In order for us to recommend a casino, it needs to pass our 25-step review process. Each step is a different hurdle to overcome - including licencing, player security, gaming software, bonuses, and banking terms and conditions. If any step is failed, we add the casino to our blacklist of sites we don’t think you should use.
Cool Cat
2 / 10
Reports of rigged games
Janky playing experience
Hidden wagering requirements on bonuses
Grand Prive
2.3 / 10
Unfair RTP not giving players a fair chance
Technical problems being reported
Reports of unsafe software used on site
Planet 7
1.2 / 10
Not paid players their winnings
Plagiarised games software
Low game standard on site
How We Rate Our Live Texas Hold'em Casinos
Before we recommend any online casino to our readers, we first subject it to a lengthy 25-step review process. This ensures each site measures up to the strict operating standards we expect of the best, who all offer a selection of live casino games.
The live casinos that feature in our recommended list have all exceeded our reviewers' expectations on a strict set of criteria that includes:
1
Security and Encryption
Ensuring your online safety is our number one priority. If a live Hold'em casino doesn't have the latest security software in place, we won't even consider recommending it.
2
Bonus Scheme
You'll want to find an online casino that offers some sort of bonus incentive, but sadly these aren't always as good as they first seem. We put bonuses to the test to make sure they're the real deal.
3
Fast Payouts
We insist on fast withdrawals being available through multiple options, ensuring that when you win at the live dealer Hold'em table you won’t have to wait very long to access your money.
4
Mobile Casino
The best live Hold'em casinos all support mobile and tablet gaming so you can get online and play regardless of where you are.
5
Game Selection
Every casino you find here features a broad selection of live dealer casino Hold'em as well as multiple variations. Plus, you’ll find an assortment of other games should you fancy a break from the table.
24/7 Customer Support
A legitimate live Hold'em casino site will make contacting customer services easy and transparent. The casinos we tested all had responsive customer representatives, contactable by email, phone or live chat, around the clock.
If a live video experience and flexibility are on your wish list, read on to find out why it’s worth visiting a live Hold’em poker table.
1
Live Video Streaming
Live Hold’em helps you feel closer to the action. Select your table and the live HD video will appear on your screen, including a friendly dealer who’ll be ready to deal your cards. Multiple camera angles give you the opportunity to zoom in or change your view. Chat with the mic’d up dealer and feel that unique casino buzz.
2
Play Wherever You Want
Don’t fret if you can’t get to a land based casino. With live casino Hold'em, you can bring the casino to you. Whether you want to play in bed, under the stars, or on your daily commute, you can do so with ease.
3
Better Odds
The virtual green guarantees better odds and payouts than brick and mortar casinos can. Wagers are reasonable and the enticing odds coupled with sound strategy can help you win more real cash.
4
Secure and Safe
Forget about driving long distances or queuing to collect your winnings. All the live casino Hold'em games we recommend will guarantee you a completely safe and secure environment.
The Difference between Casino Hold’em & Texas Hold’em
If you've ever played poker, there’s a good chance you’ll be used to playing against other players in Texas Hold’em poker. But in live Casino Hold’em, you play against the dealer. The game also accommodates as many players as necessary, making it a highly immersive and interactive experience because you can chat with everyone at the table.
Comparing Land Based, Online and Live Online Casinos
Topic
Land Based Casino
Online Casino
Live Online Casino
Privacy
Convenience
Bonuses
High Limits
Low Limits
Expense
Interaction
Realism
Payment Options
Final Verdict
Live dealer casino Hold’em has advantages over both standard online casino Hold’em and a real casino. The introduction of live dealers gives you the realism and excitement of playing live, but in the comfort of your own home. Whatever option you choose, you’re sure to have fun when you play this unique version of the casino game.
How to Play Live Hold’em
In live Hold'em, the dealer’s hand is the only one you’re up against. This means multiple players can win their bet in any given round. Depending on the hand you hold at the showdown, you could win a payout worth up to 100 to 1.
Dealt from a standard 52 card deck, your live dealer will happily chat with you and other players throughout the round. The following steps walk you through a game of live Texas Holdem.
Step 1
Place a bet
Place a bet on the ante bet (initial bet). - An optional bonus bet can also be placed on most live casino Hold'em games.
Step 2
Two cards face down
The dealer will deal all players two cards and two face down cards to themselves.
Step 3
Three cards face up
Three community cards will be dealt face up on the table. All players can use these as common cards to make up the hand.
Step 4
Call or Fold
You can ‘Call’ or ‘Fold’
Call - When you call you continue the round by placing a call bet that is equal to your ante. If you fold, the round ends and you lose your bet.
Fold - If you have made a bonus bet, you must call to receive a payout.
Step 5
Turn and River
If you call, the dealer will deal two further face up common cards. These are called the ‘Turn’ and the ‘River’.
Step 6
Revealing dealer's cards
The dealer will reveal his or her initial two cards.
Step 7
Beat the dealer's cards!
All player hands are compared to the dealer. Players who beat the dealers five card hand will win.
