Live dealer games have quickly become a staple in many online casino platforms today. This specific format of casino gaming uses real-time video streaming technology to connect players with professional dealers, often set up in a dedicated studio or land-based casino.
These games replicate the format and style of traditional table games, whilst also offering the structure of online casinos and digital mechanics.
You can play a wide range of games with this streaming technology, ranging from classics such as live Blackjack, Roulette, and Baccarat.
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at how live dealer games work as a whole and hone in on some specific game options.
How live dealer games work
Live dealer games often work in a very similar way to traditional land-based casino table games. The main difference is that these games are accessed through your online casino platform.
To enable live gameplay, operators set up studios with multiple cameras, lighting, and broadcasting equipment to stream the live games to the online casino platform. These studios are designed to resemble land-based casino venues, often with tables, uniforms, and casino-style layouts.
The dealers are trained professionals who interact with players through audio and video, though players typically communicate back via a live chat interface on the platform. Optical character recognition (OCR) technology is often used to convert the dealer’s physical action into data on your platform’s software — this includes things such as dealing a card or spinning a wheel.
Here’s a breakdown of some of the most popular live dealer games on digital casino platforms:
- Live Roulette
Live Roulette is one of the most recognisable and commonly played live dealer games.
A human croupier spins a physical wheel with a ball, and bets are placed using the online digital interface. The ball is then released into play and the pocket the ball lands in is what determines payouts, based on bets.
You can place standard bets such as red/black, odd/even, or choose individual numbers and combinations.
- Live Blackjack
Live Blackjack is also highly popular with live dealer providers. The game follows standard Blackjack rules, where you aim to beat the dealer’s hand without exceeding 21.
Cards are dealt face-up, and players make decisions such as hit, stand, double-down, or split, all through the on-screen controls.
Many versions support multiple players at a single table, and some providers offer side bets such as Perfect Pairs. Gameplay is often slower than online Blackjack since the game unfolds according to the pace of the human dealer.
- Live Baccarat
Live baccarat is a good choice for players who prefer a fast-paced card game with simple rules. The game revolves around two hands – the Player and the Banker. You can bet on either hand to win, or on a tie.
Cards are dealt, and the hand closest to nine wins. Like in live Blackjack, the game interface allows you to place bets and view results, while the dealer manages the dealing and announces outcomes from the dedicated studio.
Some platforms also offer alternative versions of Baccarat, such as Speed Baccarat or No Commission Baccarat.
—
Live dealer games provide a structured way to engage with casino classics in real time, whilst also being able to access the games from anywhere you have a reliable internet connection.
Whether you’re interested in the spinning wheel of Roulette, being dealt cards in Blackjack, or the simplicity of Baccarat, live dealer games offer a format that closely mirrors land-based casino tables.
