It’s fair to say that today’s online casinos are very different from the first online ones that started appearing on the Internet in the late 20th century. There have been many improvements and developments since then, and playing games on the web is incredibly more fascinating than it was used to be.
One of the most important novelties is undoubtedly the introduction of games with a live dealer. These have added a new dimension to Internet games, and it is no surprise that they have proven to be very popular with gamers. They have made the closest online experience of playing in a land casino as much as possible.
If you have never played live dealer games, then you are definitely missing out, and you need to consider giving them a try. You can take a look at our recommended live dealer casinos for the best places to play or read this page to learn more about what these games are all about.
What are live dealer casino games?
Live dealer games are exactly what the name implies: games with a live dealer. Basically, a human dealer plays the corresponding game (be it roulette, Blackjack, etc.) on a real table, and all the action is relayed through a real-time video streaming link. You see everything unfolding on your screen, with the dealers reacting accordingly to your decisions.
You place all your bets as you normally would in an online casino, and your account balance is adjusted accordingly when you win or lose. You end up getting to see real live action instead of virtual cards or virtual roulette. The results are determined in the same way as if they were in a land casino rather than by a software program or a random number generator.
What games are available?
The games you can play with a live dealer will vary depending on the establishment you choose. The most widely offered games are Blackjack and Roulette, simply because these are the most popular. Baccarat is also quite common, and many casinos have started introducing live dealers for other games as well, like Hold’em Casino and Sic Bo.
Since the popularity of live dealer games shows no signs of declining, it would come as no surprise to see even an even wider selection of games with this feature in the future.
Why play live dealer games?
In practical terms, playing live dealer games is basically the same as playing virtual games. You will continue to enjoy playing from the comfort of your own home, just needing a computer and an Internet connection. However, playing with a live dealer is a very different experience. Many people enjoy these games simply because they are a change from virtual equivalents.
Many players prefer them because they make the whole experience so much more like playing in a real casino. You can even chat in real-time with the dealer and other players at some casinos. This helps to restore the social aspect that is normally lost when playing online. It’s still not quite the same as actually sitting at a table, of course, but it’s certainly much more similar.
Live dealer games are a great option for those who are perhaps a little reluctant about the fairness of games played online.
Regardless of the fact that all the major casinos are fully audited to ensure that they are perfectly fair, some people fear that online gaming is arranged to favor the house. Being able to see real cards being dealt from a real deck, or a real roulette being turned, is much more preferable for them.
There are a couple of minor drawbacks to playing live dealer games, and while they won’t be a problem for most players, we should mention them. The biggest drawback is the fact that they are slower than virtual games since the required actions actually have to be carried out by a human being rather than a piece of software. The speed difference is not significant, but it is noticeable. If you like being in as many hands as possible, then this could be annoying.
It is also possible that you may not be able to get a seat in a game from time to time. This is quite rare, but it can happen. Just like in a real casino, live dealer casinos have a limited amount of space and staff, so they can only operate a certain number of tables at a time. If there are a large number of online players at the same time, then you may have to wait for a game. Of course, you can always play virtual games while you’re waiting, so it’s not really a major problem.
In general, we could say that the advantages of live dealer games comfortably outweigh the disadvantages. They might not be for everyone, but we would definitely recommend giving them a try. Just remember to use one of our top-ranked casinos to make sure you get the best possible experience.