Extra Considerations
The dealer must hold at least a pair of 4s to qualify for a winning hand. If this does not hold true you will receive your call bet back and be paid your ante bet according to the casinos’ paytable.
If you and the dealer hold the same hand, the highest card available to you and the dealer will determine the winner (i.e. three kings will beat three queens).
The ace can act as the highest value or lowest value in a straight.
Types of Casino Hold'em Games
Casino Hold’em
1
of 3
Casino hold’em is the standard version of the game - the game you’ll find in casinos, both online and offline, throughout the world. It is a variety of the popular game Texas hold'em, the main difference being that you play against the dealer instead of other players. The game is played with a standard deck of 52 cards, with the aim being to get a higher 5-card hand than the dealer. With this variant, there is also the option to place an additional side bet. If you’re a beginner, or simply looking for the purest form of the game, this is the game you should be playing.
Ultimate Hold’em
2
of 3
Ultimate Hold’em is one of the most popular variations of casino hold’em around, plus it is also pretty easy to learn. The difference between the standard game and Ultimate Hold’em is this: you can raise once at any time in the latter version. The earlier you put in a raise, the larger it can be. This means that those playing Ultimate Hold’em have the chance to win considerably higher amounts, if they’re lucky. There is often also an optional side bet at this game, called the Trips bet. It is entirely up to you whether you play this side bet or not, but it's always a great option to have.
Live Hold’em Pro
3
of 3
Live Hold’em Pro is a social gaming app, allowing you to play casino hold’em using pretty much any mobile device. It can also be accessed via Facebook, allowing desktop users to play as well. It has been around since 2012, so it is one of the elder statesmen of the online hold’em world, and is still going strong, with loads of people still logging in to play every day. What's more, this game is completely free to enjoy. You’ll progress through levels as you play, and also have the chance to join tournaments and claim jackpot prizes. See if you can reach the highest stakes when playing this game!
Winning Casino Hold Em Hands and Payouts
Although live casino Hold’em follows the same hand ranking as Texas Hold’Em, it has a payout structure of its own. While this can vary at land based casinos, it typically ranges from 1:1 right up to 100:1 if you hit that dream royal flush.
Name of Hand
Description of Hand
Strength of Hand
Example of Hand
Live Casino Hold’Em Payouts
High Card
No hand made, so highest card counts
Weak
JD 9S 7D 3C 2D
1:1
Pair
Two cards of same rank
Fair
10C 10D KS 8C 7D
1:1
Two Pair
Two different pairs
Good
KS KH 8S 8C JH
1:1
Three of a Kind
Three cards of same rank
Good
JD JS JH 5C 8D
1:1
Straight
Five cards in a sequence
Very good
JS 10H 9D 8S 7H
1:1
Flush
Five cards of same suit
Very good
QC 10C 7C 6C 3C
2:1
Full House
Three of a kind, plus a pair
Strong
JC JH JD 8C 8H
3:1
Four of a Kind
Four cards of same rank
Strong
9S 9C 9H 9D 5H
10:1
Straight Flush
Five cards in sequence with same suit
Very strong
9H 8H 7H 6H 5H
20:1
Royal Flush
AKQJ10, all with same suit
Unbeatable
AC KC QC JC 10C
100:1
Deck of Cards Explained
You probably already know that a standard deck contains 52 playing cards. Each of these cards has a suit, plus they also all have values assigned to them. The four different suits are: diamonds, hearts, spades and clubs - these are abbreviated below as D, H, S and C. The value of the card can be 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, Jack, Queen, King or Ace. The numerical values retain their names in the table below, while the final four are abbreviated to J, Q, K and A. So, for example, 7S would refer to the seven of spades.
52 cards deck
Clubs
2C
3C
4C
5C
6C
7C
8C
9C
TC
JC
QC
KC
AC
Diamond
2D
3D
4D
5D
6D
7D
8D
9D
TD
JD
QD
KD
AD
Heart
2H
3H
4H
5H
6H
7H
8H
9H
TH
JH
QH
KH
AH
Spade
2S
3S
4S
5S
6S
7S
8S
9S
TS
JS
QS
KS
AS
Tips for Live Casino Hold’em
Before you play live dealer casino Hold’em, there are a few tips to keep in mind when deciding whether to fold or call.
Call when you have any Ace or King.
Call when you have a pair or better.
Call when you need just one card to hit a flush or straight draw.
Call when your two cards are higher than all three community cards.
Fold if neither of your cards is over 10 unless you have a flush or straight draw.
Live Games & Mobile Play
Thanks to live streaming webcam technology and mobile development, you can bring live casino Hold'em straight to the palm of your hand. Mobile and tablet players can access the real money action in a few taps or swipes. Put your poker skills to the test on an Android, iPhone, Windows, or Blackberry device.
Smartphone users will enjoy realistic sounds and graphics that complement the live human dealer. With a house edge of around 2.5%, live dealer casino Hold'em will enthrall you wherever you are at.
