Among the different types of casino gaming formats, live casino is one of the more modern game types that brings an innovative spin to the classics we all know.
These games bring a fresh element to the standard land-based casino gaming format, allowing you to play traditional table games with real-life dealers via a live casino video stream. There are several classic table games that have adopted this modern format of casino gaming, including the most popular options like Blackjack, Roulette, and Baccarat.
These games follow the same rules as their land-based counterparts, but with the twist of online play. Here’s a closer look at how these popular games work and how you can play them.
Live Blackjack
Live Blackjack is a widely played card game that follows the same objective as the land-based version – to have a hand value as close to 21 as possible without exceeding it. In a live setting, a dealer manages the table and deals the cards in real time.
How to play:
- You start by placing a wager before the dealer distributes two cards to each player (face-up) and themselves (one face-up, one face-down).
- Cards numbered two to 10 are worth their face value, face cards (King, Queen, Jack) are worth 10, and Aces can be worth either one or 11 depending on what you decide benefits your hand.
- After receiving your two cards, you can choose to “hit” (take another card) or “stand” (keep your hand as is and end your turn). Other options can include “double down” (double the wager and receive one final card) and “split” (if you have two cards of the same value, you can split them into two separate hands).
- After your turn, the dealer must follow fixed rules, which is usually hitting until they reach at least 17.
- The hand closest to 21 without exceeding it (“going bust”) wins.
Live Roulette
Live Roulette is a game that involves the iconic spinning wheel that’s divided into numbered pockets. A real dealer spins the wheel and releases a ball into play, which eventually lands on one of the numbers.
How to play:
- You begin by placing bets on where you think the ball will land. Bets can be on anything from a single number or a group of numbers, to either red or black or odd or even. These are divided into inside and outside bets.
- Once bets are placed, the dealer spins the wheel and the ball is released into play.
- When the ball lands in a slot, any bets covering that number or group of numbers are paid out based on the specific type of bet that was placed.
Live Roulette can feature many different variations, including European and American Roulette, which have slightly different wheel layouts and rules.
Live Baccarat
Live Baccarat is a straightforward card game where you bet on whether the player hand, banker hand, or a tie will have total value closest to nine. The game is played with a standard deck of cards, and the live dealer handles all the dealing throughout gameplay.
How to play:
- You begin by placing a bet on one of three possible outcomes – player wins, banker wins, or a tie.
- Two cards are dealt to both the player and the banker. The goal is to have a hand total that’s closest to nine.
- Aces count as one, face cards count as zero, and all other cards retain their standard face value.
- If a hand exceeds nine, only the last digit is then counted (for example, a hand with a seven and an eight equals 15, so the total is considered five).
- Depending on the initial cards, an additional third card may be drawn based on set game rules.
- The winning hand is the one closest to nine, and the bets are paid accordingly.
Live casino games provide a structured and regulated way to enjoy classic table games online, all whilst replicating the style of land-based casino establishments.
Whether you prefer Blackjack, Roulette, or Baccarat, live dealer games offer a fresh way to participate in your favourite online casino games.
