Live Casino Games and Game Variety
Live dealer casinos put dozens, if not hundreds of live games at your disposal. That’s conisderably less than the number of RNG-based titles, because it’s more difficult for providers to make live casino games due to the hands-on approach and the real people involved. Still, the variety is commendable, and new titles are coming out as we speak.
With that in mind, let’s take a closer look at all live games you’ll find in live dealer casinos.
Live Poker
This uber-popular card game is among the first to make the transition from RNG-based to live casinos. The live version of online poker is played with professional dealers using cutting-edge streaming technology, and provides an immersive live casino experience unmatched by RNG versions.
The tension heats up as you gauge your hand and your opponents in real time. The goal is to make a stronger hand than the dealer’s, combining the cards in your hand with the community cards on the table. Live poker is available in several popular variants such as:
- Texas Hold’em: By far the most popular version of poker, featuring five community cards;
- Seven-Card Stud: The variant without the community cards;
- 3-Card Brag: The fastest version of poker, with hands consisting of three instead of five cards.
Live Blackjack
Live blackjack is the most common version of live game available and the easiest to get into. All thanks to the relative simplicity of its rules and the fact that some tables take an infinite number of players which eliminates the waiting time.
Live blackjack is played against real dealers who deal cards in real time. The goal is to make a hand equal or closer to 21 than the dealer’s, with slight variation in rules depending on the exact blackjack version you’re playing.
Speaking of which, live blackjack types include:
- Infinite Blackjack: It allows an infinite number of players;
- Speed Blackjack: Fast-paced version of the game;
- Free Bet Blackjack: Has features like doubling down and splits, catering to high rollers.
Live Roulette
Live roulette features human croupier, physical roulette spinning in real-time. Placing bets on the roulette table is as immersive as can be considering that you can be thousands of kilometres away and still enjoy a legit, stutter-free roulette experience.
Another hallmark of live roulette is the multiple camera angles from which to follow the action. You can switch to a close-up of the spinning wheel or take the bird’s eye view of the table. All three versions of online roulette games are available in the live version, whether you prefer the lower house edge on European Roulette, higher stakes of American Roulette, or La Partage and En Prison rules of the French Roulette.
Live Baccarat
Baccarat is making a huge comeback thanks to, in no small part, the live version of this timeless card game. Baccarat had been underrecognized in online casinos until providers saw the potential and entered the race to make the most appealing live baccarat title on the market.
The results are nothing short of spectacular. The best live baccarat games blend the elegance of traditional games with the convenience of modern tech. You can bet on the banker, player, or tie with the cards dealt by real dealers and the action unfolding in real time. The version of live baccarat that fleshed out include:
- Speed Baccarat: The fast-paced version of the game, where rounds take less than 30 seconds
- Peek Baccarat: you have the option to peek at cards mid-game which helps predict the outcome
Game Shows
Live game shows are perhaps the biggest innovation in live gaming. They take the traditional formula of live TV game shows and repack it into an engaging casino experience. Dream Catcher, Crazy Time, Mega Ball, and Monopoly Live are just some of the titles to make the transition.
Additionally, game shows take the traditional casino games and crank up the experience to 11. Expect a ton of multipliers and additional bets to your standard roulette, blackjack, or baccarat sessions. Game shows are perfect for players who want something new, or wish to take a break from standard online casino card games.
Providers of Live Dealer Games
There are hundreds of live games in every online casino worth the salt, and knowing where to start can be overwhelming at times. The best trick in the book is to look into the selection of the best live casino software providers around. That way, you can easily fast-track the decision and save more energy for actual gameplay.
What are they? Here are our top 3 picks.
Evolution Gaming
Evolution is the yardstick for quality and innovation among iGaming software providers. Its live gaming studios are state-of-the-art affairs, and the streaming quality is some of the best in the business. Evolution made its name by constantly coming out with new and improved versions of live mobile games. A multiplier feature here, new side bets there, Evolution constantly breaks new ground and revolutionises the gaming industry.
While you can’t go wrong with anything signed by Evolution, here are a couple of live game suggestions:
- Lightning Roulette: A faster-paced version of roulette spiced up with RNG Lucky Number, multipliers on Straight Up bets, and an Art Deco environment.
- Side Bet City: if you’re into the whole 80s Vegas schtick, then this poker game might be right up your alley.
