- Bovada has some of the top live dealer casino games including roulette, blackjack, and more.
- At Ignition Casino you can play live dealer games like baccarat and early payout baccarat.
- While not every game is live, MyBookie offers a great selection of live dealer table games like craps.
Live dealer casino games are getting bigger and bigger, with several major operators now competing to produce the best titles possible. In fact, there are plenty of excellent sites that offer .
You might be surprised at just how many games are now offered with a live dealer. And if you’ve never played any before, I will be looking at the best live dealer casino games to help you get started.
First of all where should you go to find these games? Well, any of the above websites are excellent choices as they feature games from multiple developers. If you want my top recommendation for live dealer games though, look no further than Bovada.
The online gaming giant has been around for more than a decade and features the best collection of live dealer table games on the market right now. Even better, Bovado gives new players a welcome bonus of 125% when making your first deposit. You can claim as much as $3,750, which will come in handy when playing some of the higher limit tables.
What Are the Best Live Dealer Casino Games for US Players?
As you would expect, live dealer versions of card games and table games are easy to find. You won’t have as much luck finding live wheelbarrows or seeing a live human shoot the dice, but the most popular options are covered.
- Blackjack – Also known as twenty-one, this classic card game can be found at every online casino. The goal is to beat the dealer by getting a higher score in your cards without going over 21. Some live dealer blackjack games will let you use additional cards to improve your hand, while others will stick to the traditional rules.
- Roulette – This classic casino game involves a wheel with numbered slots and a ball. The idea is to correctly predict where the ball will land after the wheel has been spun. Various bets can be placed based on what numbers or groups of numbers you think it will land on.
- Baccarat – A card game traditionally associated with James Bond. The idea is to get a score as close to 9 as possible. All scores are based on the last digit of each card, with 10s and kings having zero value. It’s a very straightforward game once you get the hang of it.
- Ultimate Texas Hold’em – An example of a casino poker game that lets you play against the house. Both you and the dealer put up an ante to begin with, and then everyone receives two cards. You can then check your cards and place three different types of bets if you feel strong enough.
- Super 6 – Another name for baccarat, often offered by sites that are trying to conceal the fact that they are offering baccarat.
- Three Card Poker – Yet another casino poker game that allows you to play against the dealer. As the name suggests, you and the dealer are given three cards, with various bets available based on what hands you can make.
- Caribbean Stud – An example of an elevator poker game, meaning you are playing against the house, not other players. You place an initial bet, also known as an ante, and are then dealt five cards. If you are happy with your cards, you must also add a raise bet, which needs to be double the ante. Everyone’s cards are then revealed, and the strongest hands win.
- Craps – A dice game where you can make a wide variety of bets based on what numbers the player is going to roll. There will be a stickman and a box man overseeing the game, and various other players who can back specific rolls.
- Texas Hold’em – The world’s most popular poker game. With live dealer games, you will be playing against other real people, trying to knock them out of the game. All you can control are the cards you are dealt, and you must use them to make the best hands when when it’s your turn to bet.
- European Roulette – The same as American roulette but with one less number. As a result, the RTP moves from 94.74% to 97.3%. The only downside is that the number 0 is green, just like in American roulette.
Some of these games may sound confusing, especially if you have never set foot inside a casino. The good news is that most of them are very simple once you understand the concept.
For example, roulette looks complicated because of the amount of betting options. However, as long as you know what each bet means, you can make up your mind and place your chips accordingly – no calculations needed. I’ll be explaining the basics of each game in the following sections, so you’ll be ready to play.
Live Dealer Blackjack
Finding a good collection of live dealer blackjack games is important, as this is the most popular option on the market. Nearly every website will have at least one version, but the quality can differ greatly depending on whom you play with.
Fortunately, the live dealer games at Bovada are among the best you will find anywhere. There are six different tables to choose from, with stakes ranging from $5-$250.
If you’re unfamiliar with the game, blackjack is typically played against a single dealer, although some tables will have multi-hand versions where you can play up to three hands at once. To get started, simply make your bet on the space in front of you.
Once everyone at the table has acted, you will be dealt two face-up cards. The dealer will also receive two cards, although only one of these will be face-up. Your aim is to get a higher value hand than the dealer, however, you also want to get as close to a value of 21 as possible.
