Blackjack’s roots are somewhat muddy waters, with the most probable theory being that this gambling game derives from the French Vingt-en-Un. It appeared in North America in the 19th century, gaining notoriety during the Klondike Gold Rush, when it got its famous name, after a nickname for the mineral zinc blende, used to signify the highest-ranking card hand.

Today, anyone would be hard-pressed to find a commercial US land-based casino that does not offer twenty-one entertainment. In fact, at most gambling establishments that allow Class II gaming, blackjack dominates all other table games by a wide margin. That is because it features the best winning odds.

In 2003, UK software developer Playtech began experimenting with live blackjack online for real money. PickScore also moved into this genre. The company did so by soft launching a streaming dealer studio for the Asian market. Three years following this event, Microgaming and Evolution entered the live game mix, and things have never been the same. Now, around twenty top-end streaming providers exist, delivering premium live dealer blackjack real money play, bringing much of the authenticity connected with casino gambling to remote players. Below, we explain what newbies to this genre need to know before they try to play live blackjack online.

Platform Selection & Account Creation

Before betting on blackjack hands, one must first sign-up with an interactive gaming platform offering this possibility. Note that thousands of options to play live dealer blackjack are available on the internet. That applies to the number of sites hosting these games and the number of streaming tables available. Hence, choosing a credible gambling website is essential in chasing after chance-based table riches.

The best course of action regarding online casino selection is to stick to the advice provided by reputable review hubs. These are sites that analyze gaming platforms and rate them.

After picking a suitable site, the next step is completing its registration procedure. That will usually entail:

·        Entering a username and password.

·        Inputting a valid email address.

·        Supplying personal information.

·        Verifying the created account.

As a rule of thumb, it is wise to complete an identity verification process right after sign-up to avoid any withdrawal hassles down the road.

Depositing Funds & Bonus Eligibility

Following account creation to begin making money bets, a site user must place funds in his gaming balance. That is possible in the cashier tab, which should provide various payment methods that allow instant depositing. That means once gamblers confirm their transfers, their deposited amounts will be immediately available for wagering fun.

In most cases, an online casino will have an opportunity for first-time users to get free-play funds via a promotion that features a deposit match up to a specific sum. Note that this bonus will carry several mandatory stipulations without whose completion no one can yield its benefits.

Picking the Right Live Blackjack Game

Every platform that houses live casino games will have a dedicated tab where these can be found, one that divides into the different gaming categories available. Famous providers of streaming table action include Fresh Deck Studios, Visionary iGaming, Evolution, Lucky Streak, Playtech, Pragmatic Play Live, Atmosfera, and many others.

All of these offer traditional blackjack. Some dabble in variants like Power and Free Bet Blackjack. Others have VIP tables where the bet sizes can go up to $10,000 per hand. For low-rollers, $1 minimum bet tables do get featured at virtually all online casinos, as this player demographic represents the vast majority of internet gamblers.

Gameplay & Site Rules

No online casino has a dedicated live game interface for all its offered products. Once a player chooses a blackjack option from the streaming dealer lobby, he gets redirected to a feed supplied by the game provider. The gameplay interface that comes with this video is provider-specific. Thus, each company offering live blackjack will have a unique button setup.

In most cases, a gambler's casino balance and last win get displayed at the bottom, while the chat, settings, help, and other game options are in the top right corner of the screen.

Know that live blackjack usually gets played at a table with up to six players. Nevertheless, some VIP ones allow one-on-one gameplay. When a player’s turn comes up to decide if he will hit, stand, or make side-waggers, a list of these choices will appear on screen, along with a bet-adjuster holding various denomination chips. A gambler has a designated period in which he must choose how to play his current hand. The timer is in place so no one can hold up the game.

After a player makes his choice, the dealer acts appropriately, and the game interface signifies if a player has won or lost, automatically adjusting his balance.

This article was written in collaboration with online gambling experts.