Top Rated Live Dealer Casinos & Games 2023
Engage in Live Dealer Online Casino Games
There are numerous social reasons to visit a live casino in Indiana. Of course, the potential for a significant win at the tables is a draw. But, you also get to enjoy an evening of entertainment, seated alongside fellow gamblers and engaging with the dealers.
Live dealer rooms in online casinos now have the capability to replicate real games, which are streamed live. This allows you to place bets through your computer or mobile device while watching the game. Additionally, you have the opportunity to interact with the dealers or other players as you gamble.
Although you’ll never fully replicate the live casino experience, these games are significantly more social and entertaining than the traditional software-based table games.
Should Indiana ever expand its online gambling to include casino gaming, I anticipate the addition of live dealer table games. This guide examines the games offered in states such as NJ and PA, explaining their mechanics. Live dealer table games enjoy immense global popularity. Once you try them, traditional player vs software games may start to seem obsolete!
Live Dealer versus Traditional Online Gaming
Not long ago, to play casino games on your computer, you had to download a dedicated software package. Now, these games can be accessed through apps or directly in your browser window.
Blackjack holds the distinction of being the first casino game to go online. In 1994, MicroGaming unveiled a basic software version of the game. Nowadays, you can watch a dealer deal the cards in real time and place bets from a distance by simply clicking or dragging and dropping chips.
Table games with live dealers operate either with individual players making decisions about their own hands, or with one player against many.
In blackjack, each table has 7 seats. You will be dealt your own hand and you can sometimes occupy 2 spots. You will decide on your actions by yourself.
Games such as Ultimate Texas Hold’em follow a one-to-many format. The dealer distributes a single ‘player hand’, and numerous players wager on the result. To cater to players who choose different actions, hands are played to completion.
Live dealer games are timed to maintain the pace of the action. You typically have 15 seconds to determine your action or place your starting bet.
This can cause a delay at a 7-seat blackjack table, particularly during those hands where each player has to make multiple decisions.
Should you disconnect, live dealer casinos will not pause for your return. Depending on the game, your hand could be folded, or you might miss the upcoming bet.
Live Dealer Game Types
Live dealer rooms typically offer the most popular table games. Usually, you have a selection of tables with various dealers; some accommodate high limit bets while others start at $1 and increase. The stakes for these games are generally higher than the regular table games. This is because the cost of maintaining a live dealer has to be offset.
Below is a list of the most popular Live Dealer games:
- Blackjack: This game is the most popular at live dealer casinos, just as it is in physical casinos.
- Baccarat: This game favored by high-rollers is played in a one-to-many format.
- Roulette: Variations exist that include dealers or a live yet automatic wheel.
- Ultimate Texas Hold’em is among various poker variants found in live dealer rooms at casinos. Other examples include Casino Hold’em, 3-Card Poker, and Caribbean Stud.
Below, I have explained how each of these games works in live dealer casinos:
Live Dealer Blackjack
Upon entering the lobby of a live dealer casino, you’ll quickly notice that blackjack is the most favored game. A majority of the tables follow the same rules, the primary difference being the stake levels. Anticipate minimum bets ranging from $1 to $2, and maximum bets that can reach into the hundreds of dollars.
The games you’re participating in have seven seats. Your initial responsibility is to find an available seat that matches your stake level. If you enter in the middle of a hand, you’ll need to stand by until the next one commences.
The process begins with a line of chips displayed across the screen. To place your bet, you must drag and drop your selected denomination of chips onto the betting area. If you make an error, you can simply click on the ‘undo’ arrow. You also have the option to individually place chips on side bet squares. The type of side bets available, such as perfect pairs, varies depending on the casino.
In live dealer rooms, the cards used are larger than standard casino cards. Every player receives two cards. The dealer also checks for blackjack before the players take their actions.
Your options will appear overlaid on the table and you must decide whether to hit, stand, split or double before the 10 to 15 second time limit (which is also displayed) runs out.
This cycle continues for each action of every player, prior to the dealer showing her cards and either hitting or standing as dictated by the rules.
The software automatically settles winning bets, while all cards are removed by the dealer.
Once again, you’ll notice the chips appearing, with the option to either rebet the same stake or double your last bet. Be aware that there are less common versions of blackjack that are played one to many.
These enable numerous people to wager on the same hand, which is played until it is completed.
Live Dealer Roulette
Live dealer rooms are an excellent setting for roulette. It offers various versions, predominantly using the US wheel that features two zero pockets.
Although this option is extremely popular, there are less operating tables for it than for blackjack. This is due to the fact that numerous individuals can place bets on the same spin without interfering with each other.
The chip denominations will be displayed on your screen, and you can select the one you wish to use by clicking on it.
The standard roulette betting area permits you to wager on individual numbers, pairs of numbers, corners, or outside bets such as black/red and thirds. Remember, you are on a timer. If you fail to place your bets before the countdown ends, the spin will proceed without your participation.
Any mistakes can be undone, and all your bets can be cleared to start afresh. Once your pattern is set, a single click allows you to replicate it on every wheel spin.
The live dealer croupier will initiate the game by spinning the wheel and setting the ball in motion. Once the ball stops, a plastic dolly will be positioned on the studio’s felt, mimicking the process in a live casino.
Though thousands of chips from different players may be present, these are ‘virtual’, so the felt in the studio will remain clear.
The software automatically pays out winning bets. In some casinos, you will notice a list of winners and their respective winnings scrolling up the side of your screen.
