Live dealer games, also known as “Live”, are a type of gambling entertainment in an online casino that combines the advantages of online platforms and offline establishments. From the first, this format took the opportunity to sit at the table whenever and wherever you want with the Internet. Secondly, the atmosphere is close to a real institution. Live games are implemented quite simply. The operator hires professional croupiers who broadcast from an equipped room. Users also follow the live broadcast, place bets, communicate with the dealer and other participants via chat.
This detailed guide will explain everything about live dealer games, so if you’re interested, keep reading and learn more about the new genre of casino games.
How everything works
Real—time games with live dealers are exactly what the name implies: online games with real croupiers, not with a computer. Thus, instead of going to a regular casino, these entertainments are broadcast for you, and the virtual dealer deals the cards that you see on the screen of your device.
Live dealer games can be played in the same way as traditional ones, but more efficiently and on the go. Perhaps the best part of Live games is the quick selection of positions and tables. In addition, there are several other advantages of this category of entertainment:
- Slow pace. This is really an advantage for those who understand that they did not come here to beat the casino, but only for entertainment;
- The outcome of the round does not depend on the random number generator, but on the interaction of physical objects. This is especially important for high-stakes Canadian players;
- There are always 4-5 tables in the “Live” lobby with a maximum bet exceeding the usual ones. Only there can super-high rollers satisfy their excitement and ambitions;
- Access to statistical data in games with real dealers is traditionally better implemented than in games using RNG.
The history of Live gambling on the web
The first experimental developments in the field of Live games were in the early 2000s. But it was only in 2007, as Internet technologies developed, that the first samples came out, which became popular with gamblers. The earliest developer was the British company Playtech. However, very soon the leadership passed to highly specialized companies, because the “Live” format provides for expensive maintenance of studios, equipment and personnel.
In 2020, the world leader is the Evolution Gaming company, established in 2006, with its main office and studio in Riga. The rest of the providers, including the Swedish Netent, accounted for about 20-25% of the market.
From other companies, it can be noted:
- Extreme Live Gaming. She is the most active in major Western European online casinos;
- LuckyStreak. This is a young provider who also owns studios in Latvia;
- Microgaming. The third most popular developer in the world of online casinos.
How Live Dealer Games Work
The dealer does not have any screen or monitor. But he has a video camera in his room. Customers, looking at the screens of their computers, tablets or phones, see how the dealer works. By the way, the dealer can communicate with customers in real time.
Croupiers work in special rooms with installed equipment. It is filmed by many video cameras at once and from all sides, which indicates fair play. Customers of such a casino may feel that they are nearby and everyone is playing live.
Another feature is that the cards used in board games have a larger size and are therefore easier to distinguish. This is also done so that people who look at fairly small phone screens feel comfortable.
How to play at the “Live Casino”
It’s very easy to play Live games on platforms. Below is a short step-by-step guide:
- Open the online casino you need.
- Create your account or log in.
- Go to the game lobby.
- Select the game you want to play, and you will be automatically included in the live broadcast session.
- You can start placing bets or ask the dealer to place them on your behalf.
These steps are almost the same for all platforms, the only difference is in the number of games available to users.
What kind of entertainment is available in this category
The active popularization of the “Live” format has led to the emergence of hundreds of different entertainment. They can be divided into several categories:
- Desktop. Roulette, blackjack, baccarat, craps and poker are familiar to casino fans;
- The Wheel of Fortune. The main feature of this type of entertainment is a special reel divided into a number of sectors with various prizes. Vivid examples: Crazy Time, Monopoly, Sweet Bonanza Candyland;
- 3D slots. In fact, these are ordinary slot machines, only the process is controlled by the presenter. Spins are triggered not at the user’s request, but with a certain frequency when everyone makes their bets;
- Others. Games that do not fit into any of the categories described above. They have non-standard rules.
Many studios are engaged in the development of entertainment with live dealers. The most famous is Evolution Gaming and it is its games that fill many different online casinos.
What is useful for a player to remember in Live games
As with any gambling game, you must first carefully read all the terms of service in order to avoid blocking later. But at the same time, you need to remember a few more points.
Firstly, the stickman on the screen is just the gameplay, that is, the “animation” of the game plus its mechanics. As for the money, the dealer does not have any money, and he may not even know how much you bet on this game. The betting service that accepts your funds and pays out winnings exists separately. Moreover, it can be a completely independent company that only attracts the Live Casino studio as a third-party service provider. And from this it follows that the main focus should be on checking exactly the company that you trust with money. After all, dishonesty on the part of the dealer is practically excluded, since everything is controlled by the control unit.
Secondly, to play at a Live casino, you will need a fast Internet connection, especially if you plan not only to see the dealer, but also to broadcast your video from a webcam. Home Internet usually copes with this task, but mobile is not always. Not to mention the fact that you should only play from a smartphone from places with a stable signal. Very often, the game requires installing an application on a smartphone or a program on a computer. It is advisable to set enough time before the game to download them, install and configure them correctly.
Before you start, you need to figure out which windows you will see on your game screen. They are usually as follows:
- Main — video broadcast;
- The betting window;
- Betting timer;
- Chat with other participants;
- Technical support.
Thirdly, you need to study the features of the game. For example, someone might say, “I know the rules of poker perfectly.” However, there are several types of poker:
- Texas Hold’em;
- Omaha;
- Caribbean Stud Poker;
- Lowball and so on.
Therefore, it does not hurt to read the rules right on the platform where you are going to play. This way you can make sure that everything takes place exactly in the format you are used to, and if not, keep this in mind.
Another important point is the betting limits. Again, this information should be viewed not on the gaming platform itself, but on the service where you place bets, if they do not match. You should be prepared for the fact that bets on Live casinos are usually high. There is no reason to be surprised: everything that is required to organize such a format costs a lot of money, and you simply need to pay for the work of several people. Therefore, you are unlikely to have the opportunity to bet $ 1 and take part in a Live game.
In addition, unlike slots, a Live game usually does not involve any demo version, all for the same reason. However, you will often be offered to watch others play for free. This is enough to understand the principles of the game, make sure that everything is fair, and also feel the atmosphere of an almost real casino.
When playing online, you often have to face the fact that there are many people willing, while the number of gaming tables is limited. Therefore, in some casinos you will have to wait or order the game in advance.