Live Dealer Games – An Authentic Playing Experience Online
Playing online casino games is great fun, but they can sometimes leave you longing for a more authentic real casino experience. The great news here is that live casino games provide an ideal solution for those of you looking for a more engaging playing experience. You can play a wide variety of games with real dealers, all from the comfort of your own home. Forget the expense involved with a trip to a land-based casino and sit back and immerse yourself in the action whenever and wherever you like.
On this page, you’ll find a complete guide to live dealer games. You will find out how they work and what is on offer from different live game suppliers. You will discover which games are available and the types of bonus opportunities that you can take advantage of.
Why Play Live Casino Games?
Games with real dealers are hugely popular with players. Many players miss the atmosphere and thrill of a real casino setting when playing online, but live games bridge the gap between the 2 options. So how do live casino games create a better playing experience? Well for starters, you get more social interaction, something which is usually lacking when playing online. When you join a table at a live casino, you are instantly made to feel welcome. The dealer often welcomes you using your name. Furthermore, you can interact with the dealer and indeed other players using chat. You can ask questions and engage in general chit chat as you play your favourite game.
Whilst RNG casino games go through rigorous testing to prove that they are fair, there are some players who do not entirely trust that the results of online games are not rigged. As such, live games offer more transparency and reassurance to players who have such concerns. Games are played in real time, and you see the roulette ball actually spin and land on the winning number, likewise, you see the cards as they are dealt in other table games, with game results determined before your eyes, just as in a brick and mortar casino.
Game Selection
If you like the sound of games with real dealers, then you’ll be itching to know what games you can actually play. The selection of games available varies depending on which supplier provides the live casino. As a general rule of thumb, all live casinos include the classic games of roulette, blackjack and baccarat. Yet it is not only traditional versions that are available, but also some unique and innovative variants. In addition to this, you can also find a selection of other card games including several poker variants. Furthermore, some online casinos offer more obscured titles, such as Sic Bo and Money Wheel. You will find many tables to choose from with a range of different betting limits to suit all types of players, from beginners to high rollers.
Roulette – The Timeless Casino Game
Live Roulette is a firm favourite with players and you will find numerous tables to choose from at any reliable online casino. There are a variety of special live roulette variants which have been developed. These include Immersive Roulette, which offers numerous camera angles which regularly change to get you as close to the action as possible. It features slow-motion replays and HD quality streaming. This variant was such a hit with players and industry experts alike that it won the coveted title of Game of the Year at the 2014 EGR Awards. Other exciting variants include a range of games that incorporate iconic Novomatic slots. Games such as Ra Roulette and Lucky Lady’s Roulette include optional side bets based on the respective slot game, offering a shot at bigger payouts. Other interesting variants include Auto Sling Shot Roulette, Sports Roulette and numerous tables featuring native speakers from a range of different countries.
Blackjack – The Nation’s Favourite Card Game
There is no shortage of Live Blackjack tables to choose from. It is one of the most popular casino games as it allows you to use your skills to maximise your chances of success. You tend to find the classic variant of blackjack on offer with real dealers. There are also plenty of tables with different betting limits, catering for low stakes players as well as high rollers. You will find some interesting side bets available, including Perfect Pairs and 21+3, allowing you to add even more excitement to the game. Given that the number of seats at a blackjack table is limited, many operators allow you to bet behind. As such, you can bet on the hand of a player already seated at the table, meaning that an unlimited number of players can take part in any game. One unique variant of the game is Evolution Gaming’s Blackjack Party. This variant raises the fun factor with a bubbly dealer and co-host combo chatting as you play and upbeat music to get the party atmosphere in swing.
All Other Live Games
Baccarat is a staple of any good live casino. The Punto Banco variant offers a range of different betting options and a wide range of betting limits. There are also Squeeze and Speed variants available, with their own highlights. There are a range of other card games that can be played with real dealers. These include Casino Hold’em, Three Card Poker, Caribbean Stud, Ultimate Texas Hold’em and Hi-Lo. At selected Playtech casinos, you can play the dice game Sic Bo with a live dealer. The latest addition to live gaming is Dream Catcher. This is a wheel of fortune style game of chance, where you bet on which number the lucky wheel will land on. Below you can see some of the most popular and interesting live casino games.
Immersive Roulette
This award winning, premium quality game is streamed in HD quality. It features Hollywood-style multiple cameras and slow motion replays of the ball landing on the winning number, really drawing you into the action.
Blackjack Party
This fun-filled game includes music and a chatty dealer and co-host duo that help create a real party atmosphere. The game boasts low stakes and a bet behind option enabling unlimited players to join the party.
Sic Bo
Live Sic Bo is offered exclusively by Playtech and is the only live dice game available online. Take your pick from the wide range of betting options and then watch the 3 dice vibrate and roll under the giant glass dome.
