There’s nothing like the excitement you get when you’re playing a table game in a land-based casino. The interaction between the dealers, the customers, and the games themselves is unique and usually can’t be duplicated with the electronic games you find online. But live dealer online casino games brings the casino to you, whether you’re relaxing at home, taking a break at work, or passing time waiting for an appointment.
The catalog of live dealer titles in most online casinos is extensive. You’ll find traditional casino games, innovative takes on those classics, and entirely new games of chance.
Like with any other casino game, understanding how to play and the odds you need to work with can make your live dealer experience far more enjoyable. But before you dive into how these live dealer games work, here’s a quick look at how live dealer games were created.
The History and Evolution of Live Dealer Games: From Concept to Reality
Not long after the internet was created, people realized its potential for online casino games. Within a relatively short period of time, people started to broadcast casino games over the web. The beginnings of live dealer casino games stretch back to the late 1990s when a few websites featured live poker feeds.
At that time, people could only watch live games, not participate in them. Regardless, the popularity of these feeds showed that there was a market for an online live dealer casino when the technology — and law allowed.
That time came in the early 2000s when software developers like Playtech introduced their first live casino platforms. For the first time, people could not only watch live casino games but take part in them online.
Since then, live dealer games and online casino technology has rapidly evolved. With investments in user interfaces, higher internet speeds, and dedicated studios, live dealer games are a top priority for online casinos in the 2020s.
Because of these investments, there’s never been a better time to check out live dealer online casinos. It’s easy once you understand the basics.
How Does a “Live Dealer” Work in an Online Casino?
When online casinos first emerged, they were limited to digital versions of many games that use a random number generator (RNG) to determine outcomes. Every aspect of such games is virtual but playing live dealer games online works very differently.
In live dealer games, real people are administering the games and many of the game implements are the same tangible elements you’d find if you visited a physical casino. For example, live dealer games use real cards and real dice on actual casino tables.
All of the game action is broadcast to players in real-time and players place bets as the game unfolds. In short, it’s the closest you can get to playing at a casino without having to play at a casino.
Many players prefer casino games this way instead of RNG games for many reasons. In many instances, it simply comes down to matters of taste.
Live Dealer vs. Regular Online Casino Games: The Differences
Live dealer games provide a different experience than electronic table games. There are thousands of RNG games, but many players choose live dealer games because they prefer that experience.
Some players would rather have the fate of their bets decided by the roll of actual dice, the bounce of a real pill on a physical roulette wheel, or a human dealing tangible cards rather than an RNG. That is simply a preference, however, as RNG games are based on the same odds as live dealer games.
Many players also love live dealer games because playing them delivers some of the familiar sights and sounds that are common to playing these games at a land-based casino. When you’re in a comfortable setting, you’re relaxed and more likely to make good decisions as you play.
A final reason that many people choose live dealer games is because it affords them an amount of social interaction that RNG titles can’t deliver. Players can communicate with the dealers and the other players as well.
Live dealer games can be fun and rewarding due to the professionalism of the staff and the quality of the game components. The technology does a lot of the heavy lifting, too.
The Technology Behind Live Dealer Games
When you play a live dealer game, whether you realize it or not, you’re utilizing a lot of online casino technology. Every move you make in these games completely depends on these systems.
An incredible amount of hardware goes into bringing these games to life, including cameras, lighting, microphones, cables, the latest computing hardware, and the device you’re using to play the games. As far as software goes, a wide range of different software applications are required as well, from operating systems, to broadcast management tools, to game software, and more.
No matter how often you play, you have this technology to thank for your experience every time. The professionals who make these games possible are behind all the benefits of live dealer games.
Benefits of Playing Live Dealer Games Online
When you play live dealer games online, you’re taking advantage of opportunities to experience the best that casinos like BetMGM, BetRivers, Caesars Palace and Borgata have to offer. There are many benefits to choosing these live dealer titles.
For people who are new to certain games and want to learn how to play them before trying theitrivers.com/C.ashx?btag=a_9b_1078c_&affid=6&siteid=r luck at a physical casino, playing live dealer versions can be a low-pressure way to get accustomed to the game rules and game experience. People who are uncomfortable in crowds but want to experience the sights and sounds of these games might find live dealer games a great solution.
Live dealer games can also be an ideal way to try out popular betting systems and explore new variations of casino games. Regardless of why people choose these games, there’s room in the casino industry for all versions of the games.
Live dealer games often offer lower limits than you’d find in any casino. In most cases, you can find games with a minimum bet as low as $5 and sometimes as little as $1. Try finding that in a land-based casino where minimums often begin at $25.
