Online gambling has come a long way from its humble beginnings in the eighties. These days you can gamble for real money in a whole host of different games and platforms. One of the most interesting developments is live casino, which allows players to interact with real people using actual casino equipment. But how does it work and what does it look like?
A live dealer is a person in a studio that deals cards, spins a roulette wheel and generally hosts the games. They are often a female, but male dealers can also be found at some casinos. The gamer can chat with the dealer through a pop up window and bet on the outcome of the game, just as they would at an actual bricks and mortar casino.
In a live casino, the player connects to the video stream via a dedicated website or mobile app. They can then play the live games just as they would in a regular online casino, with the only difference being that the graphics etc have been scaled back to reduce the strain on the mobile connection. The croupiers and camera operators used to film the games are usually stationed in a studio or at an actual casino location, depending on the gaming site’s budget. A lot of money is spent on ensuring that the live stream is perfect, as even a one second delay can spoil the experience.
Once a gamer has connected to the live casino they will be able to click on a table to open it in a pop up window and place their bets. Once they have done that, the game plays out and the bets are settled based on the result.
Blackjack is the most popular game at a live casino, and its rules are usually identical to those of a traditional bricks and mortar casino. The objective is to get 21 or as close as possible while scoring higher than the dealer. Going over 21 results in a bust. If you get 21 with your first two cards, it is called a “blackjack” and the dealer will pay out 3 to 2.
The same rules apply when playing baccarat at a live casino, but there are more variations than just the standard single deck game. Some sites also offer a multi-deck game, or the ability to bet on more than one hand simultaneously. In a live casino, players can also place bets on the outcome of a roulette ball, but these wagers are capped at a certain amount and the payout is determined by how close to the winning number you get. Some live casino games also allow players to bet on the outcomes of other people’s hands, which can add another layer of excitement to the action.