Low-latency video streaming is the delivery of live video with a minimal delay. There’s usually around a one- to five-second delay, but that’s nothing in reality. Sports games you watch on TV use the same technology. Now, casinos are using it for live dealer games, and it really has transformed gameplay. Read on to learn about it.
How Low-Latency Video Streaming Works For Live Dealer Games
Low latency gives as little delay as possible between something happening at the live dealer table and you seeing it on your screen.
Naturally, there’s always some delay because the video has to travel from the casino studio to your device. But the modern live casinos you play online at play.co.za have become so good at making that delay almost unnoticeable.
Pragmatic Play, for example, uses 4K streaming technology designed specifically around low latency for its live casino tables.
The setup can include:
- Multiple 4K or HD cameras
- Live audio
- Real-time betting interfaces
- Different camera angles
- Live chat
- Game statistics
- Digital betting overlays
And everything needs to stay synchronized.
You don’t want to watch a roulette dealer release the ball and then see your betting interface react five seconds later.
The Realism of Live Dealer Tables
Live casino tables have come so far. Evolution recently published an article looking back at its original live casino setup from 2006, which essentially involved a few tables and a basic webcam. The company now talks about multiple HD cameras, improved sound and video synchronization, massive casino environments, and professionally trained dealers.
It feels so much more like being at an actual casino table.
You can watch:
- The dealer shuffles and deals cards
- The roulette wheel spinning
- The ball physically landing
- Dice being rolled
- Other players placing bets
- Live presenters interacting with the table
Roulette is one of the best examples. Evolution’s live roulette tables use multiple camera views so you can follow the wheel and ball throughout the spin rather than watching everything through one static camera.
And that’s where low latency is essential. Nobody wants to feel like they’re watching a delayed stream of somebody else playing roulette.
How to Play Live Dealer Table Games
Playing a live dealer game isn’t really much more difficult than playing the digital version.
You go into the live casino section, pick your game, and choose a table. You’ll normally see things like the minimum and maximum wager, dealer, number of players, and sometimes the language before you join.
The actual setup depends on the game you’re playing. With live blackjack, you place your wager and receive cards from an actual dealer. You then use the screen controls to hit, stand, double, or split when available. With live roulette, you select the numbers, colors, sections, or other bets you want before the betting timer ends. The dealer then physically spins the wheel.
The biggest thing we’d recommend is checking the table rules and betting limits before playing.
You’re basically playing the casino games you already know. The difference is that there’s an actual dealer on the other side of the screen. Low-latency streaming has become good enough to make it feel like they’re almost sitting in front of you.
