If you can’t get away to Vegas or Atlantic City but still want to enjoy an authentic and professional table game experience, you’re in luck. Thanks to the ingenuity of gaming developers like Evolution Gaming, live casino games are a tap away at home, on the road, and anywhere your online casino is legal.
If this is your first time learning about live casino games, we hope you consider this guide your stepping stone to this growing online casino sector. We also cover expert tips and strategies to get the most out of your live casino experience.
From Vegas to the Phone: How Did We Get Here?
Live dealer games are based on the actual table games that you would find at Vegas and many other land-based casinos. While it’s great to have a crowd around you cheering you on, not everybody prefers to be around crowds. Also, not everyone has access to a casino.
Therefore, live casino games continue to explode in popularity, including at the latest social casinos. The games are played in a professional casino-like studio that is then streamed in beautiful 4k resolution. Live dealer games offer more variants than playing in person. Also, players have more access to chatting with the dealer and, in some casinos, other members for a more enjoyable gaming experience.
Live Blackjack: Do you Hit, Stand, or Surrender?
Live Blackjack plays like playing in person – get to 21 to beat the dealer. Because the average RTP for live blackjack is at least 99%, you can usually find several tables available at any online casino. When playing live blackjack, you are bound to encounter these fan-favorite options:
Classic Blackjack
Classic Live Blackjack offers an elegant design and a formal atmosphere. The game uses between 1 and 8 conventional decks containing 52 cards per deck. This game follows traditional blackjack rules without offering any side-betting options. This game variant consistently displays an RTP rate near 99.50%. Make all the hits you want as long as you don’t go over 21. Most Classic Live Blackjack games also support doubling down on any playing hand and splitting on any pair.
Infinite Blackjack
Infinite Blackjack stands out as one of the leading live blackjack tables online by offering minimal stakes beginning at a dime and accommodating unlimited players. For high rollers, Infinite Blackjack offers up to $10,000 max betting limits. You can also make many of the popular blackjack side bets like the 21+3.
Free Bet Blackjack
Evolution Gaming provides Free Bet Blackjack in Classic and Infinite formats. The game includes the Bet Behind feature and two additional side bets, 21+3 and Perfect Pairs. The Free Double Down and Free Split bets define the core features of Free Bet Blackjack. The rules of these bets remain straightforward but strict, and they become available automatically to eligible players.
Speed Blackjack
Speed Blackjack earns its place among the top online live dealer blackjack games to win the title of best game. Classic rules remain consistent while wide bets are available, yet the dealing order presents more complexity. Players receive their initial cards like normal but subsequently receive options to Hit Split or Double Down. The first new card goes to the player who responds most rapidly.
Spin the Wheel: The Live Roulette Phenomena Continues
Thanks to the live dealer revolution, roulette has never been more popular. The thrill of spinning the little wheel features the traditional roulette variants plus plenty of new ones like Lightning Roulette.
HD streaming technology enables players to connect and communicate directly with croupiers as well as occasionally with other players through live chat and similar platforms.
Online multi-angle camera technology enables you to select from different live roulette games as you explore the entire table and wheel. The online platform delivers a true casino atmosphere while providing identical betting options and odds found in traditional roulette games. The experience reaches an unprecedented level because numerous show elements are included. The glory of live roulette is available 24/7 with these cutting-edge options:
Live American Roulette
The additional double zero in American Roulette reduces the RTP rate to 94.74% with a 5.26% house edge. All of the traditional roulette bets are available with Live American Roulette. A unique feature is the basket bet that is only available with American Roulette.
Live European Roulette
Live European Roulette matches the traditional game version that players find in physical casinos worldwide. The game features a 37-pocket wheel with one green zero pocket and the entire table layout in English. Players can place both inside and outside bets in this game, which features an RTP rate of 97.30% because the house edge is more attractive at 2.70%. The popular live variants include Mega Roulette.
Live Auto Roulette
Auto Roulette is widely popular because it doesn’t have a croupier spinning the wheel. Because the little wheel is spun electronically, the betting goes faster.
Live French Roulette
Players consistently recognize French Roulette as the top choice for online live dealer roulette. The game features a 37-pocket roulette wheel and includes additional rules with a French table layout. Both La Partage and En Prison serve as insurance rules that give players who bet on the single zero another opportunity to win. The RTP for Live French Roulette can reach 98.65%. With the special rules, the house edge drops to 1.35%.
Baccarat: Enjoy James Bond’s Favorite Table Game
You don’t have to wear a tux to enjoy James Bond’s favorite table game. However, we won’t hold you if you do.
Baccarat remains one of the easiest tabletop games to get the hang of, and it has amazing payouts. When playing live baccarat, you usually have these options:
Punto Banco
Punto Banco stands as the most popular version of live baccarat available online because it presents the simplest gameplay mechanics. Players can place bets on their own hand or the banker’s hand, along with the option to bet on a tie because the live dealer functions as the Banker. You receive the smallest payout rate of 85.64% for betting on a tie, while betting on the Banker’s cards requires a 5% commission. However, there is usually a no-commission option, which lowers the banker’s bet house edge by 0.5%.
Live Baccarat Squeeze
Baccarat Squeeze delivers an exciting live baccarat experience that centers on suspense. The multiple cameras present all aspects of the game, which completely transforms the atmosphere. Viewers see the dealer’s card squeeze in a succession of close-up shots. Croupiers typically squeeze cards that go to the table with the highest stake.
The World of Live Dealer Games Await
Real money live casino games continue to transform the way we play traditional casino games. With a long list of casino bonuses and payment options like crypto, players have more access than ever to build their bankroll. With more options online 24/7 than playing in person, it is clear that live casino games are the future of table game play. Even social casinos continue expanding their live dealer options.