Live Dealer Games
Live casino games come in a broad array of formats, covering the full gamut of casino classics and even delivering innovative new options, such as virtual game shows. Let’s take a look at some of the games you can expect at good live casinos.
Live Blackjack
There’s a special thrill that comes from taking on a real dealer when you’re playing live blackjack. The classic version of the card game is available, but you can also explore live casino variants like the fast-paced Speed Blackjack, high-stakes VIP Blackjack and the unashamedly fun Blackjack Party where you’ll find music and lively chat that ramps up the social factor.
Live Roulette
Live roulette is a fantastic alternative to RNG-based roulette games you’ll find at top online casinos, not least because there’s something inimitable about watching a real ball spin around the classic black and red pockets.
Along with traditional versions of the game, like American Roulette and European Roulette, one of the most popular live variants is Lightning Roulette, taking place in a glitzy, golden studio and giving players the chance to win massively multiplied payouts. Keep an eye out for Immersive Roulette, which uses movie-like camera angles to enrich the experience with sheer immersion.
Live Poker
Thanks to live dealer casinos, you get to enjoy the buzz of casino poker without worrying about revealing any tells. If Texas Hold’em is your bag, you can take a virtual seat at the table and see what the human dealer will lay out for you.
Fancy something a little quicker? Three Card Poker is a fast-paced variant which is ideal for poker newbies. A particularly novel take on the game is Side Bet City, which has an ‘80s Las Vegas’ aesthetic and is a great example of how innovative live casino games can be.
Live Game Shows
You’re certainly not limited to classic table games when you enter the best live dealer casinos in Ireland. Here are some game show-style titles to look out for.
Monopoly Live
Yes, the iconic property trading board game has had the online casino treatment. The gameplay involves a live host spinning a vast Monopoly-themed wheel, with players betting on where it will come to a halt. There’s also a bonus game which makes use of a colourful, virtual reality version of the classic Monopoly board, complete with an animated Mr Monopoly who scampers around before your eyes.
Deal or No Deal
Ever wanted to match wits with the Banker in Deal or No Deal? Now you can, thanks to the live casino version of the great game show. Players are faced with 16 sealed briefcases containing different amounts of money. As briefcases are opened and the Banker calls to tempt you with his offers, you’ll have to make edge-of-the-seat judgment calls and hopefully come away with big winnings.
Mega Ball
This vibrant game follows lottery-like mechanics and provides a serious jolt of excitement. To play, you simply purchase a select number of bingo-style cards which contain grids of numbers. You then watch as balls are randomly drawn from a custom-made machine, keeping your fingers crossed that the numbers match with paylines on your cards. Multipliers up to 100x are unleashed after the last balls are drawn, significantly upping the ante.
Other Games
There are even more ways to lap up the live dealer experience. Here are some other games you can explore.
Live Craps
For a long time, cynics dismissed the idea of live dealer craps, believing the game’s complex rules and social elements couldn’t be replicated by streaming alone. Thankfully, the dream has now become a reality, with Evolution’s version of the dice game whisking you into a sultry, speakeasy-style studio. You can even play in ‘Easy Mode’ which simplifies the rules for new players; the perfect way to get to grips with the game.
Live Baccarat
Don’t be fooled by its formidable reputation: baccarat is as simple as it is glamorous. In effect, it’s like playing slots with cards, with players simply betting on what will be drawn next. As you can imagine, there are multiple variants available, including the dynamic and immersive Multi-Camera Baccarat, and the energetic Speed Baccarat.
Live Poker
Thanks to live dealer casinos, poker fans can enjoy the buzz of a casino without worrying about revealing any tells. If Texas Hold’em is your bag, take a virtual seat at the table and see what the dealer will lay out for you. Or if you fancy something with a quicker tempo, Three Card Poker is an energetic variant, ideal for new players of the game looking to get up to speed.
For a particularly novel take on the game, check out Evolution’s Side Bet City, which has an ‘80s Las Vegas aesthetic and is a great example of how innovative live casino games can be.
One of the most popular live dealer poker games is Casino Hold’em, which follows a similar format to Texas Hold’em but with a few differences. The first is that this is a game between dealer and player only – there are no other participants at the table.
Cards are dealt as they would be in a game of Texas, with two personal cards followed by three community cards. Before laying down the ante or blind, players must make a decision as to whether they want to utilise the game’s unique side bet. This pays out when players are able to form a pair of aces or better from their hand and the first three community cards.
Live Sic Bo
Translated from the Chinese for precious dice, sic bo is an ancient game of chance played with three dice. It involves making bets on the outcome of the roll of the three dice, such as a bet that the total value of the dice will be above ten. Sic bo players have a choice of a bunch of different bets, all of which result in a simple win or loss outcome.