How to Follow Live Dealer Calls in Popular Casino Games

By Jasmin Feltrim

May 3rd, 2025

BURLINGTON, ON

Thanks to popular live dealer games, all modern online casinos let players immerse themselves in the atmosphere of a gambling establishment without having to leave their homes. On live dealer casino games, a player watches the professional croupier or host via a video stream. To feel confident and respond appropriately to current events within the game, it is crucial to understand what the key phrases and commands being used by the host are.

Leading online casinos worldwide, from US operators to UK sites like those analysed and compared by the expert platform legalcasino.uk, offer a wide range of live games. There you will find tables for roulette, blackjack and baccarat from top providers such as Evolution, Playtech, and Pragmatic Play Live. However, the dealer’s phrases in these games will differ, so the following is a look at which expressions are most frequently used within them.

Universal Phrases Used by Live Dealers

Let’s begin with basic expressions that appear in virtually every live game:

The dealer is simply telling you that you may now place your stake. It’s a classic phrase signalling the start of a game round.

Place your bets, please — at this point, the dealer is simply telling you that you may now place your stake. It’s a classic phrase signalling the start of a game round.
Last bets or Bets are closing — this is a warning that the betting period is about to end.
No more bets, please — if you hear this phrase, it’s no longer possible to place or change your bet. The main action begins.
Good luck! — A supportive phrase before the start of the round, used in all games.
Thank you / Congratulations — words of appreciation and congratulations from the dealer after the round ends.

Roulette

Live roulette is one of the most dynamic casino games, and its rules are simple with a wide array of bet options. The popular game has its own set of terms that are worth learning before trying your luck:

Spinning the wheel — the croupier begins the game and releases the ball.
Ball is in the wheel — the ball is spinning and will soon come to rest in one of the sectors.
Winning number is… — for example: “Winning number is 32, Red, Even, High.” — meaning that everyone who bet on 32, red, even, or high numbers (19–36) has won.
Inside/Outside bets — these denote the type of bets: inside (on individual numbers) or outside (on groups such as columns, odd/even, dozens, etc.).
Straight up, Split, Street, Corner, Line — types of bets on individual numbers or specific groups.

Blackjack

Player constantly makes game decisions, to which the dealer responds with specific phrases.

In live blackjack, the player constantly makes game decisions, to which the dealer responds with specific phrases:

Hit — the player requests to take one additional card.
Stand — the player finishes drawing and keeps their current cards.
Double Down — where the player doubles their stake and receives an additional card.
Split — the option to divide identical cards into two independent hands is called splitting.
Blackjack — a hand with an ace and a card valued at 10 (ten, jack, queen, king). The highest possible score is 21 points with two cards.
Bust — the player or dealer exceeds 21, which is an automatic loss.
Push — when the player and dealer have the same number of points (not blackjack) it’s called a push, and the player typically gets their bet returned.

In real-world blackjack games, players use hand signals like tapping the table (hit) or a wave of the hand (stand). This does not apply to online casinos, as actions are obviously done digitally through a game interface.

Baccarat

Task is to predict whose hand will have the highest score, either the Player’s or the Banker’s.

In live baccarat, your main task is to predict whose hand will have the highest score, either the Player’s or the Banker’s. During the game, dealers use the following phrases:

Player wins / Banker wins / Tie — the result of the round: the player wins, the banker wins, or it’s a tie.
Natural 8 / Natural 9 — if either side has an 8 or 9 from the first two cards, this is a “natural” — the round ends without a third card being drawn and the highest “natural” wins.
Drawing a third card — according to the rules, the dealer automatically draws a third card if required.
Commission / No Commission — some tables charge a commission on banker wins (usually 5%).

Tips for Beginners

Be sure to learn the basic terminology as it will help to enjoy the flow of the game. Pay attention to the interface as well, because the dealer’s commands are also displayed visually, which helps you stay oriented even if you do not fully understand what was said.

Using demo modes for some practice is an excellent way to get used to the pace and vocabulary without the risk of losing money. First-person virtual table games can then be explored before jumping into the full live experience. Only start playing in a full experience when you are confident of a game’s process and phrases.

Conclusion

The language of live dealers is a structured part of the gameplay. It enables the player to make timely decisions, understand the round’s progress, and create the immersive atmosphere of a real casino. The greater your understanding of these gaming expressions, the more comfortable your live dealer experience will be.