Live Casino Etiquette

Technology has finally caught up with the times! Live casinos are becoming more and more common these days.

At a live casino, you won't be getting simulated games with computer-generated results and fancy graphics. Instead, you'll be getting a live video feed of a dealer somewhere in the world. You can watch the dealer shuffle the cards and deal your cards, and you can even interact with him the same way you would at a brick-and-mortar casino.

Sometimes the dealer won't be able to see you, though, because there's not a live video feed of you. Other times, there's a live video feed of you and other players at the table. You'll be able to interact with them via video, voice, or instant messaging. This type of live feed is more common at social games like poker, blackjack, or craps and less common at individual games like roulette or video poker. Sometimes you'll end up playing a game with live video streaming of other gamblers at your table but with a computer-simulated dealer powered by a random number generator.

To interact with the game, you would need to use your mouse or keyboard to place bets on the graphic representation of a betting surface.

Because it's much cheaper to just buy some software instead of paying real employees, the online casinos that offer live games are usually reputable and well-off. By spending extra money on live dealers, they show that they actually care about providing top-notch customer service.

Now that we understand live gambling a little better, let's cover some of the key etiquette points for live gambling:

	Know how to bet. To avoid wasting everybody's time, you should take the time to become familiar with all the buttons at the table before placing your first bet. At a live game, you still need to use your mouse and/or keyboard to place bets. It would be a good idea to observe a table until you become familiar enough with the game before claiming a seat.
	Pay attention. If you leave the computer for a few minutes to take care of the dishes, you're not only wasting other players' time, but you're also wasting the dealer's time. In order to keep the game moving at a reasonable pace, you need to stay put and give the game 100% of your attention, as if you were at a brick-and-mortar casino.
	Sit down only when you're ready to play. No one likes a player who ties up an empty seat. Don't sit down unless you're ready to play right away. Most online casinos will let you watch a live casino game without sitting down. If you want to get a feel of the table, observe it first, and then sit down when you're ready to place your first bet.
	Treat the dealer and other players with respect. Just because you're behind a computer doesn't give you the right to behave inappropriately. You might be more inclined to behave yourself if there's a live feed of you at the table, but if the dealer is the only one who's visible at the table, it might take a little bit more effort to be polite. You may chat with the dealer, but you should refrain from asking him inappropriate questions. Limit your conversations to the game only.
	Don't be a sore loser. At a brick-and-mortar casino, would you freak out and scream insults at everyone immediately after losing a hand? If you wouldn't, then why would you do that at a live casino? Remember that there are real people playing at the table with you, and you being a sore loser will bring down the morale.
	If you see another player abusing the casino's system, report them to the casino. By helping the casino keep abusive players out of their system, you're making the casino a better and more enjoyable place for everyone.
	If you're using the same computer as another player, or even if you're in the same household as another player, let the casino know beforehand. Online casinos have strict rules about opening dual accounts in the same household. This is to prevent two players in the same household playing at the same table in order to increase their chances of winning. If you have another player in the same household, and if this is not brought to the casino's attention, then you could get blacklisted. Better safe than sorry, right?

Having good live casino etiquette helps you become a better player. All in all, you should always strive to be polite, respectful, and attentive.