Published: 27.06.2019, 14:41
5 min read
When we gamble online, we’re spoilt for choice with what’s available. A lot of casino games are offered in regular digital fashion alongside live casinos. For some people, the digital version of online casino games is the only way to play online. However, if you want to get the real casino experience, live casino games is the next best thing. However, it might not be clear for a lot of novice players as to how do live casinos work. Hop on board with us for your introduction to the live dealer casino!
What is a Live Casino?
Live casino games or live dealer games are the same typical casino games that are hosted by dealers via live streams. They can be played at online casinos without needing to go to a casino physically. This is an alternative to those that want a live casino atmosphere, without leaving their home.
What Games are Available at Live Casino?
Live casino games are used by a large variety of providers that have different setups and backdrops. The games offered by them are often the same across the board. This is because live casinos stick to the same game rules as a real casino would. Examples of live casino games include the usual casino table games.
Live Blackjack
Live Blackjack follows the same Blackjack game rules as online and real casino games. Unlike the online version of the game, however, it has minimum stakes similar to real casinos. The objective of the game is still to get as close to 21 as possible. In order to win, you need to be closer to 21 than the dealer without exceeding it. On live tables, the minimum bet is usually much higher than you’d find on a digital table.
Live casino Blackjack frequently includes numerous variations of the game. Be it European Blackjack or American Blackjack, you will find any live dealer version you want.
Live Roulette
When it comes to Roulette, there’s always a good deal of fun to be had. That fun is limited in online Roulette, as realism just isn’t there and people are always unsure as to how fair digital games are. The live games give a more realistic and fair appearance, meaning you get a much more pleasurable experience.
Live Roulette follows the rules of Roulette in the same way. Much like Blackjack, numerous variations of the game are present as well.
Casino Hold’em Live Dealer Game
Casino Hold’em is one of the more original games. An ante bet is made to play the hand before the croupier deals 2 cards to him/herself. The player then has the option of making a side bet. The next stage is for the player to either fold losing the ante bet, or to place a call bet, doubling the total bet (not including side bet) on the table. If a call is made, the croupier will deal 2 more cards to the table, then it’s time for showing the hand.
To play the full range of bets, the croupier’s hand must qualify. Qualification requires that the dealer has a pair of 4’s or better. If the dealer’s hand doesn’t qualify, the ante bet is paid based on the Ante-Win table at whatever live casino you’re playing at, with the call bet being pushed (no win or loss).
If the croupier’s hand qualifies, then the player compares his hand against the dealer and doesn’t compare to other players on the table. Should the player have a better hand, the player will win the call bet at a 1 to 1 on top of an Ante-Win. For example, of winning a call bet of $2.00 will give you another $2.00.
Be sure to check your chosen live Casino Hold ’em Ante-Win table before playing. Although they’re primarily uniform, there is some variation live dealer game providers.
Other Live Dealer Games
Almost any casino game will have its live iteration. Furthermore, some providers develop completely new live games as well. Some other live games might include:
- Live Baccarat. Has the same Baccarat rules as the land-based version of the game and offers the same exact selection of side bets.
- Live Poker. Live Poker games include Texas Hold’em, Carribean Poker and many more.
- Bingo Live.
- Dream Catcher. Exclusive Wheel of Fortune-type live game from Evolution Gaming.
- Monopoly Live. A variation of Dream Catcher, branded under the legendary table game.
- Live Dice.
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Live Casino Looks
Inside the live casino studio, you’ll see a luxurious backdrop that resembles a real casino. The best way to describe the experience is imagining that you’re playing at the table through someone else who’s gone to the casino for you.
Male croupiers are sharply dressed and presentable, just like you’d find at a real casino. The female croupiers are notoriously equally stunning. In the background, you can usually see other tables in play. All of that gives you the real casino feel. Add that to the typical plants, fancy carpets and decorated walls you’d find at a land-based casino.
In order to further enhance the experience, you can even hook your computer up to your big-screen TV. This will provide higher immersion, allowing you to really take in the view of the casino from the comfort of your own sofa.
Pros and Cons of Playing at Live Casino
As with anything, there are many sides to live casinos. It’s all about weighing the good and the bad to decide whether or not it’s for you.
Pros
- Real Casino Feel. Live casino is the next best thing to a real casino. It’s ideal if you can’t make it to the land-based one.
- Fairness. There’s a lot of debate among gamblers around the fairness of online casino games. A live casino game with an uninterrupted feed eliminates all doubt of whether it was fair or not.
Cons
- Bigger Stakes, Bigger Losses. When you play on the live casino tables, you’ll find that the minimum stakes are much more similar to that of real casinos. This can be a big pain when the minimum stake for Blackjack is £/$5 a hand and you’re playing 20 hands an hour.
- Goodbye Social Interaction. At a real casino, you tend to strike up conversations with fellow gamblers. Sometimes, it can really add something to the experience. This is one of the few casino advantages that some take for granted.
To conclude, live casino games available are wonderful for those of us that can’t get to the casino as often as we’d like. In most cases, it’s a well-executed hybrid between online and real casinos. Hopefully, this introduction to live casino games has shown why.
