Live casino is the perfect midway point between the real life flashing lights and jackpot bells of a brick and mortar casino, and a computer generated online equivalent in the digital world.
Players can enjoy all the convenience of an app or website on their smart device or laptop with all the excitement and interaction of live dealers alongside other players. And it’s because live casinos typify the best of both worlds that make them so popular.
Online casinos enable players to dictate the pace of their games often without time limits. This is because the outcome of the game is randomly generated by the computer—you won’t be holding anyone up by taking a bit of extra time to think.
The Live Casino however, ups the ante; sometimes hundreds of other players are tuned in to the same dealer to watch the same outcome of the roulette wheel or turn of the blackjack card. If you’re new to the world of live casino, here’s a list of everything you need to know before your first experience.
Getting started
Getting set up is easy. Find a provider you like and register for a free account. Choose one of the secure payment options to deposit money into your balance and then you’re ready to go. You can then choose which game you’d like to play from the list of rooms available.
Yes it is live, it’s not a recording
Live casino operators have state of the art virtual casino studios set up from which to broadcast the dealers—sometimes from multiple angles—and stream it across the globe. There are usually chat rooms where you can interact with other players, and often the dealers will wish you luck by name or username, especially if you’re placing large wagers.
The technology used dates back to the 90s when live streaming first became practical. Thirty years later and live casino companies utilise recognition software to record which cards have been dealt. Roulette wheels have sensors under the numbers to register where the ball lands.
A variety of games are available
Roulette works well with the live casino concept for obvious reasons but card games are also well represented. You can find live blackjack and baccarat games as well as several variants of poker to keep you entertained.
The action comes in thick and fast
As already mentioned, you’re essentially in a casino, albeit a virtual one and there are other players involved in the action. There are time limits to making your play so make sure you’re prepared or you might miss out on a big win.
Know the rules
As a continuation to the last point, you’ll want to make sure you’re up to scratch with the rules of your chosen game. Live casino rooms will have links to rules alongside the video stream and you can of course watch a few rounds before involving any money. You may want to try your hand at some free to play games to get the hang of it.
Check your internet connection
It goes without saying that when gaming online, all the information your computer or device sends and receives does so through your modem. If your internet service fails, you’ll unfortunately be left behind. Don’t worry though, your purse will be safe once you can log back on.
Set your limits
Most providers have options available to set your withdrawal limits per session or per day/week/month. Make use of these and decide on an amount you’re comfortable to play with before your session. Doing this will help you to have fun responsibly.
Choose your provider
Not all providers are created equal and there are dozens to choose from. Browse the options available before parting with your cash and find a service that you like and also one that’s reputable.
Being such a competitive market, live casinos will often advertise promotional discounts, matched deposits and further benefits to win your custom, so keep an eye out for these also. Check out reviews of the site and beware of offers that seem too good to be true, they often are. Sites like Trustpilot give a good indication to the legitimacy of online casino sites.
Statistics show live casino represents as much as 30% of the total online casino market. It’s a valid modern substitute for travelling to some of the world’s best casinos. Advances in internet speeds and smart devices capable of running the software has brought the developed live casino technology considerably. With the help of this guide, we’re confident you’ll have a great time trying it out for the first time.
