The best live dealer blackjack casinos offer high-quality streams, large bonuses and a range of high RTP games. They connect you with professional dealers in dedicated studios, allowing you to replicate the excitement of visiting a casino from the comfort of your own home.

This guide will highlight the best online live casinos for live blackjack games. We will explain why it is such a popular game, break down the rules and provide our top tips for success when playing live dealer blackjack.

It is legal to play live dealer blackjack in five states: Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, West Virginia and at CT online casinos. Online casino gaming is also legal in Delaware, but the First State has very limited live dealer offerings, if any.

A majority of the top online casino operators in these states feature live dealer games, as these are incredibly popular. For example, BetRivers Online Casino is one of the top PA online casinos that offers Live Blackjack.

More states may legalize online casino gaming in the future. Indiana lawmakers have been trying to generate support for online casinos over the past couple of years, while legislative efforts are continually underway in New York. We will update readers if live blackjack becomes available in any other state.

There are six key areas to focus on when seeking out the best live blackjack casinos. The best US online casinos we have recommended performed well in these categories:

The best live dealer blackjack casinos offer a variety of high-quality games. They include classic blackjack, Infinite Blackjack and fun variants such as Lightning Blackjack, which comes with interesting bonus features.

Online casinos rely on external providers such as Evolution Gaming and Playtech to supply their live blackjack games. They can only offer games from studios located within the same state, so they are constrained by their suppliers’ studio space. However, the best sites offer a few live blackjack variants, along with tables featuring limits to suit all budgets.

The streaming quality is a major consideration for anyone interested in playing live dealer blackjack at an online casino. Some operators provide unreliable, blurry streams with unreliable connections, and their games are prone to crashing. That is not the case at the elite casino sites we have recommended on this page, as they host high-quality streams, ensuring a dependable connection and a clear picture.

It is important to stick to licensed, regulated casino sites and mobile apps in those states. They fall under the jurisdiction of the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection, the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement, the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board and the West Virginia Lottery, while MI online casinos are regulated by the Michigan Gaming Control Board.

You can always rest assured that you will enjoy a fair, safe gaming experience at those sites, and that they will pay out on time and in full when you make a withdrawal request.

There are lots of live dealer blackjack casinos to choose from in Michigan, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania, so they need to offer a compelling incentive to sign up. There is also strong competition among West Virginia casino sites. 

The best operators offer casino welcome bonuses to stand out from rival sites. You will then be offered recurring promotions, such as “bet and get” offers, reload bonuses, and loyalty rewards. They are aimed at existing customers, and they reward you for regularly logging in and playing casino games. We look for large, attractive sign-up offers and promo codes for casinos online that come with realistic wagering requirements when reviewing online casinos.

It is important to find a live dealer blackjack site that accepts your preferred payment methods. Online casinos that use PayPal are the norm, and most will also offer Visa, Mastercard, Discover, Play+, online banking and ACH/e-check for deposits. However, if you would like to use a less common method – such as American Express, Venmo or Skrill – conducting some research first is advised.

We also consider withdrawal speeds when reviewing live blackjack sites. The best operators offer same day payouts, with no fees applied and broad withdrawal limits.

Mobile online casinos make it very convenient for you to play live dealer blackjack. Just grab your iPhone or Android device, sign into your account and you can start playing in seconds, no matter where you happen to be.

The leading online casinos offer top casino apps, which you can download at the App Store or Google Play. Alternatively, just visit the site through your mobile browser, and you will be offered a mobile-optimized gaming experience. The best operators offer fast, reliable, user-friendly mobile apps and websites.

