The UK's Best Live Dealer Blackjack Sites - 2023

Live Dealer Blackjack Explained

Live dealer blackjack is as close as it gets to the real thing. Games are streamed in HD quality from live casino studios using authentic equipment, so they provide a truly immersive live blackjack experience. Live games also allow you to interact with the dealer, as well as other players at some tables, adding a social element that’s missing from animated casino games.

Another reason behind the popularity of live online blackjack is that it offers a wider range of betting limits than regular blackjack games, so both casual players and high rollers can enjoy the action. Together, all these factors mean that live blackjack sites let you enjoy all the qualities of land-based games from the comfort of your home.

How Live Blackjack Works

The concept behind live blackjack is simple – games are streamed in real time and are run by fully trained dealers using authentic casino equipment. Most games are broadcast from specially built casino studios that look and feel just like the real thing, though a few games take place on real casino floors. You can communicate with your live blackjack dealer using the live chat feature if you have any questions or queries, and they’ll respond to you verbally.

In terms of gameplay, there’s not much difference to RNG (random number generator) blackjack games. You simply place your bets via the user interface and the dealer will take care of the rest. Simple!

The Main Differences Between Live Dealer and RNG Blackjack games

While the major differences between live dealer blackjack and animated blackjack are fairly obvious, there are a few other ways in which the two differ.

Variations: Most online live blackjack games stick to the same rules, whereas there are more variations available in RNG format, such as Double Exposure Blackjack and Blackjack Switch.

Availability: Many top live dealer blackjack sites host scalable games which cater to unlimited players, but other tables have limited seat capacity, meaning you may have to wait your turn. Also, while there are 24/7 live blackjack games, some tables have select opening times.

Speed: Live dealer blackjack is played at the same pace as in land-based casinos, whereas RNG blackjack can be played as fast or as slowly as you like.

Play Live Blackjack Whenever, Wherever

All the live dealer casinos we recommend have mobile-friendly websites, and the top live blackjack software developers optimise their games for mobile play. This means you can enjoy seamless live blackjack on your smartphone – perfect for those who prefer to play while on the go.

If you’re after the full mobile casino experience, we recommend downloading a mobile casino app for Android or iPhone. Apps can provide smoother and more convenient gaming than mobile websites, and they also come with handy perks like push notifications to keep you up to date with the latest games and bonuses.

The UK’s Best Mobile Live Blackjack Casinos:

The Best Live Blackjack Software Developers

A number of the top casino software developers offer live dealer blackjack games – here are the best of the bunch.

Evolution Gaming

Evolution Gaming offers one of the most complete online live blackjack packages on the market. From Infinite Blackjack, which caters to an unlimited number of players, to a range of high stakes VIP tables, there’s something to suit everyone. The latest addition is live Free Bet Blackjack, where players get free double down bets on two-card 9, 10 and 11 totals, as well as free split bets on all pairs except 10s.

NetEnt

As one of the biggest names in the business, NetEnt needs little introduction. NetEnt has developed several live dealer blackjack games, including Common Draw Blackjack and the unique Perfect Blackjack. However, when Evolution Gaming took its stake in NetEnt to almost 97% in December 2020, the takeover brought about a change in the company’s combined names to Evolution and the end-of-life for NetEnt live casino titles.

Playtech

Another huge name in casino software, Playtech is a prolific developer of live casino games and its live blackjack certainly doesn’t disappoint. Streamed from its state-of-the-art studio in Latvia, Playtech’s portfolio includes Live Ultimate Blackjack and Live 21+3 Blackjack—-perfect if you want to mix things up with some side bets. There are a range of tables with varying bet limits, so players of different budgets can join in the fun.

Pragmatic Play

Pragmatic Play promises to put Vegas at your fingertips and doesn’t disappoint with its selection of live blackjack games. Streamed from modern studios in Bucharest, options include classic blackjack with a bet behind feature, along with the immersive ONE Blackjack. This popular live blackjack title has just one seat at the table and includes popular side bets like 21+3 and Perfect Pairs.  

Extreme Live Gaming

Launched in 2013, Extreme Live Gaming is a small but innovative live dealer table game provider operating out of London studios. The company was acquired by industry giant Novomatic in 2014 and remained there until it was further sold to the Gibraltar-based Pragmatic Play in 2018. The latest acquisition saw Pragmatic Play make the leap into live casino games, and Extreme Live Gaming has produced content under its label ever since.

Ezugi

Founded in 2012 and a sister brand to Evolution since 2018, Ezugi provides cutting edge live dealer titles to more than 100 online casinos around the world. Its classic blackjack title offers side bets and a bet behind feature, and its Blackjack Salon Privé reels in the high rollers. Streamed from studios in Romania, this luxurious title matches high-stakes players to a high-quality VIP experience with complete privacy and huge max bets. 

