Live Online Gambling
Open 24/7/365, the property features more than 200 live action table games, including a Poker Room; approximately 4,000 slot machines; two High Limit rooms; and the Orchid Gaming & Smoking Patio. As your play evolves, we’ll offer enhanced benefits. Remember to use your card every time you play to begin earning the offers and benefits you deserve. Below you’ll find a guide to the different kinds of legal online gambling. Sports betting, online casinos, poker, lottery and horse racing bets are all covered. This includes information on smartphone apps. After that you’ll find information on the live gambling options in Pennsylvania. This expands the popular formats above to include. W88 is an online gaming platform made for every gamer, gambler and leisure seekers alike. The site allows its members to engage in live betting games, stay up to date with their Sportsbook, dive into arcade games non-stop 24/7. W88 offers you a variety of services with bonus treats to maximize your gaming experience.
Live dealer blackjack is nowadays one of the most popular online casino games. It has the same feel and look of the real blackjack found in land-based casinos, but it’s played through a live stream with a professional dealer sitting in front of the camera.
There are literally hundreds of different websites on which you can enjoy live dealer blackjack these days such as Wild Casino. Apart from websites being different, the games aren’t always the same either. Although some blackjack games might have the same rules, there can be quite a gap in the video and sound quality, interface, and the overall aesthetics of the game.
My article will focus on several key factors of choosing the finest live blackjack game and playing blackjack in general:
Read the following text carefully, and you will certainly pick the best live blackjack games on the web!
Top US Live Dealer Blackjack Casinos
Picking the best live blackjack casinos was not an easy task. I have put myself into the player’s perspective and taken into account many things in order to come up with the ultimate list of the finest blackjack casino operators.
Casino | Offer | Devices | Play Now / Review |
---|---|---|---|
$5,000 Welcome Bonus | |||
First 3 Deposits, Get Up To $6000 | |||
$5500 Welcome Bonus | |||
First 3 Deposits, Get Up To $6000 | |||
$5000 Welcome Bonus | |||
$3,000 | |||
First 3 Deposits, Get Up To $3000 |
When it comes to choosing where to play libe blackjack for real money you should not venture on your own, especially if you don’t have that much experience with online gambling to begin with. You will at least need some basic guidance, and that’s where I come in.
By reading my article, you will be able to learn all about the best casino sites that offer top-shelf live blackjack games. I selected these websites according to certain criteria that ensure you will enjoy fair and legit casino games with the best possible gaming experience.
How We Choose Our Live Blackjack Casinos
Just in case you were wondering what is so important when choosing the right blackjack game and website, here are several key factors that played a role in the creation of this list.
Licensing and safety
Checking whether the casino operator is licensed by a legit regulatory body and whether their services provide users with all necessary safety measures in terms of monetary transactions and the security of personal details.Game Variety
There are several variants of live blackjack games that you can try online. The majority of the sites on my list will have more than one game at your disposal so you can switch between them easily.Streaming quality
Top online casinos offer the best video and sound quality for streaming their live dealer blackjack games. However, you still need to have a stable Internet connection in order to experience the game in HD.Live blackjack bonuses
The websites you can find here offer great welcome bonuses that can be used for playing live blackjack, among other casino games.Mobile Compatibility
Playing on the move is what online gambling is all about. The most convenient way of playing live blackjack these days is by streaming the game on your mobile phone or a tablet. All the casinos on my list are mobile-friendly.Banking Options
Money transactions on a casino site should go as smoothly as possible. By choosing one of my favorite sites, you would be able to enjoy quick deposits and withdraws with minimum fees.Live Dealer Blackjack Versus Land-Based Blackjack
While blackjack in a land-based casino can never be truly replaced, live online blackjack is at least the best possible way to mimic the experience of playing on a real blackjack table.
What’s more, you can enjoy live dealer blackjack from the comfort of your own home, or anywhere else you see fit. Bonuses and promotions that are associated with playing live dealer games are yet another thing that is exclusive to online casinos.
In other words, playing blackjack online is simply more convenient and comes with more perks compared to the land-based version of the game.
As far as the rules go, they will be the same regardless of the manner of playing the game. However, online operators usually offer several different variations of blackjack, while you might find only one or two blackjack tables at your local casino.
