Live Casino

The incredible growth of online casinos in the past 2 decades saw them ‘kidnap’ the gambling industry, with millions of players preferring to play games online rather than plan a trip to a casino.

Online casinos are easier to access and have a better library of games that you can play anytime and anywhere. Due to this, it’s no wonder why people ditched land-based casinos so quickly and as time goes by, online casinos should completely replace their land-based counterparts.

How Does a Live Casino Work?

Live casinos aren’t exactly cheap or simple to run. They require a 3-room setup for each game, usually a server room, live studio, and an analyst room. Of course, they also require more staff and heavier investment in technology, which makes them much more expensive than virtual games.

This is the reason why online casinos may have hundreds of virtual games in their library, but only a handful of live dealer games. The cost of maintenance is pretty high as well, as the nature of these games requires online casinos to have an IT manager available 24/7 so any technical glitches can be resolved in a timely manner.

The thing that makes live casinos so enjoyable is that they allow the player to play against a human dealer instead of a computer from the comfort of their own home. The technology behind it is quite complex. First and foremost, online casinos have software known as Optical Character Recognition (OCR) which translates physical financial transactions into usable data.

If the player needs any kind of assistance, he can contact the dealer via live chat. All the results are determined by the dealer, which adds a human touch to the games, unlike virtual games where everything’s automated.

More About Live Gambling:

Live Dealer Games

Although there aren’t that many game variations as what you’d expect to find in an online casino, all the major casino games are covered. Even better, there are some pretty exciting and new live dealer casino game variations which are much better than the original. Roulette, blackjack, baccarat, and poker all have their live dealer versions. There are also special variants being developed by the biggest live dealer game providers in the industry.

Roulette seems to be the most interesting live dealer game at the moment. There have been several new roulette variations that improve the simple game of chance and make it all the more enticing. Live blackjack is popular as well. There are many choices so you can pick the game that suits you best.

Roulette

Live roulette is the most popular live dealer game. Unlike other casino games, roulette has more than a few special live variants such as Immersive Roulette or Lightning Roulette. The latter deserves special praise for its blend of live roulette with exciting RNG gameplay. It’s a truly unique variant of live roulette which promises amazing payouts if you manage to hit the Lucky Numbers.

When it comes to gameplay, live roulette follows the standard rules. Everything’s the same except you’re not playing in a land-based casino. All the main and side bets are there, and you can catch all the action in breath-taking HD quality and slow-motion replays. Both add a unique dimension to the games and make it worth your time.

Blackjack

Just like roulette, blackjack is a very popular live dealer game. Unlike standard blackjack, most tables allow you to play against others rather than just the dealer. This is the main difference between live and standard blackjack and its ace in the sleeve at the same time. Playing against other players gives the game a more competitive character and makes it pretty exciting. Besides standard blackjack, there are other variations of live blackjack you should definitely give a try.

Baccarat

Although not as popular as poker or blackjack, baccarat is a big card game many players love. The live version of this thrilling game is pure fun due to the extra features. Things such as multi-camera action and controlled squeeze make live baccarat a unique experience fans of the game will love. The closeup of the card reveal is a special thing to experience. Plus, you get to see how others play by checking the statistics. This gives the game an authentic touch.

Live baccarat is one of the casino games with the lowest house edge. This means that playing it gives you better chances of winning.

Craps

If you’re a craps fan, finding a live dealer variant of the game is a bit difficult. Craps is simply not that popular in live casinos, so you won’t find it as easy as you can find roulette. With that being said, there are a few live dealer craps games available, complete with two dealers involved.

Poker

As the most popular card game ever, you can be sure that poker has its own live variant. Variants, actually. Live poker has a major presence in live casinos, with an ever-growing collection of versions. Aside from standard poker, you can play all the popular variations of the game such as Live Casino Hold’em, Live Texas Hold’em, Live Caribbean Stud Poker, etc.

There’s no bluffing involved in these games, of course, as you’re playing the house rather than other opponents. There are several unique features, however, including a jumbo jackpot program on Evolution Gaming’s Live Casino Hold’em. The unique side bets and possible jackpots make live poker a highly enticing variant you should definitely try.

The rules of the games depend on the variant. In general, they don’t differ by much from standard games. But, just to be sure, we suggest reading them before you start playing.

