Live Casino Games

There are two big differences in online casino games.

Computer Generated Games: The player chooses their stake and places a bet. Then computer software generates a result, i.e. we are playing against the computer.

Live Games: The player chooses their stake and places a bet. A live dealer/ host will deal out the cards, or spin the roulette wheel. This is effectively the same as placing bets in a land based casino.

This page will discuss the differences between the two, and which is better for us to use.

Below is an example of a computer generated roulette game.  There are no other players, so we place our bets on the virtual table.

The computer simulates the ball spinning around the roulette wheel. The ball lands on a number at random, and a result is generated.

Casinos also commonly offer live casino games, designed to give players the feeling of being in a real casino.  

For live casino games, there is a physical casino table, and a real dealer drawing cards, spinning the roulette wheel etc.  

More recently, casino's offer ‘Game Show' style games in the live casino. Details of how to play these can be found here

Expected Value – The expected value is the same for both live casino and computer generated games if the same strategy is used.

The computer generated software is programmed to ensure the same long term return.

Eligibility – It is important to check when completing a promotion the types of casino games you can use. It will say in the terms what games are eligible.

Casinos often run promotions, just for live Live Casino games. The only way to take part in the promotion is to wager on one of their live casino games.

Likewise, a promotion might run where only computer generated games are eligible.

Like with computer generated games, we must choose the highest RTP (Return To Player) game available. For example preferring Blackjack over Roulette due to the higher RTP.

Time – Computer games allow the user to press deal and play the game. Live casino games have to allow all players time to place their bets and then it takes time to play that game round.

For example, at a live casino blackjack table, the dealer may have to deal to 9 different players. They then wait for each of these players to make a decision before the game round is complete.

A computer blackjack game might take 5-10 seconds to play a game round compared to a minute with live casino.

Live casino taking more time is an important consideration when completing promotions. This is because we want to get through promotions as fast as possible, keeping our hourly return high.

Minimum stakes – Often live casino games have a set minimum stake.

For example for many live casino blackjack games, the minimum stake per hand is set at £5 or £10. In comparison, a computer blackjack game will often have a minimum stake of 50p or £1.

When playing non-live games we have more flexibility to play smaller stakes and complete hands faster. This will reduce our variance .