Players across the world love putting their skills to the test playing Blackjack and here at mr.play Casino you can do just that while playing with a live dealer. We have many Live Blackjack tables available around the clock all of which are staffed by truly professional dealers who will ensure that there is a great atmosphere and that the games are running smoothly at all times. We have tables suitable for every size bankroll and high rollers will enjoy some fantastic VIP options, such as the ultra-exclusive Salon Prive tables.
Our Live Blackjack tables are streamed to players in high definition and there are numerous features that make the games even more enjoyable. You can chat with your fellow players and the dealer while you play, while many of the tables offer a number of side bets that expand the winning possibilities. In addition to regular Blackjack we also have a few enjoyable variants, such as Free Bet Blackjack, which offers free Double Down bets and free Split bets, Blackjack Party, which is a lively low stakes game hosted by a pair of presenters, and Infinite Blackjack, which supports an unlimited number of players at the table.
How to Play Live Blackjack
One of the reasons for Blackjack’s popularity is how easy it is to get to grips with the game. The aim is very simple; you need to put together a hand of cards that is as close to 21 in value as possible but without exceeding 21, which is known as going bust. If your hand is closer to 21 than the dealer’s is, then you have won!
When building a hand, Aces are worth 1 or 11, the face cards (Jack, Queen and King) are all worth 10, and the number cards (2 to 10) are worth their face values. This means that you can build a hand of 21 with just two cards, an Ace and a 10 card. This is a called Blackjack and in nearly every version of the game, it will beat all other hands, including those with a value of 21 but consisting of more than two cards.
At the start of a round, you need to place your bet together with any side bets that you are interested in. When the betting time is over, each player at the table receives two face-up cards and the dealer receives one face-up and one facedown.
When it is your turn to play you will be given a number of options. The most basic is Stand, and if you choose this, then your hand will remain as it is and the game moves on to the next player. The next option is Hit, which deals an additional card to your hand. You may also be given the option to Double Down. If you choose this then your bet is doubled, your hand receives one more card, and play moves on to the next player. If your first two cards have the same value, for instance two 5s, then you will be given the option to Split. This doubles your bet and the cards are then separated into two hands that are played independently.
Another common option is Insurance. If the dealer’s face-up card is an Ace then you can take out insurance against the dealer having Blackjack. Insurance costs half of your initial bet and if the dealer goes on to have Blackjack then you are paid out at 2:1, ensuring that you do not lose money on that hand.
When all players have finished the dealer plays. In most versions of the game, the dealer will always draw more cards until his hand is worth at least 17.
In the vast majority of Blackjack games, winning hands are paid at 2:1 except for Blackjack, which is paid out at the more generous 3:2. If both you and the dealer have the same value hand then the bet is returned as a push.
As mentioned, some of the tables may offer a side bet, the 21+3 and the Perfect Pairs. The 21+3 side bet is on the two cards dealt to you and the dealer’s face-up card combining to form a poker hand. It pays 100:1 for a Suited Three of a Kind, 40:1 for a Straight Flush, 30:1 for Three of a Kind, 10:1 for a Straight and 5:1 for a Flush.
The Perfect Pairs bet is won if your initial two cards or the dealer’s first two cards form one of three kinds of pairs, a Perfect Pair, a Coloured Pair or a Red/Black Pair. A Perfect Pair is two identical cards and it pays out at 25:1, a Coloured Pair is two cards that have the same colour and value but come from different suits and it pays out at 12:1, a Red/Black pair is two cards that have the same value but different suits and colours and it pays out at 6:1.
Basic Live Blackjack Strategy
There are many different Blackjack strategies, each with its own pros and cons. Unfortunately, no strategy can guarantee success, but by using one carefully you can certainly extend your fun and improve your chances.
You may have heard of Basic Blackjack Strategy, this refers to the mathematically best way to play. You can find a table that will show you exactly which action you should take (Hit, Stand, Double, Split) in every single situation, according to the cards you are holding and what card the dealer is showing. The table is easy to follow and you will find that it very quickly becomes second nature.
There are also a number of betting systems that you can make use of, such as the Martingale System. This system requires you to double your bet after each losing hand and then return to the original bet when you win. For example, if you start with a bet of £1 and then lose, the next hand would have a bet of £2, the next £4, and so on. There are two small problems with this system, both of which have the same solution. The first problem is that it doesn’t take long for the bet to become very large and the second is that if you reach the table maximum then there is nothing you can do. The trick is to start with the smallest bet possible so that you can extend the system for as long as necessary.
The VIP Live Blackjack Experience
You will notice that here at mr.play Casino we have many VIP Blackjack tables. While you may assume that these are for the highest rollers, you would be wrong. We offer VIP tables to cater to a wide range of budgets. This means that even those with a smaller bankroll will be able to enjoy the VIP experience. For the ultimate VIP experience, you can take a seat at the Salon Prive tables. These are personal tables where only you will face the dealer. You can also request a change in dealer, control the shuffle, and even adjust the game speed. It is a truly luxurious experience and one that all serious Blackjack players are sure to love.
Why not take your seat at one of our Live Blackjack tables today. You can put your skills to the test against our dealers while enjoying the social atmosphere and possibly even winning a bit more through the exciting side bets.
