Welcome to the world of Blackjack here in the Unibet Live Casino! If you love your cards then there is no better game in the casino than Blackjack. This fast and furious game tests the nerve of the greatest players on the planet — and offers you the chance to win major payouts if you strike lucky!

If you’ve ever played blackjack online then you’ll have enjoyed the thrill of the turn of each card but could the experience be any better? For those who want to play online while getting as close to physical casino play as possible then the answer is definitely a resounding yes.

The solution lies with live dealers who carry the thrill of the real life casino play onto your PC, laptop or mobile device.

Here at Unibet we feature scores of Blackjack games, ranging from computer simulations through to live tables and tournaments. You can play Blackjack online at any time of day at Unibet and find the tables that are right for you.

Playing Live Dealer Blackjack

The choice here is down to the individual player. It’s perfectly possible to play blackjack online against the computerised dealer. Some customers prefer this because it shuts out any distractions and leaves them to concentrate solely on the cards as they are turned.

It’s all down to personal preference but isn’t it better to pit your wits and skills against a human being rather than a machine?

What is Blackjack ?

Blackjack is one of the most famous casino games in the world. The iconic game has been played for hundreds of years and is often the centrepiece of casino halls in Las Vegas, Monte Carlo and Macau.

Blackjack involves players sitting round a table competing against the dealer. Players bet on whether or not their hand will beat the dealer’s in a race to get to 21. Careful though — you can go bust or stay too early! The beauty of Blackjack is you never know what the next card will be! There are plenty of versions of Blackjack played around the world, so make sure you check out our extensive range of tables in the Unibet Casino today to find your preferred game.

Live Blackjack at Unibet

If you know how to play blackjack then you’ll be very comfortable with the live dealer version. It’s the same as playing blackjack online and you can utilise your preferred blackjack strategy. The only difference is, the dealer is human and not a virtual version.

All of the live blackjack dealers at Unibet are skilled professionals with plenty of experience at the tables. They appear live in real time and you can interact with them but remember that they are professionals and their job is to keep the game moving swiftly and efficiently.

As regards to the actual game, there is no difference and the basic rules of 21 blackjack will apply here.

Brushing Up on Live Dealer Blackjack Strategies

If you have yet to play blackjack online and are new to the game then don’t worry: The rules are simple and very easy to learn and you can play trial games for fun while honing your skills before you become confident enough to stake with real money.

Unibet have even published the rules to the game so prospective players can head over to the casino guides section and get acquainted with them.

As a basic guide for those who want to know how to play the standard version of blackjack, the game is played with a regular, single deck of 52 cards without the jokers. The simple aim of the game is to hit 21, or get as close to that mark as possible without ‘busting’. In doing so, the player must beat the dealer’s hand in order to scoop the pot. For more advanced rules that we don’t have time for in this section, remember to check out that full guide. Remember too that there are a host of different blackjack versions available to play with our dealers. Get acquainted with the game and then it’s time to play for real on the live tables.

Blackjack is one of the easiest games to play in the Unibet Casino. To play Blackjack first enter one of our live tables and take a seat. You’ll be presented with two cards, which you add together to get your total. You can request more cards, with the idea of trying to reach as close to 21 as possible.

Each card is valued by its number, with J, Q and K given the value 10. An Ace can either be valued as 1 or 11, which makes Aces the most sought-after card in the game.

Getting Started and Blackjack Vocabulary

To play Blackjack online, first you’ll have to place a bet to get your first two cards, known as your hold cards. This is a one-on-one bet with the dealer and you’ll get a 2:1 payout if you win. When your cards are dealt, you’ll be asked to hit, stay, double down or split. Here’s what these options mean:

Hit

You request another card from the dealer. You can hit as many times as you like, but remember once you go over 21 you’re bust and your bet is lost.

Stand

You decline any more cards and stick with your current total. Many players stay on 17 or higher, in the hope the dealer won’t beat their hand or will go bust themselves.

Double Down

This is where you double your bet, request an extra card and then stand. It’s a tricky move but if you do this properly you could win a lot more money!

Split

If you have a pair, you can split your cards and effectively play two rounds of Blackjack in one game. You’ll have to commit to matching your initial bet in order to do this. Many players Split on Aces or 8s.

Assuming you hit, you’ll be handed a third card, which adds to your current total. You can then go through the options again and some games will give you the chance to increase your bet. You’ll see your hand value beside your cards, so you’ll always know what your total is. When you choose to stand or become bust, it’s then the turn of other players and eventually the dealer to play out their hands.

Once the dealer plays out his or her hand, you’ll know if you’ve won or lost! Remember, the aim is to beat the dealer and not the other players — so don’t be worried if your fellow Blackjack players have a better hand than you!

Best Blackjack strategy

There are numerous online Blackjack strategy guides but the main principles remain the same across all of them. Here are a few tips to help you win at Blackjack:

Know the rules 

This may sound like basic advice but some players start betting on Blackjack before learning the rules! You can always read the full rule book in each Blackjack game in the Unibet Casino. Knowing when to hit and stand is much easier when you know how the game works!

Stay on 17 

There is often debate on when you should stay in Blackjack, if you have 16, 17 or 18. Almost all Blackjack experts will stay on 18 or above, while the general advice is to stay on 17. This is because you have a very slim chance of nailing an A, 2, 3 or 4 if you hit on 17. There is a risk the dealer will beat your hand but it’s still not as great as you going bust.

Are you really ‘on a run’?

Some punters like to feel their luck is in — but be sure keep a cool head when playing Blackjack online. Remember, even if you’re on a winning streak you may not be so lucky on the next hand. It’s always worth keeping in mind that one Blackjack game does not affect the next.

Keep an eye on other hands 

The beauty of Blackjack is you can see what the other players’ hands are, while you can also see one of the two dealer’s cards. This means you can quickly determine if there is a reduced chance of hitting a certain card.

When to split

Many online Blackjack guides will advise you to split on pocket Aces or 8s. And there is good reason behind this. Playing two hands with an Ace in each is very attractive as you’re one card (10, J, Q or K) from hitting Blackjack. Likewise, you cannot go bust with an 8 so their paired card on both your split hands here could easily take you close or bang on 21, should you land 9, 10, J, Q, K or A.

Watch your budget

Betting on Blackjack is great fun but be sure to stay within your limits. Always set a budget when you enter the Unibet Casino and don’t stray over it! If you’re new to the casino or simply want to enjoy many hours of online Blackjack then a top tip is to bet low and often. This way you can play many hands of Blackjack to learn the game more thoroughly, without risking your entire budget in one hand!

Don’t worry about where you sit

When you enter a live Blackjack game you’ll either be allocated a seat or you can choose where to sit. But don’t worry about where you’re placed — some players have ‘lucky’ seats even though there is no mathematical advantage from where you sit at a Blackjack table.

What is back betting in Blackjack?

Back betting is another top feature in many of Unibet’s Blackjack tables. This is often done when players enter a table but have to wait to find a seat. Blackjack back betting involves you backing another player to win their hand against the dealer. Effectively, you’re putting your trust in the skill and luck of another player!

Back betting - also known as bet behind - is a great way to learn Blackjack tactics by watching others at work. Remember, you are unable to influence their decisions and there may be a limit on the bet you can place here.

The ability to play blackjack online has ensured a boom period for this popular card game and live dealer play is a great extension to the excitement, so log on and start playing right away.