Sic Bo

Sic bo’s increasing popularity led to its appearance in live casinos. The ancient Chinese game doesn’t have that many variations as live poker or roulette. Playing it is still enjoyable, though, with players preferring it to online sic bo. Most of the casinos with live sic bo are focused on the Asian market since the game is popular in Asia.

Dream Catcher

Dream Catcher is a part of Evolution Gaming’s Money Wheel Gaming portfolio. The game of chance is pretty easy to play. You just bet on a number and wait for the wheel to spin, potentially winning amazing sums of money. If you’re lucky, you’ll land a multiplier, promising even bigger payouts. It’s a simple, yet exciting game that can bring you thousands if you’re lucky enough.

Our Favorite Live Casino Games:

Crazy Time

Lightning Roulette

Mega Ball

Live Casino Hold’em

What are the Pros and Cons?

The biggest advantage of live casinos is that they bring the atmosphere of a Vegas casino to your mobile, PC, laptop or tablet screen. In this way, you can enjoy a game of roulette played against a human dealer anytime without taking the day off to hit the Vegas Strip.

Furthermore, online casinos often offer special bonuses for live dealer games which have the goal of bringing more and more players to the live table. Of course, they won’t be as big as virtual game bonuses, but they will still give you extra credits to play with, which is just about what every player hopes for.

Live Casino roulette — Lightning Roulette

On the other hand, the high costs of running a live studio and the inability to fully match the unique casino atmosphere are the main disadvantages of live casinos. No matter how hard they try, they can’t replicate the sights and sounds of a Vegas casino and it will probably stay like that in the near future. Plus, when you get to play live dealer games, you’ll notice that the minimum bets are a bit higher than regular casino tables. This is due to the high maintenance costs for live dealer games and is something you should know before you try your hand at any live dealer game.

Live Casino FAQ

As a relatively new addition to online casinos, live casinos can be confusing for new and existing players as well. Some players are not sure if the games are safe while others can’t wrap their head around the idea of live dealer games. For those unfamiliar with the term, live dealer games are run by a human dealer and streamed to a player’s screen of choice via a video link. The player has the option to communicate with the dealer via a textbox and interact with the game, even though he’s playing from home.

Live casinos are the latest and greatest technological achievement of online casinos. The goal is simple – to bring the thrill and atmosphere of a real casino directly to your screen. Matching the casino atmosphere is no easy feat, but thanks to advances in video technology, live casinos are working out just well. As a result, they’ve become pretty popular recently, with many players preferring them to online casino games.

The technology to run a live casino is pretty expensive, so not every casino offers live dealer games. Those who do, however, are among the biggest and best casinos in the industry. Live casinos are as close as it gets to a real casino experience.

Are Live Casinos Safe?

Absolutely. You can rest assured that playing in a live casino is safe. Now, you may come across players claiming that online casino games (including live dealer games) are rigged and we understand their confusion. There have been countless numbers of cases of fixed online casino games. Fortunately, the industry has moved past that. When it comes to live dealer games, the human dealer is the element that makes them safe.

You can see the cards being shuffled right in front of you, and the software used by live casinos nowadays is tested by independent agencies. Additionally, all major casino brands are licensed by respected gambling regulatory bodies. None of them would ruin their business just so they can steal your money. Even if the shuffling is handled by an automatic shoe, there’s a new one for each round, promising a fair game.

Some casinos have technology which allows the game to be streamed live online, making players feel safe. In general, live dealer games are considered safe and fair, so there’s no point in being scared to play them.

What Games Can I Play?

Live Roulette
Live Blackjack
Live Baccarat
Live Craps
Live Poker
Live Sic Bo
Live Dream Catcher

Who Provides the Software?

The complex software for live casinos is provided by different software developers. The list includes major companies such as Microgaming and NetEnt as well as live casino specialists Evolution Gaming and Ezugi. Many providers such as NetEnt and Playtech have their own live platform with the streams either coming from a land-based casino or the provider’s own studio.

Ezugi, for example, streams live dealer games from Costa Rica. On the other hand, Evolution Gaming has several studios, with the biggest being in Latvia.

In 2019 Ezugi was bought by Evolution Gaming, this makes Evolution Gaming the world leader as it comes to Live Casino provider.

What’s the Difference between Land-Based Studio and Dedicated-Studio Streaming?