How Does Live Blackjack Work
If you load a game of live blackjack on your desktop, smartphone, or tablet, you will see a virtual gaming table, which you can use to place bets. At the same time, the gaming screen includes a video box through which the live gaming action is continuously streamed to your device. In the live video, you can see a real croupier operating the live blackjack game.
Hypalinx
You must understand that the video you see is not per-recorded and the game you are playing is not generated by computer software. You are viewing a game that is really being played either at a gaming studio or at a land-based casino. You are also placing bets on that game. If you still feel that this cannot be possible, you can interact with the croupier running the game through a chat box on your gaming screen.
Since live blackjack is a game that is actually being played at a physical location, it takes you as close to the land-based casino gaming experience as possible.
Live Blackjack in the US
Since the US is a grey jurisdiction, US players cannot enjoy a wide choice of live blackjack games. Ever since the US federal government passed the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) in 2006, a large number of operators, payment processors, and software providers withdrew from the US market, leaving residents with very few gambling options.
For example, Microgaming, the casino gaming software giant, has developed the largest number of live games, but doesn’t offer its services to US residents.
In spite of this, US residents can play at live casinos powered by US friendly software providers such as Visionary iGaming and Global Gaming Labs. The latter has been in the US for a long time and has partnered with well-known online casinos that offer live games such as Wild Casino.
Live Dealer Blackjack Casinos
You can rest assured that live blackjack games are 100% fair and random.
A live blackjack game can just not be rigged by the casino authorities because its results are based on actual gaming activity.
To start playing live blackjack, you only have to register any of our recommended live blackjack casinos.
How to Play Live Blackjack: Step by Step Guide
I will take the liberty of assuming that you’re not a very experienced online gambler (that’s probably why you’re reading this article in the first place), but don’t worry, we all have to start somewhere. I didn’t know much about live blackjack not so many years ago, and now I feel I’m capable of guiding other people on how to play it.
So, without further ado, here are a few necessary steps that you need to take in order to start playing live blackjack.
Choosing Casino Operators and Game Providers
First thing’s first, and that’s picking the online casino with quality live blackjack games. I’ve already done that part of the homework for you, so you can simply check my list above, but that’s not enough.You also need to consider the type of game you’re looking to play. If you enjoy common draw blackjack, I suggest you try NetEnt’s version of the game.
For players who prefer a low-stake game with communicative dealers, Evolution Gaming’s Live Blackjack Party should do the trick.
In any case, choose your operators and providers wisely so you can have the best possible live blackjack experience.
Setting up an Account and Depositing
If you wish to play for real money, you first must set up an account on your desired online casino site. The registration process is usually quite straightforward and requires a few easy steps that include entering your personal details.Unless you are using a live blackjack no deposit bonus that some online casinos offer, you will be required to fund your account. The minimum deposit amount depends on the operator’s rules, but it’s usually around $10. Simply choose your banking method and wait for a couple of minutes before the deposit goes through.
There are also in-game deposits that allow you to refund your account without losing a seat at the table.
Finding Live Blackjack Games
While you’re on the operator’s homepage, try to locate a section that includes all the casino’s live dealer games. Here, you will be able to find live blackjack among other popular live games such as roulette, casino Hold’em, baccarat, and others.Click on the game of your choice and wait for it to load. Once the current round of betting ends and the next one begins, you will be included in the game.
Live Blackjack Betting
Live Online Gambling Nj
The digital interface of the game will help you keep track of the betting. To bet, simply click on one of the differently-sized chips.The timer will clearly state how many seconds you have left until the bets are closed, but this will also be stated by the dealer sitting in front of the camera.
Once the action starts and the cards are dealt, you will have several options on how to play your hand.
- Hit or receive another card
- Stand or stop receiving any more cards
- Double their bets in case of a favorable hand
- Split pairs and play two hands simultaneously
The resulting hand is then compared to the dealers and players will either win or lose their bets. After the winning hands are revealed, your winning bets will be paid according to the paytable that you can check inside the game. For example if a player gets blackjack or a hand that equals point value 21, they will receive a payout of 3 to 2. If players do not win anything, they can place another bet and play again.Any lost bets are automatically deducted from your balance.
