You’ve heard of online casino games, but have you heard of live casino games? These are a relatively recent development, combining elements of online play with a human dealer and physical game components.
Live streaming technology allows online players to interact with a live dealer, who runs the game with physical game elements. This fusion of online and land-based gameplay makes for a very different gameplay experience, so let’s take a look at just how these casino live games set themselves apart.
Sophisticated technology
Bringing together online play with a live-streamed dealer is more complicated than you might think. The earliest attempts to bring about a live casino game were foiled by the technological limitations of just a few decades ago.
There are a few key components that power a live casino game, but none are as important as the optical character recognition (OCR) technology. This is what allows the cameras to translate the physical cards, dice and other game components into readable data.
The OCR can quickly recognise different cards, dice faces or positions on the Roulette wheel. It then transmits this data to the game control unit (GCU), which is responsible for the seamless flow of information between the physical game table and the player’s online interface.
Real-time interaction
Live casino games are designed to operate in real-time, with as little lag as possible between the live dealer and the watching players. This is why these games operate on a strict timer, with set intervals for placing wagers or deciding on actions before play progresses to its next stage.
The live element also allows players to ask the dealer questions, if need be, as long as they aren’t disruptive to the overall flow of the game.
Transparency
The mechanics of most online games aren’t visible, taking place behind the scenes in the computer code. While random number generators (RNG) are regularly audited to ensure that they deliver truly random results, some players still prefer to play games with a human element.
Being able to choose which angle of the table you wish to focus on – thanks to the range of high-definition cameras in play – creates a more transparent experience for players. Watching the drawing of cards, rolling of dice or spinning of the wheel in live video can help to enhance the sense of fairness involved in the game.
Expanding beyond the classics
The most common live casino games are the usual suspects, like Roulette and Blackjack. But those aren’t the only games available to players who want a live casino experience.
Live casino games patterned on gameshows are a popular choice, from games like Deal or No Deal Live to Monopoly Live. These offer gameplay that isn’t typically available in land-based casinos, taking full advantage of their hybrid platform.
With plenty of live casino game options to choose from, there’s something to suit any player’s tastes.
Thanks to their technology and melding between the strengths of the online and offline formats, live casino games are here to stay.