High Stakes Live Blackjack Tables

If you’re looking to bet big, there’s a range of high stakes VIP tables available at the UK’s best live blackjack casinos. The bet limits vary depending on the table and casino you’re playing at, but some live dealer blackjack games let you bet up to £15,000 per hand. These tables also often have high minimum bet limits, such as £2,000, meaning they offer a high level of exclusivity just like in land-based casinos.

Claim a Bonus for Live Dealer Blackjack

Fancy bagging some bonus funds to use on live dealer blackjack? We’ve got the lowdown on the best casino bonuses on the market.

Blackjack RTP and House Edge

You’ve no doubt heard the expression that ‘the house always wins’. That’s because every casino game has a house edge — a statistical advantage which means casinos take more bets than they payout over time. 

It’s easy to work out the house edge for casino games by looking at the Return to Player (RTP) rate. RTP indicates how much a game would pay out if you were to play it for an infinite amount of time. So, a game with an RTP of 95% would, on average, pay out £95 for every £100 wagered. The house edge is simply the flipside of this. So, in this example, the house edge would be 5%. It’s important to remember these percentages are based on long term play, so such statistics only hold true over millions of bets. 

Blackjack, where the outcomes are determined by player strategy as well as luck, offers some of the highest payout percentages of all casino card games. The RTP for online live dealer blackjack games typically falls between 99.3% and 99.6% — a range evidenced by some of the fantastic live blackjack titles in the Evolution portfolio. 

These includes classic Live Blackjack with its 99.29% RTP and the popular Infinite Blackjack, which has an RTP of 99.51%. Remember that actual return to player rates vary not only over time but also as a result of other factors, like being able to surrender and the dealer standing on soft 17. 

The number of decks in play also makes a difference. Generally speaking, the higher the number of decks, the higher the house edge. Blackjack volatility — that is to say, the frequency and size of wins and losses — will also vary between different live blackjack games offered by different developers. That’s why it’s important to be clear on the specific rules of the games you explore, and stick to main bets and basic strategy if you’re a more conservative or cautious player.

Live Blackjack Side Bets

Blackjack side bets allow players to mix things up a bit and place extra wagers on a round of blackjack — beyond whether the player or dealer will win the round, or if there will be a push. 

Such bets offer players the chance to ramp up their payouts, but should be approached with caution. Unlike regular blackjack betting, in which you can use basic strategy to max out your returns, side bets typically rely on chance and increase the house edge. With these caveats in mind, here are some of the blackjack side bets you can try.

• Perfect Pairs — Think the first two cards dealt to you will be a pair? You may be able to bet on that. The Perfect Pairs side bet pays out at different odds depending on which pair you land. A mixed pair (two cards of the same rank but different suit and colour) typically pays 5:1 and a coloured pair (two cards of the same rank and colour, but different suit) typically pays 10:1. For a coveted perfect pair (two identical cards), a typical payout of 30:1 is on the cards.
• 21+3 — In the 21+3 blackjack side bet, you’ll bet that your first two cards and the dealer’s up card combined will make a poker-style hand like a straight or a straight flush. Payouts for winning hands typically start at 5:1 for a simple flush (three cards of the same suit) and can climb to an impressive 100:1 for a suited three of a kind (three cards of the same suit and number). 
• Super 7s — The Super 7s side bet usually pays out at 3:1 if the first card dealt to you is a seven. Payouts climb higher if you receive more sevens in your hand in consecutive order, ranging from 50:1 for two unsuited sevens to 5,000:1 for three suited sevens. Super 7s has a few variations such as Lucky 7s, which doesn’t include a third card if the dealer gets 21.
• Insurance — Unlike most side bets, players only have the chance to place an insurance bet once the first cards are dealt and only then if the dealer’s face-up card is an ace. An insurance bet at 2:1 protects your original bet if the dealer’s face-down card turns out to be a picture card, thus landing the dealer a 21. However, since the maximum bet for insurance is usually equal to half the main bet, you can only ever break even.

Other Live Casino Games You Can Play

Online live dealer blackjack isn’t the only way to enjoy the authentic casino experience from the comfort of your sofa. The best live casino sites have much more to offer, so here’s a round-up of some of the most popular games available to real money players.

Live Roulette

Roulette has made an easy transition from brick-and-mortar casinos to the small screen. Alongside classic European, French, and American roulette, top online casinos often feature several exciting live roulette variations. Evolution’s hugely popular Lightning Roulette is one such example. This award-winning roulette game blends live casino action with advanced RNG technology to offer you an exhilarating experience and the chance to win extra payouts of up to 500x your bet. 

Live Baccarat 

Baccarat is a simple game of chance offering some of the best odds of all casino games. To win a baccarat bet, you must successfully predict whether the value of the player’s or the banker’s hand will be closer to nine, or if the game will end in a tie. Low and high stakes games of live baccarat are available, making it a popular pick with newcomers and high rollers alike. Among the wealth of versions available, we particularly like Pragmatic Play’s Speed Baccarat, which deals the cards face up in rounds that take under 30 seconds. 

