The variety of casino games available to play online has grown significantly since their introduction in the 1990s. Advances in technology have allowed developers to create new formats, such as the live casino game.
Live casino games bring together online players with a live dealer who runs the game from a dedicated studio setup, using physical playing cards, Roulette wheels or other game components. Want to learn more about how live casino games work? Then read on.
What are live casino games?
Before we dive into how these games work, first, let’s take a closer look at what live casino games are.
Live dealer games are online games that allow online players to interact with real dealers via high-definition video streams. Unlike other digital casino games that rely on their software to determine game outcomes, live casino games use physical cards, wheels, and dice.
The dealers manage these games from a live studio, with players able to place wagers and make decisions through an online interface.
How do live casino games work?
Live casino games operate using a combination of advanced technology and the actions of the live dealer to produce real-time gameplay. Some of the elements involved in making live dealer games work are:
- Live streaming technology
High-definition cameras are positioned around the table to capture the game from a range of angles. This allows players to choose which cameras they would prefer to focus on, without missing any of the details of the game’s proceedings.
Advanced streaming protocols work to ensure minimal delays and high-quality visuals, removing the lag between the live feed and the online game interface.
- Optical character recognition
A particularly crucial role in translating physical game actions into digital data is optical character recognition (OCR). This technology converts images of the physical playing cards, dice or Roulette wheel into ‘readable’ data that the game platform can process.
This ensures that the data in the player interface remains consistent with the live feed, making sure that all wagers and outcomes are accurately reflected.
- Game control unit
Every live casino game table features a game control unit (GCU), which is what encodes the live video feed and processes data. This small device is responsible for ensuring the correct and seamless operation of the game, avoiding any desynchronisation between the live feed and online interface.
Popular live casino game varieties
Online casinos typically offer classic table games in the live dealer format, but there are also some newer designs that take their cues from gameshows. A few of the most common varieties of live dealer games are:
- Live Blackjack – Played against the dealer with the goal of reaching a hand total of 21 without exceeding it. Various betting options and side bets are available depending on the table.
- Live Roulette – Watching the dealer spin the wheel and place wagers on where the ball will land. Options include European, American, and French Roulette variations.
- Live Baccarat – Where players choose to wager on the player or banker hand, or a tie, with the goal of predicting which hand will have a total closer to nine.
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Live casino games offer players a different option compared to other digital casino games available to play online. By combining real-time streaming with a digital interface, they are an increasingly popular way for players to access classic table games without travelling to a land-based casino venue.
