For centuries, casino gaming has been an interactive and social hobby. Online casino games do a great job of bringing blackjack, roulette and co to life, but they aren’t quite able to replicate the true casino experience when it’s ‘virtual’ dealers who are handing out the cards or spinning the wheel.

So, when the first live dealer games started to be developed in the early 2000s, it quickly became clear that online casino gaming would be heading in this direction. Bringing all the perks of the casino into the player’s computer, smartphone or tablet was evidently the ‘next level’ for the sector, and the popularity of live dealer games today comes as no surprise.

Things can only get better. Technology will continue to improve – from the screen resolutions of the next generation of devices to the speed and reliability of internet connections – and with each passing year, live dealer games will become more immersive, more authentic and even more enjoyable.

If you are yet to experience live dealer games for yourself, here are just some of the ways that the live casino experience can surpass the traditional ‘virtual’ offerings of your favorite games.

Always available

Once upon a time, virtual dealer games had a distinct advantage over live casino action for the simple reason that they were available to anyone.

It wasn’t that long ago that mediocre internet speeds and older-generation smartphones and tablets rendered it nigh-on impossible to enjoy live video streaming – these feeds would always be buffering, lagging and dropping out!

However, this is a concern of the past. Now, the majority of us have access to faster broadband or 4G (or even 5G in some cases) as well as a mobile device or computer that can easily handle the rigors of streaming video in real time.

This means that players can access live casino games whenever they want, and regardless of time zone differences. So, what was once a benefit of virtual dealer games is now a strength of the live casino instead!

Human touch

Playing online casino games with virtual dealers is a very individualistic pastime that is, by its very nature, lacking in interaction.

Now, some players are looking to switch off for a while by spinning the roulette wheel or trying to score 21 in blackjack, and if that’s you, then there’s absolutely no problem with this.

However, if you do want to enjoy a more social, interactive style of gaming, then live dealer blackjack, roulette, poker and co will be perfect for you.

Many live dealer games give you the chance to interact with the dealer, striking up a conversation about the game you are playing or any other topic (within reason!). While the dealer has to remain professional and ensure that the game is carried out perfectly, they will be only too happy to interact with you via the live chat function that many live dealer titles have.

It’s always impressive to see a professional dealer go about their work, raking in (or paying out) chips and shuffling/dealing out the cards in the blink of an eye. This also adds another layer of realism to your gaming, so if you want that authentic casino experience in the comfort of your own home, then this is definitely the way to play it.

Be immersed

One of the critiques of virtual dealer games that some players have is that they are exactly that: computer games with gambling.

However, with live dealer games, you get the immersive feel of being in a casino environment. You’ll see the sights and hear the same sounds as you would on the gaming floor in your local town or city, from the roulette wheel spinning to chips clinking and cards being shuffled.

You’ll also feel the anticipation of waiting for the next hand of blackjack or the next spin of the roulette wheel. There’s no instant gratification here – you have to wait while the dealer takes your bets and then sets up the cards/wheel for your next turn. 

With live dealer games, everything happens almost immediately with a single click of a button – in the opinion of some, this takes away an element of the enjoyment in playing casino games.

More entertainment

You may already know that your favorite games, from blackjack, poker and baccarat to roulette, are available in the live dealer format, but did you know that some of the best games developers around, such as Evolution Gaming, have started to explore further the possibilities of the live casino?

For example, Dream Catcher is presented almost like a TV show, with a presenter live in the studio. The object of this game is bet on the spin of a wheel, and attempt to predict which number the wheel will stop on. There are also multiplier segments, which ensures that every spin in Dream Catcher is as exciting as the last.

This is just one example of how the live casino has added a new dimension to the gaming of many players, creating new experiences that virtual dealer games cannot replicate.

The innovations are likely to keep on coming, so while there are limitations as to what can be achieved when developing a slot game or virtual blackjack title, with live casino games, the sky is the limit.

Use your skills

With virtual dealer games, every single blackjack hand or spin of the roulette wheel is determined by a random number generator (RNG).

This piece of coding ensures that every game you play is randomized, unpredictable and completely unbiased, so you have absolute confidence that you have a fair chance of winning.

What’s interesting about live dealer games is that they use the same rules and mechanics as a brick-and-mortar casino. So, while every spin of the roulette wheel is completely random, you may find that in blackjack, you can apply some skill to your play that enhances your chances of winning.

For example, the previous hands might have witnessed a high ratio of low or high-value cards being dealt. Watch the dealer as they might not shuffle the deck, which gives you a clue as to what cards might be dealt in the next hand – i.e., if more high-value cards have been dealt recently, there’s a higher chance of low-value cards coming out next.

This isn’t an exact science, of course, and especially not when playing multi-deck blackjack. However, with live blackjack, you can keep a mental note of the cards that have been dealt recently, and perhaps use this information to help guide your strategies in the next hand(s).

In that regard, live blackjack players have an edge over those playing traditional online blackjack.

Raising the stakes

For high rollers, there are noticeably higher table limits available in live casino games than their virtual dealer counterparts.

You can take your seat at a VIP table or high-stakes game in the live casino, and you can stake and win higher amounts per hand/spin.

It’s true that the minimum stake size tends to be higher for live casino games, so if you are wagering on a tighter budget, then that is something to consider. However, if you find the limits too restrictive in virtual dealer games, making the switch to live dealer action will provide you with the higher table limits you want.

Bonus banquet

It’s surely true that the vast majority of casino gamers have accessed a bonus or promotion of some kind to enhance their play.

These are available mostly for traditional virtual dealer games, but did you know that you can also claim bonuses and offers that are specifically tied to the live casino?

So, if you shun live dealer games, you could be missing out on deposit bonuses, site credit and other such offers. However, if you open your mind to the possibilities of live blackjack, roulette, poker and co, then you may also be able to claim a bonus that otherwise would not be available to you.

Going live

In ruminating about the benefits of playing live casino games over their virtual counterparts, we’ve unearthed a stack of reasons as to why you might want to try out live dealer action. If you would like to read more about the benefits of playing live casino, this article might interest you!

The availability of technology that makes video streaming in high definition easier makes the live casino more accessible for all. Even smartphones, tablets and computers that are 10 years old have the capability of delivering a seamless streaming experience – aided by a standard internet connection. Live dealer games are no longer off the table.

Many players prefer the ‘human’ element of live dealer games over static virtual blackjack, roulette and the like, and find them much more immersive and closer to the real casino experience.

There are many blackjack and roulette variants to choose from at the live casino – some of which are exclusive and cannot be found in traditional form – and you might even be able to claim bonuses and promotions specifically for the live casino.

Why not sign up at Resorts Casino to give these games a test, and see what you think the benefits are.