Depending on the rules of the live blackjack game they are playing, players can also purchase insurance against a possible dealer blackjack or surrender bad hands and get back half their bets.
Each live blackjack game has a separate set of rules for dealers and players. If players need to interact with the live croupier or fellow players anytime during the game, they can do so using the chat box in their gaming screen. However, chat rules are very strict at live casinos. Players are not allowed to make rude or offensive remarks. If they do, the live casino will prevent them from using the chat functionality. In order to protect live dealers from such unpleasant experiences, some casinos do not offer the chat functionality, but this takes all the fun away from the live dealer game.
Withdrawals
You can choose to end the game of live blackjack in between any two hands. All winnings will be credited to your casino account, after which you can request a withdrawal to your banking method of choice.Navigate to the casino’s cashier page and request a cash-out. Depending on the payment method, you might wait between 48 hours and several business days for the payment to go through. Of course, you can always choose to keep the money in your account and use it to play more live blackjack.
Live Blackjack on Mobile
All modern live blackjack games are mobile-compatible, meaning that you can enjoy playing them on your personal smartphone or tablet. Most of all, mobile players have all the same options as desktop users.
Enjoying live blackjack on mobile is really convenient and allows you to play on the move — something that’s simply not possible when playing on PC.
Depending on the casino site, you can play live blackjack either by entering a mobile-friendly website directly through your browser or by downloading their dedicated mobile app. The majority of sites from my list have live blackjack available to both iOS and Android users.
Live Blackjack Tips & Strategies
The game of blackjack is more about luck than it is about skill, but you should nevertheless be familiar with some betting strategies if you wish to raise your chances of winning.
So, before you even create an online casino account and load your first live blackjack game, you should come up with an effective game plan. Luckily, you won’t have to overheat your brain and learn all the mathematical possibilities on your own. All you need is a few betting charts that I will share with you below and that are relatively easy to follow.
Live Blackjack Rules
Live blackjack is similar to online blackjack and the blackjack played at land-based casinos. The game has a number of variants, each of which stands in a class of its own although based on standard blackjack rules.Here are some of those rule variations:
- Live blackjack games may use six, seven, or eight decks of playing cards.
- Live casinos may offer either one-to-one blackjack tables the way it is done at land-based casinos or one-to-many tables.
- Croupiers running one-to-many tables receive bets from as many players as possible and deal the same hand to each player.
- The dealer will either stand or hit on soft 17.
- Rules related to doubling the wager, splitting card pairs, the number of times pairs can be split, surrendering, purchasing insurance, and so on vary from one live blackjack game to the other.
- The betting limits vary from variant to variant and casino to casino. If you are a high roller who wants to play high-limit live blackjack, you only have to contact customer care. Depending on the online casino you are playing at, you can bet up to $5,000 at a time.
When to Hit and When to Stand
Naturally, the decision of whether to hit or stand should come once you are familiar with the dealer’s up-card and your own cards. The table below shows a mathematically proven strategy that will always give you the best chances of winning in every possible situation.The best thing about this table is that you won’t be required to memorize it. Simply keep the printed version of the table near you when you’re playing the game. Of course, you won’t be allowed to do this while playing blackjack in a land-based casino, but since the live blackjack dealer cannot see what you are doing, having this kind of a cheat-sheet is completely legal
Splitting Pairs
Splitting Pairs allows you to split two cards of the same value and play them as two separate hands. Of course, this also means that you need to make another bet equal to the original one.Many novice players think that splitting any two identical cards is favorable, but that’s far from the truth. You should only split your hand on certain card values while also paying attention to the dealer’s up-card.
Doubling Down
Doubling down in live blackjack means that you can double your bet once the cards have been dealt to you. However, a general rule states that you are only able to receive one extra card after doubling down, so be careful when you choose to do this.Again, you should consider the dealer’s up-card as well, and check the table’s rules, as some games have extra restrictions when it comes to doubling down.
Things to Consider When Playing Live Blackjack
Apart from the general rules of the game and its strategies, there are also a few technical things you need to consider before stepping into the world of live blackjack.
