Common Draw Blackjack by NetEnt Live
Learn how to play live dealer Common Draw Blackjack, a unique live casino game that caters to unlimited players.
Common Draw Blackjack is a variant of 21 exclusive to live dealer casinos. Developed by NetEnt Live, the game is able to provide an innovative approach to the game by accommodating an unlimited number of players. Everyone shares the same hand, but is capable of making their own decisions in how to best manage it.
The concept is a grand one for NetEnt and its live casino licensees. The common draw aspect means that no player will ever be turned away, equating to a land-based casino game with limitless seating. It also keeps the speed of the game at a maximum – great for the operator’s bottom line.
The benefit to players is… well… I’m not sure there is one. The rules of the game proffer an above average 0.59% house edge with perfect strategy, and card counting in live casinos isn’t terribly effective without a massive bankroll. The dealers are friendly enough, but they aren’t the most attractive in the business. The real benefit to the player would have to be the assurance of fair play and heightened entertainment value of playing in a live casino setting from the convenience of a home computer or mobile device. If that’s enough to pique your interest, keep reading.
How to Play Live Dealer Common Draw Blackjack
To enjoy this particular online blackjack variant, you’ll need to join one of the many iGaming operators that employ the NetEnt Live casino platform. Most computers (Windows PC and Mac) and mobile devices (Android and iOS) made in the last few years will be easily capable of running the live dealer software.
Tip: So long as your internet connection speed is decent, the video and audio should come across nice and smooth. If you have any trouble, try reducing the video quality until you get a smooth real-time stream.
Because you’re playing with real people, your decisions will be timed. If you get disconnected from the server, your hand will automatically stand on the current total, and you will sit out any additional hands. Winning bets will be paid and losing bets collected in your absence. Otherwise, you’ll have full control over the game, choosing to hit, stand, double, and split as these options become available.
Once you stand, no further cards will be added to your total. However, you will get to see additional cards played if anyone else makes a move beyond that point. For instance, if the player hand total is hard 13 and the dealer is showing a 6, you may follow proper strategy and choose to stand, locking in a total of 13 on your hand, but others may choose to continue.
Specific Rules of Common Draw 21
The following rules apply to NetEnt Live’s Common Draw Blackjack:
- Decks: 6
- Soft 17: Dealer Stands
- Doubling: Yes, on any two cards
- Splitting: Yes, 1x
- Double after Split: Yes
- Draw to Split Aces: No
- Surrender: No
- Dealer Checks for Blackjack: No (all bets lost against dealer blackjack)
- Tie for Blackjack: Push
- Blackjack Pays: 3 to 2
Common Draw Blackjack Basic Strategy
The following is a basic, three-part strategy chart that details all the correct decisions to be made in any hard-hand, soft-hand or paired-hand situation. Based on the rules above, following this strategy will afford a 99.41% RTP (house edge 0.59%).
How to Decide a Hard Hand
A hard hand of 12+ is one that can bust in a single hit due to not containing an Ace valued at 11.
| Hard Total | Correct Action by Situation |
| 8 & Under | Hit |
| 9 | Double against Dealer’s 3-6; otherwise Hit |
| 10-11 | Double against Dealer’s 2-9; otherwise Hit |
| 12 | Stand against Dealer’s 4-6; otherwise Hit |
| 13-16 | Stand against Dealer’s 2-6; otherwise Hit |
| 17-21 | Stand |
How to Decide a Soft Hand
A soft hand of any total is one that cannot bust in a single hit due containing an Ace valued at 11.
| Soft Total | Correct Action by Situation |
| 13-14 | Double on dealer’s 5-6, otherwise Hit |
| 15-16 | Double on dealer’s 4-6, otherwise Hit |
| 17 | Double on dealer’s 3-6, otherwise Hit |
| 18 | Hit against 9-A; Double on 3-6; otherwise Stand |
| 19-21 | Stand |
Conditions for Splitting Pairs
This final section will teach you how best to play live dealer Common Draw Blackjack when dealt a pair.
| Pair | Correct Action by Situation |
| Ace-Ace | Split against 2-10; otherwise Hit |
| 2-2 | Split against 2-7; otherwise Hit |
| 3-3 | Split against 2-7; otherwise Hit |
| 4-4 | Split against 5-6; otherwise Hit |
| 5-5 | Double against 2-9; otherwise Hit |
| 6-6 | Split against 6; otherwise Hit |
| 7-7 | Split against 2-7; otherwise Hit |
| 8-8 | Split against 2-9; otherwise Hit |
| 9-9 | Split against 2-6 and 8-9; otherwise Stand |
| 10-10 | Stand |
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About the Author
Adalene Lucas: is our jack of all trades here at DBC. She is a skilled coder, gambler, writer and webmaster. She lives in Manitoba where she enjoys the lush landscapes and camping near Tulabi Falls. Nature gives her inspiration to write. When she's not immersed in nature, her favorite words are "game theory". She lives with her husband and their two Labradors, Kophy and Whisper.
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