That's the point. Almost 40 years ago (!), when I developed the Illustrious 18, the whole point was to explain to people that 18 indices can capture up to as much as 90% of all the gain available from learning, say, 150 indices. To the casual player, that was more than enough!
Don
There are live dealers, usually dealing in slow motion from eight-deck shoes with 50% cuts. They get paid like any dealers: three shifts, 24/7. As for the honesty, you take your chances with anything online.
Don
Are you trying to win money or just get rated and get some comps? You aren't going to win anything meaningful playing against a shoe and spreading 1-5. As Rebecca asked, you need to be much more specific. What are the precise rules of the game? At what K-O counts do you make each bet? How many...
The dealer checks the hole card. He/she doesn't have a natural. You now may surrender any holding you have. You say, Surrender, and the dealer takes away your cards along with half of your bet. Done.
Don