Live Casino Games Online - Roulette, Blackjack & Baccarat
Live casino games have completely changed online casino gaming.
You no longer click buttons while animations are running. You sit at a real table. A real dealer spins the wheel. Real cards are dealt. The action is streamed live to your screen in HD or 4K.
If you are searching for live casino games online, this guide has everything you need.
You will learn:
- How live casino gaming works
- The best live casino game for the lowest house edge
- Differences between roulette, blackjack, and baccarat
- How to reduce the casino advantage
- How to choose a safe online casino
- Which live casino games are best for beginners, pros, and high rollers
What Is Live Casino Gaming?
Live casino gaming combines traditional casino tables with modern streaming technology.
Instead of software animations, you watch a professional dealer operate a physical table in real time. You place bets digitally through the online casino interface. Optical recognition software reads the result instantly and updates your screen.
This creates transparency.
You see the wheel spin. You see the cards dealt. You see the ball land.
Live casino online gaming is expanding rapidly in mobile-first markets where players prefer real-time interaction over traditional RNG games.
Why Live Casino Games Online Are Growing So Fast
There are four main reasons.
1. Trust
Players prefer tangible outcomes to trusting invisible algorithms.
2. Lower House Edge
Many live casino games offer better mathematical odds than slots.
3. Real Atmosphere
Dealers interact with players. You can chat. You feel part of a table.
4. Mobile Optimization
Modern live casino gaming works perfectly on smartphones. You can play anywhere.
Live Casino Games Online vs Traditional Online Casino Games
| Feature | Live Casino Games | Standard Online Casino |
|---|---|---|
| Dealer | Real human | Computer |
| Transparency | Visible physical outcomes | RNG software |
| House Edge | Often lower | Often higher (slots) |
| Interaction | Chat with the dealer | No interaction |
If you want realism and control, live casino games online are superior.
Live Casino House Edge Comparison
Understanding the house edge is critical.
The house edge is the mathematical advantage the online casino has over the long term.
| Live Casino Game | House Edge |
|---|---|
| Blackjack (basic strategy) | ~0.5% |
| Baccarat – Banker | 1.06% |
| Baccarat – Player | 1.24% |
| French Roulette | 1.35% |
| European Roulette | 2.7% |
| American Roulette | 5.26% |
| Baccarat – Tie | 14%+ |
If you care about long-term mathematical efficiency, blackjack is the best live casino game.
In our comprehensive guide, we aim to take you through the different types of live games available in online casinos, familiarize you with the rules and variants, and let you in on the secrets of advanced betting strategies.
Live Casino Games – Roulette
In livestreamed roulette, cameras capture everything from the moment the dealer spins a real wheel. Players can place their bets digitally, and optical character recognition (OCR) digitizes the physical outcomes and displays them on players’ screens.
Wheel & Table Layout
European Roulette has 37 pockets where players can place their bets: numbers from 1 to 36, plus a single zero.
American Roulette has 38 pockets where players can place their bets: numbers from 1 to 36, plus a single zero and a double zero.
Types of Bets & Payouts
| Bet Type | Description | Payout | Odds (European) | Odds (American) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Straight Up | Single number | 35:1 | 2.7% | 2.63% |
| Split | Two adjacent numbers | 17:1 | 5.4% | 5.26% |
| Street | Three numbers in a row | 11:1 | 8.1% | 7.89% |
| Corner | Four intersecting numbers | 8:1 | 10.8% | 10.53% |
| Six Line | Two adjacent streets (6 numbers) | 5:1 | 16.2% | 15.79% |
| Column | 12-number vertical column | 2:1 | 32.4% | 31.58% |
| Dozen | 1-12, 13-24, or 25-36 | 2:1 | 32.4% | 31.58% |
| Red/Black | All red or black numbers | 1:1 | 48.6% | 47.37% |
| Odd/Even | All odd or even numbers | 1:1 | 48.6% | 47.37% |
| High/Low | 1-18 or 19-36 | 1:1 | 48.6% | 47.37% |
| Five-number | 0, 00, 1, 2, 3 (American only) | 6:1 | N/A | 7.89% |
Note: American roulette has a 5.26% house edge due to the extra 00 pocket.