- Free Bet Blackjack: A classic take on blackjack with a twist of having Free Double Down and Free Split bets, as well as optional side bets.
Playtech
Established in 1999, Playtech has seen it and done it all. The provider is behind some of the most beloved live dealer titles in the history of live gaming, like Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? or Mega Fire Blaze. They feature cutting-edge streaming technology mixed in with augmented reality elements. Moreover, Playtech has some of the friendliest dealers in the industry.
Again, Playtech doesn’t roll out bad games. Here are three suggestions from the top of our head:
- Prestige Roulette: Playtech’s modern-day take on the classic game set in a dark, neon-lit environment and featuring quick-fire rounds.
- VIP Baccarat NC: if you’re into higher stakes baccarat, jackpots of up to 220x, and hullaballoo of a real casino, try out this game.
- Live Dragon Tiger: This is one of Playtech’s darlings due to its simplicity and easy-to-follow bet on mechanics.
Pragmatic Play Live
Pragmatic Play is another household name in the live gaming business. Starting out as a slot provider, it has branched off into Pragmatic Play Live and never looked back. It has set new standards with top-draw tech, unique game features, and an array of live game titles that suit every preference.
Our pick of the bunch include:
- PowerUP Roulette: In this game, the classic roulette formula is boosted with a chance to trigger PowerUP rounds with huge prize pools.
- ONE Blackjack: a definitive blackjack game featuring 4K cameras, bonus side bets, HTML5 technology, and a Byzantine purple background.
- Mega Wheel: This is Pragmatic Play’s original game show, now available in the live version.
Live Casino Bonuses
Another thing that separates live casinos from their land-based peers are the variety of casino bonuses that can make your game more profitable. Bear in mind, though, that not all casino bonuses will be available for live games. On the other hand, there’s a host of exclusive live game bonuses, like live cashback promo, that can take your game to a whole another level. As always, we recommend that you read the terms and conditions of each bonus separately, or check out our detailed casino reviews to avoid any unpleasant surprises.
Welcome Bonus
The welcome package is the first bonus you can claim at every live casino. It usually comes as a deposit match (say 100% up to £1500, like at FreshBet) plus free spins. Bear in mind that only the first part of such welcome bonus can be used to play live casino games.
The wagering requirements hover around 35x and should be relatively easy to meet since live games are played with higher stakes.
Reload Bonuses
Once you’ve burned through the welcome bonus, casinos from our list will shower you with daily, weekly, or monthly reload bonuses. Some, like Cazeus, offer substantial bonus funds on weekends and special days like your birthday or Christmas. The best part about reload bonuses is that they are not one-offs but repeat regularly.
The wagering requirements are pretty much the same as with the welcome bonus, around 35x.
Live Cashback Bonus
Cashback bonus is the closest thing to real money since it rarely comes with wagering requirements larger than 5x. Also, it is one of the most common promotions exclusive to live games. Cashback bonus behaves as a safety net by salvaging a percentage of your losses, letting you play a bit more after going through a bad streak.
It’s actually our favourite bonus here at CasinoBee!
Loyalty, VIP, and Referral Programs
Live casinos have a gracious habit of rewarding the most dedicated players by giving them bigger bonuses and other incentives. One way to do it is through loyalty and VIP programs.
You collect experience points and climb up the VIP ladder. The higher you are, the more and better rewards you can expect, like bigger cashback bonuses, lower wagering requirements, or even a personal gaming agent.
Another way casinos incentivise players is through referral programs. In essence, you’ll get a bonus for every player you bring on board.
High Roller Bonuses
Some players want bonuses with superlative terms and conditions and don’t ask for the price. If that’s you, you can skip to the high-roller bonuses and enjoy higher amounts with the wagering requirements dropping to 20x.
Also, there are bonuses eligible for just one game or a selection of games by one provider (Evolution, for example). They tend to be more sizable and cater to high-roller players.
Are Live Casinos Worth It?
You can’t go wrong with best live online casinos. They bridge the gap between physical and online casinos, adding the benefit of bonuses and remote play into the mix. Using state-of-the-art live streaming and the latest developments in online gaming, they bring poker, blackjack, roulette, and other live games wherever you are at the moment.
Check out the top list of live casinos and try your hand at some of the recommended games.
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