Live Casino
Let’s face it, RNG online casino games are exciting—but they do a lousy job at bringing the fun social aspect and adrenaline of the real land-based casino floor. However, by playing in a live casino UK, it’s possible for online casino players to get the same experience in the comfort of their homes, or wherever they please. You just need a compatible device and a reliable internet connection. Live casino gaming provides one of the most authentic and immersive casino experiences. It brings the buzz of Vegas strip casinos to your desktop computer or mobile device via real-time video streaming. Unlike playing RNG games, live casino gaming is remarkably interactive, as you’ll be playing against a real human dealer. You can chat with the dealer and other players while you enjoy a vast selection of games. Some casinos even offer exclusive live casino UK bonuses and promotions. What’s more? Our team at gamble.xyz will take you through all you need to know to get the best out of live casino UK gaming.
Live Casino Bonuses
As new casinos are established every time, there’s more competition for customers. Some online casinos, therefore, offer their customers extra incentives to try their live casino UK section. These bonuses include welcome offers, new casino no deposit offers, cashback promotions, and more. Players can use these bonuses to stretch their bankrolls and develop table game skills and strategies before playing for real money. If you’re a regular, then you already know these bonuses and the terms and conditions that you need to check before you opt-in for any of them. If you’re not, let’s give you a quick rundown. Welcome bonuses are given to new players as an incentive to sign up. Cashback bonuses give you a certain percentage of the money you lose during a week as real cash or bonus credit. Before you can cash out real money from bonuses and promotions, such as welcome and free live casino no deposit offers, you have to wager the bonus money several times.
Choosing A Live Casino
Okay, so now you know pretty much all there is to know about live casino UK gaming. The next thing you’ll want to do is find the best online casino to login and start playing at. Apart from checking for all the other aspects, we touched on in the previous sections of this guide, your safety should be one of your main concerns. If you’re not up for combing through all the available casino options, we suggest that you read some of our casino reviews. They do an excellent job of summarising the main features, as well as the pros and cons of an online casino. Live casino UK sites should have a license from the UKGC and preferably be audited by independent organisations like eCOGRA. You should also ensure that a casino has betting limits that align well with your bankroll. Another factor worth considering is the availability of free play and bonuses to stretch your bankroll and help you hone your skills with less risk. A live casino UK should also have sufficient payment options for quick and convenient deposits and withdrawals. If you’re an allround type of player, who is not just looking to play live games, remember to keep your eyes out for free spins no deposit no wager offers as well!
Types of Live Casino
As you might have already figured out, playing at a live casino comes with a lot of options and possibilities. There are several types of live casinos, each with different pros and cons. You might have a rough idea of what you want from playing live dealer casino games. However, if you aren’t sure which type of live casino would be best for you, we’ve specially prepared the following paragraphs for you. We’ll discuss the characteristics of each type and how each one is unique from the others. Read on and let our team help you decide which type of live dealer casino works best for you.
Instant Play Live Casino
Most new players to live casino UK gaming aren’t sure what software or other requirements they need to play live dealer games. You’ll be happy to know that most casinos now allow players to access the live dealer section directly from their web browsers. These instant-play platforms usually have quick load times and impeccable performance. You just need a stable internet connection and a reliable web browser. The best part is that if you’re using an older device or browsing via a slow internet connection, most live casino UK operators allow you to adjust your video and audio settings. For an even more realistic land-based casino experience, players can view the live dealer casino in full-screen mode and play without even seeing the web browser. However, for the best live casino UK experience, you’ll need a decent desktop or mobile device and fast internet.
Download Live Casino
Even though it’s now a bit rare, online casinos sometimes offer the live casino experience via downloadable software. This option might be more preferable for customers who regularly play at the casino, and find it more convenient to play from an installable application. This option also works perfectly for players who’d like to enjoy some RNG games, as it provides excellent performance. On the other hand, you’ll be limited to one casino and the types of devices that are supported by the available software.
Real Money Live Casino
The real money live casino UK is probably the most common and sought after type of online live gaming platform. Real money live dealer casinos offer customers a chance to play high-quality games against human dealers with the opportunity to win real money. Unlike RNG casino games, live casino games have high overhead costs. Therefore, casinos are more likely to offer customers a chance to experience this form of gaming after they’ve made a deposit and real money stake. As players have all put their money on the line, this type of gameplay is more exciting and attracts better-skilled players.
No Deposit Live Dealer Casino
If you’re still new at live dealer casino gaming, then we recommend that you try it for free first before you put your money on the line. Playing for free allows you to get accustomed to the gameplay, live dealers, and test if your devices are up to the task. The best way to do that is by using live casino no deposit bonuses and promotions. Although slots no deposit bonus offers are much more common in the UK, there are still some that do offer these types of bonuses for live casinos. You can also use online live casino UK offers to try different casinos, find your favourite live dealers, and possibly win real money. We, however, have to point out that there are terms and conditions that you have to fulfil before you can cash out any winnings.
