Live Casino Games

Looking at the live dealer games today, it is hard to imagine that it was only in the late 90s that the first live casino game appeared. It was Texas Hold’em poker hosted by Planet Poker. Back then, online gambling and the internet were still in their infancy (the time of dial-up connections!), so the overall quality of these poker games was far below even the lowest standards imaginable today. It is fair to say that this was the first attempt, rather than a full-fledged live dealer game and its impact was unremarkable. 

In the early 2000s, technology advanced enough for two software companies—Microgaming and Evolution—to create the first official live dealer products. Thanks to them, players could bridge the wide gap between online and land-based casinos for the first time and enjoy an authentic baccarat experience from home. This was quickly followed by blackjack, roulette, and poker. 

Still, the popularity of the live dealer casinos greatly varied in the coming years, until 2020 when they experienced a sudden and significant rise in popularity worldwide. Multiple factors contributed to this phenomenon - a convergence of significant global events created an ideal environment, fostering the perfect conditions for the advancement and proliferation of the live dealer iGaming market:

• Pandemic-Driven Shift to Online Gambling: The COVID-19 pandemic forced the closure of many land-based casinos and restricted in-person social activities. This led to a significant surge in online gambling as people sought alternative forms of entertainment while staying at home. With their immersive and interactive nature, live dealer games provided a compelling option for players craving a more authentic casino experience from the safety of their homes.

• Improvements in Streaming Technology: Advances in streaming technology have made live dealer games more accessible and enjoyable for a wider audience. High-quality video streams, reduced latency, and smoother gameplay have enhanced the overall experience, attracting more players to live dealer casinos.

• Expansion of Live Dealer Game Options: In recent years, the variety of live dealer games has expanded significantly. Beyond traditional table games like blackjack and roulette, players can now access a broader range of options, including game show-style experiences and immersive live experiences such as live poker tournaments and live game broadcasts. This increased diversity appeals to a broader audience and keeps players engaged for more extended periods.

• Integration with Mobile Platforms: The growing prevalence of mobile gaming has also contributed to the popularity of live dealer games. Many online casinos now offer mobile-compatible live dealer platforms, allowing players to enjoy their favorite games on smartphones and tablets. This accessibility has made live dealer games more convenient and appealing to players who prefer gaming on the go.

• Social Interaction and Community Building: Live dealer games provide a social element that resonates with many players, especially during isolation. The ability to interact with real dealers and fellow players via chat functions fosters a sense of community and camaraderie, enhancing the overall gaming experience. This social aspect has become increasingly important as people seek connections and shared experiences in a digital environment.

• Marketing and Promotion Strategies: Online casinos have ramped up their marketing efforts to promote live dealer games, leveraging targeted advertising, influencer partnerships, and promotional campaigns to attract new players. The focus on live dealer games in marketing materials and bonuses has raised awareness and generated curiosity among players, driving interest in trying these immersive experiences.

Overall, the sudden and massive rise in popularity of live dealer games and casinos in recent years can be attributed to a combination of factors, including the pandemic-induced shift to online gambling, improvements in streaming technology, the expansion of game options, integration with mobile platforms, the social aspect of live gaming, and strategic marketing efforts by online casinos.

Types of Live Casino Games

Live dealer games are a type of online casino game in which you play with real people as if you were in a real casino. Instead of playing against a computer program like in regular online casino games, live dealer games feature real human dealers who run the game. These dealers are trained professionals who interact with players through a live video stream.

The game is streamed live from a casino studio or other designated location. Players can watch the action unfold in real time on their computer or mobile device. They participate in the game by placing bets through a digital interface, just like in regular online casino games. Using a chat feature, they can also interact with the dealer and other players. Live dealer games aim to recreate the atmosphere of a real casino, complete with the sights and sounds of the gaming floor. This adds an extra layer of excitement and realism to the gameplay. 

