Dec 16, 2019 It’s fun to play blackjack with other people. However, not all blackjack games are the same. Here are some of the different types of live dealer blackjack games you’ll find in a casino. Shoe Blackjack – This is the type of live blackjack game that will be familiar with most people. Dealing from a shoe is how most people learn to play. Two things made it fun: When my blackjack table was filled with people who were there to have fun and I was doing my best to make sure they had fun, it was great. It was like being the host of a.
“We’ve been in Vegas for a whole day and haven’t played a single hand of blackjack” the tourist exclaimed. Trips to Las Vegas get that way as life changes. Vacation priorities and preferences change over the years. So has the game of blackjack. It happens to all of us.
When a tourist reaches the point in a Vegas vacation where they MUST PLAY BLACKJACK, they’ll just sit down at the closest table that fits their bankroll regardless of the blackjack rules.
There was a time where there was just one type of blackjack game dealt in casinos. It may not feel like it, but blackjack has been getting more complicated for the past 5-10 years. Today, there are so many different ways to play blackjack in Las Vegas. Today we’ll look at blackjack games played with a human dealer since that’s how most people enjoy blackjack in a casino.
Live Dealer Games
Part of the appeal for many recreational blackjack players is the social factor. It’s fun to play blackjack with other people. However, not all blackjack games are the same. Here are some of the different types of live dealer blackjack games you’ll find in a casino.
Shoe Blackjack – This is the type of live blackjack game that will be familiar with most people. Dealing from a shoe is how most people learn to play blackjack around the country. There are more blackjack games in a casino that are dealt from a 4-8 deck shoe than any other type.
Pitch Blackjack – This type of dealing a blackjack game is where the dealer holds the deck or decks (single or double deck) and “pitches” the cards to the players. The good news is that fewer decks in play will lower the house edge of the game. Unfortunately, many casinos are now only offering pitch blackjack that pays 6:5 when a player is dealt a natural blackjack. Much like all games, check the rules before sitting down to play. Reminder: one of the best blackjack games in Las Vegas under $25 is the single deck game at El Cortez.
Continuous Shuffle Machines – I don’t know anyone who would prefer to play blackjack when the cards are dealt from a continuous shuffle machine than a dealer. The cards are constantly being shuffled by a machine (hence the name). It’s difficult to get a feel for the game when playing at a table where the dealer uses a continuous shuffle machine. It’s much easier to get in a groove when the cards or dealt from a shoe or pitched. While many people don’t like this kind of game, mathematically it doesn’t change the house edge much.
Payout For Natural Blackjack
The rules of blackjack are continuously changing. So are how casinos pay a player when they’re dealt a natural blackjack. There are plenty of rules to look out for to find the game with the lowest house edge. There’s one rule that really increases the house edge for the casino. The payout for being dealt a natural blackjack can make a game unplayable – unless it’s offered for $1 per hand. Even then, it’s still not a smart bet but there are plenty that would rather play a game for $1 just to sit back and enjoy the complimentary drinks.
In order of best to worst, here are the payouts you’ll receive for a natural blackjack.
- Best: 3:2 – Blackjack ays $15 on a $10 wager.
- Worse: 6:5 – Blackjack ays $12 on a $10 wager.
- Worst: Even – Blackjack ays $10 on a $10 wager.
It’s always wise to look for the best blackjack rules even if you’re jonesin’ to get some hands in. The better the return on a natural blackjack, the longer you should be able to play. The reason you’re craving blackjack is that you like the game so you might as well get the best bang for your buck.
Blackjack Variants
Sometimes the limits of the best blackjack games in the casino are a bit high but you still want to play something similar to the game you love. That’s where blackjack variants come in handy. They may not be “normal” blackjack game but they might be close enough. These games often have a lower minimum bet so you can at least play some kind of blackjack.
Here are a few blackjack variants that you should find in most Las Vegas casinos.
- Games on trial
There are always new blackjack games introduced in casinos. Many of them haven’t lasted beyond a field trial like Blackjack Switch or Free Bet Blackjack. These are fun to try because they might not be around for long. Even if they don’t play, you can always say that you tried something rare.
While you’re playing blackjack, you’ll probably think of the dealer in terms of how well they interact with you. A friendly dealer can make a game feel more social, while an unfriendly one can put a damper on the mood. In a higher limit game, a serious blackjack dealer can add to the atmosphere of the game.
But there’s a lot more to being a blackjack dealer than just interacting with the players. Of course, if the dealer is doing their job well, you won’t even notice all the things they’re doing at the table. But the dealer needs to know rules for all sorts of contingencies, understand how to pay out all bets quickly and accurately, and how to deal with mistakes when they occur. They also need to be on the watch for players looking to cheat or otherwise take advantage of the casino or their fellow players.
How to Become a Blackjack Dealer
Most blackjack dealers get their start by going to a dealer school. At these schools – many of which are run by the casinos themselves – dealers learn all the skills they need to deal games such as blackjack in a casino environment.
Even having gone to dealer school, however, there’s no guarantee you’ll be able to get a job as a blackjack dealer. After applying for a dealer job, you may need to audition in front of casino personnel to prove you’re capable of handling the job. Even after that, you might need to attend some in-house training to learn the specific regulations and procedures used in that casino.
Another route to becoming a blackjack dealer is to work in a casino in another capacity before moving on to the lucrative dealer position. For example, you might get a job assisting in the pit, and then apply for a blackjack job when one opens up.
As a blackjack dealer, there are benefits and drawbacks. The pay can be quite good, especially when considering the tips you’ll get from winning players. On the other hand, the hours are often erratic; dealers may be sent home early if there’s less activity in the casino than usual, while they may be forced to deal mandated overtime if the casino is busier than expected.
Many skills are required to be a blackjack dealer. For one, you must be comfortable on your feet; you’ll be standing most of the time you’re in a casino, other than on breaks. On the bright side, breaks are more frequent than in most jobs (dealers usually get 20 minutes off after each hour of dealing). You should be able to count and do basic math quickly, both in terms of keeping track of hand scores and in paying out bets. It’s also important to be accurate in fast in everything you do at the table.
One other important thing to do as a blackjack dealer is to make sure you don’t give players information that they’re not supposed to have access to. This can happen in several ways. One common way a dealer can slip up is by allowing players to see cards when they shouldn’t, such as exposing the dealer’s hole card for an instant before placing it down on the table. In games where the dealer must physically peak at the hole card, there are two ways that the dealer might unwittingly help the players; they may once again allow the players to view the hole card momentarily, or they may give away information based on their reactions to the hole card.
Blackjack Dealer Training
Blackjack Dealer Rules
During a blackjack game, there are a number of rules the blackjack dealer must follow. In most blackjack games, dealers must hit with any hand of 16 points or less, but must stand with any hand of 17 or more. In some games, dealers are also instructed to hit on a soft 17.