Popular Live Roulette Variants
| Variant | Key Features | House Edge |
|---|---|---|
| European | Single zero, lower house edge | 2.7% |
| American | Double zero, higher house edge | 5.26% |
| French | ‘La Partage’ rule (half-bet returned on 0) | 1.35% |
| Speed Roulette | Faster spins, quicker gameplay | 2.7% |
Basic Strategies & Tips for Roulette
While there is mathematically no long-term winning strategy in any form of roulette (without cheating, that is), players who want to play roulette can follow a few tips and strategies to get better odds than they would get if they just bet randomly.
If you want to play roulette where the house has the lowest edge, stick to European and French wheels, and definitely avoid the Five-Number Bet on the American Roulette wheel, as it gives you the worst odds.
If you want steadier wins, stick to the so-called ‘outside bets’, like red/black, odd/even, and high/low.
Now let’s check out some strategies for a more structured play:
The Martingale System
The Martingale System is a very aggressive strategy in which you double your bet after every loss.
With this system, you can quickly recover your losses, but it is also risky, for a long losing streak can wipe out your entire bankroll.
The Fibonacci System
The Fibonacci System is a mathematical strategy, where you bet following the Fibonacci sequence: 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, 55, etc.
Start with the first few numbers, then move one step forward in the sequence when you lose, and move two steps back when you win.
This system, due to its gradual progression, results in slower losses than the Martingale System but requires much more patience.
The D’Alembert System
The D’Alembert System is for more conservative players: you increase your bet by 1 unit after a loss and decrease it by 1 unit after a win.
This system is less volatile than the Martingale System, but its profits are also smaller.
The James Bond Strategy
The James Bond Strategy is a coverage-based system in which players spread their bets to cover more than 50% of the wheel.
For example, you can spread $140 on 19-36, $50 on 13-18, and $10 on 0.
This system has a high win probability but loses if it hits 1-12.
Reverse Martingale
The Reverse Martingale, or Paroli System, is quite special because players double their bets not after losses, but after wins, and they reset after losses.
This strategy capitalizes on hot streaks, which is a double-edged sword, and only works on a winning streak.
Discover the best roulette bets and variance control in our Roulette Strategy Guide.
Live Casino Games – Blackjack
In live blackjack, players are dealt real cards from a shoe, with the dealer following strict rules (e.g., must hit on 16, stand on 17). A high-resolution camera records and streams everything to players’ devices.
How to Play Blackjack
In blackjack, players play against the dealer. The goal of the game is to get as close to 21 points as possible without going over.
Blackjack is played with one to eight standard 52-card decks. Each card has a point value. Numbered cards (2-10) are worth their face value. Jacks, Queens, and Kings are worth 10 points, and Aces are worth either 1 or 10 points, depending on which is best for the specific hand.
Each round starts with the players placing their bets. Then the dealer deals two cards to each player and two to themselves. Players’ cards are both dealt face up, but only one of the dealer’s cards is dealt face up; the other remains hidden.
After the deal, players have several actions to choose from:
- they can ‘hit’ or take another card,
- ’stand’ or keep their current cards,
- ’double own’ or double their bet to receive an additional card,
- ’split’ or split their two cards of the same rank into two hands,
- ’surrender’ or give up their bet and exit the round.
The dealer must hit until they reach 17 points or more. If a player beats the dealer without busting himself, he wins his bet 1:1, or in case he hit 21 points or ‘blackjack’, he gets paid 3:2 at most casinos.
Popular Live Blackjack Variants
- Classic Blackjack: Played with standard rules and 3:2 payouts for blackjack.
- Infinite Blackjack: Has unlimited player seats, with the same base card for all players.
- Power Blackjack: Players have the option to split up to four times.
Basic Strategies & Tips for Blackjack
While luck definitely plays a role in the game, strategy is very important in blackjack. Let’s take a look at some fundamental strategies to get you started!
There is a very simple, mathematically proven way to maximize your edge while pushing the casino’s edge down to less than 1 percent.
The optimal move depends on the information you are familiar with at any given moment: your own cards and the dealer’s up card that you can see.
Here is a detailed breakdown of every possible situation and what is the best move for them:
| Your Hand | Dealer’s Up Card | Best Move |
|---|---|---|
| 11 or lower | Any | Hit |
| 12-16 | 2-6 | Stand |
| 12-16 | 7-Ace | Hit |
| 17+ | Any | Stand |
| Soft 18 (Ace + 7) | 9-Ace | Hit |
| Pair of Aces or 8s | Any | Split |
Memorising this fundamental strategy will get you on the way to mastering blackjack.
