Perhaps more than in any other casino game medium, live dealer games are affected drastically by the software provider, making the difference between feeling like a voyeur and feeling like you’re actually there. This feeling of immersion is the chief factor in live dealer games being so exciting – the real-time interaction with real-life people. So, you need to make sure you’re getting the most out of the experience, by playing with the best.
From the perspective of the provider, these games are technically complex, requiring top level audio visual recording equipment, live, error free and swift camera work and top spec studios. Anything less just doesn’t cut it, so choose games that have received a large amount of investment (cash, time and talent) from developers who have the capability and experience to achieve perfection.
Below you will find a complete guide to live casino games. We have literally spent hundreds of hours playing these for real money and know the providers, casinos and games inside out. Almost everything is fact based, but of course we also share our educated opinion about which games we think provide the best playing experience. Enjoy!
Lightning Roulette from Evolution Gaming
Lightning Roulette is one of several exciting novelties presented by Evolution Gaming at ICE 2018 in London. On top of standard inside and outside bets, this European Roulette variant offers an interesting and potentially highly lucrative extra. Uniquely decorated studio features a large background installation consisting of 37 numbered panels corresponding to slots on the Roulette wheel. In each round, lightning strikes 1 to 5 numbers to boost their respective payouts to a minimum of x50 and a maximum of x500. If the winning number happens to be one of the randomly chosen lucky numbers and is covered by your Straight Up bet, you’ll get to collect one of these hefty rewards.
Unique visual effects and dramatic soundtrack truly make the atmosphere electrifying, and talkative hosts acting like TV presenters make the experience highly entertaining. Lightning Roulette being an Evolution product means players get to enjoy an impressive streaming quality and plenty of features offered via an intuitive interface. One can choose among multiple bet placement options and benefit from advanced statistics offering outcomes of the last 500 rounds. The game features an RTP of 97.30%.
Double Ball Roulette from Evolution Gaming
Double Ball Roulette comes with a small but significant addition. Having spun the wheel, the dealer will release not one but two balls in the same direction. You’ll win on your inside bet when at least one ball lands on the corresponding number, and in case they both do, your payout will be doubled.
\To win an outside bet, both balls need to land in pockets which satisfy the bet. Racetrack has been offered for placing Neighbour bets, and Favourite and Special Bets button provided for saving one’s favourite wagers and placing special ones such as Finale En Plein, Finale A Cheval, and Complete Bets. Payouts vary compared to your regular European Roulette game, so that Straight Up bets pay 17:1, Even / Odd and High / Low wagers 3:1, and two balls landing on the selected number deliver as much as 1,300:1.
Three Card Poker from Evolution Gaming
Evolution's Three Card Poker uses a single deck and allows the dealer to qualify with a Queen High or better. The goal is to outperform your opponent with a 3-card poker hand and as the result collect up to 5:1 for a Mini Royal (A-K-Q suited). Do note that in this game Straight outranks Flush. Players can additionally place optional Pair Plus and 6 Card Bonus bets. The first pays for a pair or higher and can deliver up to 100:1 for a Mini Royal. The second wins when the player’s and the dealer’s cards form a 5-card poker hand, and as the result cash out as much as 1,000:1 for a Royal Flush, even if you fold and your opponent wins.
While trying to add 3 more zeros to your bottom line, make sure to enjoy all benefits Evolution games deliver as a rule, including ta beautiful studio design, superb video and audio quality, an easy-to-use interface, Live Chat and numerous other functionalities.
Caribbean Stud Poker from Evolution Gaming
Caribbean Stud is Evolution’s variant of Texas Hold'em Poker catering to an unlimited number of players. The dealer hands out 5 cards to player position and the same number to themselves, qualifying with an A-K or higher. While your call bet has the potential to earn you up to 100:1, two optional bets could further boost the reward. The 5+1 Bonus bet wins when your 5 cards plus the dealer’s up card form a 5-card poker hand of three-of-a-kind or better. Should they form a Royal Flush, you’ll be paid 1,000:1. One can also place Jackpot side bet and potentially share a large progressive jackpot or claim one of the related fixed prizes.
