What are live dealer games and why are they so popular?
Live casino is undoubtedly the trendiest format of online gambling right now. The appeal of live dealer games is obvious — why would anyone refuse to have a real casino on their computer instead of the soulless software? The idea was initially proposed at the same time as the first online casino was launched. However, it took a decade to bring this idea to life. Evolution Gaming, the pioneer of the live casino industry, was founded in 2006, and thus the history of live dealer games has begun.
But still, what are live casino games? We guess that you have a general idea, but let’s make a clear definition of it. Live dealer games are a live broadcast of a croupier who hosts a casino game. But you don’t just simply watch the broadcast — special technology and software allow you to take part in the game over the Internet in real time. You can make bets and even chat with other players who are playing in the same virtual room with you.
As a result, you get as close as possible to an actual casino experience — anything more actual than that is driving to the nearest land-based casino yourself. However, there are millions of people who live thousands miles away from anything that even remotely resembles Las Vegas. For such people, a live casino is truly the best option if they want to feel the thrill and luxury of gambling!
Where is the live casino located?
You might wonder where live casinos are located and why they are available 24/7. Well, companies like Evolution Gaming, Ezugi, and LuckyStreak have special studios that are designed exclusively for broadcasting live games. Their staff has day and night shifts to ensure that a gambler from any part of the world can launch a live game at any time. Some companies cooperate with famous land-based casinos to broadcast from a real casino floor. However, it’s rather an exception because the majority of live dealer games are still hosted in special studios.
How does live casino work?
Earlier, we formulated the definition of a live casino that pretty much explains the whole process. Let’s reiterate it here.
1. There is a special studio where a certified dealer hosts the game.
2. He or she is filmed by HD cameras from several angles, and this video is broadcasted live.
You watch this broadcast on the gambling site, and you are able to make bets and claim your wins in real time.
However, some players want to learn more about the technical nuances of live casino functioning. In particular, people wonder how everything that happens in the studio in real time (e.g. what cards are dealt, where the ball lands on a roulette wheel, at which sector the wheel of fortune stops, etc.) is shown simultaneously as part of the game interface. Well, it’s really simple in fact. Every card has a unique NFC chip — the same thing that is used in Apple Pay and contactless bank cards.
When a dealer takes a card from the deck, they swipe it over an NFC receiver. So, when the receiver and the chip connect, the system reads a particular card value and shows it to you on the screen. Alternatively, the card value is read with a card-sized scanner that is built into the table. For the same purpose, NFCs or even simple magnets are integrated into the roulette balls and wheels of fortune in live casinos.
What are the advantages of live dealer games?
You can play anything in a live casino!
The choice of games in the live casino segment is immense, and it only keeps expanding. Every provider adds something exciting to both classic and exotic games. You can even play slots with a live dealer, although slots are the least demanded category in live casinos. You can also play Wheel of Fortune-styled game shows that are not available in the form of software. In short — anything that is playable in a land-based casino is surely found in a live casino as well!
Blackjack
It goes without saying — blackjack is the cornerstone of casino gambling. You can’t imagine a casino without blackjack tables, and even people who have never gambled in their life know what blackjack is. So, it’s only logical that the live casino section is stacked with live blackjack rooms.
And by “stacked” we really mean “the whole lot of them” — you might feel as excited as the kid in a candy store. That’s why we carefully pick only the best releases for our clients. Basically, you can launch any game in 1Red casino, and it will be of the highest quality because we only work with certified providers.
Roulette
Speaking of casino cornerstones, we could not fail to mention roulette. It’s definitely an evergreen classic, despite the fact that this game is younger than the majority of card and dice games. Roulette gameplay combines chance, intuition, and mathematical thinking in perfect proportions. You can rely solely on luck or you can implement a strategy — either way, the game will be highly enjoyable!
Wheel of Fortune & Game Shows
We could not help but put this category in the top 3 spots. Even though there are not so many titles in this category compared to live blackjack and roulette ones, game shows are a highly notable genre. They bring the entertainment level to the maximum — it’s like watching a TV show with high production value. The only difference is that you can make bets and win real money while you watch the show!
There are like 20-30 games in this style at the moment, but each of them is a unique gem that deserves its own review.
Poker
This is a game that is popular both in casinos and outside of them. Poker is a great game for those who like to rely on skills rather than luck. Being in control of the gaming process is one of the main things that make poker popular.
However, poker also comes in all shapes and sizes — there are many versions with varying rules and different gameplay.
Baccarat
This game is lesser known to those who are not familiar with the world of casinos. However, it’s a very exciting game that is actually simple to learn and play. Actually, baccarat is rather similar to blackjack in its gameplay.
Your goal is to score the best hand with two cards being dealt initially and several cards that you can add to your hand further. The main difference is that you need to score 9 points in baccarat, and also tens and face cards are worth zero points. This game is really fun to play, and you can get into almost immediately because the rules are really simple.
Dice
The games in this category are really diverse, and usually the only thing they have in common are the dice themselves. Although they might seem to be totally based on pure luck, dice games actually require strategic thinking. Dice game strategies are all about the betting patterns so it is essential to know all the possible bets and their combinations in each game you’re playing. Other than that, there is nothing complicated about dice games.
The excitement of playing with a real person
A vast choice of available genres is great, but the main thing that turns people into fans of live casino is the excitement of gambling with a real, certified croupier. The feeling of being in a real casino will hit you one way or another, even if you’re simply watching a live stream on your device screen. A real dealer is a massive extra to the entertainment factor, but these are just empty words until you try it yourself.
Games available in your native language
It’s a small but pleasant bonus for the non-English speaking fans of live casino games. The majority of live casino developers provide players with game rooms where dealers speak in languages other than English. The most popular options are German, French, and Spanish, but you can find games in other languages as well.
Final Notes
In conclusion, we can say with certainty that live casinos are the most exciting format of online gambling. The perfect blend of advanced technologies and human interaction makes live casino games a pretty mind-blowing experience. On this page, the 1Red casino team gathers only the best releases from renowned software providers for you to enjoy them. Explore the world of live casino games in 1Red!
