about insurance is that players often take it when they have a strong hand, such as a 20. Basic Blackjack Strategy warns against this because Insurance will fail more times than it succeeds, and this applies even when you have a poor hand. What’s more, if you have 2 10s in your hand, then the odds of there being a 10 next in line are even slimmer than they would be otherwise. Even if you take these factors out of the equation, the law of probability dictates that Insurance will lose more times than it will win, which is why it’s never recommended.
2. Double on 11 - Experts often recommend that you always double when you have an 11. Not only are the laws of probability on your side, but if you do some simple math yourself you can see why it makes sense. There are 13 different valued cards for each suit and these are repeated. 4 of these, or just under a third, are valued at 10, a number that will improve your hand to a 21, the highest possible score. 6, 7, 8, and 9 can improve your hand to a 17, 18, 19, or 20, which are also strong. This means that more than half the cards in the shoe will give you a strong hand.
3. Low Stands - A casual blackjack player almost always focuses on their hand, and never the dealer’s. As a result, they would never consider standing on anything less than 16. However, there are times when it may be beneficial to do just that. Strategy dictates that standing on a score as low as a hard 12 (“hard” means the hand doesn’t contain an ace) is beneficial when the dealer has between a 4 and a 6. To try and understand this, let’s assume they have a 6. If they draw an 8, 9 or a 10, which accounts for 5 of the possible 13 cards, then they’ll hit 15 or 16, and because they need to draw to 17, they will draw again and risk going bust. You, however, can only really improve to a solid hand with a 6, 7, 8, or 9. Anything less will put you in a tricky spot; anything more will cause you to go bust.

Test your Blackjack skills against a host of dealers across a range of Blackjack variants. You can bet anywhere from $1 to $10,000 per hand, play side bets such as 21+3 and Perfect Pairs, and become acquainted with dealers and players from all over the world.

You can see our top list of top Live Blackjack games below, all of which can be played right now by players in New Zealand:

New Zealand players are spoilt for choice when it comes to live blackjack software providers. The following software providers generally provide most live blackjack games to online casinos in New Zealand. Each one of them brings the authentic casino atmosphere onto your computer screen so you will feel like you are sitting in a real live casino like Sky City Casino in Auckland or Hamilton.

• Evolution: Evolution's live blackjack games are at the forefront of the industry, and anyone who has played live blackjack games will have heard of Evolution Gaming. With professional dealers, HD video streaming, and a variety of tables to suit different skill levels and budgets, Evolution is up there with the best.
• Netent: Netent has high-quality streaming to ensure you have a smooth experience with no lags or breaks in the quality of the games.
• Playtech: Playtech is one of the pioneers in live casino gaming and offers a wide variety of blackjack tables with unique twists on traditional blackjack games.
• Eyecon: Although Eyecon is known more for its pokies, it also has started becoming quite popular in the live blackjack arena and is gaining recognition among blackjack players in New Zealand.
• Skywind: Skywind excels with its multi-player features, creating a community-like atmosphere at live blackjack tables. This social approach is popular among players who are also looking for that extra bit of social interaction.
• Play’n GO: These guys have fantastic mobile live blackjack games as they tend to concentrate on mobile first to ensure they are at the top of their game when it comes to live mobile gaming.
• Pragmatic Play: A leader in live casino innovation, Pragmatic Play is known for offering diverse table limits at the blackjack tables and they also provide localized dealers so that you can chat to a fellow Kiwi dealer while playing at the table.
• iSoftBet: iSoftBet has very user-friendly interfaces, which are ideal if you are a beginner. The dealers are also very helpful and patient with beginner players.
• Microgaming (Games Global): A legendary name in gaming, Microgaming delivers high-definition live streaming from studios all over the world. With decades of experience, they deliver exactly what we would expect from such an experienced software developer.
• Realistic Games: This software supplier lives up to its name as its blackjack tables are very realistic and create an atmosphere that makes you feel like you have stepped into a brick-and-mortar casino. 

What some players in New Zealand don’t know, is that many online casinos in New Zealand don’t only offer casino bonuses for playing pokies, but you can often get a bonus for live blackjack games too.

You just need to read through the promotions page of your chosen casino to see what is on offer. The most popular one is the Welcome bonus which is normally offered to you if you are a new player.

Welcome bonuses frequently feature deposit match promotions. For example, you might see an offer that says "deposit $100 and get a 100% match bonus." This means that when you deposit $100, the casino will add an additional $100 to your account as a bonus. However, always read the rules of the bonus before accepting it as there are certain requirements you need to meet before cashing out any winnings from your bonus.

If you are an existing player you can also claim Reload bonuses and cashback promotions which are also offered from time to time.

Look out for blackjack-specific promotions, such as "Hot Seat" deals, where you can win additional rewards during specific times or events. Wagering requirements for live blackjack promotions tend to be more flexible so they are well worth accepting.

VIP programs are another perk if you become a loyal player. High rollers can enjoy benefits like faster withdrawals, personal account managers, and exclusive invites to private tables. Keep an eye out for seasonal promotions and live tournaments that include blackjack as a feature game. 

Playing live blackjack for real money can be very entertaining and many players from New Zealand enjoy playing live blackjack games from their lounge, dining room table or kitchen. In fact, you can even sit in bed and have a game of blackjack for real money! Unlike traditional online blackjack, live blackjack allows you to interact with professional dealers in real time, streaming directly to your desktop or mobile phone. This handy setup bridges the gap between online and land-based casino gaming.

With real money at stake, every decision becomes more thrilling. You can choose from tables with varying betting limits, from beginners to high rollers. Betting real money also gives you access to exclusive VIP tables, progressive jackpots, and premium features which are not available if you are playing for fun.

Furthermore, live blackjack gives you the chance to hone your card counting skills or other blackjack strategies which are normally frowned upon at brick-and-mortar casinos. Most local casinos would ask you to leave if you are caught card-counting. While card-counting in itself is not illegal, the casinos don’t like it because it gives you as the player an edge and casinos like to have the odds in their favour.

Most live blackjack sites in New Zealand accept deposits in NZD and various payment methods, including credit cards, e-wallets, and cryptocurrencies. 

Players from New Zealand can enjoy live blackjack on the go, thanks to cutting-edge mobile technology. Most online casinos optimize their platforms for smartphones and tablets, so you can play on both Android and iOS devices.

Dedicated casino apps provide an even smoother experience, with quick load times and easy navigation. These apps allow you to access a variety of live blackjack tables, including high-stakes VIP options and unique variants like Speed Blackjack and Power Blackjack. Mobile live blackjack still has the same features as desktop versions, including real-time dealer interactions, side bets, and high-definition streams. Touchscreen controls allow you to place bets and make decisions with just a tap.

If you are concerned about data usage, many casinos offer optimized streaming options without compromising quality. Mobile compatibility ensures you never miss out on the thrill, whether you’re commuting, travelling, or relaxing at home. 

Blackjack isn’t the only classic card game to have been given the Live Dealer treatment. You can play countless classics from card games like Live Hold’em Poker and Live Baccarat, to wheel-based games like Live Roulette.

All these top titles feature the same high-level of immersion you get from Live Dealer Blackjack, and there are many different features and variants to explore as well.