If you receive an ace and a ten-graded card, you will have a natural blackjack and winning hand. Assuming you don’t have blackjack, you can choose to “hit,” “stand,” or “double down.” A hit refers to being dealt another card, while standing means you are happy with your current hand and no more cards will be dealt. Doubling down allows you to double your bet and receive just one more card – you cannot hit again.
The dealer will then reveal their second card and follow specific rules to determine their final hand. Once this has happened, anyone with a higher total wins their bet back plus an amount equal to their original wager. Anyone with a losing bet will lose their initial stake. Push means that the player and dealer have tied, and their bet is returned.
As you can see, live dealer blackjack is extremely easy to get the hang of. Even better, the average return to player, or RTP, for blackjack is between 99-100%, meaning you will lose less money than you would on most other casino games.
I recommend visiting Bovada to try some of their live dealer blackjack games. Alternatively, you could read our comprehensive , where we cover everything about this exciting game.
Real Dealer Roulette
Roulette translates to “little wheel” in French and that pretty much sums up the game. Each time the dealer runs the spinning wheel and bouncy silver ball around in circles, you have the opportunity to place bets on where the ball will eventually land.
Placing bets is easier than it looks. In front of you will be a virtual roulette table, and various chips of different values. You can start by dragging your chips onto the table to signify how much you would like to bet per spin. Now you can walk around the table and place chips on your desired bets.
A typical roulette table will have two main sections – inside and outside. Let’s take a look at both.
Outside Bets
These are the larger sections of the table that seem obvious when you first look at the board. They are referred to as outside bets because they are located around the edges of the board.
- Red or Black – Almost exactly what it sounds like. This bet covers whether the winning number will be on a red or black background. Every other number on the board will be a losing bet.
- High or Low – Another easy call. This bet covers whether the winning number will be in the range of 1-18 (low) or 19-36 (high).
- Columns and Dozens – A column is a vertical line of numbers, and there are three of them. If your bet is successful, you will get a 2:1 payout. The same principle applies for dozens, except there are three horizontal rows with three numbers in each. A winning bet here will also get you a 2:1 payout.
Inside Bets
Things can get a little more complex when looking at inside bets as they involve smaller sections of the board and larger potential payouts. Here are the most common types:
- Straight Up – This is where you place a chip on a single number. If the ball lands where your chip is situated, you will get a 35:1 payout.
- Split – A chip is placed on the line separating two neighboring numbers. A winning bet will result in an 18:1 payout.
- Street – This bet covers three numbers by placing a chip on the edge of the board, at the end of a row of numbers.
- Square/Corner – A chip is placed on the intersection of four numbers. If the ball lands on any of these numbers, you will get a 9:1 payout.
- Sixain – Similar to a straight up, except you have chips on six different numbers. This results in a 5:1 payout if you are successful.
As you can see, the inside bets offer the chance to win big, but the odds are obviously stacked heavily against you. Most professional roulette players will stick to outside bets, as these offer much better odds while still providing excitement with each spin.
It’s also worth pointing out that some live dealer games will offer statistical information on previous spins. Don’t get too carried away with this as recent results offer no insight into what will happen in the future.
As far as return to player rates go, standard roulette is middling at best with an RTP of 94.74%. If you come across European roulette, the RTP jumps to 97.3%. The difference is that European roulette only has 37 numbers, as opposed to the American version which has a green 0 and a green 00.
If you want to try some live roulette games, I recommend ignoring the crazy versions offered by , and instead heading to Ignition Casino. They have tables provided by Fresh Deck and Gaming Switch offering stakes from as low as $0.10. New players at Ignition Casino are welcomed with a 300% deposit boost, which can be worth up to $3,000.
Want to learn even more about roulette? Then our guide to will teach you everything you need to know!
Other Top Live Dealer Table Games
There are plenty of other top live dealer casino games besides blackjack and roulette. Depending on the website, you might be able to play some of the examples below, or perhaps a few others.
betmgm nj casino bonusFeel free to check out our list of the to explore more opportunities.
Live Dealer Baccarat
A card game where the aim of the game is to get as close to a score of 9 as possible. All scores are based on the last number of each card – with tens and kings having a score of 0.