Live dealer games come in various forms, including classics like blackjack, roulette, and baccarat, as well as other popular casino games, like modern-day entertainment game shows. There's something for everyone, whether you're a fan of card games, prefer the thrill of the roulette wheel, or a live show with features of slots and wheels merged to create a simple game anyone can play. 

Live casino games come in various types, catering to players' different preferences and interests. Here are some of the most common types of live casino games:

Live Blackjack 

This classic card game is played against a real dealer, with players aiming to get a hand value as close to 21 as possible without going over.

One fun and unexpected aspect of live dealer blackjack is the social interaction it fosters among players. While traditional online blackjack games are typically solitary experiences, live dealer blackjack allows players to interact with both the dealer and other players at the table.

Players can chat with the dealer and fellow participants using a live chat feature, creating a more engaging and immersive atmosphere similar to that of a land-based casino. Additionally, some live dealer blackjack tables offer themed environments or unique settings, such as exotic locations or festive backgrounds. This unexpected twist adds an extra layer of enjoyment making live dealer blackjack a popular choice among players looking for both entertainment and social interaction.

Live Roulette

In live roulette, players place bets on where they think a ball will land on a spinning wheel. There are different variations of roulette, including European, American, and French.

Live roulette has the greatest variety of game variations and unique features no land-based casino can match. Next to multiple camera angles, dynamic lighting effects, and immersive sound design, special betting options are another attractive feature. In addition to traditional straight bets, splits, and corners, some live dealer roulette games offer special side bets or bonus features. These can include options like neighbor bets, where players can bet on a group of numbers surrounding a chosen number on the roulette wheel, or unique bonus rounds that trigger additional payouts or prizes with multipliers. 

Many live dealer roulette platforms allow players to participate in multiple games simultaneously by offering multi-game views. Players can switch between different roulette tables or even different casino games within the same interface, providing a dynamic and fast-paced gaming experience.

Live Baccarat

Baccarat is a popular card game in which players bet on the outcome of two hands—the player's hand and the dealer’s hand—or on a tie. The goal is to have a hand value closest to 9.

Live dealer baccarat offers a range of fun and unique side bets and features. Many live dealer baccarat games offer the Dragon Bonus side bet, which allows players to bet on the possibility of a natural win or a win by a certain margin (e.g., 4-9 points). This side bet adds an extra layer of anticipation and can result in higher payouts for players who correctly predict the outcome.

The "squeeze" feature is especially popular, where the dealer slowly reveals the cards by bending or revealing a portion of the card before fully revealing it. This adds suspense and drama to the game, as players eagerly anticipate the outcome of each hand.

Live Poker

Live poker games include variations like Casino Hold'em, Three Card Poker, and Caribbean Stud Poker. Players compete against the dealer or each other, aiming to form the best poker hand.

While not as common as live dealer versions of other table games like blackjack or baccarat, it does offer some unique and unexpected features. Players can find variants with their own rules and strategies. This variety adds excitement and keeps gameplay fresh for players who enjoy different poker formats.

Live Game Shows

These games are inspired by popular TV game shows, wheel games and slots, merging all of these aspects into unique and interactive live experiences. Examples include Monopoly Live, Deal or No Deal Live, and Dream Catcher.

Charismatic hosts guide players through various formats and themes, from trivia to wheel-spinning competitions, in which players interact directly with hosts and each other. These shows feature innovative gameplay where players answer trivia questions, make decisions impacting the outcome, or compete in real-time. The allure of winning big prizes, including cash, bonus rounds, or luxury items, adds excitement and anticipation to the experience. 

Live Sic Bo 

Sic Bo is a dice game in which players bet on the outcome of three dice being rolled. It's simple yet exciting and offers various betting options.

Live dealer Sic Bo games often feature high-quality streaming and interactive elements. The game may include special betting options, such as specific combinations or totals, adding to the excitement and potential payouts. With its simplicity and dynamic gameplay, Sic Bo appeals to players seeking an unpredictable gaming experience or simply something different in online gambling.

Live Craps

Craps is a dice game where players bet on the outcome of the roll or a series of rolls of two dice. It's known for its fast-paced action and multiple betting options.

