Revisiting the Progress of Live Dealer Games in 2017

How live dealer gambling got faster, glitzier and more progressive in 2017.

Each and every year, new and innovative concepts make their way into the Live Casino sector of online gaming. The companies who develop the software and manage the studios for these real-life, internet-based gambling platforms are always looking to bring something new to the table.

A new game here, a renovation there, a more lucrative prize at the end of the virtual rainbow. Whatever it may be, these innovations often kindle the admiration of the gambling masses. When you look back at an entire year’s worth of advancements, it’s awe-inspiring indeed.

The new year is upon us. In two days, we’ll be sipping champagne and smooching our significant others as we ring in 2018. For now, let’s glimpse back in time at live dealer games, and what their prodigal founders brought to the table in 2017.

Progress of Live Dealer Gambling in 2017

I’m always astounded by the extent of upgrades and ingenuity that take place over a year’s time, especially in this industry. 2016 was a stellar year for live casino games, but 2017 trumps it by leaps and bounds. As usual, there was an expansion of game variety. More impressive, however, over the last twelve months, live casinos got faster, glitzier and much more progressive.

Speeding Up Live Dealer Games

Evolution Gaming was responsible for much of the innovation in the live casino sector. Things moved rapidly in 2017 – pun intended! In February, Evolution led the charge with the introduction of Speed Baccarat.

These new tables gave players the option to participate in the fastest baccarat hands known to live gaming. On average, each hand lasts around 10 seconds, with a max 20 second wait period for bet placement. The tables were well received, and by June, Evolution had opened a second Speed Baccarat table at its Latvian casino studio.

Baccarat isn’t the only game they saw worthy of expedition. In March 2017, the company’s Speed Roulette tables began attracting the masses. With a new spin every 25 seconds, these tables rival the equivalent offering available at PlayTech since 2014.

Bigger, Better, More Opulent

Speaking of PlayTech, that company made brilliant headlines this year by opening the world’s largest live casino studio. Located in Riga’s Old Town (Latvia), the studio began opening in stages as construction progressed.

Each new set of tables were more luxuriant than the last. The boring tables of their previous studio were transitioned to the new location, featuring opulent golds, creamy whites, decadent chocolaty browns, and elegant staircases Tevye the Dairyman (Fiddler on the Roof) would give his left arm for.

First came the brand’s Grand / Royale tables. Next, exclusive and private tables made the transition, followed by common tables later in the year.

Progressive Live Dealer Games

One of the best ‘progressions‘ of all came by way of progressive live gambling games. As the year began, hardly before the New Year’s confetti hit the ground, Evolution hailed the arrival of the first live Progressive Caribbean Stud Poker tables.

Midway through 2017, Evolution made waves again. This time, the company introduced its revolutionary Jumbo 7 Jackpot on Live Casino Holdem. It’s not the easiest thing to win. In fact, it’s virtually inconceivable.

Players will need to place the Jumbo 7 side bet to even qualify. Then, someone who places that bet will need a 7-card straight flush, using both of their hole cards and all five community cards. If that occurs, all who placed the side bet will share in the massive jackpot.

There are exactly 133,784,560 possible 7-card combinations, but only 32 of them will award that jumbo jackpot. That puts the odds right around 0.00000024, or 1 in 4,180,768. Good luck!