It’s a very simple game where you can place bets on your own hand winning, the dealer’s hand winning, or a tie. The only difficult part comes when trying to pronounce it correctly. Many people refer to the tie bet in “super 6” terms, but this is considered bad luck at most casinos.
If you hear someone shouting for “ei-ni” during a game of baccarat, they aren’t cursing their poor hand – that that a Cantonese expression for victory. You probably don’t want to say the wrong thing and insult the dealer, so it’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with basic .
Baccarat has a very high return to player rate, with some versions paying out 98.99% of all money wagered. The best places to play live baccarat include Bovada and MyBookie.
Ultimate Texas Hold’em
This is a casino version of Texas Hold’em where you play against the dealer rather than other players. The aim of the game is to get a pair of fours or better, so it’s a lot more liberal than what you might be used to when playing against real people.
At the beginning of each hand, you and the dealer must put up an ante bet to begin with. You will then be dealt two faced-up cards, as will the dealer. After assessing your cards, you can then choose to fold, in which case you will lose your ante bet, or raise.
A raise requires you to place a second bet, which must be equal to or double your ante. The dealer will then do the same, or fold if they have less than a pair of foles. Draws will result in both you and the dealer pushing, while raised bets will be contested based on the highest five-card hand.
The best part of ultimate Texas hold’em is that you can post two more bets when the flop comes out. These are called play, 3rd bet, or completion bets, and each table will have slightly different rules regarding these raises.
In general, you can choose to raise again if you are feeling strong, or check if you are happy with your position. One more community card will then be dealt, and anyone who raised on the flop will contests the hand against the dealer. Winnings from a successful bet will be paid 1:1 while raisers on the flip and/or the turn will earn 8:1 and 50:1 payouts, respectively.
New players to ultimate Texas hold’em are usually confused about how much they are supposed to raise when completing, so a common etiquette is for players to verbally state the amount before putting in their chip(s) of choice.
Don’t worry if that all went over your head – just visit MyBookie to play their live dealer ultimate Texas hold’em.
Super 6/Live Dealer Baccarat
Another name for baccarat involving a 6% commission for the banker bet. If the banker makes a natural and you place a winning bet on this outcome, a card will be removed for every 6% point that needs to be deducted.
For example, if you bet $10 on the banker and they get a 5, 6 – a natural – you would normally win $10. However, since 6 is equivalent to 5, the dealer will remove the 6 centime from their pile, then another 5 centime, totaling 11 centimes. Since 11 centimes is equivalent to $1, this will be the amount you receive for your winning bet.
You will notice that some websites refer to baccarat as super 6 in their drop section for the banker bet. Just be aware that the 5% is for convenience – no one is actually stealing six cents of your winnings.
Top-Ranked Online Casino App Bonuses (2023) - Don't Miss These!Three Card Poker
Yet another casino poker game where you are playing against the dealer and not other real people. You will both put up an ante bet to begin with, after which you will each receive three cards.
If you are happy with your hand, you must then make a play bet equal to the amount of your ante. The dealers will then reveal and sort their cards to reveal the strongest hand. Any player that did not make a play bet will lose both their ante and post bets.
Players who did bet on the play will win if they have a pair of threes or better. Hands are determined following the standard hierarchy of rock-paper-scissors – with pairs beating anything other than a straight flush, etc. Ties will result in a push. The strength of the dealer’s hand must meet a minimum threshold in order to qualify. If they do not, anyone who placed an ante bet will receive three to one on their wager.
Additional bets can also be made throughout the round. The first is the pair plus, where you can win a payout based on making a pair or better among your own three cards, regardless of the outcome of the hand. A 6 card bonus works in the same way, but uses all six cards between you and the dealer. Finally, some tables will allow you to move the border on a bet spot to signify different wagers such as ante, play, pair plus, and 6 card bonus. A border in-between two bet spots will result in your bet being split evenly between those two wagers.
The best live three card poker site is Bovada, where you can enjoy tables provided by Live Tech. Trained dealers will keep the banter flowing as you try to make strong hands like straights and straight flushes. If you’re interested in learning more about this game, our detailed is just a click away.
