Casino gaming has evolved significantly over the years, from land-based casino establishments to online platforms, and now, live dealer options.
Live dealer casino games bring a different way to access your favourite table games online. You can play live casino online, which uses real-time video streams to connect you with a human professional dealer in a live studio. These games follow the same style of gameplay and rules as their land-based counterparts, but they have the advanced mechanics of online interfaces and real-time video streaming.
Before taking part, here are a few key points you should understand to ensure you approach live dealer games with the right expectations and knowledge.
1. How live dealer games work
Arguably, the most important thing to know before playing live dealer games is exactly how they work.
Live dealer games use advanced technology that includes multiple cameras, microphones, and software interfaces, to provide real-time video and interaction with a human dealer. The dealer operates from a dedicated studio that often replicates a land-based casino, and they do similar actions — dealing cards, spinning the roulette wheel, or drawing dice, for example.
The software handles player bets and allows you to place your wagers as you would in any online casino game, but the outcomes are determined by the real-life dealer’s actions.
2. A stable internet connection is crucial
Although the games operate using a live dealer, you still need to have a device with a reliable internet connection to play these games. The high-quality cameras will stream to your chosen online platform, so you need a consistent and strong internet connection to avoid buffering, delays, or disconnection.
This ensures smooth gameplay and removes the risk of you missing your turn. Most platforms will have minimum system requirements listed, and it’s a good idea to ensure your device meets or exceeds these before starting.
3. Game limits and table variations
You should also familiarise yourself with the game limits and types of options available on your live dealer platform.
Many tables often come with a range of betting limits, which are clearly displayed before you join a table. It’s important to select a table that aligns with your budget, which will help you avoid betting more than you can afford to lose.
You may also encounter different versions of the same game, such as being able to play European or American Roulette, for example. Be sure to check the rules and features associated with each variant before playing.
4. Understanding game pace
It’s also important to know that live dealer games typically run at a slower pace compared to standard online casino versions.
Online casino games operate using software, without including other players, so the game runs at a pace set by you – meaning it can often be much quicker. However, live dealer games involve real-time interaction and physical dealing, and while this can allow more time to make decisions, it also means you’ll be playing fewer hands or spins per hour.
5. No demo mode
Unlike online casino games, live dealer games usually don’t offer a demo or free-play mode, since the games are live-streamed from studios with trained dealers.
What you can do is observe a few rounds as a spectator, if the platform allows, before committing to bets. This gives you an opportunity to understand how the game works in practice and how the dealer interacts with players, without needing to actively play and bet just yet.
The advanced live dealer casino games of today offer a structured, real-time format for playing traditional table games online. By understanding these key elements before playing, you can approach live dealer games with more knowledge and better expectations surrounding gameplay.
