A live casino is a real-world gaming experience broadcast directly from a studio to your computer or mobile device. It provides a social element not found in regular online gambling and adds a sense of real-world excitement to the casino game you’re playing. It is also possible to chat with other players, just like in a brick-and-mortar casino, making the experience more interactive and engaging.
A good live casino site will provide a wide range of games and betting limits, with a variety of table formats and side bets. Many of these games are traditional casino staples such as blackjack and roulette. But some are more niche options such as baccarat and Dream Catcher. These tables can have more interesting rules or offer special payouts for pairs, runs, and suited cards.
The software used to run a live casino is fast and nimble, designed by specialist companies with your play experience in mind. It works across a huge range of devices and internet connections, so you should be able to find a live dealer casino that suits your playing style. In addition to this, a live casino will typically have good seat availability at the times you are most likely to play.
Each live casino has a small box called a Game Control Unit (GCU) that is responsible for encoding the video feed. This is what allows the dealer to interact with the player and respond to decisions made in real-time. It is also what enables the animated graphics displayed on a table when a bonus number is landed in roulette for example.
Once you’ve signed up for a live casino, you’ll be taken to the live lobby where you can browse the available games and click on one to select your seat. This is just like scoping out a table on a casino floor, and it makes the process seamless. The dealer will then be assigned to you and you can start playing!
The best live casinos will have a number of different cameras and camera angles. They’ll also use a high-quality microphone that ensures your voice is heard clearly and without distortion. This is important because you’ll need to be able to hear the dealer in order to make informed decisions during your game.
Lastly, the live dealers will be highly trained and professionally dressed, giving you the feeling that you’re playing at a brick-and-mortar casino. In some cases, the same dealers are used for both live and virtual casino games. This gives the casino an air of authenticity that is hard to replicate. The dealers will be knowledgeable and reply to your questions quickly, efficiently, and with a level of charm that you wouldn’t expect from other online casinos. This is something that sets the best live casinos apart from the rest.