High Stakes Live Casino
High rollers usually play in land-based casinos, so when they go online, they prefer to play in a live casino setting. Besides providing an authentic casino experience, live dealer games offer more flexible betting limits. Players can place significantly high wagers of up to £25,000. High stakes live casino gaming provides opportunities to make enormous wins. However, if you’re going to go for this type of gameplay, you have to ensure that your bankroll can handle the ups and downs. You also have to ensure that you’ve mastered the rules of the game and have a better strategy than the other players at the table.
Low Stakes Live Casino
Some players might have a limited bankroll or still want to sharpen their table game skills. If you’re one such player, you’ll be happy to know that live casino UK games are not exclusive to high rollers. Some casinos allow players to make micro-deposits and place minimal bets on live dealer games. For example, you may be able to deposit as little as 5 pounds and make wagers of less than one pound. Such gameplay, however, rarely results in getting significant wins and is more for fun and practice. Low stakes players may consider claiming bonuses to extend their budget and potential winnings.
New Live Casino
Many players in the UK actively look for new live casino sites to play at. New live dealer casinos typically offer more competitive gameplay, the latest video streaming technology, and generous bonus offers. Some new casinos now even offer virtual reality live dealer games. Continue reading to find out more about VR live casino UK gameplay. Playing live games at new casinos, however, also carries the risk of falling prey to rogue operators. Our advice here is to always check if a live casino UK has required licenses and security certificates. Alternatively, you can check out the recommended casinos on our reviews.
Live Casino: Under the Hood
A lot of players have reservations when it comes to playing live dealer games. Most of the misconceptions that surround live casino UK gaming is because players don’t understand how the whole experience is put together. But worry not. As your plug for everything online gambling, we always have a comprehensive explanation. The live dealer casino is usually broadcast from filming studios that are located within the casino’s operating jurisdiction. Most live casino studios are, therefore, found in London, Riga, Malta, and the Philippines. The studios are set up to look like casino floors, with a roulette wheel, table, cards, and several human dealers or croupiers. Just like you’d find in brick and mortar casinos, the dealers control the tables, spin the roulette wheel, deal cards, and entertain the players. Several HD cameras capture the action from multiple angles in real-time. A series of microphones also capture the sounds of shuffling cards, rattling balls, which results in an authentic gaming experience. Some casinos take live casino UK gambling a step further and do away with the filming studio, to broadcast the games from a real-life casino floor. You can, therefore, pretty much be in a real-life casino in the real sense of the phrase.
Live Casino Components
The live dealer casino experience is created using several components. When you’re looking for the best live casino online, it’s these components that you need to compare. First of all, the mood and pace of the game are set by the dealer or croupier. Therefore, the quality of your gaming experience is determined by how knowledgeable and social the dealer is. Just like in a land-based casino, shufflers ensure that the deck of cards in the clear shoe is changed when required and the deck is shuffled. Like we mentioned before, the game is streamed live. This makes the cameras a vital feature for close-up and wide camera angles. Some casinos allow players to choose different camera angles. Live casino UK sites also use sensors and scanners to make the dealer’s job easier and keep the game smooth. Sensors check where roulette balls fall, and scanners check cards and update players on the next available bets. The last part is the player interface, which is what you see on your screen and where you can place your bets and watch the action. Some casinos also provide game stats for each move, so you can base your next bets on hard figures and not your gut instinct.
Live Casino UK Games
One of the main factors that draw players to prefer live casino gaming is the variety of games offered. You can enjoy everything from live baccarat, Sic Bo, and poker to live dealer blackjack, roulette, and money wheel. Not only that, each game has several variants, which means that you won’t ever get bored of playing the same games. If you’ve ever played a game at a land-based casino, chances are you’ll be able to play it in a live casino UK. Below, we’ve listed the main live dealer games, as well as some of the variants that you’ll find at most online casinos.
Live Casino Roulette
Not every roulette fan has the luxury of going to a brick and mortar casino. The good news is that you can play the same game, only via real-time video streaming. In live dealer roulette, there’s a wheel that has black and red slots, numbered from 1-36. Depending on the roulette variant, there can be one or two, green zero slots. There’s also a table which features the same numbers as the wheel, and several additional sectors where live casino UK players place their bets. When you’ve placed your bets, the dealer spins the wheel and throws in a small ball. The ball tumbles inside the wheel and eventually lands on a particular number. If you’d bet on that number, then you get a payout. You can also bet on whether the ball will fall on a black or red slot. Some of the popular variants of live dealer roulette include Immersive Roulette, European Roulette, Speed Roulette, French Roulette, and American Roulette. We recommend that you start with a few games of free online roulette, to learn the basics before you start betting money on the game.
