A live casino is where players connect to a real dealer using a live video stream from the game studio or land-based venue. It offers the most realistic casino experience online without a croupier in front of you, and the option to chat adds an extra dimension to the games.
The dealers that you’ll find in the best live casinos aren’t just people sitting behind a table; they’re specially trained to provide you with the very best service. You’ll still be required to place your bets via a screen, but the dealer will then take care of everything else. They’ll deal the cards, spin the roulette wheel, and start or stop the game. You can even make side bets on the outcome of the hand with a click of a button.
Choosing an online casino that offers live casino tables is a great way to enjoy the action from home, but you should always check that they have a good reputation and the latest security measures. They should also be licensed and regulated by the Gambling Commission. In addition, they should be well-staffed during the hours that you like to play.
If you’re not used to playing at live dealer tables, the process may seem daunting, but it’s actually quite simple. Once you’ve signed up for an account with a site that features these games, you’ll be taken to a live lobby where you can browse the various tables and choose which one to join. Once you’ve done that, you’ll be whisked away to a virtual seat at the table and ready to place your bets.
Once you’ve spotted a live table to join, the dealer will greet you and then open up the floor for bets. They’ll use the same casino equipment that you see in a land-based game, such as a shoe of cards for blackjack or a roulette wheel for roulette. They’ll also have a monitor to show you which bets are valid and which ones need to be closed.
All the software to run these tables is provided by specialist providers who have designed it with your experience in mind. They’ll have a large range of games on offer and they will be designed to work across a wide variety of devices. This is why you’ll often see the same games at two different casinos.
When it comes to the actual gaming, all the software is controlled by a machine called a GCU (Game Control Unit). It’s a small box that sits under the croupier’s chair and encrypts and transmits all of the video information to your device. It’s an important part of the live casino as it ensures that no data is stolen, which is a big concern for online gamblers. It also ensures that all bets are placed fairly and that the dealer is not influenced by external factors. This is a key reason why most operators will have this technology in place.