When it comes to the streaming, there’s no difference. When it comes to the gameplay, the differences are small. Live dealer games streamed from land-based casinos are a bit slower and offer a more genuine casino atmosphere. The games streamed from dedicated studios, however, are faster as they’re completely focused on the player.

The decision is yours. If you like to play at a slower pace, go for the games streamed from a casino floor. If you like a more personal VIP-like experience, choose the ones streamed from the provider’s studio.

Can I Interact with the Live Dealers?

Yes, you can interact with the dealers just like in a casino. Most live dealer games have a chat feature so you can talk to the dealer. Some have a chat box where you can write your request. Depending on the casino, some dealers will be talkative, while others will be calmer. This is not up to you – it’s what the casino has instructed them to do.

And, no, the dealers can’t see you. You can see them and interact with them, but it’s not a ‘two-way mirror’. Some live dealer games have some social features such as a chat where you can talk to other players. The social element adds even more excitement to the game and brings it a step closer to land-based casinos.

What About the Language?

Unless a casino is targeting a specific market, all live casinos are available in English. Of course, some will offer a variety of languages. Check the table you’re playing at in order to see if it can be played in your native language.

Can I Play for Free?

Although the answer is yes, finding an online casino offering live dealer games for free is pretty hard. These games are expensive to run, so you can’t expect casinos to offer them for free. There are a handful of online casinos that will let you try the games for free, though. Of course, you’ll need to be a registered member for this – live dealer games aren’t available for just about anyone.

How Can I Play Live Casino Games?

Playing live dealer games is a pretty straightforward process. First, you’ll need to register at an online casino. Once you do, grab the welcome offer and deposit some money into your account. When your account is all set up and you’re ready to play, enter the live casino. Most online casinos nowadays have a separate live casino which should make things easier for you.

Once you find the game you need to play, you just need to start it. Check out the wagering requirements of any table you’re planning to ‘sit’ on and the betting limits. All that’s left for you is to wait for the stream to load. After that, you’ll enter the brave new world of live casinos. Enjoy your stay.

Is the Stream Clear Enough?

All live casinos nowadays offer HD quality streams for their games. However, in the end it all comes down to your internet connection. If it’s slow, you may experience lower quality visuals. This is why live casinos recommend a stable internet connection so you don’t experience lags or blurry cards. The same goes for mobile internet connections. We suggest playing live dealer games on a wired connection and in an area with perfect internet coverage.

How Do I Deposit and Withdraw Money?

The deposits and withdrawals don’t differ from the usual. Whether you’re playing an online casino game or a live dealer game, it doesn’t matter. Everything’s handled in the same way and depends on the payment method you’ve chosen.

Do I Have to Download Any Software?

In general, no, but some casinos do have a downloadable software package that you should get before you play. You can check this by visiting your live casino of choice where there should be more information on the matter.

Can I Count Cards in Live Blackjack?

In short, no, you can’t. Counting cards in an online casino (or a live casino for that matter) is impossible. The cards are shuffled before each hand, so even if you start a running count, you have no way of keeping it going. If you’re planning to play live blackjack, our recommendation would be to learn to play like a pro before wasting all your money trying to count cards.

How Do I Pick the Right Live Dealer Game?

There’s no perfect live dealer game. It depends on what you like. If you’re a poker fan, you should definitely try some of the poker variants. Blackjack fans should go for live blackjack. Those who like sic bo should go for it. You have the freedom to choose on your own, so pick what you like.

If you ask us, though, we suggest trying out some of the special roulette versions such as Lightning Roulette – it’s a blast to play.

A Gambling Revolution

In order to make online casinos appeal to a larger base of players and bring the thrills of a casino online, casino game developers invented a new type of games – live dealer games. A revolution in online gambling! Regularly appearing in the live casino section of online casinos, live dealer games are run by a human dealer at a real casino table and streamed to the player’s screen of choice.

In this way, players can enjoy all their favorite games and interact with the dealer via a console. The only thing missing are the comps, but we have no doubt that online casinos will think of something in the future. During the last 20 years, advances made in the IT field and the developments in the communications industry have allowed production of much better games and brought live casinos even closer to players.

With broadband internet becoming a standard, live casinos have become an inseparable part of online casinos and are constantly growing in popularity. They are the closest thing to a real casino without actually stepping into one and as IT technology develops in the future, the gap will close further.

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