Live Casino Blackjack
Players who’ve mastered RNG blackjack and think they’ve got what it takes not to bust under pressure can try the live casino version. Like we like to do, let us refresh your memory on what you need to do to win at live dealer blackjack. In each round, you and the rest of the players at the table start by placing their bets. Each table has clearly stated stake limits, so check the minimum before you choose a table. Once you place your bets, you receive one or two cards from the dealer, and the dealer also gets the same. The goal is to have a card value that’s higher than the dealer’s, without exceeding 21. A card value higher than 21 is called busting and results in a loss. Each blackjack variant has different rules for how many cards players draw, and when you draw cards. So, make sure you’re familiar with the rules for the particular variant you’re playing. On our Blackjack page, you can learn how the games i s played, and find a blackjack strategy chart. Knowing the rules also allows you to make critical strategic decisions. Some popular blackjack variants include Live Blackjack, Ultimate Blackjack, and Speed Blackjack.
Live Casino Poker
Poker is one of the best live dealer games for players who enjoy strategy-driven and suspense-filled games. Live poker takes the excitement of RNG poker a step further by offering full immersion, with a human dealer, close-up and wide camera views, and nail-biting gameplay. And the best thing is that learning to play live casino poker is not nearly as hard as many people imagine. And, as always, we are here to simplify things for you. Generally, there are two types of poker—stud and draw. The rules are almost identical. In stud poker, players are dealt 5 or 7 cards, depending on the variant. Players then assess the value of their hands, according to the game rules and bid chips. You win if you bet the most chips, unless if another player matches you bet. If that happens, you both show your cards, and the best hand wins. In draw poker, players can try to improve their hands by trading 3 out of the 5 cards they start with. Popular poker variants include Ultimate Texas Hold’em, Caribbean Stud Poker, 2 Hand Casino Hold’em, and Three Card Poker.
Live Casino Baccarat
The gaming experience that you get on live dealer baccarat is designed to give you the best possible view of the action. Multiple cameras stream live HD video to your device to simulate the authentic casino look and feel. You’ll be able to look at the game from various angles as it progresses. Players can see cutaways, close-ups of the cards, and wide-angled shots. The human dealers handle the table action and are available to answer any questions during the game. Live casino UK baccarat is played just the same as RNG baccarat. Your goal is to beat the dealer by having a hand that has a value closest to 9. You play with 8 decks of 52 cards, and you can wager on which hand will win before each deal.
You can even bet on the dealer’s hand. Even though baccarat is easy to understand and play, there are several payout options and bet types that keep it interesting. Such diversity makes baccarat an excellent choice for players who’re looking for simpler live casino gaming but still seek super wins.
Live Casino Sic Bo
Sic Bo is one of the easiest games to play. If you just learn the basic rules, you’re good to go. In the live casino version of the game, the dealer has three regular, six-sided dice in a clear glass container. The container electronically shakes the dice, and players wager and win based on the outcome of the dice and the odds displayed on the screen. When you join a table, you can scan the layout via several camera viewpoints. Tables are usually divided into big and small stakes, so choose accordingly. You’ll have to place chips according to the outcomes that you think will result from a single number, two dice, or a combination of all three dice. There’s also the safer option of betting on whether the total of the three dice will go lower or higher than the displayed limits. Casinos also show the outcomes of the last few dice rolls.
Other Live Dealer Games
Traditional land-based casino fans will enjoy the four classic live dealer games. However, there’s more on offer at the live dealer section of most casinos. These more modern games focus more on fun and entertainment value, and less on skill and strategy. Overall, players get a lively TV game show vibe. One such game is money wheel, where a wheel is spun for prizes. The game is much like roulette, but with a bigger wheel, faster gameplay, and fewer possible outcomes. Some casinos also offer live virtual sports, as well as games like Monopoly.
Fancy trying you luck on some other games that aren’t live. Try our free slots uk page, where you’ll find tons of online casinos letting you try their slots for free. Or are you interested in Scratch cards? We’ve actually put together a guide that teaches you everything you need to know about scratch cards online!
Live Casino Software
Just like free casino games that are RNG based, live dealer games are developed by different gaming studios. The gameplay, streaming quality, and studio-style and feel will depend on the software developer. Many live casino UK gaming experts choose the games they play on based on the developer that created them. Generally, there are some renowned gaming studios that you’ll be sure to get excellent game quality from every time. Some newer studios will occasionally wow you with flashes of brilliance. To make your selection process quicker, we’ve listed some of the top live casino online software developers.
