What table games are
The term table games refers to a group of titles traditionally played at a table with cards or a roulette wheel. Unlike slots, here, alongside chance, the player's decision-making also comes into play, for example when to draw another card or how much to stake.
In an online casino these games take two forms. The first runs on software with a random number generator; the second takes place live with a real dealer via a video stream. We cover both below.
A common trait of table games is that the player usually knows the rules in advance and knows what options the game offers. With the software version you set the pace yourself, which gives room to think through your next move. This combination of clarity and control is why table games hold their steady popularity.
If you want to see how the games are split into sections, the casino categories page will help. You'll find a comparison with slots in the slots section.
Roulette and its variants
Roulette is one of the best-known games of all. The player predicts where the ball will come to rest on the spinning wheel with its numbered pockets. You can bet on a specific number, a group of numbers, a colour or odd/even.
There are several basic variants. European roulette has a single zero, American roulette adds a double zero on top, and French roulette works with the European wheel and special rules for even-money bets.
Besides the main bets, roulette also offers so-called outside and inside bets. Inside bets target specific numbers or their smaller groups, while outside bets cover broader wholes such as a colour or half of the numbers. Combining them gives the player the chance to spread their play according to their own style.
The differences between the variants change the structure of the bets as well as the overall flow of the game. Which versions are available, and on what terms, depends on the current offer.
Blackjack and player decisions
Blackjack is a card game in which the player competes against the dealer. The aim is to have a card total as close as possible to twenty-one without going over it. After the deal, you decide whether to draw another card, stand or use other options.
Common decisions include doubling your stake, splitting identical cards into two hands, and insurance against the dealer's blackjack. The exact rules of these options differ from table to table.
Blackjack stands out among table games in that the player's decisions have a noticeable effect on the course of a round. That is why basic strategies have grown up around it, advising how to act on a given dealer card. It is an aid to decision-making, not a recipe for a certain win.
Variants such as Classic, Single Deck and European Blackjack differ in the number of decks and the details of the rules. These details affect the strategy a player chooses.
Baccarat: a game with a bet on a side
Baccarat is a game with a simple flow that leans mainly on chance. The player does not bet on their own cards in the real sense, but predicts which side will be closer to the value of nine, whether it will be the player's hand, the banker's hand or a tie.
The cards are dealt according to fixed rules and the player does not intervene in their flow. That is exactly why baccarat is popular with those who want to follow the game without complicated decision-making.
Variants such as Punto Banco and various fast versions are widespread. They differ mainly in pace and additional bets, while the basic logic stays the same.
Casino poker
Many people picture poker as a game against other players, but in the table games section it usually means casino variants against the dealer. These include titles such as Casino Hold'em, Three Card Poker and Caribbean Stud.
Their common feature is comparing the player's combination of cards with the dealer's combination according to the ranking of poker hands. After seeing the cards, the player decides whether to carry on or to fold.
These games combine an element of chance with basic strategy. At the start there is usually a base bet, which may be followed by a decision to carry on or to fold. Some titles also offer side bets, which are settled separately.
The specific rules and additional bets differ between individual titles, so it's worth reading the description right there in the game.
The RNG version versus the live table
Each of the games described can be found in an online casino in two forms. The version with a random number generator runs purely on software. The outcome is decided by an algorithm and the player plays at their own pace, at any time and without waiting.
The live version takes place in a studio with a real dealer who spins the roulette or deals the cards in front of a camera. The player watches the stream live and can communicate via chat. The live casino page covers this form in detail.
| Feature | RNG version | Live version |
|---|---|---|
| Flow | software and algorithm | real dealer via video |
| Pace | set by the player | set by the action at the table |
| Interaction | none | chat with the dealer |
| Availability | around the clock | depends on studio operation |
The choice between them is a matter of taste. Some appreciate the calm and speed of RNG games, while others prefer the atmosphere of a live table.