Live Dealer Microgaming Casino Sites
Microgaming has a long history with live dealer casino games and was one of the first to bring the innovation to the market. They even launched the first branded live casino suite in 2013 — those looking for something a little more risqué should look no further than Microgaming’s Playboy Live Dealer collection.
If you’re unfamiliar with live dealer games, they’re one of the most exciting ways to experience your favourite casino games from your desktop or mobile device. Using advanced multi-camera set-ups, the game of choice is hosted by a real professional dealer and streamed directly to your screen from a bespoke studio. Just as in a virtual game, you’ll have full control over your actions, but the round will unfold in real time, adding a pinch of the atmosphere and hubbub found on a real casino floor.
Although Microgaming’s suite of live dealer games doesn’t quite compete with some of the bigger live casino names, the main bases are all covered. Players can enjoy live dealer versions of blackjack, roulette, and baccarat, and there are some live game shows on offer too.
It’s worth noting that live dealer games are sometimes pre-recorded. Although the outcomes are determined by random number generators (RNGs) in real time, the dealer’s lines and movements are recorded in advance to give the impression of a live game.
Microgaming and On Air Entertainment
The reason the Microgaming live catalogue is on the small side is due to a strategic deal made with Evolution Gaming in 2015. This agreement placed Evolution as the main provider of live casino games for Microgaming’s European customers, while Microgaming itself could focus on the Asian and South American markets — as such, it offers a broader range of live games in those regions.
Thanks to a partnership with Real Dealer Studios, most of Microgaming’s live dealer titles are streamed from purpose-built studios in Estonia. The company also signed a deal with On Air Entertainment in 2021, a Malta-based company specialising in live casino games. Through this deal, Microgaming has grand plans to “reinvigorate the live casino industry”, with On Air titles penned for release throughout 2022, all of which are filmed at its state-of-the-art studio in Latvia.
Live Dealer Roulette
Microgaming’s own live dealer roulette offering is called Real Roulette, which follows standard European rules; however, players are able to make the French bets too, also known as announced or call bets. The minimum and maximum bet sizes vary by casino, but you could see wagers stretch from £0.10 up to £25,000 for the very highest rollers. You’ll be able to choose from several different hosts, but there’s also the option of Real Auto Roulette without a croupier.
Partner developer On Air Entertainment released its own roulette offering — Standard Roulette — in 2022. Again, it’s a European variant with call bets, and you’ll have access to multiple camera angles captured in high definition. You might find this live dealer title at some Microgaming casino sites alongside its older games.
Live Dealer Baccarat
Another mainstay of the Microgaming live dealer suite is Real Baccarat, which uses eight decks and gives players a choice of 12 side bets. You can choose from a number of dealers, and bets range from £1 up to a whopping £50,000, although that’ll depend on which Microgaming casino you’re playing at.
In terms of baccarat variants, Microgaming has developed Dragon Tiger, Turtle Pair, and Phoenix Pair games, although these are virtual and not currently available in a live format. We’d love to see them release live dealer versions in future — fingers crossed something is in the pipeline through the deal with On Air Entertainment.
Live Dealer Blackjack
Microgaming’s live dealer blackjack has been superseded by Live Blackjack from On Air Entertainment, the developer’s debut release.
The rules of this slick, modern blackjack experience are as follows:
- Eight decks with cutting card roughly in the middle
- Dealer draws to 16 and stands on all 17s
- Up to seven players per table
- Players can double down on any two initial cards except a blackjack
- Players can split two initial cards of equal value including aces
- Only one split per hand is allowed
Alongside standard features like live chat, the game includes two special additions: ‘Deal Now’ lets you shorten the betting phase and jump straight into the hand; and the ‘Pre-decisions’ function means actions can be decided before your turn. Perfect Pairs and 21+3 side bets are also available if you want to mix things up.
Live Game Shows
In terms of game shows, Microgaming has just one title, Fortune Finder ‒ a wheel game where players can bet on numbers. The host spins the wheel, and if it lands on your number, you’ll take home a payout. The size of the prize can be bolstered by two multipliers placed on either side of the wheel, x2 or x7.
Other live dealer studios offer a wider range of game shows; we’d love to see a few more titles hit Microgaming casino sites in the future through its partnership with On Air Entertainment.