Understanding how sweepstakes casinos work
Before we dive into the nitty-gritty details of this classic game, let’s recap a little about how sweepstakes casinos work. Sweepstakes casinos are generally widely accepted in the United States, as they don’t require any funds to play. So, if you’re searching for ways to enjoy
free slots that pay real money
through prize redemptions, this is your chance.
These types of gaming sites utilize a virtual currency system with Gold Coins (GC) and Sweeps Coins (SC). Although some sweepstakes casinos choose to rebrand some coins. For example, GCs at WOW Vegas are called ‘WOW Coins’, while Sweeps Coins at Stake.us are referred to as ‘Stake Cash’.
Gold Coins are used solely for fun and entertainment, whereas Sweeps Coins can be used to redeem real-world prizes, including cash and gift cards.
This is where playing free live Blackjack comes in. You don’t need to spend real cash to play, as you will use virtual currency instead. Keep in mind that you can still opt for purchasing extra bundles of Gold Coins if you wish, but it’s not necessary to keep playing. Otherwise, you can stick to collecting them for free through promotions.
An in-depth look at virtual currency
We briefly touched on how virtual currency like Gold Coins and Sweeps Coins work at sweepstakes casinos, but in this section, we will give a more detailed explanation of how they work in practice.
Gold Coins (GC)
Gold Coins are a standard virtual currency type that allows you to start playing casino-style games for fun and entertainment purposes. GCs don’t have any monetary value but you can access the full range of games with them on your chosen sweepstakes casino, like Stake.us.
You can unlock free Gold Coins through promotions and competitions by offers such as welcome bonuses, referral bonuses, VIP programs, and more. There’s also an option to purchase bundles of Gold Coins for an extra top-up if you wish, but this isn’t necessary to keep playing.
Sweeps Coins (SC)
Also known as Sweepstakes Coins or other branded names, this is a premium type of virtual currency. You will use these when you play in promotional sweepstakes mode, for the chance to redeem real-world prizes later on.
You can only collect Sweeps Coins for free through promotions and giveaways, meaning that you won’t have the option to purchase them in extra bundles. Unlike Gold Coins, any Sweeps Coins that you have played through to meet the requirements can be redeemed for prizes, including cash and gift cards. But some sweepstakes casinos, like Stake.us, also give you an option to redeem merchandise.
Rules and basic gameplay of free live Blackjack
While there are several versions of Blackjack, just like
free live Roulette, there is one overall goal: to beat the dealer. The basic rules of Blackjack are incredibly easy to master, regardless of your previous experience. This is one of the reasons why this classic game has been a firm favorite for many years, with no signs of slowing down.
Each game of Blackjack starts with you picking which mode you want to play in (standard or promotional sweepstakes) and how much virtual currency you want to play. Some variants also give you side options.
Once this round has finished, the live dealer will hand two cards to every player sitting at the table. If it’s just you at the table, this part will work in the same way. Your cards will be dealt facing upwards whereas only one of the dealer's cards will be face up, with the other face down.
Now you have your cards, you can add their values. You will then need to make a decision - hit or stand. If you hit, you will take an extra card. But if you stand, you will keep the two cards you were originally dealt.
These two decisions are the main ones, but you may be faced with other options, depending on the
free online Blackjack
variant:
| Hit: |
Take an extra card. |
| Stand: |
Keep the original two cards you were dealt. |
| Double down: |
Double your initial play and receive an extra card. |
| Split: |
If both cards are the same value, you can split your cards. This means you will play with two hands instead of one and will need to place another coin bet that equals your initial play |
| Surrender: |
You can opt to give up your hand and receive half of your play |
After making your decision from the above options, the dealer will then reveal their face-down card and decide whether to hit or stand. Once again, these may vary depending on the variant you’re playing and the rules of the table. Both your cards and the dealer’s cards are then compared, and if you have a better hand, you win. But if the dealer’s hand is better than yours, you lose the round.
Other rules of free live Blackjack
Now, we have covered the basics in the above section, but there are a few additional rules to keep in mind during each round. If the first two cards you are dealt are equal to 21, you automatically win the game. But this only happens if the dealer’s hand also doesn’t equal 21.
If you decide to hit and your hand exceeds 21, you bust and automatically lose the game, regardless of the dealer’s hand. But some Blackjack variants give you an insurance option if the dealer’s face-up card is an Ace.
Knowing the card values
As you need to calculate the value of your hand, you must learn the values of each card. An Ace card can act as a 1 or 11, depending on the other cards you are dealt. Cards 2-9 have the same value as their number.
Tips and strategies for playing free Blackjack
Whether you are new or experienced in playing Blackjack, a few extra hints and tips are always helpful. Here’s a list of our top tips to help get you the best experience.
🃏 Know When to Hit or Stand
You should always work with your two cards and the dealer’s face-up card to try and decide whether you should hit or stand. Generally speaking, it is smart to hit if your hand value is less than 17. Or, if you have a total value that’s less than 15 and the dealer’s face-up card is an ace or 7-10.
When it comes to picking ‘stand’, it’s an ideal option if you have a single card value of 17 or higher. Alternatively, if the dealer’s face-up card is between 2-5.
🚫 Don’t Go for the Insurance Option
We get it - the insurance option can be quite tempting and easy to go for. Especially if the dealer’s face-up card is an ace. But making this decision isn’t always the best one, as it has a house edge of between 5.8% to 7.5%.
