Talking all about Live Dealer Roulette. How it works, how to play, the technology and the whole process of playing Roulette with a Live Dealer.
Last Updated on September 14, 2023 by Dave Hall
Roulette is one of the oldest casino games in existence. It is older than some of the other popular table games in the casino, such as poker and blackjack. Roulette dates back to the 18th century and is named after a French word meaning “little wheel”.
It has been played ever since and is a common find in all casinos around the world. Technology has since led to the birth of Live Dealer Roulette which allows players to remotely place bets online. It has since become an integral part of most online casinos.
Live dealer roulette is very much like the traditional online roulette in many aspects. What makes live dealer roulette different from regular roulette is the added webcam, the use of Optical Character Recognition (OCR) technology and special software.
These three essential add-ons bring the liveliness of the platforms, making it more interactive. As a result, you are able to place your bets with a real person remotely using your computer without having to rub shoulders and getting your fingers strained on the grid.
How does live dealer roulette work?
Here is the whole process:
Live dealer roulette thrives on technology consisting of the aforementioned OCR technology, special software, and webcam. The software coordinates every activity in the roulette session, processes all the bets and relays the outcomes with the aid of the dealer to the participating players.
Before the session begins, the software captures the dealer (who sits near a roulette wheel at the other end) through the webcam and relays the image to every player connected to the system using the appropriate executable format.
The software also captures all the needed information of all the connected players and relays it to the screen used by the dealer. A grid resembling that found alongside the physical roulette in the casino is displayed on every player’s monitor. As a result, every player has the view of the dealer, the roulette wheel, the numbered grid and the other players connected to the system.
At the start of the session, the dealer will signal the players to begin placing the bets while he/she is preoccupied with viewing the players’ information on the screen. Each player looks at the grid on the monitor and places his or her bets. The grid presented to each player is the same. All the participating players are allowed to place bets within a set period of time whose clock runs at the corner of the screen.
When the set period of time is over, the system signals the players to finalize placing their bets. After the dealer had ascertained that all players have placed their bets, he/she announces “no more bets”. This is a phrase that is recognized by the software to which it responds by closing the bet placement session.
Spin of the wheel
The second part of the session puts the placed bets to test. The dealer spins the ball in the opposite direction to the rotating roulette wheel as everyone waits for the results. All players are able to see what is happening on the wheel.
The ball will eventually settle on one of the 38 numbered slots (37 in European roulette) and all the individual bets will be judged on that outcome. The camera shifts to the wheel and broadcasts the outcome to every player. In addition, the OCR technology reads the winning number and sends it to the software which transmits it to the players.
In a millisecond, the software will process the results and send the winning numbers to players and payout any necessary winnings. Another session is initiated thereafter.
The rules of live dealer roulette
The working principle of live dealer roulette is same in all betting houses albeit with minor differences. However, the rules guarding live dealer roulette can vary significantly with the location. For this reason, it is important to conduct a research about the guidelines in effect in your locality before you begin betting.
The casino may have its own in-house rules guarding the live dealer roulette. In this case, it is advisable to familiarize yourself with the guidelines before signing up with the casino.
Pros of betting using live dealer roulette
This approach of roulette is interactive, which is really nice.
The best part about playing roulette in an online casino with live dealers, is that it is highly interactive. It involves the players more by the fact that an individual can interact with the dealer and look at how his/her fellow players are performing. When compared to the classic online random number generator (RNG) roulette, live dealer roulette is more social.
It is convenient
Another advantage of live dealer roulette is that you don’t need to travel to the casino if roulette is your favorite game. All you need is a computer and an internet connection. This way, you can place your bets at your convenient time from a remote location.
You can play simultaneously at two casinos
If you had two casinos to visit physically, you would need to flip a coin to make a choice. With live dealer roulette, however, you can play your favorite roulette game in more than one casino. A great deal of multitasking is required, though.
The whole table is yours
You know those table fights on Saturday nights when everyone in the crowd is trying to get a spot on the table? They are no more with live dealer roulette. Here, the whole grid is yours.
It is almost free from rigging
A reputable casino usually sees no need to rig live dealer roulette. Besides, you can see what is going on the wheel from where you are. This way, there is less likelihood of cheating.
Your points are well tracked
A lot of players tend to tend to forget to hand over their loyalty cards while at the actual roulette table. The software in the live dealer roulette automatically tracks every wager placed and therefore awards the points accordingly. Many online casinos offer a loyalty program or VIP program to their players.
You will benefit from the virtual bonuses
Betting houses tend to offer generous bonuses on live dealer roulette and other virtual games which is an opportunity you won’t want to go to waste.
You can actually follow the ball around
One of the advantages of live dealer roulette in an online casino is the fact that you can track the movement of the ball until it stops. This is pleasant considering you will struggle to see this at a crowded roulette table.
Final word
In a nutshell, live dealer roulette is the great option for gamblers who would wish to place bets at the comfort of their homes, whilst still interacting with a real person. It is simply the best version of roulette, and if you are new to this game, then we have many roulette tips for beginners which will help you get started.
About the Author
Dave is a gambling enthusiast who boasts of two decades of experience. His writings not only unravel the intricacies of online casino games but also explore the psychology behind betting. Dave's commitment to responsible gambling shines through, making every wager a mindful choice for players seeking a thrilling yet balanced gaming experience.
