How Live Casinos Operate

1Main Video Stream

The main video stream gives players a real-time glimpse into the live games as they are being conducted. It occupies most of the screen space, showing how the dealers shuffle the decks, deal the cards, and spin the roulette wheels.

The main gaming controls are usually positioned under the video screen allowing you to post bets and indicate your playing decisions. The quality of the video stream is often automatically adjusted although players normally have the option to manually customize it according to their individual system and connectivity specifications.

2Betting Timer

The betting timer is important because, in lived-streamed games, you usually have a limited time to post your bets before the next round of play commences. Some live tables like Playtech’s Speed Roulette have incredibly short betting times, with players having only 11 seconds before the next round starts.

The betting timer informs you about the current status of a given game round by showing you when bets are accepted, how much time you have left, and when the table is no longer open for wagering.

3Bet Limits Panel

The Bet Limits panel indicates the minimum and maximum amounts players are permitted to bet at each table. This is important because often the same type of game is available with different table limits to accommodate a broader range of player budgets.

Note that in some games like live roulette, for example, the allowed minimums and maximums also differ between the different categories of supported wagers. You need to hover your cursor over the table limits to reveal all minimums and maximums for the respective table. In some cases, you have the option to pin this information on top of the main video screen.

4Virtual Table Layout

The virtual table layout is where you post the chips for your wagers. In card games like live blackjack, the layout is usually rather clean as it only features the betting spots where chips are posted along with the current totals of your hands. Live games like roulette, on the other hand, have more cluttered virtual layouts because they contain the table layouts for inside and outside wagers along with a racetrack for the call bets.

5Virtual Chip Display

The virtual chip display enables players to select the value of the chips they want to wager on the layout. Your current balance and the value of your total bet(s) are displayed in the screen’s corner. Some platforms, like the one created by Evolution Gaming, only display chip denominations covered by your current balance. If you presently only have $250 in your real-money balance, the $500 and $1,000 chips will be deactivated until you refund your account.

1Choosing a Table

Choosing a table in the lobby is the first step you must go through. Your choice should be based on your bankroll and the bet sizing you feel comfortable with. The last thing you should do is overbet your live casino bankroll as this could quickly leave you with a depleted balance.

The good news is table limits are usually flexible enough to accommodate all budgets. The table limits are displayed in the thumbnail of each game. Once you make a pick, click on your chosen game’s thumbnail and then on the “Sit Here” button to take a seat. Your preferred screen name will appear directly beneath your seat. Games like live roulette can accommodate an unlimited number of players.

2Adjusting The Video Quality

Adjusting the video quality may be necessary if your Internet connection is not on par with the platform’s recommended requirements. As a rule of thumb, any connection under 500 kbps will cause you to experience lags or interruptions. The stream’s quality is often adjusted automatically but you have the option to change it yourself if you happen to experience any lags. In the main, you have a choice from low, medium, and HD quality.

3Adjusting Your Bet Size

The next step is adjusting your bet size. You can choose from different chip values and combine them to adjust your wager. The most commonly available denominations include 1, 5, 25, 100, 500, and 1,000 units in the respective supported currency. Keep in mind larger denominations are disabled when your balance is insufficient and cannot cover them.

4Posting Bets

Posting bets is made easy thanks to the intuitive interface most live casino platforms offer. Click on your preferred denomination to select it and then post your chips in your corresponding betting box on the virtual layout. Click repeatedly to increase your bet by the value of your selected chip denomination.

For example, if you use the $5 denomination, you can wager $15 with three clicks. Remember you have a limited time to post your wagers in between rounds. Keep track of the timer that shows you how much time you have left until the table closes for betting.

5Doubling Your Bets

Doubling your bets becomes available after you have posted at least one wager previously. It usually reads “2x” so it is easy to spot. It works to the advantage of progressive bettors as it automatically doubles their last wager. Each consecutive click or tap doubles all wagers on the table up to the maximum limit. Of course, you need to have a sufficient real-money balance for this purpose.

6Repeat the Bet

Willing to repeat the bet you made during the previous round? You can do it without stacking your chips in the betting box manually. The Repeat Bet button allows you to do just that and is particularly useful whenever you have posted multiple wagers during the last round, as commonly occurs in games like Sic Bo and roulette. This function gets deactivated if you place a chip manually, though. It is very handy from the perspective of flat bettors and system players.

7Bet Settling

Bet settling is performed automatically by the live casino software after the end of each round. Of course, the dealer would verbally announce the result and congratulate the winners. The software would automatically deduct the sum you have lost from your balance or credit your winnings if the round was successful for you.