Many fans of gambling enjoy play online blackjack real money — it’s no surprise that this card game is considered the most popular in the world. Online casinos offer two formats of blackjack: games with live dealers or software-based emulators (slot machines) using a random number generator (RNG). Each has its own characteristics, advantages and disadvantages. But without exception, all blackjack fans are interested in which option gives the player the best chance of winning. Or perhaps it’s not about the formats at all? Let’s find out together!
Play blackjack online via software and in a live casino: the main differences
To analyse and compare the odds of winning in both formats of online blackjack, you first need to understand their key differences.
- In a live casino, players play against real dealers who are located in remote physical venues (studios), using real decks of cards. High-definition live streams (often from multiple cameras) and specialised software from leading providers allow players to watch the action unfold directly on their device, place bets and even chat with dealers and other players.
- In an online slot machine, unlike live dealer blackjack, the game is run by special software. In effect, the player is presented with a simulation of the gameplay, and the results of each hand are determined by a random number generator.
In the table below, we have set out in detail the differences between playing on a slot machine and in a live casino.
| Characteristic or feature | RNG Blackjack | Live Dealer Blackjack |
| Nuances of gameplay | The game is played against the software in a one-player format. The player makes the decisions — the machine can wait for the player’s decision for as long as necessary, or react instantly to the player’s actions. Dealing takes place instantly, dozens of hands can be played in a minute | Players have between 15 and 20 seconds to place their bets and make their decisions. If a player fails to meet the time limit, the system will automatically declare ‘Stand’ on their behalf. The pace of the game in online blackjack real money depends on the dealer and the other players at the table |
| Fairness of results | Results are determined by a random number generator. Reputable providers guarantee the fairness of results and ensure they cannot be influenced from outside, as confirmed by tests carried out by authoritative independent laboratories | Players watch the gameplay and the dealer’s actions live on their device. Each card has a barcode or RFID tag. As it leaves the shoe, it is scanned, so the player immediately sees its value on the screen |
| Immersion in the game | You play blackjack online — the software acts as the dealer. As a rule, these games feature simple graphics, a minimalist design and electronic background music | This creates the feeling of being in a land-based casino. The atmosphere of a physical casino is created by studio sets, the noise from neighbouring tables and the ability to chat with the dealer — who responds with a voice |
| Betting range | The minimum bet on these slots starts from just a few pence. This makes them ideal for beginners and players on a tight budget
Live Dealer Blackjack |
Live Dealer Blackjack usually offers a wide betting range, but the minimum bet is higher – from $1–5. At the same time, in almost any online casino you can find tables with upper limits of thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars, which attracts high rollers and VIP players |
| Seat availability | You can launch the game at any time and start playing RNG online blackjack real money | In the classic version, the table is designed for 7 players. Therefore, at certain times, you will have to wait for a seat at the table to become available or bet on another player’s hand using the Bet Behind feature. However, many casinos offer special Infinite/Common Draw tables — here, a single hand is dealt to all players at once |
| Deck memory and card counting | After each hand, the deck is automatically shuffled. The composition of the deck remains unchanged — cards that have previously been dealt are returned to it. Each deal is completely independent of the previous one. Therefore, card counting is impossible, as is tracking which tens have been dealt | Real cards are used — there are usually 6 or 8 decks in the shoe. Dealt cards are not returned to the deck until the dealer reaches the cut card, which divides the deck and determines when the next shuffle takes place (usually at 50–70% of the deck). Therefore, blackjack basic strategy and card counting can be used |
Live dealer blackjack vs RNG blackjack: let’s compare the odds
At first glance, it seems more advantageous to play with real dealers. After all, card counting is possible here, albeit to a limited extent: once the dealer reaches the cut card, the round is played out, and then the cards are thoroughly shuffled. It turns out that up to this point, the theoretical return to player (RTP) percentage changes dynamically as the shoe is depleted. This creates the impression that if you also use blackjack basic strategy correctly, you can temporarily reduce the house edge and, consequently, increase your chances of winning. This is particularly true when many low-value cards have been removed from the game. However, in a RNG Blackjack, the cards are automatically shuffled before every hand, so card counting is impossible in principle.
However, many games use early shuffling, and it’s also worth bearing in mind the human factor — a real dealer, unlike software, can make a mistake, which leads to the pit boss replacing the deck. What’s more, in a live casino, players are given just 15–20 seconds to make a decision, so it’s easy to make a mistake.
In fact, if both formats use the same rules and number of decks, the player’s odds will be the same. Essentially, the choice of format is more important in terms of the player’s personal preferences and desired stake size (in live dealer blackjack, the maximum stake is much higher, whilst the minimum stake is, conversely, lower). Depending on the rules of the specific game, the house edge in blackjack is usually between 0.5% and 1% in both slot machines and live casinos.
How to improve your chances of winning at online blackjack real money
The best way to increase your chances of success is to consistently follow blackjack basic strategy: learn to make the right decision on whether to hit or stand, and know when to double down or split pairs, etc. Therefore, the first step is to familiarise yourself with the rules of the specific game. Experienced players recommend:
- Choose tables that pay 3:2 for blackjack (a combination of an ace and a ten or face card), rather than 6:5. In the former case, the net win is 1.5 times the stake; in the latter, only 1.2 times.
- Pay attention to the number of decks in play — the fewer there are, the lower the house edge.
- Look for tables with the ‘Dealer stands on all 17’ rule. This is more advantageous for the player than the ‘Dealer hits Soft 17’ rule.
- Learn to use the blackjack basic strategy, which is presented in the form of tables — this often helps reduce the house edge to a minimum (0.5%).
To find out what to do in a specific situation, you need to locate your hand in the left-hand vertical column, then find the dealer’s upcard in the top horizontal row. At the intersection will be your optimal move, for example, Hit or Stand, Double down, Split pairs — you should act as recommended in the table.
How to find out which game offers better odds
Essentially, the type of blackjack — Live Dealer vs RNG — determines the technology used to deal the cards, but not the player’s chances of winning. Success comes to those who read the rules and choose the right game, as well as strictly follow the blackjack basic strategy. It is also worth paying attention to the betting range and comparing it with your bankroll: betting on blackjack is exciting regardless of the game format. Therefore, if you are unlucky, you could quickly lose all the funds in your account.
Before you start play blackjack online, it is wise to familiarise yourself with the casino’s rules, particularly the terms and conditions governing the issuance, use and wagering requirements of bonuses. Such incentives can provide players with certain advantages — for example, free bets or an increase in their bankroll.
For those planning to launch a new or expand an existing online gambling business, our company offers a ready-made solution — a turnkey online casino platform featuring games from leading providers, including live dealer blackjack and RNG blackjack. By taking advantage of our offer, you can save time and money, quickly starting to earn from organising online betting.