Online casinos used to only offer the “software” style of games, where it’s you versus the computer. Whether you were playing slots or blackjack or roulette, that’s just how it was. That worked for many people, but online casinos have always tried to move the needle towards innovating and doing their best to recreate the live “Vegas” feel.
That’s where hybrid casino games have come in. They’re still online but offer a bit of the live vibe: it’s the best of both worlds. If you’re not quite familiar with live casino games, here’s why you should get in the game(s) and give them a go.
The Dawn of a New Era: The Rise of Live Dealer Games
Hybrid casino games were not a thing when online casinos in Canada first came to the market. They offered players an opportunity to play casino games from anywhere – without having to hop in their car and drive to get to a casino – and that was mostly good enough for those looking to participate.
However, one piece of feedback that frequently came back was that while online games offered all sorts of benefits, one thing they were lacking was the “real” feel. Playing against the software simply didn’t satisfy that “Vegas” craving.
What are hybrid casino games?
Since then, online casinos have found a way to quench that thirst: hybrid casino games. It’s one of the best online gambling innovations of the last decade. You’re still playing online versus the house, but you get to do so with a real, live dealer. You can interact with the dealer – as you would in Vegas – and you can get a little bit of that realism and authenticity that traditional games were lacking.
And there are so many dealers to choose from. You pick the one you like and if you have fun, you can keep coming back to the same one. It adds the human touch, which some feel is missing in the traditional online games.
Live dealer games feel more transparent
One thing that players often worry about – more so with RNG games than table games – is whether they’re on the up-and-up. In other words, they’re playing against an online computer, so could the software be working against them? All of the games are audited and if you’re playing at a site that’s licensed by a gaming authority, you really don’t have to worry.
At the same time, players tend to be superstitious and wonder. However, with live dealer games, you can see that a real dealer is actually shuffling the cards and dealing from a live deck. It’s a different experience as you can trust what you see. That gives players the feeling that the live dealer games are more transparent. It’s part of the draw to them.
What Does the Future Hold for Live Dealer Games?
It’s interesting to watch casino game innovations as they continue to advance. Whether it’s the technology being far more powerful, graphics delivering sleek new designs or cryptocurrency joining the party, the future of online casinos is very bright.
One of the most exciting hybrid casino games trends is that they’re looking to incorporate VR headsets. Right now, with the live dealer experience, you’re still looking at your screen and seeing a dealer. With VR, you’re going to be able to see the dealer in front of you but also look to your left, look to your right and see what looks and feels like a real, live casino.
Maybe it’ll be players beside you, maybe you’ll see other games happening around you or maybe even the waitress will walk by. This innovation will really take live dealer games to the next level as it will give you a far more immersive, Las Vegas-like experience.
Popular Hybrid Games to Try
Live dealer baccarat – If you love the banker or player game, try the live dealer version. It’s a lot of fun. Evolution has some good ones with engaging dealers.
Live dealer lightning roulette – This is a real fun one as the dealer will often have lots to talk about – especially the big wins. The lightning rounds are always fun to watch as they pull the lever each spin.
Hybrid Casino Games are the Bright New Future of Online Gambling
More and more casinos are building up their live dealer portfolio as that’s what players are looking for. There’s a real appetite to not only get these hybrid games but also train the dealers to be fun, witty and engaging. That really helps elevate the online casino experience versus just playing the traditional games.
In the future, look for more innovations with live dealer games – including the VR headset offering – to continue to bring that “Vegas” environment online. We’ll make sure to keep you abreast of the latest in as casinos continue to make advancements in this popular genre of games.