It is easy to create an account and start playing live dealer blackjack today. Just follow these steps:

1. Click the link displayed next to any live blackjack casino site featured on this page. It will take you to the site and apply the best promo code to your account, ensuring you get the best welcome bonus.
2. Open the registration form by clicking the button that reads “Register” or “Join Now” or something similar.
3. Type in your name, date of birth, cell phone number, email address, home address and the last four digits of your SSN.
4. You will also need to set up a password and possibly a username too. Accept the casino’s terms and submit the form.
5. The live dealer blackjack site will try to verify you with the details you uploaded on the form. If it cannot do so, it will ask for some supporting documents to complete regulatory KYC checks. Upload scans of your driver’s license or a similar document, along with a household bill.
6. When approved, you can make a deposit. Head to the cashier, choose an option, enter a payment amount, provide details and confirm. The funds will arrive straight away, and the bonus credits from the welcome offer will normally be released into your account at this point.
7. You can now start playing live dealer blackjack. Stay on the site or download the app and sign in. Choose the “Online Live Casino” or “Live Dealer” option and pick a game. Click on it and you will be connected with a live dealer in the studio. You can chat to the dealer while playing. Just click to select your bet amounts, and inform the dealer when you want to stick, twist, split cards or double down.

Live blackjack at a website or mobile app is designed to perfectly replicate the experience of visiting a land-based casino. You can enjoy the social aspect by chatting with the dealer, and you can enjoy all the fast-paced fun you would experience in Las Vegas or Atlantic City.

Playing online live blackjack is a little more casual, as you can be sitting on the couch in pajamas when you join a game. However, you still need to follow the same table manners, treat the dealer with respect and behave yourself when playing live dealer blackjack.

One advantage of playing online is that you will often find a wider variety of games. For example, land-based casinos typically focus on just classic blackjack, whereas there are fun variants like Infinite Blackjack, Speed Blackjack and Lightning Blackjack at the best blackjack sites, as well as RNG-based blackjack options. You also benefit from bonuses at an online casino, which are not available at a retail venue, and it is also quicker, more convenient and more cost-effective to play online.

Evolution Gaming is the main supplier of live dealer blackjack games at US online casino sites and mobile apps. The company has built studios in New Jersey, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Connecticut and West Virginia, so millions of players can access its games. They include classic blackjack, Lightning Blackjack, Infinite Blackjack and Speed Blackjack.

Rival supplier Playtech has also set up studios in Michigan and New Jersey. It offers classic live dealer blackjack, along with Ultimate Blackjack, which has more seats. More suppliers may enter the market in the future, leading to a more diverse and competitive sector, but Evolution and Playtech are the market leaders on a global basis, and they provide a strong service. So whether you are looking to play live blackjack at online NJ casinos or in some other states that have legalized online gambling, you can put your mind at rest that you'll have access to live games from the best providers in the industry.

You will need to find a live dealer blackjack table that suits your requirements after signing up with an online casino. Firstly, consider the upper and lower bet limits to ensure they fit your budget. This is especially important if you intend to pursue a positive or negative progression strategy, such as the Martingale or the Paroli System.

It is also helpful to consider the speed of the game. Some players like to play fast and get in as many hands as possible in an efficient manner. Others prefer a more languid pace, allowing them to savor the action, so you can choose accordingly, with Speed Blackjack often available for anyone that likes a faster pace. You can also look out for any preferred formats and bonus features – for example, Lightning Blackjack offers the potential for huge multipliers on your winnings.

There are certain rules that you or the dealer must follow when playing certain live blackjack variants. Some games also have interesting features and bonus options. These are the main features and rules to look out for:

Bet Behind 

This allows you to bet on the hand of a player sitting at the live dealer table while you wait for a seat to free up. An icon may inform you which players are on a hot streak. This is a popular feature on Evolution Gaming’s Blackjack Party, but it may be available on other games too.

Surrender 

This option allows you to give up half your bet amount and claw back the remaining half after seeing your two cards and the dealer up card. You might consider surrendering if you feel 

Site Bets 

Games like Infinite Blackjack offer side bets, such as wagering on any pair to be dealt or a 21+3 side bet. They have different payout rates to the main bets, and they should be explained in the accompanying blurb when you click on the game. You can also ask the dealer for clarification.

Double Any 2 

Classic blackjack rules allow you to double down on your first two cards, meaning you double the size of your bet. Some games may not permit this, but it is usually available.

Double 9-11 

This rule means you can only double down on hands of 9, 10 or 11 on certain games.

