Live casino explained

A live casino brings real dealers, real cards and real roulette wheels to your screen through a video stream. The games are run from studios, and your bets are placed through an on-screen interface while the dealer handles the physical equipment. It feels closer to a land-based casino than a software game does, but the maths of each game stays the same. This guide explains how live tables work and what to check before you sit down. We do not know which live tables a particular operator offers at any given time, so always look at the lobby itself.

How a live round works

Each round has a betting window, usually shown as a countdown. When it closes, the dealer deals the cards or spins the wheel, and the result is recognised by the studio's system and settled automatically. Because rounds follow a fixed rhythm, you cannot take as long as you like, and a fast table can move through many rounds an hour. The table's information screen explains the rules, the payouts and any side bets.

Table limits

Every live table has a minimum and a maximum stake per bet. These limits are set per table and can differ widely, so check them before you join. Do not choose a table because its minimum matches your whole budget. If one bet uses a large share of what you brought, a short losing streak ends the session immediately.

The house edge in common live games

• Blackjack: your decisions matter. Playing according to basic strategy keeps the house edge low, while guessing or following hunches raises it. Rules such as how blackjack pays and when the dealer stands also change the edge, and they are printed in the table rules.
• Roulette: no decision changes the edge. A single-zero wheel gives the house a smaller advantage than a wheel with an extra double zero.
• Baccarat: you choose between banker, player and tie. The tie bet usually has a much higher house edge than the other two.
• Game shows: wheel- and multiplier-based shows are entertaining, but their RTP varies by bet type and is often lower than classic table games. Check the figure in the rules.

Side bets and multipliers

Many live tables offer side bets with large payouts, such as perfect pairs in blackjack or bonus bets in baccarat. Side bets generally carry a higher house edge than the main game. Tables with random multipliers can pay large amounts on some outcomes, but the multipliers are paid for through lower payouts elsewhere. Neither feature improves your long-term chances.

Etiquette and chat

Live tables often include a chat with the dealer. Keep it polite, and never share personal details or account information there. Dealers cannot influence results and do not see your balance.

Keeping live sessions in check

The steady rhythm of live rounds makes it easy to play longer than planned. Set a time limit as well as a loss limit, and take a break between tables rather than moving straight to the next one. If you find yourself raising stakes to recover losses, stop for the day. Practical tools and free support are on our responsible gambling page. For software versions of these games, read about table games, or go back to the games overview.