Live casino online is a real-time gaming experience, where players are linked with dealers via reliable video streams. This allows players to interact with the dealer, who is based in either a dedicated studio or a physical casino. The dealer will then deal the cards or spin the roulette wheel in real-time, which replicates a visit to a brick-and-mortar casino.
The dealers will be equipped with cameras to capture the table and the action, which is then transmitted over a secure Internet connection. The games themselves are run by software, but the bet prompts and dealer actions are controlled by a special device called a Game Control Unit (GCU). The GCU is small, about the size of a shoebox, and it is responsible for encoding and transmitting all of the video footage from the live casino tables.
Aside from the usual blackjack, roulette, and poker, most live casinos offer a selection of niche options. These include baccarat, Speed Baccarat, and even the hugely innovative gameshow style Dream Catcher. These more unique games usually have a limited number of tables, and it is important to check that the chosen site offers enough of these types of games to suit your particular preferences.
Some sites are dedicated exclusively to live casino online, while others will offer a mix of live dealer games alongside traditional slot machines and other table games. DraftKings is a great example, as it features an elite online casino alongside its world-class sportsbook and popular DFS platform. It has around 40 live casino games in some states, including a handful of exclusive titles.
The best live casino online games will have a high level of social interaction and a buzzing atmosphere that is often missing from software-run casino games. This is because the dealer will be able to respond to each player’s decision and react accordingly, which gives the game a very different feel from its virtual counterpart. However, these sites are still not perfect, as the lack of human contact means that some games will feel a little sterile and uninspiring.
When playing a live casino game, the dealer will take bets from players during a designated period. Once the bet period has ended, the dealer will announce that no more bets can be placed and the betting buttons will become inactive. The results of the game will then be processed by the software and displayed to the players.
Most live casino online sites will have a large range of games to choose from, including classics like blackjack and roulette. However, they may also offer less familiar titles like baccarat and speed roulette. Many of these games will have a wide variety of bet limits to appeal to low and high rollers alike. Some will even feature a selection of special side bets that can add an extra element to the game. These can be lucrative if you use the right strategy.