Evolution Gaming – Evolution Gaming is an undoubted leader when it comes to live casino UK gaming development. Unlike the other studios on this list, Evolution solely focuses on live dealer games. As such, they have one of the largest live games libraries. They stand out with their innovative approach, HD-quality video streaming, flexible bet limits, and friendly, professional dealers. They are also an industry leader when it comes to mobile gaming.
Playtech – Playtech is one of the most experienced studios on the list. Although the studio is more famous for its RNG games, it also has several successful live dealer games to show. Their video and audio streams have adjustable quality, and their professional dealers can be reached via live chat. Their games are mobile-friendly, and players can enjoy up to three games using a multi-window feature.
NetEnt – You can’t have a comprehensive online casino gaming conversation without mentioning NetEnt. The gaming studio is normally crowned as king, but not so when it comes to live dealer game development. The studio boasts of a mobile-first live casino approach that was formed in collaboration with players. They also have flexible betting limits and a convenient live chat option. This casino is also probably the most famous slot machine developer in the world. At our website, you can find tons of free slot machines with free spins no download offers on casinos offering games from NetEnt.
Microgaming – Microgaming is a multiple award-winning trendsetter that participated in industry-changing movements, such as the creation of eCOGRA. As one of the pioneering game developers, they have a games library of more than 800 games. Some players don’t like that Microgaming has more serious dealers and no live chat feature. However, they offer some of the lowest minimum betting limits, and the ability to adjust the video quality and mute the dealer.
Extreme Live Gaming – Extreme Live Gaming is one of the new kids on the block. They are mostly known for their high-quality live dealer game selection. They are more open to exploring the boundaries of live dealer casino gaming. Their games come in HD video and can be accessed on mobile devices in both portrait and landscape mode.
VR Live Casino
Virtual reality is set to become the hottest online live casino trends from 2020 onwards. It is one form of technology that could change the face of live dealer casino gaming. Playing VR live dealer games is much like being in a real casino. Instead of viewing the dealer on your screen and hearing them through speakers, you do it via a VR headset. Virtual reality streams what each eye would see separately to create a complete picture. It also recreates slight sound delays that help people discern a sound’s location in real life to create a 3-dimensional sound profile. The result is a set of sounds and sights that provide maximum enjoyment. Players who are taking part in multiplayer live dealer games can also see each other around the table as they would in real life. Players in the live casino UK can also communicate with each other and the dealer via voice chat. The voice chat function saves you from getting caught in distracting live text chats.
Mobile Live Casino
The mobile gaming revolution has not left livecasino gaming fans behind. Improvements in mobile technology and internet speed mean that players can now enjoy the immersive live dealer gaming experience from any new mobile casino site. You not only can play live dealer games on your mobile device, but you can also make payments, contact customer support, and claim bonuses. Live casino android games can be accessed via HTML5 mobile web browsers. Players can, therefore, enjoy most live dealer games using Android devices, as well as devices that run on Blackberry, iOS, and Windows mobile operating systems. You’ll be able to access the live casino UK using popular mobile browsers like Safari, Chrome, Firefox, and Opera. Other operators provide live casino android and iOS gaming via downloadable apps. These apps offer more convenience to players who are loyal to fewer casinos and are not worried about game diversity. Dedicated apps tend to provide smoother gameplay, especially where internet speeds are an issue. They also typically have extra features, such as face ID and fingerprint unlock for quicker access to your account and bankroll. You’ll, however, be limited to fewer casinos and games. Dedicated live casino UK apps also take up lots of space in players’ devices and require occasional updates.
Live Casino FAQ
How do I win live dealer casino games?
Unlike playing luck-based games like slots and scratchcards, most live dealer games require a significant element of skill and strategy. The more you know and can apply the rules of each game to your advantage, the better your chances of winning. Also, remember to keep things light and focus on enjoying the game.
What is the most popular live casino UK game?
Most British players prefer playing live roulette, followed by blackjack. Money wheel games are also a big hit.
Is it safe and secure to play in a live casino?
Absolutely! You just have to ensure that you’re playing in a licensed casino. A license from the UKGC ensures that you are guaranteed to get recourse in case of any unfair treatment. If you’d like an extra layer of safety, you can play on casinos whose games are audited by organisations like eCOGRA and STS. SSL encryption is now standard across all casinos, but it’s safe to just check.
Can I get a no deposit live casino bonus?
Yes, some online casinos do offer no deposit bonuses exclusively to live casino UK players. If you’d like to quickly find the best of these casinos, you can take a quick peek at our casino reviews.
Can I access a live casino UK using my smartphone?
Most casinos now have mobile-friendly live dealer casino sections. The best part is most of the time you don’t have to download any software to enjoy your favourite games. You just have to fire up the live casino using your mobile browser and start playing.