Live Game Shows

Combining unique entertainment with unpredictable wins, live game shows bring something new to the table. They first appeared in 2017 with Evolution’s release of Dream Catcher, a money-wheel style game, with other providers like Pragmatic Play and Playtech soon following suit. Evolution also recently released Gonzo’s Treasure Hunt — the first casino game show to blend live dealer action with slots-style play, offering prize drop payouts that can go as high as 20,000x.

How We Choose the Best UK Live Blackjack Sites

There are loads of UK live blackjack sites, so it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. That’s where we come in, carefully reviewing every new blackjack site that launches on the market. We dig deep to find the pros and cons of each site, reporting our findings to help you decide which live blackjack casino is best for you. Below, we’ve listed some of the features that help us to decide. 

Welcome Offer

The best sites offering live blackjack UK-wide put together a generous welcome package for new players. Creating an account may land you £10 to spend in the live casino and 50 free spins on a top slot, for example. As well as assessing the quality of bonus deals, we also check that the qualifying criteria such as minimum deposits and wagering requirements are kind to players. 

Choice of Games

The best blackjack sites provide a variety of online casino games for players to enjoy. The choice at leading sites should include other live casino table games like roulette and baccarat, live game shows, regular RNG games, and, of course, many hundreds of online slots. 

Payment Options

A diverse selection of trusted banking options should be available at the best online casinos and blackjack sites. Options should include debit cards and e-wallets, as well as newer payment methods like Paysafecard, Pay by Mobile, and Trustly bank transfers. 

Mobile Experience

All blackjack sites have a mobile-optimised version of their website, but the top sites also tend to offer slick mobile casino apps with extra perks like exclusive games, improved security, and bonus notifications. These apps are ideally available for both Android and iOS smartphones and tablets.

Customer Support

Leading blackjack sites offer customers various ways to get in touch. We particularly like to see live chat functionality, allowing customers to simply fire up a chat window to speak to staff whenever they need to. The very best sites provide this service 24/7, while also providing email and, sometimes, telephone support.

Responsible Gambling

Gambling should be a source of fun, not stress. That’s why responsible gambling is so important. This means playing within your financial limits, and only with cash you can afford to lose. It also means never chasing losses, taking regular breaks, and setting time limits for online gambling activities.

But we’re not here to beat around the bush: gambling can become problematic for some players. Below, you’ll find some of the red flags that indicate problem gambling might be taking hold.

• Feeling anxious or worried about gambling
• Spending more time than usual thinking about gambling
• Chasing losses or thinking a big win is coming soon
• Feeling extreme emotions about gambling
• Finding it hard to stop or limit gambling activities
• Feeling empty or distracted when doing something other than gambling, or indeed while gambling
• Borrowing cash or selling possessions to fund gambling 
• Experiencing financial troubles like unpaid bills 
• Missing work or time with family and friends in favour of gambling
• Gambling to avoid personal problems

Responsible Gambling Organisations

If you’re looking for help and support for problem gambling, you can call the freephone 24-7 National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 to speak to someone right now. The organisations listed below can also help. 

• Be Gamble Aware — https://www.begambleaware.org/
• GamCare — https://www.gamcare.org.uk/
• Gordon Moody — https://gordonmoody.org.uk/

References

https://www.888casino.com/blog/gaming-mathematics/return-to-player 

https://www.evolution.com/our-games/lightning-roulette 

https://www.pragmaticplay.com/en/news/pragmatic-play-unveils-widely-popular-baccarat-and-other-live-casino-games/ 

https://www.evolution.com/news/evolution-launches-new-dream-catcher-super-sized-lucky-wheel-ice

https://www.evolution.com/our-games/gonzos-treasure-hunt 

https://www.pragmaticplay.com/en/live-casino/ 

https://www.pragmaticplay.com/en/live-casino/one-blackjack/

https://www.pragmaticplay.com/en/news/pragmatic-play-completes-extreme-live-gaming-acquisition/ 

https://sbcnews.co.uk/technology/2018/06/26/pragmatic-play-builds-studio-vision-acquiring-novomatics-exterme-live-gaming/ 

https://www.linkedin.com/company/extreme-live-gaming 

https://en-gb.facebook.com/extremelivegaming/ 

https://old.ezugi.com/about/ 

https://old.ezugi.com/game/blackjack/ 

https://old.ezugi.com/the-jewel-of-ezugi-now-launched-exclusive-blackjack-salon-prive/ 

https://www.evolution.com/news/evolution-gaming-acquire-ezugi

https://www.evolution.com/who-we-are/our-brands 

https://www.evolution.com/our-games/live-blackjack 

https://www.unlv.edu/news/article/what-responsible-gambling-interview-jennifer-shatley 

https://www.responsiblegambling.org/for-the-public/safer-play/when-is-gambling-a-problem/