Detailed game rules are available within the game, along with options to adjust video and audio output, view one’s own history, and chat with Evolution’s well-trained, professional dealers. Production quality is, as expected, high and ensures a smooth and authentic live gaming experience. The game comes with an optimal RTP of 96.30%, RTP for 5+1 Bonus bet of 91.44%, and RTP for Jackpot side bet of 81.84%.
Texas Hold'em Bonus from Evolution Gaming
Evolution's Texas Hold'em Bonus Poker uses a single deck and accommodates an infinite number of players playing the same hand. Optional Bonus bet is evaluated based on the player’s and the dealer’s initial cards and pays for pairs as well as A-Q, A-J, and A-K suited and unsuited combos. If both you and your opponent get dealt a pair of Aces, you’ll receive a massive return on your investment of 1,000:1. This game additionally features First 5 Jackpot side bet which allows you to win a share of a hefty progressive jackpot for Royal Flush. At the same time, three-of-a-kind through to Straight Flush deliver fixed payouts.
Texas Hold’em Bonus Poker plays in a tastefully decorated, multi-table environment which resembles that of a land-based casino. The usual high streaming quality ensures there’s no freezing of the video, and professional dealers employed by Evolution Gaming act as engaging hosts. RTP of the main game is 97.96% based on Ante bet and 99.47% based on total bet, while the one for Bonus bet is 91.46%.
Russian Poker from BetConstruct
BetConstruct offers a variant of Oasis Poker called Russian Poker, allowing an unlimited number of players to wager on 3 available positions. The middle one is your main box, while those on either side are played blind. Dealer needs a minimum of A-K to qualify. The game offers a wide range of options on top of the usual ones. For example, you’ll be able to exchange any of your 5 cards and buy a 6th one at a cost equal to your Ante bet. You can also insure against the dealer failing to qualify, and even pay to buy their qualification – quite unique!
The game additionally offers an optional Bonus bet on the player’s (B) or the dealer’s (D) hand. The respective paytable starts modestly with 1:1 for an Ace-King, but goes as high as 1,000:1 for a Royal Flush. Bonus bet B loses if bonus combination hasn’t been dealt or if it was formed after an exchange of cards or a purchase of an additional one. Bonus bet D loses when there is no bonus combination in the dealer’s hand and when your opponent buys qualification.
Live Dream Catcher by Evolution Gaming
Dream Catcher is a lively wheel-of-fortune type of game playing out of a TV-quality studio and hosted by charming and talkative ladies and gentlemen. Colourful wheel consists of 54 segments marked either with a number (1, 2, 5, 10, 20 or 40) or a x2 / x7 multiplier. You’ll win when the wheel stops at your chosen number while multiplier segments act as bonus spins and multiply your next win. If the wheel stops on a multiplier several times in a row, all bets remain in place and multipliers stack. This can go on practically forever, or rather until the amount reaches default maximum win of 40,000,000.
Blackjack from BetConstruct
BetConstruct has provided a classic 7-seat Blackjack variant offering to pay significantly more than the usual maximum of 3:2. It comes with 3 optional side bets, those being Perfect Pairs, Honey Bonus and Lucky 7. The first wins when your initial cards form a pair and pays up to 25:1.
Honey Bonus is based on a 3-card hand formed by your two cards and the dealer’s up card, pays for Suited Blackjack, Flush, Straight, and three-of-kind, and delivers a maximum of 20:1. Lucky 7 wins if your first card is a 7 and pays based on the number of consecutive 7’s dealt. Line up three of them in succession and the house will cash out 500:1.
As far as basic rules go, you’ll find that dealer stands on 17, players can double down, split, surrender their initial hand by giving up half of their wager, and buy insurance against the dealer’s Ace. Smart Player feature helps you out by issuing a warning when your intended action carries a risk of losing – at least according to the standard strategy.
