Online Casinos Featuring Live Dealers
Top Live Casino Sites Suggested by OCE
Technology and innovation are marvelous things. When done properly, they change the world, often times for the better. When it comes to online casinos and gambling, innovation is necessary for survival because the online casino industry is highly competitive. With hundreds of online casinos to choose from, it's up to software developers to develop platforms and games that will draw customers for its clients.
The Online Gaming Experience
If there is one knock against online gambling, it has to be that the overall experience is quite diminished without the atmosphere of a land-based casino. While online gambling is a nice way to relax in the comfort of your own home, many gamblers have expressed a longing for the camaraderie that comes from being in a live casino.
Most people gamble on the Internet when they want to pass time or can't get to a local casino. The betting is the same, as is the excitement from winning or the disappointment from losing. The advantages of playing online are access to many games without moving and the opportunity to concentrate without the hustle and bustle. The primary disadvantage is it becomes a lonely endeavor.
Innovation Saves the Day
Software developers provide a great service. You tell them what you want and they develop software to make it happen. Such is the case with "live dealer casinos" and "live casino games." Within the last couple of years, leading gaming software developers have heard the calls for a realistic gaming atmosphere and they have answered those calls with live dealer casinos.
Through innovation and creativity, software developers have found a way to bring live casino games right to your computer screen. The simulation process creates a sense of sitting in front of a real dealer with other players sitting at the same table, creating a real life experience.
How It Works
As a player, you start by selecting a live dealer game. Once the game is selected, you will see a standard online game layout on your computer screen. You will also see the standard buttons used for interacting with the game you have chosen. For instance, live dealer blackjack comes with the same buttons for hitting, staying, double down, insurance and splitting. The only difference you will see on your screen is the presence of a "live dealer" awaiting your actions.
For you guys, you will be happy to know most of the live dealers are attractive women. The rules of the game are exactly the same and of course, your chips are virtual chips. The live dealer is provided by video streaming technology and she/he can actually interact with you. Also the sound has been piped in, to enhance the atmosphere.
Live Casino Games Currently Offered
Keeping in mind that live dealers are a new concept, not every game has been modified to provide this particular option. Currently, the most popular games that come in live dealer mode are blackjack, roulette, baccarat, and Hold'em poker. Here are some game features.
- Blackjack - After you place your bet, the dealers deals. When you press a button indicating your course of action, the dealers sees your choice and acts accordingly.
- Roulette - As the croupier spins the wheel, you start making your bets. The croupier then indicates bets are frozen and the ball is placed in motion. After the balls settles, the croupier calls out the number and bets are settled.
- Baccarat - On this one, there is nothing for you as the player to do except place your bets. Once the bets are made, the dealer starts dealing cards and calling out hands until the winning side is determined.
- Hold'em Poker - To clarify, you are playing against the house, not other players. You place your bets, the dealer starts dealing and reacts to your subsequent requests.
Note: Live dealers are available in few other games like: craps, keno, sic bo.
The Final Touches
In some versions, there are other payers at the table and you can chat with them if you want. Overall, these games do a good job of simulating reality. Unfortunately, live dealer casinos are only available in flash mode. There has been some work done making them available via mobile apps, but there is still work to be done. Finally, the technology is only available on about 40% of the sites. Therefore, you might have to do some searching for a casino if you want to give this new concept a go.