One lesser-known aspect of live dealer craps is the convenience and accessibility it provides. Unlike traditional land-based craps tables, which can sometimes be crowded or intimidating for newcomers, live dealer craps online offers a more relaxed and approachable environment. Players can take their time learning the rules and strategies without feeling rushed or pressured by other players. Additionally, some online casinos may offer unique features or bonuses specific to their live dealer craps games, adding an extra layer of excitement and incentive for players. 

Live Andar Bahar

Live Andar Bahar is a simple and fun card game where players bet on which side, "Andar" (inside) or "Bahar" (outside), a chosen card will appear. With a live dealer orchestrating the action, it offers the thrill of a traditional Indian street game in an immersive online setting.

Unlike many other casino games, Andar Bahar allows players to experience a game deeply rooted in Indian culture and tradition. Live dealer Andar Bahar often features Hindi-speaking dealers and may incorporate elements of Indian aesthetics and symbolism, creating a more immersive and relatable experience for Indian players. Additionally, some online casinos may offer variations or side bets specific to Andar Bahar, providing players with added excitement and opportunities to win. 

Live Teen Patti

In Live Teen Patti, players engage in a card game reminiscent of traditional Indian poker, competing against the dealer and other participants in real time. Each player is dealt three cards face down. The objective is to have the best hand or to bluff your opponents into thinking you have the best hand. Players take turns betting based on their hand's strength or confidence in bluffing. The game continues until all players have either folded or placed their bets, and the player with the best hand at the end wins the pot.

Live Specialty Games

Some live casinos offer specialty games like Live Keno, Live Lottery, or Live Wheel of Fortune. These games provide a unique gaming experience and appeal to players looking for something different.

Advantages of Live Dealer Games 

What Makes Them More Popular than Online Tables or Land-Based Casino Games

You might argue that nothing beats the traditional casino floor experience - that is always a valid point, but live dealer games offer several advantages over both traditional land-based casino games and standard online table games, which contribute to their popularity and appeal. For younger generations, deemed terminally online and fond of smartphones, live casinos are infinitely more amusing and dare we say, beat all alternatives!

Superior game variety - this is one of the more significant advantages of live casinos, as they offer a wide range of games and variants that cannot be found in land-based casinos, including popular casino classics such as blackjack, roulette, baccarat, and poker, as well as modern innovative variants like live game shows. Not to mention the sheer number of dedicated tables, VIP tables and limits that simply can’t be matched. This variety appeals to players with different preferences and ensures that there is always something new and exciting to try.

Realistic experiencewith high-quality streams - live dealer games provide players with a more authentic and immersive gambling experience compared to standard online table games. With a live dealer managing the game in real-time, players can interact with the dealer and other players, creating a social atmosphere similar to that of a land-based casino. Advancements in technology have led to high-quality streaming capabilities for live dealer games, ensuring smooth and seamless gameplay with minimal lag or interruptions.

Social interaction - unlike standard online table games that rely on computer-generated graphics and algorithms, live dealer games involve real human dealers who interact with players throughout the game. This human element adds an extra layer of excitement and engagement, making the gaming experience more enjoyable.

Transparency and trust - with live dealer games, players can witness every aspect of the game unfold in real-time, including the shuffling of cards or the spinning of the roulette wheel. This transparency helps build trust among players who may be skeptical of the fairness of online casinos.

Enhanced security - live dealer games typically use advanced encryption technology to ensure the security and integrity of the gameplay. Players can feel confident that their personal and financial information is protected when participating in live dealer games.

Convenience & easy access - live dealer games combine the convenience of online gambling with the social interaction of land-based casinos. Players can enjoy their favorite casino games from the comfort of their own home at any time, without the need to travel to a physical casino.

Flexibility - live dealer games are available 24/7, allowing players to enjoy their favorite games at any time of day or night. This flexibility is especially appealing to players with busy schedules or those living in areas where access to land-based casinos may be limited.