Stakes
One of the first things you need to do before playing any online gambling game is to decide on your gambling budget. Think about how much money you are willing to risk while playing live blackjack, which will then help you decide on the stake limits.Some live blackjack games are played with relatively low stakes, making them ideal for beginners. Others, like VIP live blackjack, are reserved for high-rollers that can spend up to several hundred dollars per betting round.
Hardware
Live casino games are a little more demanding than regular ones. Make sure that the device you are playing on is capable of supporting these games so you can play without any technical issues.If you’re playing on a relatively new PC or mobile device, you shouldn’t encounter any problems, but inform yourself on the minimum system requirements just in case.
Internet Connection
Internet connection is important for two reasons. First, you would want to avoid being cut out of the game because of the lost or slow internet connection. All technical errors on your part will result in an immediate loss relating to a current betting round.Also, a stable internet connection will allow you to enjoy live blackjack in crystal clear HD picture quality, which is the whole point of playing the game with a live dealer. Low video and sound quality mean that you probably have a slow internet connection.
Final Thoughts
Live blackjack is the most popular live dealer game in the US and beyond. It offers a perfect combination of strategy and luck, and can make you rich incredibly quickly, but only if you play your cards right.
In order to have the best possible experience when playing live blackjack, you need to choose the best operators with high-quality games in their libraries. The list I provided above includes some of the most renowned online casinos that host thousands of players on a daily basis.
I had a really good time writing this extensive live blackjack guide, and I hope you did too while reading it. If you want to ask me a question or wish to add something to this subject, feel free to leave a comment below.
Frequently Asked Questions
With Live Dealer Blackjack offering the same human touch, rules, and gambling experience you can find in the best of land-based casinos, there are little excuses not to give this popular casino game a try. And if you’re still unable to make up your mind, here are the most frequent concerns about Live Dealer Blackjack addressed, to help you on your way.
How to play live blackjack?
What are the best live dealer blackjack casinos?
Where can I find the best live blackjack games for US players?
How does live dealer blackjack work?
Can I make a living by playing live blackjack?
How to beat live blackjack?
Jennifer Sultan Live Online
Is Live Blackjack Fixed?
The simple answer to this question is that casinos don’t need to fix their games to earn money. Blackjack has an inherent house edge that ensures casinos turn a profit with each hand and have fewer reasons to cheat. Also, most players who join a table are rarely skillful enough to increase their advantage significantly, thus giving the casino an even bigger house edge and fewer reasons to pull tricks.
And even if a casino dared to fix their games, the news will spread so fast around the online community that it will be impossible to prevent leaks. This will, in turn, get the casino blacklisted and lead to millions in loses, which is not something worth risking over an already profitable game.
Can I play live dealer blackjack on mobile?
Can You Count Cards in Live Blackjack?
Even though it seems like the perfect opportunity, since Live Dealer Blackjack doesn’t rely on RNGs, the reality is that card counting in live games is impossible. Not only do live dealer games use 6 to 8 decks, which complicates the matter by itself, but they also only go up to 50% penetration. This means that you’ll never get past half the deck, thus making your counting skills entirely useless.
What is the House Edge in Live Blackjack?
There is no simple answer to this question. With Blackjack, the house edge depends both on the variation of the game but also you as a player. The more skillful and optimal your play is, the lower your house edge will be.
The average theoretical house edge is often said to be 1%, but with the right rules and style of play it can go even lower, sometimes even as low as 0.48%. However, it can also get higher, especially if you have little knowledge of the game.
Is Strategy Important?
Yes it is. Blackjack is a game of using simple math and planning, and as such requires a sound knowledge of basic strategy. If you’re only playing it haphazardly, you will only waste your money away.
Do Other Players at the Table Affect my Outcomes?
As logical as this common myth sounds, it is very far from the truth. While it’s true that a player before you might have some effect on the next outcome, mathematically speaking this doesn’t affect your odds at any significant level.
What’s the Difference between Live Blackjack and Blackjack in Land-Based Casinos?
There’s little to zero difference between both games, except for the personal experience. Both offline and online live Blackjack games have a human dealer, follow the same rules, and pay out the same.
There might be some games that offer a different rule or two, but the same can be said about land-based casinos.
How Many Decks are used in Live Blackjack?