Caribbean Stud
An elevator poker game where you are playing against the dealer and not real people. Each player, including the dealer, receives five cards, with the dealer’s cards partially hidden.
You can then look at your cards and decide whether to fold or make a raise. To make a raise, you must place a bet equal to twice your original ante. The dealer will then reveal their hand; if they do not have at least an ace-king or better, they will pay out to players who only folded. In this scenario, your ante wager will be returned to you.
Any player who made a raise will contest their hand against the dealer using the strongest five-card poker hand. Royal is the strongest hand, followed by a straight flush, four of a kind, full house, etc. The strength of your hand will determine the size of your return – see for details.
best online casino match bonusA final point to remember is that all cards are communal in Caribbean stud, meaning you can look at other people’s cards to help your decision making process. Don’t get carried away though, as this will not help you in the long run.
Craps
A dice game where you can make a wide variety of bets. Before you roll your first pair of dice, you will need to place an initial bet, also known as a “don’t” bet. Additional bets you can make after the first roll include:
- Pass Line – This bet pays off if the initial roll is a seven or eleven. On a roll of two, three, or twelve, the bet is lost. If a different number comes up, the bet will continue into the point phase.
- Don’t Pass Line – This bet pays out if the initial roll is a two, three, or eleven. The bet will lose if a seven or eleven are rolled, and the bet will continue if a four, six, or eight are rolled – this number is now known as the point.
- Come Bet – This can only be made after a point has been established. It will win if a seven or eleven are rolled, and lose if a two, three, or eleven are rolled. If a four, five, six, or eight appear, they become the point, despite the fact that the main point may still exist.
- Big Six / Big Eight – This bets on a seven coming up on the next roll. A similar bet is the “Place Bet” where you can bet on seven’s appearing with a specific number.
- Field Bet – This bet wins if a seven or eleven are rolled, and loses if a two, three, or twelve are thrown. Some craps tables will consider a ten, eleven, or twelve as wins for this bet.
- Hardway Bet – You make this bet by rolling a four, six, eight, or ten. The dice must show matching numbers, and the bet will continue until they roll a seven, or they match but in an opposite fashion to the originally rolled amount.
- Any Seven / Five/Nine / Six/Eight Bet – These bets will win if a seven, five, nine, or six appears, respectively.
These are just a few examples of the many bets you can make in craps. Stick to pass line and don’t pass line bets to start with, as these give you the best odds at return of 98.6% for both outcomes. Anything else will increase the house edge, with some bets offering an abysmal RTP of 91%.
If you want to roll some dice, then I recommend visiting Everygame Casino. They have multiple providers offering live dealer craps, including Global Interactive Gaming and Visionary iGaming.
Texan Hold’em
Texas Hold’em is arguably the most popular poker variant in existence. So popular, in fact, that some sites decided to create a live dealer version where you are playing against other real people.
Head to SlotsandCasino to try their Texan Hold’em table. Keep in mind that you will be playing against other people, not the dealer – so make sure you know the ins and outs of Texas Hold’em before sitting down at the table.
free video poker games onlineSkill Based Live Dealer Games
Did you know that not all live dealer casino games are based on luck? Some websites offer versions of popular skill-based games that will really test your ability.
The key thing to note is that not all players will be dealt the same hand. This means the live dealer has no influence on who wins each round – it’s all down to you.
The following examples are some of the most popular skill-based games you will find …
Live Dealer Poker Tournaments
Headon is the best place to play live dealer poker tournaments starting at $1. You will be playing against other real people and eliminated if you lose all your chips.
By far the most popular tournament is No Limit Texas Hold’em. Blinds will gradually rise over time, meaning you need a fair amount of skill to last until the end. The person left with all the chips will win the prize for first place, with consolation prizes for those who make the final table.
A unique aspect to Headons’ tournaments is that you can interact with other players via chatbox. Of course, their poker skills are what you should be concerned about, not their chat etiquette.
Live Dealer Blackjack Tournament
Many people believe that blackjack is a game of skill, and some online casinos have created tournaments based on this premise. Unlike standard live dealer tables where the goal is to simply beat the dealer, you will be racing against other players to accumulate the most money.
