If you regularly play online casino games, chances are you’ve encountered the term “live dealer.” If you have yet to dip your toe into the water and want to learn more about live online casinos and their games, you’ve come to the right place.
This article will explain the differences between live dealer online casinos and their more traditional counterparts, explaining exactly how they work. You’ll also discover the most popular live games to play on sites like BetMGM Casino.
What Is a Live Dealer Casino Game?
When online casinos were first created, they offered the opportunity to play your favourite gambling games without leaving the house. At the time, they were as realistic as they could be, using random number generator (RNG) software to generate random results and on-screen animations to simulate the action.
However, as technology evolved, particularly live-streaming capabilities, the demand for more realistic games rose. Casinos were suddenly capable of creating an even more immersive online gambling experience. Welcome to the world of live dealer casino games.
How Live Dealer Games Work
As the name suggests, you’ll play against a real dealer instead of a computer simulation. However, you won’t need to visit a land-based casino; these game hosts are based in a studio and stream the game directly to your device via the casino’s website in real time.
That studio also contains physical roulette wheels, real card tables, and perhaps even a craps pit. In short, there’s everything the casino needs to supply its players with a real casino gaming experience. As with any other casino game, the equipment involved is certified by third-party agencies like eCOGRA for fairness.
Simply log into your account, load the game, and place real-time bets using a simple user interface.
Traditional Online Casino vs. Live Dealer
The main difference between a live dealer game and an old-school online casino product is the use of real equipment. Traditional casino games display animated clips representing a computer-generated result, but live dealer games employ real people and tangible hardware.
If you’re playing a classic casino favourite like blackjack, expect to see a charming croupier dealing real cards. They’ll interact with you and other players at the table, and you can instruct them whether to hit, stand, or split. The cards are real, and no computerized animations are required.
Some live casino games have gone a step further, removing the human dealers altogether. If you enjoy the realism of live games but prefer a more solitary experience, you can now play at automated tables. Certain games, like craps and roulette, can be built in such a way that the machine deploys the ball or dice.
Live Casino Pros and Cons
Although the rules of each game remain the same, there are some apparent differences between the two formats. But which is better? Here are the key differences between live and traditional online casino games.
Realism
Undoubtedly, live casino games are far more realistic than their animated equivalents. Even the slickest of animations is no substitute for the real thing. The clink of the ball hitting the roulette wheel and the flap of a card as it’s turned over just can’t be replicated.
Social Element
On a similar note, a trip to the casino is supposed to be about entertainment. You might go with friends or family, for instance. Even if you’re alone, you’ll no doubt engage in a bit of banter with the dealer occasionally or chat with the player next to you. That’s not possible when playing animated RNG games, which can feel more isolating.
Speed
A potential downside of playing at live dealer tables is that they tend to be slower than animated games. You have to wait for other players to finish betting, and the dealer must physically spin a wheel or deal the cards. Automated games address this somewhat, but if you’re after super-fast action, you might want to avoid live games.
Integrity
Although casinos do their best to prove that their games are fair by employing third-party testing labs to certify them, some people will always have their doubts. Cynical players think that animated games can be rigged, but live dealer games counter this argument since they involve real equipment handled by actual dealers.
Betting Limits
Live games tend to have higher minimum bet requirements due to the costs involved, like paying people salaries, studio hire, lightning-fast WiFi, and other overheads. That’s why you can often bet as little as one cent on an animated RNG game but rarely on live casino sites.
Most Popular Live Dealer Casino Games
So, what are the most commonly played live dealer games at online casinos?
Roulette
This classic casino game is perhaps the most popular of all. Expect to see the standard American, European, and French variants at the best live dealer online casino sites. However, the evolution of live dealer games has also driven the development of many weird and wonderful spin-offs.
Blackjack
This is another all-time favourite with casino regulars and rivals roulette as one of the most popular live dealer table games. Blackjack can be played at a wide variety of stakes, with lots of different rule variations on offer. Many live casinos even offer tables where an unlimited number of people can play at once.
Baccarat
More commonly played in Asia, baccarat is growing in popularity across North America. A simple and fast-paced game with little strategy involved, it lends itself well to the live dealer format. There are several exciting variants, too — some of which allow you to squeeze the cards for a more tense reveal.
Casino Poker
We’re not talking about tournaments and cash games here, but table games against the dealer. Three-card poker, ultimate Texas hold’em, and Caribbean stud are some popular forms of casino poker, all of which can be played in a live dealer setup.
Game Shows
So far, all the games mentioned can also be played at any traditional online casino. However, live dealer sites boast a range of exclusive games that simply cannot be replicated using animation. These include a variety of game shows hosted by charismatic and entertaining presenters, which are hugely popular.
Some are simple lottery-style games, many are based on the wheel of fortune concept, and others employ the latest technology, bringing animated characters to life before your very eyes.
BetMGM Casino: Home of Live Dealer Games
Now that you’re up to speed on how live dealer casinos work, why not experience the excitement for yourself? Register at BetMGM Casino today to enjoy some of the best live dealer games in the country. What’s more, BetMGM Canada is fully licensed, legal, and regulated in Ontario, so you’re ensured a safe and legitimate online casino experience.