A live casino is a way to enjoy your favorite online games in real time, from the comfort of your home or on your mobile device. The best live casinos use video links to connect you with a croupier or dealer, who will deal the cards and spin an authentic roulette wheel or even play poker with you. The games are streamed in high definition so that you can see everything as if you were there yourself.
Online casino operators have been working hard in recent years to make the gaming experience as close as possible to that of a so-called bricks and mortar casino. This has led to some innovative new technologies and one of the most interesting has been the live casino.
In order to work, a live casino has to be fitted with certain equipment and some specialist software. The software converts what the croupier or dealer is doing into data that can be transmitted via the video link to your computer or smartphone. The data is then displayed in the game interface that you see on your screen. A camera located in the casino also captures a live feed of the table so that players can interact with other players and the dealer.
This technology is a little complicated, but it makes for an excellent experience. For example, in blackjack players will click on a button on their screen to let the dealer know whether they want to hit, split or double down. A specialized system then translates this information into a command that is sent to the dealers computer, which will then deal out the appropriate cards accordingly. In the case of a roulette wheel, sensors will pick up where the ball has landed and a piece of ingenious hardware known as a GCU (Game Control Unit) will then digitize the results and transmit them to your screen.
All of this is very impressive and it helps to create a feeling of immersion that is not found with traditional online casinos. However, it is important to keep in mind that not all live casinos are the same and there can be a difference in terms of the selection of games available. Some sites may have a wider range of table games while others might focus on poker or baccarat, for instance.
Some online casinos will also have some live casino tables reserved for their VIP gamers. This is a clever strategy that has been used to encourage higher level wagering amongst loyal customers. The idea is that if you play in a live casino that has some games reserved for VIPs then you will be inclined to increase your overall wagering, which can help you qualify as a VIP sooner.
There is a drawback, though, as some sites can run out of seats at peak times when the live casino experience is most popular. This is because it can take some time to set up the necessary equipment and have a dealer ready to go once demand hits. However, most providers are exceptionally good at anticipating demand and opening up tables as soon as they can.