How to play live casinos

This mini-guide will show you different types of live casino games and give you the tips you need to get started.

Many online casinos now offer live casino games which make for a great alternative to the offline experience. Dealers stream live and perform the same way as they would in a brick-and-mortar casino.

Participating in live casinos isn’t difficult and your first step should be to find a reputable online casino company, then open an account. It is quick and easy to choose a place to play and once you’re in, you just need to move to the live casino section.

Be sure to keep your eyes peeled for companies with generous sign-up offers and bonuses as this adds to your bankroll and gives you a little extra to play.

The live dealer will be your main point of contact, so if you’re uncertain about the game and need clarification, they can assist accordingly. They’ll also draw and play cards from the deck, or spin the roulette wheel. 

In some live casino games, you’ll notice that the dealer is in a physical set-up, other times they may be in front of a green screen with a computer-generated image. You’ll also have on your screen a place to input your bets.

Blackjack is the most popular card game and definitely doesn’t lose its appeal in live casino format. As blackjack is one of those rare games where you get to face off with a dealer, it’s good to know that this doesn’t change when playing live blackjack. You still get to interact and the rules are the same - try not to go over 21 and beat the dealer’s hand!    

The rules for live roulette remain the same as the rules for a land-based casino, however, it’s important to note that a time limit applies when placing your bets each round. Once the time limit is up, the dealer will proceed to spin the wheel.

Baccarat tends to carry a reputation of being one of the more difficult casino games, but it’s quite straightforward and can be picked up easily. Similar to live roulette you place your bets on your player interface, which is then acknowledged by the live dealer before the cards are drawn.

Although the rules stay the same, you may notice in your chosen online casino that there are various versions of live baccarat. Just be sure to double-check if rules differ between versions.

Casino Poker can be both incredible and intense to play. Like baccarat, you’ll most likely find variations of live poker games but a common are Casino Holdem and Caribbean Stud. The rules are often remarkably similar to regular poker, but here, you play against the dealer.

Nothing is more frustrating than getting into the swing of things, having a great time then all of a sudden your internet cuts off! Or worse, watching that circle buffer whilst your game loads. Check your bandwidth beforehand to make sure it’s sufficient enough to stream live casino games.

It might be intimidating at first playing in a live casino and with so many versions of the same game, it can be hard to keep up if there are slightly different rules. If you’re stuck at any time, message the live dealer and they can respond to your query verbally.

Land-based casinos have rules on etiquette and it’s important to carry this etiquette online. Be courteous to the dealer and players, don’t be disruptive, and don’t use abusive language.

Yes, it’s nice to win but gambling does come with the risk of losing as well so don’t bet more than you should, and don’t chase losses. Set yourself a budget and take advantage of any sign-up bonuses available.

Don’t go into any live casino game blind, and remember to make note of rules so you can have a nice gaming experience.

Online casinos need to hold high standards and abide by rules set by the UK Gambling Commission. Check that the site has a license and also look out for logos indicating responsible gambling.

As you can see, there are plenty of options when deciding what live casino games to play. The most important things to remember are to choose a licensed online casino that you’re comfortable with, set a budget, and have fun! Remember to never chase losses and quit when you need to. 

Banner credit: Casino (Michael Blann)