Since Live Dealer tables can be abused with the help of software and card counting algorithms within the comfort of your home, live dealer games are usually played with 6 to 8 decks. Eight decks is the most common variety, as it allows for longer play before the cards are reshuffled. It’s always important to note the number of decks used, so that you can adjust your strategy.
Should I Accept “Even Money”?
Live dealer games now offer the same insurance that you can find in land-based casinos. The “even money” bet is normally offered when a dealer’s hole card can end up being a 10 value card, thus giving the dealer Blackjack. The wager pays 2 to 1, meaning you can end up with half your money back, should the dealer win.
But as lucrative as this sounds, it’s highly advised that you don’t take insurance, since statistics have shown that the probability of dealer Blackjack is lower than the probability of busting. Namely, you have a 69% chance of winning that bet, i.e. you have the upper hand.
Can I Play Live Blackjack for Free?
No. While there are some casinos that let you watch a Live Blackjack game for free, you can’t actually interact in any way with the game. Thus, if you want to practice your strategies, you can use the free demo versions of regular Blackjack games offered at most online casinos.
How Fast Does My Internet Connection Have to Be When I Play Live Dealer Blackjack?
Since live games are streamed in HD, it is better if you have a fast optical or ADSL connection for best experience. Lower connections speeds will lead to glitches and lags, which can end up causing mistakes from your side. That’s why you should always check your connection speed before you join a table.
Other Live Dealer Games....
Live dealer games let you play your favorite casino table games from the convenience of your home, but in real-time with a real dealer.
Live dealer games come in the same types of table games that brick-and-mortar and online casinos traditionally offer.
Though not every table game is available in the live format, the most popular are. Options include blackjack,roulette, baccarat, casino hold ’em and three-card poker.
Live dealer casino games were introduced to the NJ casino market a few years ago and since then, have exploded in both offerings and the number of casinos streaming them.
The games are only available for real-money, with tables running $1 per hand up to $2,000 per hand in blackjack.
This live dealer guide takes you through the various casino games available in New Jersey as well as how to play. We also offer a comprehensive table outlining the games available at each casino and the hours of operation.
Best Live Dealer Casinos in NJ
How do live dealer games in New Jersey work
Live dealer games are transmitted via live stream from a studio to your computer or mobile device.
Whereas electronically dealt casino games require a built-in random number generator (RNG) to ensure fairness, live dealer games dispense with the RNG. Instead, you know the games are fair because you can watch everything the live dealer is doing in real-time, just like at a regular casino.
Having an actual person spin the wheel or deal your cards almost makes you forget that you are playing all by your lonesome on your desktop computer, smartphone or tablet. Instead, you picture yourself in a bustling casino filled with other gamblers and the continuous activity and excitement that energy-charged atmosphere imparts.
Live dealer games make you feel like you’re in the thick of the action. Yet, you still enjoy the same convenience and comfort of being able to play at home — or anywhere in NewJersey — whenever you wish, minus the traveling.
This table outlines a full list of online casinos offering live games in the state of New Jersey.
Can I play live dealer games on my mobile device?
Yes, most live dealer games are currently accessible on Apple iOS and Android devices as well as on your desktop computer. So, it’s merely a matter of personal preference of which format you use.
To access the games, you need to be within NewJersey state lines at the time of play.
How to play live dealer games
New Jersey online casino players can choose any of the following live dealer games:
- Baccarat
- Blackjack
- Casino hold ’em
- Roulette
- Three-card poker
Depending on which casino you choose, different versions of these games with slightly different rules may be available.
Unfortunately, regardless of which casino and live dealer game you select, you won’t be able to practice for free to test the waters.
You can only play live dealer games for real money. Therefore, if you are new to live dealer play and you want to try a new-to-you game, be sure to do the following:
- Study the section of the casino’s website pertaining to live dealer games. Review the different versions of the game that interests you, including rules and bettinglimits so that you can make the best choice.
- Locate a similar regular online casino game that you can play in demomode for the same stakes you intend to play for real money. This will give you a good feel for the game and pinpoint any areas where you need further practice. Then you can make an informed decision whether or not to try the real-money version in the live dealer platform.
- When playing live dealer blackjack, casino hold ’em or three-card poker, make sure you know the correct basic strategy. It is OK to bring a chart with you to the table.