Ra Roulette
This live roulette/slot hybrid offers the best of both worlds. It features all the excitement of roulette along with an optional side bet featuring key symbols from the iconic Book of Ra slot machine, for a chance to boost your winnings.
Dream Catcher
This fun money wheel live game offers the simplest gameplay. Bet on the number you think the wheel will land on for instant winnings. You can also pocket super-sized payouts with the x2 and x7 multiplier wheel segments.
Live Casino Hold’em
Based on the classic poker game, Texas Hold’em, in this live variant you play against a real dealer. It also includes an optional bonus side bet for added excitement. A wide betting range makes it suitable for all players.
Developers of Live Games
Online casino operators do not develop games with real dealers themselves. Instead, they opt for specialist developers to provide their live casino games. There are numerous providers of these types of games, with 4 dominating the market; Evolution Gaming, Extreme Live Gaming, Playtech and NetEnt. The choice of provider will determine the games available and the number of tables. Each of the 4 leading live game developers have their own highlights. They offer their own unique and special game variants and the quality of the streaming also varies from one provider to another. Some casinos offer live games from several providers, giving you the greatest choice and variety.
Evolution Gaming
Evolution Gaming are arguably the world leader in live dealer gaming. This is reflected in their recognition at the prestigious EGR awards, winning the title of Live Casino Supplier of the Year for an impressive 8 years running. They offer no fewer than 8 different games, with plenty of unique and innovative variants. These include Immersive Roulette, Double Ball Roulette and Blackjack Party. The games are streamed in up to HD quality from dedicated studios based in Latvia and Malta. They also stream some games directly from elite land based casinos, including Dual Play Roulette from Dragonara Casino in Malta.
Extreme Live Gaming
A relative newcomer to the arena of live gaming, this company has quickly carved out a place for itself as one of the best in the business. Extreme Live Gaming is part of the Novomatic Group, meaning they have a wealth of experience behind them when it comes to providing top-notch casino games that players love. This provider offers roulette, blackjack and baccarat variants which are streamed from their London based studio. Like Evolution Gaming, they also stream some games directly from brick and mortar casinos, including roulette from Admiral Casino. Unique variants include Ra Roulette, Golden Ball Roulette and Sizzling Hot Roulette.
Playtech
Playtech are a renowned and well respected provider of all casino games, including slots, RNG table games and live games. You will find a wide selection of roulette and blackjack tables to choose from, with interesting variants such as Auto Roulette and Speed Roulette featured. Other available games include Casino Hold’em and Baccarat. Furthermore, they are the only developers to offer Live Sic Bo and Live Hi-Lo, giving a unique choice to players. Games are streamed in high definition from studios in Latvia and the Philippines, featuring both European and Asian dealers.
NetEnt
This Swedish based casino software developer is well known for the exceptional quality of the games they provide. Their RNG games, particularly their slots selection boast exceptional graphical quality, with superb sound effects along with innovative and exciting features and gameplay. When it comes to their live games, quality very much wins over quantity. Currently, they offer just 2 games, the classics roulette and blackjack. The games with real dealers are typical of NetEnt, with crisp, sharp graphics and HD streaming quality. The real dealers are set against opulent, real-casino like backdrops, evoking the glamour and atmosphere of a prestigious land-based casino.
Live Gaming on the Go
It has never been easier to play live dealer games. Not only can you play on your desktop PC or laptop, you can also play on mobile devices. Some casinos offer dedicated Live Casino apps, where you can play games such as roulette, blackjack and baccarat with real dealers on your mobile phone or tablet. Other operators have incorporated live casino games into their mobile casino apps. The live games have been optimised for touchscreen operation, whilst the layout is simplified to provide the best possible gaming experience on the smaller display screen of portable devices.
Special Live Casino Bonuses and Promos
Most online casinos offer welcome bonuses when you join, your first deposit or first few deposits are matched with bonus funds. Some offers allow you to play live games, however, there are some that exclude them from their deal. It is therefore always advisable to check the conditions of a welcome bonus to ensure that it can be used to play games with real dealers. There are some operators that cater specifically to those of you that want to play live dealer games. These tend to involve playing through a deposit a certain number of times, after which, you will be rewarded with a bonus for live games. The best online casinos for live games also provide regular promotions and special offers for specific games that you can benefit from.
Play Live Games for the Ultimate Casino Experience
If you have not yet tried out live casino games, then you are missing out! They take the thrill and excitement of playing online casino games to the next level. They provide the closest experience to playing in a land-based casino that you can get without the inconvenience of actually visiting a brick and mortar casino. You can play a wide variety of games, with unique and innovative variants, whilst interacting with the friendly, attractive and professional dealers. Plus, there are juicy live bonus opportunities and promos to take advantage of. What more could you ask for?
