How to Play Live Casino Games

We could've kept this to ourselves… but where's the fun in that? Live casino games bring all the thrill of a real casino straight to your screen, whenever you fancy it. 

Here's what makes them special: real dealers, interactive features, live-streamed excitement, the chance to win real cash prizes, and an unmatched gaming experience that puts you right in the heart of the action. 

Let's show you exactly how to play live casino games and why they're rapidly becoming the go-to choice for players who want something more.

What Are Live Casino Games? 

Here's where things get interesting. Unlike standard online casino games, where computer programs handle everything, live dealer casino games feature actual human beings running the show. Real people shuffling real cards, spinning real wheels, and hosting interactive game shows that unfold in real time. 

Cameras capture every angle of the action at 200 frames per second, complete with slow-motion replays. It's the perfect blend of online convenience and authentic casino atmosphere, delivered in stunning HD quality. 

Professional dealers work from dedicated studios, handling the physical elements of each game while sophisticated technology ensures you don't miss a single moment. Chat boxes let you communicate with dealers and fellow players, creating that social energy you'd find at any table worth sitting at.

Getting Started: Your First Steps 

Ready to play? The setup couldn't be simpler. Browse through the live casino section, choose a game that catches your eye, and select your table. Each game has its own lobby where you can see available tables, minimum bets, and how many seats are free. 

Once you've picked your spot, you'll enter the game interface. Your screen displays the live video feed from the studio, betting controls at your fingertips, and a chat box for interaction. Everything you need is right there. 

Timing matters in live dealer casino games. You'll typically have a set window, usually between 30-45 seconds, to place your bets before each round begins. The dealer announces when betting opens and closes, giving you plenty of time to make your moves. When the timer hits zero, the action starts.

The Essential Table Games 

Live Blackjack: The Race to 21

When it comes to how to play live casino games, live blackjack is often where players start, and for good reason. The rules are straightforward: beat the dealer's hand without going over 21. 

You'll be dealt two cards, and you can choose to hit (take another card), stand (keep your current hand), double down, or split if you have a pair. Side bets like 21+3 and Perfect Pairs add extra winning opportunities even if the main hand doesn't go your way. 

At Virgin Games, we offer dedicated live blackjack tables - seven in total, including speed tables for players who like a quicker pace. This means you'll always find space to play. The 'Bet Behind' feature lets you follow another player's hand when tables are busy, while indicators show which players are on winning streaks.  

Lightning Blackjack introduces multipliers up to 25x on winning hands, while Madison Avenue Blackjack offers payouts reaching 100:1 on certain side bets. One tap. No fuss. All the thrill at your fingertips (literally).

Live Roulette: The Spinning Classic 

Live roulette captures all the entertainment of the spinning wheel in glorious detail. Multiple camera angles let you track the ball's journey, while slow-motion replays show you exactly where it lands. 

Place your bets on numbers, colours, or groups of numbers. Once betting closes, the dealer spins the wheel and drops the ball. If it lands in a pocket covered by your bet, you win. 

Our Virgin Games Live Roulette table features chip sizes starting from just 50p, with a handy Favourite Bets feature that lets you save and replay your preferred combinations. Statistics covering the last 500 spins help you track patterns and make informed decisions. 

Games like Lightning Roulette add electrifying twists with multipliers up to 500x, while XXXtreme Lightning Roulette offers potential 2,000x multipliers through the Double Strikes bonus feature.

Other Classic Table Games 

Live poker games put you head-to-head with professional dealers in various formats. Live Three Card Poker offers 1,000x payouts for Royal Flushes, while Caribbean Stud Poker Live features two progressive jackpots. 

Live Baccarat brings sophisticated simplicity; place wagers on Player, Banker, or Tie, then watch as the cards reveal the winner. The multi-game feature even lets you play up to four tables simultaneously in the same browser window.

Crazy Time: The Flagship Experience 

Crazy Time is one of Evolution's biggest and boldest live game shows. At its heart is a giant spinning wheel with 54 segments, but what makes this game distinctive is the bonus rounds that can deliver huge wins. 

Players can choose from number bets (1, 2, 5, or 10) or go for four bonus segments: Coin Flip, Cash Hunt, Pachinko, and Crazy Time. You might be aiming a cannon in Cash Hunt to reveal hidden multipliers, watching a puck bounce through multipliers in Pachinko, or spinning another colourful wheel in the Crazy Time feature itself, where the maximum multiplier reaches up to 20,000x your base bet. 