Each player starts with the same amount of money, and blinds will gradually rise over time. Those who bust will be eliminated from the tournament, while the winner will be the one with the most cash at the end.
🏆 Top High RTP Casinos Online (with High Payout Games) 2023 💳The best place to play a live dealer blackjack tournament is Bovada, where you can try their Weekly Blackjack Hustle. Be aware that this game differs from standard blackjack in certain areas, such as how ties are handled and the number of decks used.
It’s also worth pointing out that not all live dealer blackjack games at Bovado work with their bonus offers. Always check the terms and conditions before depositing!
Live Dealer Sic Bo
Sic bo is a game of dice that is entirely based on luck when playing online. Things change when you visit Everygame Casino to try their live sic Bo lottery.
The game takes place over three rounds with two dice for each. Starting with player one, you must roll two dice, then two more dice, and finally three more dice. The total amount you win will depend on how many exact rolls you Predict during each of the three rounds.
Other players at the table will then roll their dice and similarly high totals will earn bigger payouts. This creates an element of skill as you choose where to place your bets based on patterns and past results.
Everygame Casino also offers live dealer dragon tiger and rocks scissors lizard paper. The first is a game of dice where the aim of the game is for one hand to have a stronger combination than the other. RSLP is a rock-paper-scissors style game where you must choose between the three options before two animation animals do the same. Animals will win, lose, or tie depending on what motions they make.
Finding the Right Online Casino for Live Dealer Games
Now that you know which games are out there, you need to figure out which online casino is right for you. The following five points are imperative when choosing where to play live dealer casino games online:
- Game Selection – Hopefully you found one or more of the titles in this post. It’s also nice to have multiple variations of the same game, along with other options such as skin bet.
- Software – The best live dealer games look and feel like real life. Make sure streams are HD and dealers are engaging.
- Banking Options – You will need to deposit and withdraw money from your account. Look for a wide range of banking options and generous bonuses/promotions.
- Mobile Compatibility – Some people stream live dealer games from mobile devices. Is there a specialized app, and how do the games look on small screens?
- Reputation – The house always wins, but you don’t want to encounter any unexpected issues like unpaid withdrawals or delayed bonuses. Only join well-established casinos that have a proven track record of honesty.
With so many factors involved, it’s hard to find a casino that excels in all categories. As such, I suggest making a shortlist of casinos that excel in categories that are important to you. For example, Bovada has great live games and a generous welcome bonus, but Everygame Casino has a better selection of skill-based games.
Take your time researching, and always read official reviews rather than biased affiliates claiming every site is the “best”. You can trust the information on this page, as I have been reviewing gambling sites for almost two decades.
Speaking of which, make sure you bookmark our site if you haven’t done so already! We publish guides and reviews for all aspects of the US gambling industry.
How to Play Live Dealer Casino Games
Assuming you have chosen a reputable site, the process of signing up and playing live dealer casino games is very simple:
Step 1 – Create an Account
Click on the “Join” or “Sign Up” button and complete the registration form. This usually involves entering personal information such as name, address, phone number, and date of birth.
Step 2 – Make a Deposit
Head to the “cashier” section of your account and choose a payment method. Nominate an amount and enter any required details. Funds should appear in your account almost instantly.
Step 3 – Find the Live Dealer Section
Most casinos will have a separate section for live games. Look for a tab marked “live” or “live dealer”, or search for a particular game and select the live version.
Step 4 – Choose a Table
Different tables will have varying limits and special bets. Read the information provided to find a game that suits your budget. Click on an image to sit down at the table.
Step 5 – Enjoy the Game!
You can chat to the dealer and other players via the text box. Place whatever bets you desire and watch the action unfold. Repeat bets each round or change your strategy as desired. When you are happy with how much money you have won or lost, click on the “cash out” button to leave the table.
Make sure to evaluate your favorite gambling sites on a regular basis. All reputable casinos are always changing their promos and adding new games to their libraries.
If you’ve already tried all the top sites, why not diversify your portfolio with some of the newest US casinos for the year?
General Manager at Bovada. Xavier Tomas has worked in the online gaming industry since 2007. He has served as an affiliate manager, SEO expert, copywriter, and occasional writer for several companies. When he's not at his computer, he enjoys basketball, tennis, and gymliftings.
