If you are not au fait with all things online gambling, you might not be aware of exactly what live dealer games are.
However, if you know anything about casinos, you have probably heard of the term ‘house-edge’.
Just in case you are not, Investopedia explains house edge as: “The house edge, which is the odds advantage in the casino’s favor, represents the average gross profit that the casino can reliably expect to make from each game.
“On the games with the lowest house edge, a casino might be generating a meager profit of anywhere from around 0.5% to a bit over 2%.”
Looking at it like that, it means that, no matter what you do, the house always wins.
Casinos, whether online or brick-and-mortar, are businesses that are there to make money.
As long as a player does not forget that, a lot of fun can be had when playing online games.
Most forms of entertainment come at a cost, and online gambling is no exception.
The only difference is that there is a chance you might win some cash along the way.
Regardless of house edge, people do win at casinos, and some people win vast sums, while others win tiny payouts.
However, the overwhelming reason that people play at online casinos is for enjoyment and entertainment.
So, when we think about live dealer games, it is the fun and seeming magic that gives the casino the house edge, as it is an almost irresistible format that brings people back to a site to try their luck again.
What is live dealer gaming?
If you are not familiar with live dealer gaming, it is the closest experience to being on a casino floor, all from the comfort of your home or while on the move.
Rather than playing a video simulation of a game with pre-programmed algorithmic outcomes, players pit themselves against each other and a human dealer in real time.
One of the fantastic things is that all the action takes place without the need for any peripheral kit – just your phone or computer and a stable internet connection, and you can pull up a seat at a virtual casino table and enjoy the fun.
Live dealer games are particularly suited for casino games like roulette, poker, and blackjack, where players pit their wits (and luck) against a human dealer and live roulette is the most popular.
They often play alongside other remote players, creating an exciting environment that requires real skill to master.
This is not like playing online slots, where a player is usually just relying on luck; audio-visual play involves a degree of skill and calculation too.
These casino games bring an authentic experience, and the interaction with a live dealer rather than an automated machine creates the impression of one-on-one play rather than battling against a random number generator.
Ironically, the odds are no better, the house edge remains with the casino, but the sensation of playing and betting live creates an entirely different experience.
While the production costs of this kind of gaming are high, the attraction is enormous.
For operators in this market who get this right, the rewards are generous.
Logistically, game developers need studios worldwide to deliver 24/7 operations, and running costs are higher than those for simple video simulations.
However, the financial returns for those who succeed are impressive.
Playing it safe
Many people who might not have considered playing online video gambling games are attracted to the thrill of the live dealer audio-visual experience.
However, as with everything in the online gambling world, players need to proceed with caution, as there are bad operators who promise the world but do not deliver.
Unfortunately, it is relatively easy to set up a rogue live dealer operation with a few well-placed cameras, a domain name and some form of payment platform.
A bogus or fraudulent site could have the house edge for all the wrong reasons.
Finding reputable sites
With this relatively new craze sweeping the nation, players need to be savvy and avoid untrustworthy sites.
Gambling review sites like OnlineCasino.co.uk have been researching and reviewing gambling sites for decades.
While live dealer gambling might be a relatively new phenomenon, the principles to help igamers play at a trusted UK casino remain the same.
These industry experts put the live dealer sites through the same rigorous test procedures that they have been using and adapting for decades to ensure that the sites they recommend are legal, fair and safe.
Customer experience
Even with the best will in the world, things do not always go to plan.
If you were in a real bricks and mortar casino, nightclub, or other attraction in Kingston or Croydon and you had a problem, you could ask to speak to the manager and hopefully get things sorted out there and then.
However, while live dealer establishments operate and are tailored to individual countries, they are usually run out of studios on the other side of the world.
If something is amiss, it is essential that there are accessible and responsive customer service agents.
Players also need to be able to get their hands on their winnings in a timely manner and make secure deposits and withdrawals.
Keep a cool head despite the excitement
The advice is, as with all online services, to proceed with caution and make sure everything is as it should be.
It is often worth contacting customer services even before you make a deposit, just to check that a site is authentic.
With all the excitement of interacting with other players in real time, it is crucial not to lose your head.
Do not get involved in games until you are sure of the rules and have had a few trial games.
Great sites will offer free demo versions of games (even if they are video simulations).
When it comes to house-edge, the casino already has an advantage over you, so do not let your impulsivity override your common sense.
Play wisely, for fun, and never gamble more than you can afford to lose.
Feature image: Free to use from Unsplash
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