Live vs Online Blackjack: Which One is Better?

Every casino player appears to be a blackjack fan, and how could they not be? Blackjack has been a staple of casinos since they were first introduced. With its good mix of chance and skill, it should be no wonder why the game appeals to the majority of casino enthusiasts.

With the rise of online casinos, more and more blackjack variants emerged, and casino lovers were there to benefit from them. In more recent times, live casino games caught the market by storm, and one of the featured games was live blackjack. Suddenly, players realised it was possible to play the blackjack game wherever they were.

What is the difference between online and live blackjack? Which one is better? In this short guide below, we will answer all your questions.

Advantages of Playing Online Blackjack

Online blackjack is a game you can find in any online casino. Online blackjack has many advantages, so let’s examine some of the most important ones.

Low House Edge

Online blackjack is famous for having a shallow house edge. It usually stands between 0.4% and 0.5%, which can benefit players. It is also possible to reduce the house edge using a good blackjack strategy. However, remember that the blackjack house edge can vary depending on the blackjack variant you play (most notably, the number of decks used).

Of course, a blackjack game with more decks will have a much bigger house edge than one with fewer decks. If you want to play a blackjack game with the lowest house edge possible, ensure you know how many decks you are playing with. 

The game's low house edge is great since a basic understanding of the game should stop players from experiencing long-losing streaks. This is always possible, of course, but with odds close to 50/50, it is implausible that you will go a large stretch of hands without winning.

You're In Control of the Gameplay

Some players may thrive in the busy live casino environment, but some punters prefer to control their gameplay and tempo independently. Live blackjack will not allow you to control the tempo, as the dealer sets it, as everything happens in real time.

With online blackjack, you won’t have to worry about other people setting the tone. You can start playing whenever you want and set the right mood for the game. You can mute the sound and play whichever music you wish when you play online blackjack. 

With online blackjack, you can make a cup of tea while thinking of your following decisions. This is a freedom that attracts so many to online blackjack.

Accessibility

Another big advantage of online blackjack is its accessibility since it is possible to join a table whenever you wish. With online blackjack, it is just you and the house, so you won’t have to worry about whether there is a free blackjack table.

It also doesn't matter if it's three in the morning or seven in the afternoon. If you feel like having a blackjack game, all you need to do is log in to the online casino of your choice and start playing.

More Budget-Friendly

Online casinos have been around for around two decades, so as you would imagine, many games exist. Some of the most popular online blackjack games include:

• American Blackjack
• European Blackjack
• Blackjack Switch
• Vegas Strip Blackjack
• Blackjack Perfect Pairs

Every casino player is sure to find a blackjack variant that has minimum and maximum stake limits that match their wallets. If you are new to betting on blackjack, you can always start small and build your way to bigger bets. On some online casinos, it is possible to find stakes as low as ten pence, clearly making it a game for players of all bankroll sizes.

Free Games

Demo versions of blackjack games are a big positive in online casinos. You might feel scared or unprepared to start your online blackjack adventure with real money, and understandably so. If you are unfamiliar with online casinos, you will be reluctant to risk any of your money.

Thankfully, you can always find free online blackjack games that let you practice without wasting your money. This way, you can build up your knowledge, strategy and confidence before playing blackjack for real money.

Advantages of Playing Live Blackjack

Now that you know which advantages online blackjack holds, let’s look at what you can expect from live blackjack. Live blackjack has undoubtedly caught the attention of plenty of punters worldwide, but why would players choose the live casino version?

Real Dealers

Firstly, we have the most apparent advantage of live blackjack – authenticity. With live blackjack variants, you will see how real professional dealers lead the game as you relax from the comfort of your home.

Game providers are very serious about streaming live casino games, so you can expect a professional, friendly and experienced dealer who knows their business. 

That dealer will keep track of the entire game and take your virtual bets, and you can even communicate with them via a live chat option. The last aspect will inject more life and thrill into your gaming experience.

Cutting-Edge Technology

Live blackjack games look stunning. More and more live casinos use advanced systems that have greatly improved gaming.

Thanks to live streaming technology, you can now observe every detail as it happens in your favourite live blackjack variant. Cameras are all over the studio, so you can see the action unfold from all angles. 

Live Blackjack Promotions

As a way to promote live blackjack games, gambling sites will often offer various special deals and online casino bonuses that you can use on the game. Sure, you can find bonuses with online blackjack, but we couldn’t help but notice there is a broader and better choice with live blackjack.

Of course, what type of promotion you get mainly depends on the live casino in question, but some of the most popular ones include:

• Cashback incentives
• No-deposit bonuses
• Reload bonuses
• Live casino tournaments featuring great prizes

Live vs Online Blackjack: A Comparison

Both online and live blackjack offer plenty of perks, but they have some striking differences that you need to note. We can group the differences into the following categories:

• Live vs online gameplay – Live blackjack will allow you to enjoy the action as it unfolds as real dealers host the games. On the other hand, online blackjack is run by software. This is no problem for some, but it can be argued that the live version is more exciting.
• Variety of games – If you want to play something other than a game of classic blackjack, doing this on a live version of a casino might be difficult.
• Gameplay – Live blackjack games can be relatively slow sometimes due to other participants. You won't have that problem with online blackjack, as time limits are pre-determined.
• Free gameplay – a big positive that online blackjack holds is the option for free gameplay. On the other hand, you cannot play live casino games for free.
• Visuals – this aspect has one clear winner – live blackjack. Simply put, the game looks much better when streamed live and hosted by a real dealer in HD.

Both variants have appealing advantages and some minor cons that you need to note, but whichever type of blackjack you choose, you surely won’t make a mistake.

Which One is Better? 

Well, there is no simple answer to this question. As you may have seen by now, online and live blackjack are desirable options, so you can see why there is so much debate around them.

It all comes down to players' preferences. Some would prefer to set their tempo when playing blackjack, in which case they prefer the online variant.

Other players may be looking for a more authentic experience. It is only natural that high rollers, for example, will seek the thrills of live blackjack.

Suppose you combine responsible gambling with a good blackjack strategy. In that case, you can look forward to an excellent pastime activity that can secure you some profits, regardless of whether you play live or online blackjack.

Matthew Gover

Last Update: 13 Dec 2023

Matthew has been writing about the iGaming industry for several years. At GoodLuckMate, he shares his opinion about topics close to his heart - casino strategies, casino games, and sports betting. Basically, if the subject is gambling, we will be lost for words if Matthew doesn't have an opinion on the matter!

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