- A casino may offer variations of the same game. Try to select the version with the lowest house edge.
- Live dealer tables typically provide a wide range of betting stakes. However, don’t give in to the temptation to play for higher stakes than usual. If you are starting out, we highly recommend playing for slightly lower stakes than usual while you become accustomed to the live dealer format. You can always increase your betting stake later, especially if you are winning.
- Live dealer games aren’t available 24/7, but close enough to it that you have a wide window of when to play. Don’tplay when you are tired, hungry, not feeling well, upset about something or are pressed for time.
- Some live dealer games offer optional sidebets. However, the house edge is typically much higher than on the game’s standard bets. So, your best bet is to make these side bets only occasionally, or preferably, not at all.
Lastly, keep in mind that the houseedge on live dealer games tends to be slightlyhigher than on regular online casino game counterparts. It’s best to limit playing sessions to 90 minutes or less. If you’re winning, try to quit while you’re still ahead before you lose all your winnings back and more. Or if you see that the dealer is hot, don’t chase your losses. Avoid marathon sessions.
Live Dealer Blackjack
The most obvious difference between Live Dealer Blackjack and other online variants of the game is that the former is dealt from a traditional shoe.
Otherwise, the rules at Golden Nugget and Betfair Casino live blackjack will come off as familiar, albeit somewhat more rigid, than what NJ online casino players have come to expect:
- Shoe consists of 8 decks
- Naturals pay 3:2
- Dealer hits on soft 17
- Players can double down on any two cards, and double after split
- No re-splits
- Players cannot hit re-split aces
- There is no late surrender
Under this rule set, the house edge is 0.72 percent. This is considered quite high for blackjack. It’s assumed these mediocre rules — and the 50 percent cut card penetration – was chosen to discourage card counters, who could run rampant under more favorable conditions.
The betting spread for live dealer blackjack, and other live dealer games for that matter more closely resembles that found on live casino floors. For live dealer blackjack at Golden Nugget Casino, the minimum wager is $10 and the maximum $1,000.
Golden Nugget online live dealer blackjack also features two side bets, both of which are popular at land-based casinos in Atlantic City. They are Perfect Pairs and 21+3.
Perfect Pairs
- Mixed color pair (player’s first two cards): 6-1
- Same color pair: 12-1
- Perfect pair (same suit): 25-1
- Return-to-player (RTP): 95.91 percent
21 + 3
- Suited Trips (player’s first two card plus dealer’s up card): 100-1
- Straight Flush: 40-1
- Three of a Kind: 25-1
- Straight: 10-1
- Flush: 5-1
- RTP: 93.72 percent
Watch the video below as PlayUSA’s Vinny Goombatz gives a lesson on how to play live dealer blackjack at Golden Nugget.Tune in to twitch for more streaming video.
Live Dealer Roulette
Outside of the fact that Live Dealer Roulette outcomes are determined by a real roulette wheel, the game varies very little from other roulette games played online.
The wheel features two zeroes. Players don’t receive a return on their investment when a 0 or 00 is spun. This brings the house edge up to 5.26 percent, which is quite unfavorable for the player.
The minimum wager for Live Dealer Roulette is $1, and caps out at $1,000.
Live Dealer Baccarat
Like its blackjack counterpart, Live Dealer Baccarat is spread over a real felt. It uses physical playing cards to determine game outcomes.
Using the standard 5 percent commission rule, the house edge for winning banker bets is just 1.06 percent. For player wins, it’s 1.24 percent.
The tie bet is generally best avoided, as the house edge is nearly 15 percent. There aren’t too many NJ online casino games that have a lower return.
Live Dealer Baccarat also features a Dragon Bonus Player side bet. This pays out on naturals and non-natural wins where the player wins by at least 4 points:
- 1-1 for a natural win
- 30-1 for non-natural win by 9 points
- 10-1 for non-natural win by 8 points
- 4-1 for non-natural win by 6-7 points
- 2-1 for non-natural win by 4-5 points
The house edge on this attractive side bet is just 2.65 percent.
The betting spread for Live Dealer Baccarat is $1 – $200. By comparison, it’s difficult, if not impossible, to play baccarat for a minimum wager of less than $5 at land-based casinos.
