Smart Live Blackjack Review
Features: 6 Deck, 7 Seat Blackjack, 8 Deck, Bet Behind, British Dealers, Common Draw Blackjack, Dealer stands on all 17's, Dedicated tables, Double on 9/10/11 only, Double on Any, Insurance, Multi-seat, Multiple cards to split Aces, Split Aces, VIP Tables
What I liked
Great Dealers
Personal touch
Not too busy
English & Japanese Tables
Three Live Casinos!!
What I didn't like
If you like the personal touch from your dealers and want an enjoyable experience then this is the place for you. I love playing here and the Japanese dealers are a scream, even though I don’t understand the language.! Now with Microgaming and Net Ent Tables.
Smart Live Casino have three live casinos where you can play live blackjack and each game is slightly different, so it’s worth checking out my comparison table below to help you find the right game.
- The Microgaming Live Casino offers live 7 seat Blackjack, with a bet behind facility of the seats are all taken.
- The Net Entertainment Live Casino has 7 seat Blackjack and Common Draw Blackjack. Several 7 seat tables are provided to cater for players who like a range of stake options.
- The Smart Live Gaming Live Casino has 7 Seat blackjack and depending on the time of day there will be one table hosted in Japanese.
I’ve been lucky enough to visit the Smart Live Casino that’s based in London and have seen for myself the dealing studios, the control room and met the staff who run Smart Live Gaming. If you’re interested in a more general overview of the casino then read my Smart Live Casino review at LiveCasinoComparer or on my personal playing blog playingthehouse.
This review is very much focused on my favourite game, Live Blackjack.
Microgaming Live Blackjack
As Blackjack games go this sits somewhere in the middle of what I like. There are 7 seats and there is the facility to Bet Behind if the table is busy and you can’t get a seat. The game is played with 8 Decks and the dealer stands on soft 17. You can only double down if you have 9/10 or 11, but you can take extra cards on split Aces. There are no side bets.
My only major criticism of playing blackjack at the Microgaming live casino is that it’s difficult to get a seat. There never seem to be enough open tables for the demand, or perhaps it’s just me and I pick the wrong time to play. Good job there are other options at Smart Live.
Net Entertainment Live Blackjack
There are two types of live blackjack here. Normal 7 seat blackjack and common draw blackjack, where one hand is dealt that multiple players can play. Smart Live have taken two 7 seat tables, so they can offer stakes to low and high rollers. All games are dealt from a Shufflemaster dealing shoe that contain just 6 decks. Again doubling is restricted to you having 9/10 or 11 in your hand. No side bets are offered.
Smart Live Blackjack
Smart Live currently have two blackjack tables that can take 7 players at one time. Live Blackjack is streamed everyday between 11:00am – 03:00am GMT, with English dealers. Between 08:00am – 16:00pm GMT Thursday – Saturday there is also an exclusive Japanese table available. I have to say its great to play on there as the dealers get so excited.
Smart live blackjack is played with an 8 deck shoe. It’s manually shuffled by the dealer when it is approximately half way through the dealing shoe. The dealer takes two cards (Vegas style) You can double on anything, the dealer stands on 17’s. Splits are allowed but only one card is allowed on split aces.
The first thing that you’ll notice is that the dealers are very friendly and chatty. When the other blackjack table isn’t in use you get the feeling that it’s just you and the dealer and this makes for a much better playing experience in my opinion. You can chat freely with them and they will talk just about anything. What you will discover is that most, if not all the dealers have second jobs as actors / actresses or as TV presenters.
The game are not the quickest, so if it’s speed you’re after then you may be better going to Unibet or Bet Victor Live casinos, but the experience more than makes up for it for me, so the live blackjack at Smart live has become a regular stopping place for me.
Game Features
| Number of Decks | 8 | 8 | 6 |
| Dealer Stands on all 17’s |  |
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| Double on 9/10/11 only |  |
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| Double Down after Split | |
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| Split Aces | |
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| Multiple Cards to Split Aces | |
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| Split after a split | |
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| Insurance | 2:1 | 2:1 | 2:1 |
| BlackJack | 3:2 | 3:2 | 3:2 |
| Multi-Seat | |
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| Perfect Pair | |
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| Bet Behind | |
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| Stakes | Minimum – £10 Maximum – £1,000 |
Minimum – £10 Maximum – £250 |
Minimum – £1 Maximum – £5,000 |
| VIP Tables | |
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| Dedicated Tables | |
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| Games | 7 Seat Blackjack | 7 Seat Blackjack | 7 Seat Blackjack Common Draw |
| Free Play | |
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| Dealer Options | English Dealers Japanese Dealers |
European | European |
| Dealers hand | Takes 2 cards | Takes 1 card | Takes 1 card |
| Software | Smart Live Gaming | Microgaming | Net Entertainment |
| Play |  |
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Smart Live Blackjack Images
Software
The Software interfaces all have two viewing modes, normal view and a mixed mode where you get a computer generated image superimposed over the dealer and real table. You have options to change the sound and view chat and your playing history. You can deposit from the table ( a separate window opens). That’s it really, nothing too complicated.
Banking
There are loads of banking options. Check out the list at the top of the review of the ones that are available.
Security
Smart live Gaming is registered and regulated by the UK gambling commission.
Bonuses
There are bonuses available to blackjack players. A welcome bonus of 150% up to £300 can be claimed. The wagering requirements are 20x the deposit and bonus. Blackjack has a contribution of 20%. Make sure you read the terms and conditions if you are in any doubt before taking the bonus. Other promotions are run during the week and do change so checkout the website for the latest details.
Summary
Despite there being no side bets I love playing blackjack at the Smart Live Casino, rather than the Microaming and Net Entertainment alternatives. The playing experience is second to none and it’s the quality of the dealers that make it so great. I can live without doubling on a split, the fact I can double on any card makes up for that. It feels like an exclusive club when playing here and the dealers remember you when you return. I see the same names at the tables when I play, so it’s not just me that thinks this.