When it comes to making your plays, you should do so with a clear mind. It may be helpful to decide on how much virtual currency you want to play with before going into the game, so you can keep yourself in check. Never decide in a rush or if you’re not thinking clearly, as you will ultimately risk losing more.
Best sites to play live Blackjack for free
Now that we have run through the basic rules of live Blackjack, we can recommend the best sweepstakes casinos. If you are interested in playing free live casino-style games, these sites offer a superb gaming experience. It’s not all about Blackjack here, as you can choose from a wide range of games, including free live Baccarat.
Stake.us - The ultimate Blackjack gaming experience
Stake.us: Pros & Cons
- 1200+ casino games
- Safe and legit
- Cool promo deals
- Live chat support
Visit Stake.us
Stake.us opened for business in 2022 and quickly became a household name in the USA. The site features a well-stocked gaming lobby with slots, table games, live dealers, and Stake Originals. To get you started, you will be given a healthy welcome bonus of 260,000 Gold Coins, 55 Stake Cash, and a 5% Rakeback bonus.
But the fun doesn’t stop there when it comes to the promotions either, as Stake.us is known for hosting a variety of tournaments, challenges, and daily races for a chance to top up your coin balance.
Stake.us is currently home to three live Blackjack games from Live88 and ICONIC2, with the latter being one of the top-rated software providers at the
best sweeps coins casinos. In true Stake.us style, Blackjack Live by Live88 is an exclusive title that you can’t find anywhere else online. If you’re looking to explore other live games, it doesn’t stop there with options such as Roulette, Baccarat, Teen Patti, Sic Bo, and more.
McLuck - Best for exclusive live Blackjack games
Pros and cons of McLuck
- Great selection of jackpot slots, including the McJackpot progressive jackpots
- Excellent mobile app for both iOS and Android devices
- Over 700 online slots from popular providers like NetEnt and Pragmatic Play
- Live dealer games available
- Claim referral bonus of up to 100 SC
- High redemption threshold of 100 SC
- Limited table game options
Visit McLuck
McLuck welcomes all new players to the site with a welcome bonus of 7,500 Gold Coins and 0.2 Sweeps Coins. Armed with a solid bonus, you can venture into the live casino to play a range of exciting live games. With 15 live games to pick from, four of those are Blackjack titles.
The great thing about McLuck is that most of its Blackjack live dealer games are exclusive, which means you won’t find them anywhere else online. Here’s a list of the exclusive live Blackjack games at McLuck:
- 7 Seats Blackjack McLuck
- Gravity Blackjack
- McLuck Blackjack Rush Basic
- McLuck Blackjack Rush Elite
If you fancy a break away from Blackjack, there are more authentic casino games including Live Roulette, Live Baccarat, and Live Game Shows, which are powered by ICONIC21 and Playtech.
WOW Vegas - Modest selection of live Blackjack games
WOW Vegas: Pros & Cons
- Sign-up bonus offer
- Over 1,000 casino games
- Plenty of rewards and incentives
- up to date software
Visit Wow Vegas
To get started at WOW Vegas, you will be given a welcome bonus of 250,000 WOW Coins and 5 Sweeps Coins, making it one of the best offers we have seen. With a well-stocked coin balance, you will be set to explore the range of live Blackjack games.
WOW Vegas didn’t always offer live casino-style games, so while its selection is modest, it hits the spot. You can explore Gravity Blackjack by ICONIC21 alongside other options including Royal Roulette, Crash Live, Grand Bonus Baccarat, and more.
Popular live Blackjack games
Now we have run through the details of our top three sweepstakes casinos, here’s a selection of the best live Blackjack games you will find on these sites:
Blackjack - Live88
This classic game is an exclusive title to Stake.us, meaning that you won’t find it at any other sweepstakes casino. The house edge in this game is 0.60% and it is developed by Live88.
Gravity Blackjack - ICONIC21
With a house edge of 1.57%, Gravity Blackjack features higher potential wins, side plays, and random multipliers.
Take Deal or Risk Blackjack - ICONIC21
If you’re looking for a unique twist on Blackjack, this fun title has a house edge of 0.49% and is powered by the leading ICONIC21.
Pros and cons of playing live Blackjack for free
Live Blackjack: Pros and Cons
- Low-Risk Gameplay
- Redeem real-world prizes
- Authentic casino experience
- Some casinos have fewer options
Conclusion: Explore the best live Blackjack games
If you are searching for the best place to play free live dealer Blackjack games, we have the ultimate options for you. Stake.us, McLuck, and WOW Vegas are the perfect options if you’re based in a state where regular casinos aren’t permitted. Instead of playing with real money, you’ll use virtual currency.
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Free live blackjack FAQ
🎰 Are sweepstakes casinos legit in the USA?
Yes, they absolutely are! Sweepstakes casinos may operate differently from regular casinos but they are 100% legit. You will play casino-style games like slots, table games, live games, and can even
play free live poker.
💵 Can I win real money playing free Blackjack?
No, you won’t be able to play Blackjack at sweepstakes casinos for a chance to win money directly. However, what you can do is accumulate Sweeps Coins for a chance to redeem them for real-world prizes including cash, gift cards, and merch.
♠️ What’s the best site to play live Blackjack for free?
There are plenty of sweepstakes casinos to pick from but we think it doesn’t get better than Stake.us, McLuck, and WOW Vegas.
