The Best Live Dealer Casino Always Provides a Memorable Experience!
Ever since the introduction of online gambling, the industry has always tried to imitate the experience provided by land-based casinos. Today, these websites offer a variety of games, all of which you could find in a brick and mortar establishment. The difference is that these versions are accessible from the comfort of your computer or mobile device. However, although these are thoroughly entertaining, many players still yearn for the thrill of interacting with a real dealer. Fortunately, the live casinos have managed to bridge this gap. Nowadays, it’s possible to have the best of both worlds. You can enjoy the convenience of playing in your own surroundings and engage in some real-time gaming. What could be better than that!
How Does a Live Dealer Casino Work?
From the perspective of a player, it’s very simple to get involved in one of the games. When you click on the one that you’ve chosen, you’ll be taken through to the live casino floor. Everything in this setting is real, from the tables to the roulette wheel, so you can really enjoy the authentic atmosphere. You’ll watch every aspect of play being carried out in real time, so you can see the cards being dealt or the ball spinning round the wheel. You’ll be using your computer interface to place your bets, just as you always do, and you can interact with the dealer and the other players, via the live chat facility that is on the screen.
The Infrastructure of the Live Casino
While the participant only sees what is happening in front of the cameras, there is a whole load more going on behind the scenes. Hosting a live studio is very costly. In addition to the pit boss and the dealers who must be present at all times, there are many more staff members needed. These include several camera operators, lighting and sound engineers, and floor managers. Additionally, information technology experts are required to oversee and control the casino game system. The cost isn’t only for personnel. There is a lot of equipment needed, such as cameras, automatic card shufflers, and card code readers, and all of this technology must be high-end. Naturally, this all requires regular maintenance, too.
Are there Any Drawbacks to the Live Dealer Casinos?
While they deliver an incredible amount of realism, the live casino versions do have a few negatives. Of course, the definition of some of those points can be subjected to the personal preferences of each player, and some of the drawbacks might be considered to be positives by some. Equally, a few of the perceived advantages might not be what others look for. Although much of this is subjective, the games themselves provide an exhilarating environment that is hard to fault. They also give you the opportunity to interact with some of the other participants and the dealer, if you want.
The Choice of Live Dealer Games
Slots usually dominate the casino world, but in the live arena, they are nowhere to be found. Instead, the top places are taken by the table versions. This is, perhaps, unsurprising when you think about it. The very nature of roulette and the card games makes them the ideal choice for playing in real time. There is nothing more authentic than facing the dealer as the cards are being drawn or the wheel is being spun. For this reason, the options you’ll usually find listed will be roulette, blackjack, baccarat and poker. That said, you’ll still find several variants of these on offer, as well as a few innovative alternatives, so you’ll always have plenty to choose from.
Live Dealer Roulette
Live dealer American and European roulette are generally listed on the websites. Just like in the online versions of the game, the European variant is more popular than the US one, and there are reasons for this. There is a double zero pocket on the wheel, and this addition gives a significantly larger edge to the casino. It is usually only the players who seek a bigger thrill that opt for this one. You will also find the French game available, and as this offers the best odds for players, it’s often the preferred choice. You’ll be able to find a few other variations of roulette as well. Speed ranks up the pace of play, with every round lasting just 25 seconds, and immersive brings you closer to the action by providing multiple camera shots. There’s even a double-ball game, which is a lot of fun.
Blackjack and Baccarat
Blackjack and Baccarat are probably the most played out of all of the live dealer versions. These iconic card games continue to be favorites among players, as they don’t differ vastly from the ones played in a real land-based casino. There are some variants that offer a few tweaks to play, and these can be interesting to check out. Blackjack party has a host and a dealer, so there’s always plenty of banter going on. Baccarat has Squeeze, with close-ups that show the slow reveal of the cards in detail. There is also a speed option, in which a round is completed in only 48 seconds.
Poker and Texas Hold’em
The live poker games are equally as varied. In the three-card version, the dealer must get a queen high in order to beat you. When you’re playing Texas Hold’em, you make a bet on the ante prior to any cards being dealt. After your stake has been made, two cards are awarded to each of you, and then you have two options – to fold or call. In Caribbean Stud, your opponent has to have an ace and a king or higher to defeat you. The majority of these have a range of side bets too, and it can be good to take advantage of these.