Hit Split Aces 

The ability to hit split aces is helpful, as it increases the RTP (Return to Player) rate of the game. Many blackjack games only allow you to receive a single card alongside each split ace, but some permit you to hit again in a bid to get closer to 21 if the additional card you receive leads to a poor hand.

Resplit

This rule allows you to split pairs in a single hand multiple times. It means you can create up to four hands from a single hand.

10 Card Charlie 

This is the rarest hand in blackjack. It requires you to be dealt 10 cards without exceeding 21. The chances of it landing are around 1 in 100 million. Some casinos stipulate that if you get 10 cards without busting, you automatically win. You may also find that you automatically win with a five, six or seven-card Charlie when this rule is in play.

Live blackjack has a very high Return to Player (RTP) rate. That means you have a better theoretical chance of success when playing blackjack online compared to alternate games you would find on roulette sites. However, you need to apply the right strategy to unlock the full RTP. Here are some points to consider:

• Always double down on a Hard 11.
• Double down on 10 if the dealer has 9 or less.
• Always split aces.
• Always split 8s.
• Do not split 10s.
• Do not split 5s.
• Hit a Hard 12 if the dealer up card is a 2 or 3.
• Hit a soft 18 (ace-seven) if the dealer has a 9, 10 or ace.
• Double down on ace-2 through ace-7 if the dealer is showing a 5 or 6.
• Stand with a pair of 9s if the dealer has a 7.
• Split 2s or 3s if the dealer has a 2 or 3.
• Avoid insurance bets.

If you follow those basic strategic principles, you will boost your chances of enjoying a successful session of blackjack with live dealers. You can also research additional principles to increase your prospects. The best live blackjack sites also allow you to play virtual blackjack for free in demo mode. That allows you to master the game before playing live dealer blackjack for real money.

Counting cards is designed to increase your chances of success when playing blackjack. The idea is to keep a running count of the high and low value cards that have been dealt to you and your fellow players. You then wait until the shoe – the combined cards from the various decks used by the dealer – tilts in your favor and start betting then, or you increase your bet size at that point.

This is not illegal, but casinos eject anyone found to be counting cards. The dealers running live online blackjack games will take various steps to prevent players from gaining an edge by counting cards. They use various decks and regularly reshuffle them. The online casinos also use monitoring software to identify any players following suspicious betting patterns that could indicate card counting, and you may find your account restricted or closed if you are suspected of doing so.

Our live dealer blackjack tips are designed to increase your chances of success when playing this popular game:

• Master the optimal strategy to ensure you benefit from the game’s full RTP rate, which is normally above 99%. Play for free in demo mode on a virtual blackjack game to master the strategy before playing with a live dealer for real money.
• Memorize strategy charts or post them alongside your computer or mobile device when playing.
• Claim appealing bonuses with modest rollover requirements to further erode the house edge on live dealer blackjack games.
• Always check the dealer’s up card before making your betting decisions.
• Practice sensible bankroll management. Do not go all-in, as you should always have enough money in reserve to double down or split cards when the opportunity presents itself.
• Choose a table with a minimum bet amount that is no more than 5% of your bankroll, as that will prevent you from being wiped out before you get the chance to embark upon a winning streak.
• Never play games that pay 6:5 on blackjack, as they reduce the payout rate. Stick to games that pay the full 3:2. If possible, choose games with fewer decks, as they increase the player odds.
• Avoid side bets, as they have a higher house edge than the base game.
• Consider learning card counting, but remember that you have to be smart about your bet sizes to avoid detection if you pursue this approach.
• Watch out for dealer tells. They are unavailable when you play virtual blackjack, but you may gain an edge by studying the live dealer carefully and looking for clues about his or her hole card – particularly if the dealer is new and inexperienced. For example, a stiff card (2-6) is often mistaken for an ace, so dealers may spend more time looking at them to make sure they have the value correct, whereas face cards are easier to see, so a quick glance usually suffices. This can provide valuable insight into the hand a dealer is holding.