Game review

Live VIP Blackjack: rules, strategy and where to play

Live VIP Blackjack is a live blackjack table from Pragmatic Play. How it plays: VIP blackjack tables limited to three unique players, with 20-second betting and decision times, up to seven seats per player and Deal Now always on.

Below: the table rules and a basic strategy chart for the main hand and the ranked casinos that carry it.

Software: Pragmatic Play
Live game: Yes

8 decks 18+ only

By Fiona Gallagher Updated Oct 6, 2026

Decks: 8 per shoe
Blackjack pays: 3:2 dealer stands on soft 17
Seats: 7 seats, max 3 unique players per table

Table rules

Live VIP Blackjack table rules

These rules decide the house edge and the right strategy. The table's help panel shows the version you are seated at.

Rule	At this table
Decks	8
Dealer on soft 17	Stands
Blackjack pays	3:2
Double down	Any two cards; double after split allowed since June 2025
Split	Pairs incl. mixed 10s; split aces receive one card each
Insurance	Offered, pays 2:1
Seats	7 seats, max 3 unique players
Side bets	21+3, Perfect Pairs
Also	VIP rules per studio: 20 s betting (normally 14 s) and 20 s decisions (normally 10 s); 3 idle rounds before removal.

Pragmatic Play (Studio: VIP Blackjack and VIP Roulette; Studio news: Emerald Speed Blackjack tables and VIP Blackjack tables (Aug 2023)).

Basic strategy

Basic strategy for Live VIP Blackjack

For six to eight decks, dealer stands on soft 17, double after split allowed and no surrender. Read your hand down the left and the dealer's up card across the top.

Basic strategy is the lowest-cost way to play each hand. It does not beat the house, but every departure from it raises the edge you pay.

Hand / dealer	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	A
8 or less	H	H	H	H	H	H	H	H	H	H
9	H	D	D	D	D	H	H	H	H	H
10	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	H	H
11	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	H
12	H	H	S	S	S	H	H	H	H	H
13–16	S	S	S	S	S	H	H	H	H	H
17+	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S
A,2–A,3	H	H	H	D	D	H	H	H	H	H
A,4–A,5	H	H	D	D	D	H	H	H	H	H
A,6	H	D	D	D	D	H	H	H	H	H
A,7	S	Ds	Ds	Ds	Ds	S	S	H	H	H
A,8–A,9	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S
A,A and 8,8	P	P	P	P	P	P	P	P	P	P
10,10	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S
9,9	P	P	P	P	P	S	P	P	S	S
7,7	P	P	P	P	P	P	H	H	H	H
6,6	P	P	P	P	P	H	H	H	H	H
5,5	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	H	H
4,4	H	H	H	P	P	H	H	H	H	H
2,2–3,3	P	P	P	P	P	P	H	H	H	H

H Hit S Stand D Double, otherwise hit Ds Double, otherwise stand P Split

Wizard of Odds, 4–8 deck basic strategy (wizardofodds.com/games/blackjack/strategy/4-decks/). Table rules: Pragmatic Play, 8 decks, dealer stands on soft 17.

Variance

Main hand against side bets

Main hand

Wins, losses and pushes come close to evenly; doubles and splits add the swings.

Suits you if: Most players, with basic strategy.

Side bets

Rare hands with big payouts and a higher edge than the main hand.

Suits you if: Small stakes on top, if any.

Live VIP Blackjack compared with similar games

Published Pragmatic Play games on CasinoRank, best RTP first.

Game	Software	RTP	House edge	Min. bet
Live Speed Blackjack	Pragmatic Play	99.59%	0.41%	$5.00
Live Jacks Or Better Draw Poker	Pragmatic Play	99.5%	0.5%	$0.50
Privé Lounge Blackjack	Pragmatic Play	99.41%	0.59%	$100.00
Live Blackjack	Pragmatic Play	99.3%	0.7%	$1
Live Indonesian Blackjack X	Pragmatic Play	99.28%	0.72%	$1
Live Romanian Blackjack	Pragmatic Play	99.28%	0.72%	$1
ONE Blackjack	Pragmatic Play	99.28%	0.72%	$1.00
Live VIP Blackjack	Pragmatic Play	–	–	–

RTP and bets listed for each game.

FAQ

How many decks does Live VIP Blackjack use?

8 decks, per Pragmatic Play.

Where can I play Live VIP Blackjack?

At casinos that carry Pragmatic Play's live lobby. The ranking on this page lists them in order, and the offers are live. More from the studio on our Pragmatic Play page, and other tables in live blackjack.

Responsible gambling

Live tables run around the clock: set your limits first

18+ only

Licensed casinos check your age and ID before you can withdraw.

Responsible gaming →

Decide the budget first

Pick the amount and the end time before the first bet, and use the casino's deposit and session limits.

Limit tools →

Get help

Free, confidential help is available if gambling stops being fun.

Help and support →