Online casinos have changed a lot over the last 20 years. From shoddy graphics and slow loading times to high-definition animations and real-time chat functions, the top-quality sites are now as close to the real things as they can be. All the same games are available, and a hand of online poker won’t take you any longer to play than if you were sat around a real table. The only difference is you can’t see your opponent’s face to try and work out if they’re bluffing or not.
For a long time, it was this lack of visual human interaction which let online casinos down. It didn’t matter how good their graphics were if players felt isolated behind their computer screens. Another criticism from gaming purists was that a piece of software cannot replicate the benefits that come from having a real person officiating over the games. Live casino games combat both these issues, while ramping up the fun and excitement of any game.
What are live casino games?
Live casino games link you to a real dealer.
Live casino games are real-time video streams that allow players at home to connect with a dealer in a land-based casino or studio. Dealers can see the names of players in their games and respond to typed questions and conversations in real-time. This adds a much-needed social aspect to the games and is also a great help for new players. You can learn more here.
In a land-based casino, the dealers aren’t just there to hand out the cards or spin the wheels; they offer advice and suggestions and teach new players how the games work. Until now, online casinos have had to rely on blog posts and articles to support their customers, which lacks the personal touch and has put many players off.
Although streamed games will never replace the experience of being in a casino – with the electric atmosphere, the interaction with other players, and the added bonuses of bars, restaurants, and live shows – they are the closest thing you can get while staying at home.
One of the best sites for live casino games is 888 Casino. They are licensed by the UKGC to ensure a safe and fair environment for players, and you can even play for free with one of their excellent casino bonuses. Check out their live casino hub page lobby for one of the largest varieties of live games such as blackjack, roulette, baccarat and poker.
Dealer Games vs Random Number Generators
Live casino games can feel more personal because you can talk to your dealer.
In the digital versions of games like blackjack and poker, the outcomes are all decided by a piece of software called a Random Number Generator (RNG). This ensures that all outcomes are completely fair and independent of previous results. This makes it impossible to try and predict outcomes or count cards.
For some games like slot machines and roulette, that’s not too different from the live games. But for card games, you’re no longer working through a deck, so the same cards might come up in two hands in a row.
While that doesn’t really affect the game play – in fact it can lower the house edge slightly and improve the players’ chances of winning – many die-hard enthusiasts will argue that it takes away an important part of the game mechanic. The same criticisms were made about video poker, which is now seen as an entirely different game to Texas Hold ‘Em and other games that use a physical deck.
Live casino games bring back this important element of card games, with the dealer shuffling multiple decks together just as they do in a land-based casino. And while live casino games are no safer or fairer than RNG games, those who are sceptical of the security behind modern technology are pleased to have an alternative to digital games.
How do Live Casinos Work?
Live dealers cannot see you, only the chat box where you can type in your message.
The dealer and their table are equipped in the same way they would be in a land-based casino. The only difference for them is that they are surrounded by cameras and monitors, rather than happy customers.
Different cameras shoot different angles so that you can choose how you would like to view the table. There’s even smart technology that detects what cards have been played and displays the information digitally on your screen. This also provides a written record of every results in the game so that disputes can be checked, and past games can be audited for fairness.
Live casino studios are based all over the world and employ dealers who speak a variety of different languages to cater to a global audience. You won’t necessarily be connected to your nearest one either – it depends on which online casino provider you are playing with, as they’ll all have different studios.
In Conclusion
Live casino games offer a great blend between online gaming and playing in a land-based casino. In terms of the chances of winning, the difference is very slightly in favour of RNGs. But you cannot beat the experience you get from interacting with a real dealer, especially when you can arrange to meet your friends around the same table. Live casino games really are the most fun you can have while at home.