Live Dealer Games vs Regular Table Games: What's the Difference? Posted Apr 21, 2022
Live dealer games are table games where a dealer is actually a real person taking your bets. Live dealer games can be played at land-based casinos, online or even at a no deposit bonus live casino. Some live dealer games require that you choose users to act as virtual dealers, like in Baccarat Pro; others, like Derby Day at Genting Casino, let you play with actual croupiers who shuffle decks of cards and roll dice on the felt tabletop in front of you. The game will look, sound, smell (okay, maybe not smell), and most importantly, feel like the live game you would otherwise expect to play in a brick-and-mortar casino.
![Live Dealer Games vs Regular Table Games: What's the Difference? Live Dealer Games vs Regular Table Games: What's the Difference?](/articles/live-dealer-games-vs-regular-table-games-whats-the-difference.1.webp)
How do Live Dealer Games Compare to Regular Table Games in Terms of Gameplay and Features?
Live dealer games tend to have fewer spins per hour than regular table games. The speed of the game depends on how many players are seated at the table and whether or not they're playing with a croupier or an automated dealer (like Baccarat Pro). The biggest reason for this is that live dealer games require more attention from the dealers: while you take your turn, they have to shuffle either deck of cards or re-roll dice for every outcome. In contrast, house bots in video slots simply push a button when it's your turn to spin. They don't need to pay attention because no matter what outcome comes up, the house will win - so there's no dealing needed after each outcome to determine if someone has won or lost.
Benefits of Live Dealer Games
As for the benefits, live dealer games provide players with an experience closer to what they would expect in a real casino. You sit directly across from real dealers who take your bets, deal cards, and roll dice, all while you interact with them face-to-face. There's also more eye contact since there's no computer screen between you and the dealer(s) - meaning it feels less like you're playing at a machine or on your phone. Live dealer casinos are always focused on customer service, so if anything goes wrong during play or if you have any questions about the rules of the game, rest assured that someone will be there to help you out.
Although live dealer games are still fairly new, the bonuses they offer are fantastic. You'll be surprised by how generous casinos can be when you play live games because it's so much harder for them to track what kind of bets players are making if there are no reels or lines spinning on a monitor. So not only will you get bigger bonuses than you would playing regular table games, but live dealers tend to have less strict playthrough requirements, too - meaning that you could redeem your bonus and take part in all kinds of other promotions even faster.
Possible Shortcomings of Live Dealer Games
One downside is that it might be difficult for new players who aren't familiar with live dealer rules. These types of casino games are still fairly new, so most regular casinos don't have live dealer games as an option. The tables that are available can be hard to find or tucked away in the bottom corner of the site - meaning you might miss them if you're not looking for them. Another downside is that there's less action at a live table game.
Even though it feels like more, because of all the extra shuffling and rolling, it actually takes longer for play to get around to each player. For this reason, it does take longer to win big on these kinds of games than you would expect from other types of casino games. That being said, everyone wins more frequently too - which makes playing live dealer games great for beginners. All things considered, live dealer games are the next best thing to play in a brick-and-mortar casino. The live dealers make you feel like you're in the same room as them - instead of through your phone or computer screen. The experience is fun, exciting - and best of all, real.
How can you Start Playing Live Dealer Games Today?
There are lots of live dealer casinos out there, but not all casinos are created equal. Make sure you choose a site that's trustworthy and has an excellent selection of games available. Look for sites that offer the type of game(s) you want to play - as well as ones with generous welcome bonuses, customer support, options for mobile play, and more. Some examples include 32Red Casino, Cassava Enterprises Gibraltar Ltd. brand 888casino, or Tropez.
Make sure you get all of your questions answered about how to play, what bonuses are available, and anything else before depositing any money. Here are some questions to ask before you play:
- What kind of welcome bonus can I expect when I join? Usually, these types of bonuses come with a lot more flexibility than you'll find at regular online casinos. You might get your bonus in the form of free spins, credits to play on specific games, or even extra cash.
- What kind of playthrough requirements will I have? Live dealer casinos usually have lower playthrough requirements than regular online casinos - since they want you to redeem your welcome bonus and start playing as quickly as possible. Just make sure that you check before signing up so you won't be disappointed when requesting a withdrawal and discover there's a hefty tax on your winnings.
- How many live dealer tables are available? The number of live dealer tables depends on what game(s) are offered by the casino you joined. If there are only a few games, there might not be enough variety to keep you interested for long. On the other hand, if there are too many tables, it might take you a long time to get seated at one. Figure out what's available before depositing any cash or signing up so you can play your favorite games right away. If this information isn't clear on the site you're considering, don't hesitate to contact customer support - they'll be happy to answer all of your questions.
- How good is the live dealer software? Sometimes casinos use the same software that they use for regular online table games. Other times they have their own proprietary casino solution that features unique graphics and gameplay mechanics - meaning it feels more like playing in an actual casino. Unfortunately, only the most trustworthy casinos are willing to be upfront about how their software works. If you can't find this information on the site you're looking into, there's a good chance that they don't use proprietary software or that it's not up-to-snuff.
Conclusion
In closing, there is a noticeable difference between live dealer games and regular table games. Live dealer games give you more of that high-stakes casino feel, while regular table games just don't due to their lack of physical dealers. However, these types of online casinos can be found on almost every corner of the internet. It's up to you to find the best for you.