Live casino is a genre of gambling that brings the excitement and sociability of bricks-and-mortar casinos to your home. Players connect with real dealers in specialised studios and play games that are streamed in HD quality. Read on to learn more about this booming trend and how it compares to traditional online casino games.
The main difference between live casino and regular online games is that in the former you get to interact with a real human dealer who is broadcast in real-time via webcam. You can chat with the dealer and other players, creating that buzzing atmosphere found in a traditional bricks-and-mortar casino. You can also place bets and make decisions via a simple user interface displayed on your screen. You can even win real money by playing this way!
Most online live casinos will have several game shows available for you to choose from. These vary in theme, but all feature a large gaming wheel that the presenter spins to determine prizes for that round. Some of these wheels are themed around Monopoly, with classic squares on the board like Chance and Community Chest granting you special bonuses. Other game shows include Poker Night and Wheel of Fortune, which both use a random number generator to award winners.
The best live casino sites replicate the sense of theater that you would experience at a physical casino with their croupiers. They normally host a choice of European and American roulette games, but some will even have games like Quantum Roulette or Lightning Roulette that boast multipliers to ramp up the action.
Blackjack is the most popular game at a live casino, with standard rules in place like drawing to 16 or standing on 17. However, many online live casinos offer other variants such as Speed, Infinite and Ultimate Blackjack that pay out bonus payouts for specific combinations of cards.
Baccarat is less common but some online casinos offer a game of this type too. Most baccarat games will be based on the rules of traditional online baccarat, but some will offer special side bets for pairs, runs and suited hands.
To access the best online live casino games you need to find a site that accepts your country and offers the type of game that you are interested in. Once you have a shortlist, check to see which sites are licensed in your jurisdiction and can offer a secure connection. You should also check that there is good seat availability for the hours that you prefer to play, as this can affect how enjoyable your experience is.
When it comes to choosing a live casino to play at, we recommend checking out our top-rated casino sites and looking for welcome bonuses that can give you extra value when you first start playing. You can also opt for a VIP scheme, which will help you earn rewards as you play. In addition, it is a good idea to read the terms and conditions of the casino before you play, as this will give you a better understanding of what to expect.