Live Dealer Casino Poker
Casino Hold ’em is a table game that turns the player’s focus back toward the dealers. In doing so, players of all skill levels can feel confident about playing the game. There is no need to worry about sharks and grinders roughing up the novices.
The game uses the typical 52-card deck. Each player places an ante and receives two cards.
Based upon his or her two cards, each player must then decide whether to fold or place the call bet. A fold causes the player to forfeit the ante bet; the call bet must be twice the value of the ante.
The dealer deals the entire five-card community board. Players and dealers alike will make the best possible five-card hand out of the five cards on the board and the two cards in their hand.
Live dealer games played online versus live
Live dealer games bear more similarities than differences to table games spread at brick and mortar casinos in Atlantic City. Both feature real dealers, real playing devices (chips withstanding), and both encourage social interaction. Live dealer players can even tip.
Of the few differences, most favor the online live dealer format.
For one, the game moves at a somewhat brisker pace compared to live, as all calculations are handled digitally. Then, of course, there is theconvenience of being able to play from one’s own home computer. Anonymity may also be a plus for some players.
At present, the main disadvantage of live dealer is accessibility. The format is only supported by one casino, and at only select times during the day.
Land-based casino players also have more side bets to choose from, although some may argue this is actually a disadvantage, as these bets tend to pay low returns.
Finally, the rule sets are a bit more rigid compared to live Atlantic City games and even internet casino games.
Free live dealer at NJ online casinos
New players on Golden Nugget online casino can take advantage of a $20 no-deposit bonus when they sign up with the site using the online promo code PLAY20.
This will essentially get them started playing Live Dealer games on the site for free. There is a one-time wagering requirement. However, casino games count just 20 percent towards meeting it.
Golden Nugget online also offers new players a 100 percent first deposit match bonus of up to $1,000. The wagering requirement is five times the deposit, plus the bonus. Casino games count only 20 percent towards meeting the requirement.
Betfair offers new players a $30 no-deposit bonus if they sign up with the online promo code PLAY30.
There is no specific wagering requirement on Betfair. However, players must make a minimum deposit of at least $10 before they can take any cash off the site.
Betfair also offers new players a 100 percent first-time deposit bonus of up to $1,500. There is a 20-times wagering requirement and casino games count just 10 percent towards meeting it.
Top live dealer games in New Jersey by return
Despite the somewhat unfavorable rules, Live Dealer Blackjack offers players the best return at 99.28 percent. Baccarat banker bets are a close second at 98.94 percent, followed by player bets for the same game (98.74 percent). The best side bet is the Dragon Bonus Player bet (97.35 percent).
After that, there’s a fairly big gap, as Live Dealer Roulette and most side bets offer returns in the 95 percent area.
Can live dealer games push Golden Nugget across key revenue threshold?
On its own, it’s unlikely that live dealer games resulted in a significant revenue uptick for Golden Nugget Casino. Why?
- The number of blackjack seats are capped at 21 across three tables. Digital blackjack games can theoretically service an infinitenumber of players.
- There are just one roulette and baccarat table, and they’re only open 12 hours per day.
- Online casino makes the bulk of their revenue via slots.
That being said, when live dealer first launched, Golden Nugget was taking in roughly $3.5 – $4 mm per month. That figure has soared ever since.
Admittedly, the introduction of more slots and the launch of Play SugarHouse under the Golden Nugget umbrella probably played a huge part in the surge. But it wouldn’t be unheard of if Golden Nugget’s live dealer games attracted a new demographic, who started out at Live Dealer games and graduated to fully digital endeavors.
A critical product for NJ online casinos
We don’t have great data on how the live dealer product performs relative to traditional online gambling products in markets like the UK.
But it’s obvious that, absolute performance aside, the product has been a growth center for operators and has quickly become a staple at top casino sites like Sky, bet365, and William Hill.
The live dealer product may serve an even more important function that revenue generation at New Jersey’s licensed online operators.
One of the standing issues facing online operators in New Jersey is a lack of consumer familiarity and trust with online gambling products. Live dealer products could provide a useful tool for bridging that divide.
By bringing the worlds of the online product and the live casino product closer together, online casinos may find that consumers who are primarily comfortable with the land-based casino product gain a greater comfort level with the online casino product.