Live casino: how streamed tables work
Live casino games bring a real studio to your screen. A dealer spins a physical wheel or deals real cards while you place bets through an overlay. The format is popular because it feels closer to a land-based casino than software games do. It also comes with its own practical details — table limits, betting windows, stream quality — that are worth knowing before you join a table.
What happens behind the camera
Live games are produced by specialised studios that run dozens of tables around the clock. Cameras capture the action from several angles, and optical character recognition reads the cards or the winning number so the software can settle bets automatically. The casino you play at rents those tables; several operators may share the same dealer and the same round, each with its own players and limits.
Common live casino games
Roulette, blackjack and baccarat are the core. Blackjack tables have a fixed number of seats, so popular tables may be full; "infinite" variants let unlimited players use the same dealer hand. Game shows add a presenter, a large wheel or a board and random multipliers; they are entertaining but often carry a higher house edge than classic tables. Poker-style games such as casino hold'em are played against the dealer.
Limits and betting windows
Each table shows a minimum and maximum stake. Live tables usually have higher minimums than software versions because a human dealer is involved. You place bets during a countdown; when it ends, betting closes and the round starts. If your connection drops, the round continues without you — most studios settle the bet according to standard rules or a default decision, which is described in the table's help section.
Checks before you join a table
- Read the rules panel: payouts, side bets and what happens on disconnection.
- Compare the rule set with the classics described on our table games page.
- Check whether live games count toward any bonus — often they do not; see bonus terms.
- Decide on a budget per session; the slower pace can make sessions run long.
Live casino and player protection
Chat functions and friendly dealers make live play social, which is part of its appeal. That social element can also make it harder to leave a table. Setting a session reminder in your account helps, and the responsible gambling page lists further tools. For other formats, compare live play with slots or return to the games overview.