Round time is around 35-40 seconds per spin, with bonus rounds lasting longer, offering high volatility with modest base payouts but huge potential in bonuses. 

Sweet Bonanza CandyLand: Candy-Coloured Thrills 

Sweet Bonanza CandyLand turns the popular slot theme into a live, candy-coloured game show. Players bet on numbers or on bonus options like Candy Drop, Sweet Spins, Sugar Bomb, or Bubble Surprise. 

This is one of the most vibrant live dealer casino game shows, combining the energy of a wheel spin with slot mechanics for a unique experience, with maximum multipliers reaching up to 20,000x.

Live Casino Game Shows: Where Entertainment Meets Gaming 

Beyond traditional table games, what are live casino games if not constantly evolving? Enter the world of live casino game shows, spectacular entertainment formats that blend casino gaming with production values worthy of prime-time television. 

MONOPOLY Live lets you navigate the iconic board game with Community Chest and Chance cards, while Dream Catcher offers a simpler spectacle with a massive vertical wheel and wins worth up to 40x your stake. Family Feud Live from Las Vegas brings the classic TV show format to life with team play and authentic Vegas style.

How Live Dealer Casino Games Actually Work 

Professional studios feature casino-grade tables, cards, wheels, and equipment. Multiple cameras positioned at different angles capture every moment of gameplay in high definition, and some games film at 200 frames per second for ultra-smooth action. 

The live dealer runs the game exactly as they would in a physical casino, but sophisticated technology connects everything to your screen. Optical Character Recognition (OCR) technology reads cards and wheel positions instantly, translating physical results into digital data. 

Most importantly, all outcomes are determined by physical actions: the shuffle of cards, the spin of a wheel, the drop of a ball. There's no RNG (Random Number Generator) in live games; what you see is what you get, and that transparency is part of what makes live dealer casino games so appealing.

Interactive Features That Make It Personal 

The chat function isn't just for show. Dealers respond to questions, acknowledge big wins, and create that personalised connection that makes you feel like a valued player rather than just another username. 

Our live dealers are professionals who genuinely enjoy their work. They'll guide you through any rules you're unsure about, explain betting options, and keep the conversation flowing throughout each session. While they can't see or hear you directly, the live chat service ensures smooth two-way communication.

Tips for Getting the Most from Live Casino Games

Start with familiar games

If you already know how to play roulette or blackjack, the live versions will feel immediately accessible. The rules remain the same; only the presentation changes. 

Use the chat

Don't be shy about asking live casino dealers questions. That interaction is part of what makes live casino games special. 

Explore different tables

Various tables offer different bet limits - from 50p chip sizes to higher stakes - so you can find one that matches your preferred playing style. 

Try the game show formats

If you're not sure how to play live casino games, then live casino game shows are an excellent entry point. They're designed to be intuitive and entertaining, with hosts who explain everything clearly. 

Set your limits before you start

Decide how much time and money you want to spend, then stick to it. Live casino games should be entertaining, first and foremost.

Playing Across Devices 

Download our Virgin Games mobile app from the App Store or Google Play Store to carry your favourite live casino games wherever the day takes you. The same HD quality, the same professional dealers, the same thrilling gameplay, now optimised for your smartphone or tablet. 

Desktop, mobile, or tablet, the choice is yours, and you can switch between devices seamlessly.

Ready to Join the Party? 

There's something extraordinary happening in our live casino, and you're invited to be part of it. Whether you're drawn to the strategic depth of live blackjack, the pure excitement of roulette, or the spectacular entertainment of live casino game shows like Crazy Time and Sweet Bonanza CandyLand, there's a table with your name on it. 

Now that you know what live casino games are and exactly how to play live casino games, the only question left is: which game will you try first? The offer? Brilliant. The choice? Yours. 

Step into the action and discover why live dealer casino games represent the perfect evolution of online gaming. And if you’re curious about how online casino and live dealer games compare, check out our guide.

Experience live casino games with real dealers at Virgin Games. Sign up today and enjoy authentic gameplay, HD streaming, and real-time action - safe, social, and seriously thrilling.

All offers mentioned correct at the time of writing but may be subject to change.