Study our full Online Casino Blackjack Strategy Guide and play every hand optimally.
Live Casino Games – Baccarat
In live baccarat, players are dealt real cards, and everything is recorded and streamed to players’ devices by a high-resolution camera.
How to Play Baccarat
In baccarat, players bet on which of the two hands will win: the player’s or ‘punto’, or the banker’s or ‘banco’. Betting on a tie is also possible, but it is very risky. In the end, the hand closest to 9 total points wins.
The betting takes place before the cards are dealt. Betting on the player pays 1:1, betting on the banker pays 1:1 minus 5 percent commission, and ties usually pay 8:1 or 9:1.
Both the player and the banker get dealt two cards, which are face-up in casinos, but can also be face-down in some VIP rooms, so only the players can see by lifting them up, like in poker.
This is where the rules might get a bit confusing, so pay careful attention.
Third Card Rule
A third card might be dealt, depending on fixed rules, meaning that the player has no choice here.
The third card is dealt based on the total point value of the hand: Aces are worth 1 point, numbered cards from 2 to 9 are worth their face value, and cards from 10 to King are worth 0.
If the points of a hand add up to 10 or more, only the last digit counts. For example, if the total is 15, it is only worth 5 points.
If the player’s hand is worth 5 points or less, the player gets dealt a third card.
If the player’s hand is worth 6 or 7 points, he does not get any more cards; he ‘stands’.
If the player’s hand is worth 8 or 9 or a ‘natural’, he wins automatically, unless the banker also has 8 or 9 points. If both have naturals, the higher one wins; otherwise, it’s a tie.
The banker’s move depends on the player’s third card, assuming he got one:
| Banker’s Hand | Draws if Player’s 3rd Card is: | Stands if Player’s 3rd Card is: |
|---|---|---|
| 0–2 | Always draws | – |
| 3 | 1–7, 9, 0 | 8 |
| 4 | 2–7 | 1, 8, 9, 0 |
| 5 | 4–7 | 1–3, 8, 9, 0 |
| 6 | 6–7 | 1–5, 8, 9, 0 |
| 7 | Always stands | – |
For example, if the player has ♠3 and 4♥, he has 7 points, so he stands and gets no more cards. The banker has K♦ and 2♣, he has 2 points, so he has to draw a third card He draws 7♠, making his total points 9, beating the player, because he got closer to 9 points.
After the hands are evaluated, payouts are made. In case of a tie, bets on the player or the banker ‘push’, meaning that they get returned with no profit or loss.
As players only have a choice at the beginning of each round when they bet, casinos usually automate everything else, so players don’t have to memorize this quite complicated system.
Popular Live Baccarat Variants
- Punto Banco: The most common baccarat variant with strict rules.
- Speed Baccarat: Baccarat with faster rounds and quicker results.
- Squeeze Baccarat: Baccarat where dealers reveal cards intentionally slowly for more drama.
Basic Strategies & Tips for Baccarat
While luck definitely plays a role in baccarat, strategy is very important. Let’s take a look at some fundamental strategies to get you started!
If you want to have the best odds without learning a whole betting system, just make sure to always bet the banker, because with that bet, the casino only has a 1.06 percent edge compared to the 1.24 percent edge of a player bet.
Also, you should never bet on a tie, because the house has a 14.4 percent edge, which is by far the worst odds any casino game has.
Additionally, you should ignore the illusion of patterns: each hand in baccarat is completely independent, so no ‘hot’ or ‘cold’ streaks exist, really.
Learn why the Banker bet offers the best long-term odds in our complete Baccarat Strategy Guide.
How to Get Started with Live Dealer Games
If you have reached this far in our article, you should already know that live dealer casino games are very similar to playing in a real casino: professional dealers conduct the games, streamed from studios or real casino floors to your screen.
If you feel you are ready to play, find a reputable online casino; many offer live games. Before playing, make sure that your casino operator has a working license and low-latency streams to deliver real-time action.
Check out our best online casino offers for the best casino bonuses and play the best live casino games online!
Final Thoughts – Is Live Casino Gaming Worth It?
If you want transparency, better odds than slots, and real dealer interaction, live casino games online are the best option in modern online casino gaming.
- Choose your game wisely.
- Understand the house edge.
- Play responsibly, treat live casino online play as entertainment, not a way to make money.
