Poker is one of the most popular card games in the world, and it achieved this notoriety thanks to the poker boom that started in the USA in the 2000s. Taking part in online games is the preferred option for most people, as they are easily accessible. These games can be against other players or against a dealer.
When you play live casino online poker, you will always face off against a dealer in a heads-up situation. There is less skill involved than when you compete against other players, but you still need to have a knowledge of the game to be able to play.
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How Does Live Poker Work?
When you start playing poker at a live dealer poker site, you may be astonished at the immersive nature of the game. When you play face to face with a live dealer at online casino, it’s like bringing the casino atmosphere to your own home.
This form of play is managed by a human, who comes in the form of a highly trained expert dealer. There is no RNG or added software involved, and you can be sure it’s unbiased. You can even see the dealer place the 52-card deck into a shoe to shuffle it fairly.
Live dealer poker is slightly different from playing against multiple people. You will initially pay an ante to receive your cards. You can then bet on these cards or fold them. If you choose to bet on them, you will face off against the dealer to see who has the best hand. There is no bluffing and there are not always bets in later rounds.
There is less skill involved with live dealer poker, as you don’t need to play a position or read your opponents. You do, however, have to use some knowledge as you will need to know what the hand values are. You should also be able to estimate whether your hand has a good chance of beating the dealer’s hand.
Poker Variations
At live dealer poker sites, you’re going to encounter seven main variants of the game. Here are the leading forms of live casino online poker:
- Casino Hold’em – The player and the dealer both receive two cards and a shared board of five cards. They have to make the best hand possible out of the cards available.
- 2 Hand Casino Hold’em – Same as above, but you receive two hands and have the option of playing them both or choosing one of them.
- Ultimate Texas Hold’em – Same rules as Casino Hold’em but with an increased number of bet types.
- Texas Hold’em Bonus Poker – Another special form of Hold’em with various side bets.
- 3 Card Brag – The player and the dealer both receive three cards and the best hand wins. The hand values are slightly different from traditional poker, so you need to familiarize yourself with them first.
- 3 Card Poker – The player and the dealer both receive three cards. The hand of the highest value wins.
- Caribbean Stud Poker – Player and dealer both receive five cards, but four of the dealer’s cards are face down. Players decide whether to play or fold. It’s a simple case of best hand wins.
Why Play Live Poker with a Live Dealer?
There are many reasons why people like playing poker with a live dealer. Being face to face with another human is a great way to get some social interaction when playing games, and its immersive nature can make you feel as though you have stepped into a casino.
There are loads of wagering options, and the live streams come in HD. You can also play multiple tables at the same time by opening games in different tabs. Because of the intense competition on online poker sites, you can be sure that they only use the best dealers in the business. These people are ready to provide an authentic experience.
Online Poker vs Land-Based Casino
Live dealer poker games were invented for online play, and they rose to prominence in an internet setting. This occurred after the initial poker boom and when live streaming started getting big, and online casinos realized they needed to expand their options beyond roulette and blackjack.
You might be able to find similar games in some physical casinos, but you’re more likely to encounter traditional multiplayer poker games. The main difference between these and online live options is that you need to play against other players. When playing online, you’re only betting against the dealer.
Live Dealer Poker on Mobile
Most of the live dealer games that you’ll encounter have been optimized for both desktop and mobile, and you’ll enjoy an immersive experience on both platforms.
When you log on from a mobile, the dealer will obviously be much smaller than if you are on a desktop. However, the pages still have all the same functionalities. You see buttons to press if you want to bet or fold, and you can easily navigate back to the home page.
Live Poker FAQs
There is less skill involved with live dealer poker than there is against multiple opponents. You don’t need to try to out-bet your opponents, and you simply stake on the strength of your own hand.
There is a slight house edge in online live dealer poker thanks to the fact that players must pay an ante before the start of every round. Dealers are also at an advantage because their cards are usually dealt face down.
Live casino online poker is totally fair, and you will be able to see the dealer shuffle the cards in a machine.
Ultimate Texas Hold’em and Texas Hold’em Bonus Poker both offer an RTP of more than 99 percent, making these the best options in terms of RTP.
Playing any variant of poker will improve your poker skills, and live dealer poker is no different. In this format, there is less emphasis on bluffing and psychology. However, you will need to be able to identify occasions when your hand has a good chance of winning. You will also need to master the various hand values.