Several variations of live dealer roulette are available:
- Auto-Roulette games, which are roulette tables that spin automatically, can also be found in live casinos. They serve as great alternatives when the dealt games are not in operation.
- Immersive Roulette is a name trademarked by Evolution Gaming, a company that operates live dealer studios outside of the US. However, the concept is widely recognized. It’s essentially a standard roulette game featuring a live dealer, but it also includes slow-motion replays and additional special effects.
- Live Dealer Casinos: Special tables for players wishing to bet $100+ per spin are often available at high limit roulette.
Live Dealer Baccarat:
Baccarat is a perfect match for live dealer casinos due to its easy one-to-many gameplay and one of the lowest house-edge scores in any casino game.
The main bets offer only three choices: Player, Banker, or Tie. Seasoned players tend to steer clear of the tie bet despite its larger payouts due to its significantly higher house-edge compared to the other two options. Some live dealer casinos also offer additional side-bets.
In live dealer Baccarat, your sole responsibility is to decide where to place your bet and the amount to wager. You can do this by selecting the chip denomination, after which, the dealer will conclude the hand.
Like the other games, bets are automatically settled, and you have the option to ‘rebet’ if you wish to duplicate for the subsequent hand.
High-roller options are available at Baccarat tables. The fact that multiple players can bet on the same hands ensures that even the smallest stakes are not restrictive.
Live Dealer Ultimate Texas Hold'em
This prevalent variant of casino poker is currently accessible in states that have regulated online casinos in Indiana. Similar to numerous other casino poker card games, it functions effectively in a one-to-many format.
The dealer will engage in one hand against a ‘player’. Even if you choose to fold, the hand will continue to its conclusion. This allows individuals who want to place varying bets the opportunity to do so.
Initiating a game of Live Dealer Ultimate Texas Hold’em begins with placing two identical bets.
One is the Ante, while the other is the Blind Bet.
Next, two cards are dealt to you which are shared with all the players. You are given an opportunity to either check (wait for the next betting round) or bet four units equivalent to your ante. If you choose to bet, you will not take any more actions until the hand concludes.
The dealer proceeds to deal a 3-card flop. You now have the option to bet 2 units or continue by checking. The final round follows once the turn and river cards have been dealt.
You have the top 5 card hand out of 7 cards in total. Now, you have the choice to either fold or bet just one unit.
Once all the betting has been finalized, the dealer discloses her two cards. If your hand surpasses the dealer’s, your payout will be determined by the rank of the hand you’ve created.
The blind bet only yields a payout if the dealer qualifies with at least a pair. Numerous casinos also provide a jackpot side-bet to accompany the primary action.
After each hand, a list of winners will scroll up your screen. You will see the chips appear on your screen, giving you the option to rebet or select different stakes.
Live Dealer’s Social Aspects
Playing regular table games can be fun, but they lack a social component or interaction. However, if you play at a live dealer casino in Indiana, you will have access to a text chat feed.
The dealer and other players can see this. While some players consistently use it to grumble about bad beats, most individuals are enjoyable.
Dealers will be operational and not engaging in text chats, but they can and will respond to your messages.
At times, the atmosphere can be quite entertaining when you see the cards being cut and dealt in real time and share experiences like the dealer busting in Blackjack.
Traditional Casino Table Games
The vintage software games operated at the speed you desired to play them. If you didn’t take action, the game would essentially pause, anticipating your return – thereby making timeout problems a challenge.
If you are disconnected mid-hand, the games will typically restore the state when you manage to log back on.
Another aspect of software-based games is the significantly greater variety they offer. Casinos cannot feasibly provide a live dealer for every variation of blackjack or type of casino poker – the number of potential games is just too vast.
Although live dealer games offer side bets, the selection is more limited compared to software-based casino games.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Live Dealer Casinos
Having understood how these games function, it’s clear why they enjoy such popularity in other states. When they finally make their way to Indiana, it’s important for you to weigh both their advantages and disadvantages.
The key benefits include:
- Social: You will have the opportunity to play with numerous other individuals, interacting with them as well as the dealers.
- Rewritten: Any concerns about the fairness of software-based games will vanish when you see the cards being shuffled and dealt right before your eyes.
- Game Selection: Numerous tables are available for your choice. You can effortlessly switch tables or games with a simple click of your mouse.
Consider the following minor drawbacks:
- Risk of Time Out: Unlike games that rely on software, live dealers won’t pause for you to reconnect. Therefore, you must ensure a stable internet connection prior to playing.
- Gaming at a Slower Pace: The action tends to slow down a bit when waiting for others to act, particularly in games of Blackjack.
- Mobile Games: These games can be enjoyed on tablets, however, the format may not be ideally suited for smartphones with smaller screens.
Conclusion: Live Dealer Games in Indiana
Numerous individuals are hopeful that the introduction of online sports betting in Indiana, as part of the gaming expansion, is just the beginning. Online casinos, which are already functional in other states, could potentially establish in Indiana, provided that the sports betting initiation is successful.
If this is the case, then you’ll have a vast selection of online slots, table games and now, live dealer casino games.
The format is globally recognized and is already in operation across various regulated states. The most favored table games are available all day and night. During off-hours, there are limited roulette options.
Incorporating a social aspect into your casino gaming can significantly enhance your experience. This is the primary reason why live dealer table games are rapidly becoming the preferred choice for online casino gamers. The real-time dealing of cards or spinning of balls assures you of the fairness of your games.