Will Live Dealer Games Take Over Offline and Online Casinos?
The question of live dealer vs. online casino games or games at a brick-and-mortar casino isn’t a question of competition. Live dealer games are an alternative, offering a different experience.
The beauty of all three of these formats being available is that players can switch between them at will.
RNG games are perfect for players who want to play on their own or who are extremely new to certain games. The same games at land-based casinos offer gambling entertainment while also providing many other amenities and experiences that online casinos can’t offer. Live dealer formats take some of the elements of both forms of gambling and uniquely combine them.
For many players, their exploration of live dealer game selection begins with some of the most popular table games.
Live Dealer Table Games are available at:
Live Dealer Blackjack
Live dealer blackjack is a fantastic way to try your luck at a few hands of this casino classic. Most online casinos offer both standard versions and innovative variants in the live dealer format. But you’ll find the best odds in the house at blackjack if you play basic strategy. Most online games pay 3-2 on a blackjack, unlike the real games on the Vegas Strip where it’s hard to find a game that doesn’t pay 6-5. You can also find games where the dealer stands on a soft 17—another advantage to the players.
Blackjack is inherently a game with a very high return to player (RTP) percentage, but certain variants offer exceptionally high payout rates, and others have below-average RTP rates, so look out for the high RTP games. Information is listed on each game.
The blackjack games at licensed online casinos are tested and verified for fairness and accuracy at independent labs, which have been approved by the regulators in each state. That means you can be certain that the games deliver fair, random results, which are in line with the stated RTP rate, when you play at these online casinos. It is important to stick to licensed, legal online casinos for this reason.
Play Live Dealer Table Games at:
Live Dealer Baccarat
When you play live dealer baccarat, you aren’t just trying your luck at this iconic card game. You’re playing a game with one of the lowest house edges and highest RTP. Again check the information on any variation of baccarat online.
The rules of baccarat are set in stone and once a player makes a bet, the rules determine who wins, almost like flipping a coin. There are many bonus bets on baccarat, but they usually have a much higher house edge, so they are best avoided.
Live Dealer Roulette
Live roulette is a great option for players of all experience levels and betting preferences. You’ll find a wide variety of roulette titles at most online casinos. Be aware, however, that single-zero roulette is the best bet, with a house edge of 2.7 percent or a return to player of 97.3 percent. Double zero—most often called American Roulette—has a house edge of 5.4 percent and triple zero…
well, don’t even consider that one.
If you thought that live dealer games are limited to traditional table games, you’d be mistaken.
Live Dealer Table Games are available at:
Live Dealer Slots
One of the most innovative formats of live dealer play is live dealer slots. These games take the simplicity of slot games and elevate it with a live aspect.
Instead of spinning reels on your screen, there is a live dealer who operates a wheel. It’s a play on roulette that incorporates the symbol-based gameplay of slots.
The great thing about live dealer slots is that they incorporate a limited social element. The same applies to another category of live dealer games.
Live Dealer Craps
Live dealer craps bring much of the excitement of a live craps table to you through the amazing platforms that many casinos use for these games. The best thing about playing live dealer craps is you can take advantage of the technology to assist your bet-making. Even if you’re a rookie at craps, you can watch and learn in the comfort of your own home.
On some craps games, you can call up game history to see what numbers have been hitting at any time. You can also save your favorite bets and track their performance easily.
Play Live Dealer Table Games at:
Game Shows As Live Dealer Games
Live game shows are the ultimate in making players part of the game. They give players the chance to take on the role of a game show contestant with real cash prizes available at any time.
The two major live-dealer game suppliers are Evolution Games and Playtech. Each has a deep selection of these wild “game show” offerings that are very entertaining and fun. Check out the suppliers for these games at each of the online casinos you frequent to determine what games are offered in your jurisdiction.
Tips for Winning in Live Dealer Games
Over decades, experienced players have shared their top live dealer game tips. These pieces of advice have become a kind of playbook for people and begin with player etiquette.
Just like when you’re at a physical casino, politeness in interactions with dealers and players goes a long way to making the experience pleasant for everyone. This includes respecting game timers for not only your plays but others as well.
Other tips are important not just to keep things fun but for responsible gambling as well. As with all types of gambling, you should make sure to set a budget for the money and time you will spend playing live dealer games. Setting win goals and loss limits are always the best strategies.
Just as playing responsibly enhances your experience, the continued improvement of technology and the development of new ideas for live dealer games will continue to push the envelope.
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