Dice Games
It’s often thought that the table games involving dice are the least popular, but these versions actually have a large following all around the world. Craps has been a long time favorite of many beginner and seasoned gamblers. Another dice game that is widely played in the live dealer casinos is Sic Bo. At a basic level, the two may seem very similar. However, there is one major difference. Craps involves a degree of strategy, but this isn’t the case with Sic Bo. In this game, each roll of the dice will either result in a win or lose, and so success is purely down to chance.
Leading Software developers for Live Games
All of the leading software developers have taken up the mantle of live dealer versions. NetEnt has taken a mobile-first approach and offers all of its quality products on a variety of platforms. They also provide Common Draw Blackjack. This game is unique in the way that it allows an unlimited number of players to partake in the action simultaneously. Playtech has cutting-edge facilities and owns the world’s largest live casino in Latvia. There are some studios that cater for the Asian market as well, and Sic Bo is a popular choice in these venues. Microgaming also provides high-definition video streaming, as well as multi-window games, so you can participate in several versions at the same time. They also have the Playboy studio, in which the cards are dealt by real bunny girls!
The Outstanding Contributions from Evolution Gaming
The award-winning developer, Evolution Gaming, solely focuses on the live dealer versions and is currently the world’s number one. Its high-end products are featured in many of the leading online casinos. The company has purpose-built studios for the online games, but also streams directly from the floors of land-based establishments. The best part about this situation is that you’ll be playing alongside the players who are actually inside the venue, but you’ll be placing your bets from your own home, via your computer interface. There are a number of VIP tables, which are exclusively for the high-rollers, too. The products can be played on all platforms and are fully optimized for mobile.
Some Other Providers of Live Games
There are several other companies who develop live dealer versions. Ezugi has 9 studios which hold a total of 78 tables. The company’s portfolio consists of 18 games, some of which are fairly unusual. Dragon Tiger is a card game in which you predict the one with the highest value. You can wager on either the dragon or the tiger, but also on a tie, which offers much better odds. There is also the possibility of betting on the card’s suit or on odds and evens. Other rarer options from this developer are Keno and Bet on Numbers, which are both variants of lotto. Another worth mentioning is Extreme Live Gaming. This company has been around since 2013 and offers baccarat and blackjack, as well as a special golden-ball roulette. There are several other providers that have moved into this specialized area of gaming, such as Vivo Gaming, XPG, and Medialive, and they have already made their mark upon the scene.
Special Bonuses for Live Casino Games
At some venues, there are special promotions for the live casino, and so you will receive an additional cash award the first time you step inside. Even if this isn’t the case, you’ll still be able to use your regular welcome bonus on the live dealer games. It’s worth noting that the wagering requirements are often set a little lower for these, so be aware of this when you are calculating your playthrough. There are very often promotions that are specifically targeted at the live casino versions. These tend to be a number of free chips or some additional loyalty points if you play at a particular table.
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Virtual Reality in Live Casinos
As technology continues to make leaps forward, the software developers are finding innovative and groundbreaking ways to keep us all entertained. The latest developments in the live casino arena is likely to be the move into virtual reality gaming. This has already been trialed by NetEnt, with a proposed release date for the title set for the summer of 2018.
Gonzo’s Quest VR provides the highest level of immersion possible by placing players directly into the middle of the action. The downside of this is that you will have to wear a headset to play, which is an additional expense. Even so, this launch will be a pivotal moment for the industry. Moreover, it brings the slots into the field of live games and will probably introduce a new audience to real-time play.
The Live Casino Brings the Personal Element to Your Gaming
The live dealer games bring a new dimension to the online casinos, as they provide players with a more authentic experience. You can watch every aspect of the game as it happens, and you’ll hear the cards being shuffled or the ball spinning around the roulette wheel. Probably the best part is the entertainment value as you can chat to the dealer and the other players during every round. There is plenty of choice too, with all the main table versions available, as well as several variants. Most of the leading online venues have the live dealer option on their websites, and in most cases, you’ll be able to observe for a time to get a feel for the atmosphere, and then you can join in when you feel ready. It really is good to try out a live game once in a while. Many of the long-standing members wouldn’t dream of playing anything else!