Live casino games have taken the world by storm. From classic table games to TV-style titles, playing for the first time requires a few key pointers to get you off to a flying start.
South Africa loves a game show. From titles like Noot vir Noot to The Weakest Link, its screens have been populated with them for years. Yet now the game show can come to the home, allowing people to play from behind a device without leaving their sitting room. This is the world of live casino titles, and with just a device and connectivity, it is easy to get involved if you know the basics.
What Are Live Casino Games?
When you play standard online casino games, it can be quite an isolated affair. Results are also created by a random number generator, which many people believe may not always be random. When you play live casino games, you will see a screen that hosts a live feed of a croupier in a studio. They operate casino games as they would in a real brick-and-mortar establishment. You can then make decisions, place wagers and bets using the built-in software.
Live casino games are a fairly new genre in the casino pantheon. While the idea has been around for some time, it has only been recent leaps forward in connectivity and smartphone adoption that have really allowed them to be played at scale. This has allowed online casinos such as Jackpot City to bridge the gap between the social aspect of a real casino and the convenience of playing from a device.
The Types of Live Casino Games
If you have a favourite table game, then chances are you can get a live version of it. From blackjack to roulette, you will also find multiple methods in which to play. Titles such as Lightning Roulette speed up the game, while Gate of Olympus roulette incorporate themes from popular slot franchises.
There are even games that are lesser known and quite geospecific. For example, titles such as Teen Patti, popular on the Indian subcontinent, can be played live. Add to his other titles like Andar Bahar and Sic Bo, and these games suddenly have a really international library.
Gameshow Style Titles
Yet where these games really come into their own are the gameshow-style titles. Arguably, the most popular of these is Crazy Time by Evolution Gaming. They are one of the foremost developers of live games, with a huge catalogue. Many people often name them the kings of the genre, and they currently hold around 45% of the live casino game market.
At any one time, around 14,640 people can be playing Crazy Time, usually on Fridays and the weekends. The game’s popularity may lie in its four bonus rounds. These give a huge variation, and include ways to win money through events like Plinko and coin flips. It recently launched in Connecticut in the US, and Jacob Claesson, CEO of North America at Evolution, noted that “Crazy Time has captivated players across the globe with its immersive format and high entertainment value.” Yet most South African casinos, such as Jackpot City, will have it ready for people to play.
Some of these titles are even a hybrid, mixing genres. Red Baron Live is one game which takes the crash gaming concept, in which you have to guess if a plane will carry on flying to win multipliers and boost your total, or if you will cash out before it crashes to the ground. In this game, it is determined by coloured balls drawn at random from a machine. This also gives it a bingo-style edge, blending genres seamlessly.
Live Casino Etiquette
When you are playing digital games, the titles tend to run at your own pace. This gives you plenty of time to make decisions, recap on the rules and use strategy. Yet with live casino, you have a host and other players waiting for your move. This is why it helps to know a little about the game already, so you can pick up the pace. Luckily, live casino games do often have spectator modes so you can jump in on the action and watch.
You also have a higher level of interaction here. The host or hostess can talk to you, and you can respond through the chat function. This does bring its own issues, and you must always remember to be polite and courteous. Don’t use foul or abusive language, and keep your cool if you lose or things don’t go to plan. This is a form of entertainment, not a way to make money, and you should only gamble what you can afford to lose.
Live casino gaming is an exciting concept. If you don’t want to stare at pixelated representations, then watch a stream from a studio with real people interacting. With so many games on offer, there will surely be something you like.