Play live dealer Hold'em on the move
Take advantage of complete privacy with your own personal screen
Make instant deposits and withdrawals from your smartphone
Enjoy software built specifically for your device
Best Live Casino Hold’Em Bonuses
When you play at one of our recommended top live casino Hold’em sites, you can also take advantage of the lucrative bonus offers. While many traditional online poker sites offer decent bonuses, many of the bonuses we’ve secured are exclusive to Casino.org.
There’s no doubt that a live dealer online takes Hold'em to a whole new level. But combine that with the welcome bonus offers, sometimes to the tune of four-figures, and you have a winning combination.
Meet the Providers
BetGames.tv
Many great games, all hosted by friendly dealers. BetGames.tv games aren’t found at too many sites, but they’re definitely worth looking out for.
Evolution Gaming
The biggest name in the live casino business. Their software is found at some of the biggest online casino sites around.
GGL
Global Gaming Labs is a smaller live casino company, however they manage to offer great streams and fun gameplay.
Playtech
Playtech are well known for their online slots, however they also offer great live games, including casino hold’em.
Vivo Gaming
Vivo Gaming provide a full suite of live dealer games at many casinos, including roulette, blackjack and casino hold’em.
XPG
We love XPG software. Why? Well, it’s because they offer really enjoyable gameplay, as well as HD streams.
Time to Start Playing Live Casino Hold Em
Live dealer casino Hold'em can provide hours of entertainment. Apart from winning money, it’s an opportunity to chat with people all over the world. If security is a concern, put your mind at ease, as encryption, firewalls, and regular security checks are the foundation of these casinos' safety protocols.
All that’s left is to choose a site that appeals to you. Review the bonus offers, sign up, and deposit to step onto the live casino floor where the Hold'em table will be waiting.
Want to Play Now? Check Out The #1 Live Dealer Hold'em Casino
Live dealer Hold'em is an exciting variation that brings the casino to your home. HD video streaming, multiple camera angles, and a real human dealer make bring life to the Hold'em poker. Watch the cards be dealt and flipped on a real table as you communicate with other players or the dealer. It’s the best way to fulfill your gambling desires without having to go anywhere.
How do you play live dealer Hold'em?
Live dealer Hold'em is played with a 52 card deck - the Jokers being excluded. After every round the deck of cards is shuffled. Players go up against the house with the objective being to beat the dealer’s hand by getting the best five card hand. The winning hand combinations are the same as those in a traditional poker game. Live casino Hold'em can be played with an unlimited number of players and around the clock, seven days a week.
Are there any live Hold'em tournaments online?
Tournaments usually involve a ton of dealers at dozens and dozens of different tables, so not a lot of live dealer casinos offer them. Your best bet is to play regular online casino Hold'em if you're a big fan of tournaments.
Where can I find the best live dealer Hold'em games?
A growing number of online casinos have begun offering live dealer casino Hold’em, so you might not be sure where to start. However, our team of reviewers has experience playing these games so they know the sort of things to look out for. One of the most important things is great gameplay, of course, but there are some other things to be aware of like the variety of games and stakes and the compatibility with various hand held devices. Our team covers all the bases when it comes to knowing what’s what.
Can I try live Hold'em for free before wagering real money?
This depends on the casino in question, but some internet casino sites will not offer casino Hold’em for free as it simply isn’t cost-effective for them. Still, even these casinos will offer other games for free. It can sometimes be worth playing the standard free games on offer in order to practice, before eventually ‘graduating’ to real money live dealer games when the time comes. The games themselves are no different when it comes to what you need to do to win.
How do I know live dealer games are safe & secure?
All live poker games, just as with regular table games online, are subject to the strictest tests to ensure they are fair. Independent testers play a huge number of hands across all games to make sure there is nothing out of the ordinary happening. As long as a live dealer Hold'em game has been independently tested (and they will display their licenses and certifications somewhere on the site), you can be confident that it is entirely fair and no different from a real life game in a physical casino.
Do I need a good internet connection to play live Hold'em?
Live dealer Hold'em games are different to standard games in very few ways, but one of these is that there is a live feed streamed from a physical casino or studio, that the player sees on their screen. Because of this, a decent internet connection is more important on these games. Fibre optic broadband should do the trick. That way you will avoid annoying lag or buffering, and get the most out of these great online casino games.
Are there live Hold'em apps for mobile & tablet users?
This will vary from one casino to the next, but an increasing number of sites are offering live dealer casino Hold’em for mobile and tablet devices. Due to the relatively small screen size on many smartphones, tablet games might prove the more player-friendly of the two. Check out our reviews section to find the best sites for mobile and tablet live dealer casino Hold’em games.
What are the live casino Hold’em payouts?
The size of the payouts you receive in live casino Hold’em will vary depending on the strength of your hand. For weaker hands you’ll receive the standard 1:1, but this typically increases to 2:1 for a flush, 3:1 for a full house, 10:1 if you hit four of a kind, 20:1 in the case of a straight flush, and an attractive 100:1 for a royal flush.
