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Since before written history, gambling has been a popular form of entertainment. Today, gambling has thrived and players have access to a wide array of ways to place bets and wager on their favorite games. There are numerous physical casinos established throughout the world. Besides, with this digitalized era, online casinos have also brought the glamour and excitement of casino gaming to the convenience of your place. One of the most popular aspects of the casino’s thrilling experience is playing table games. Each table game has unique characteristics that have earned them legions of loyal players. Table games help players test their strategic talents and luck.
What Are Casino Table Games?
In layman’s language, a table game is a game played on a table. On one hand, these games may be the traditional tables where one or more dealers operate the games with chips. The dealer in a table game is much similar to a croupier or a poker dealer. On the other hand, casino table games may be modern tables that use an electronic device through which players can wager.
When playing table games, players usually sit around a table with each gaming table having a unique design for the game being played. The dealer or croupier is responsible for conducting the game and managing payments. One of the major things that make casino table games popular is the fact that you can win some good money, all you need to do is play your cards right. Nevertheless, you need strategies, experience, and luck for you to win big.
To become a veteran at casino table games, you need to understand the game instructions, strategies, and some common phrases. For instance, to play table games for real money, you place your wager on a specific outcome and if your bet is successful, you get paid according to the odds set. Notably, the House edge commonly referred to as the Edge is a measure of the average percentage return to a casino from each spin. The Edge is a universally accepted feature of casino gaming throughout the world. The casino is also known as “the House.”
If you are planning to play casino table games, always ensure that you check on the casino’s House edge. It is a requirement for all licensed casinos to display their House edge information and in most cases; it is reflected in the House edge Leaflet.
Popular Table Games
Although most people tend to flock towards slot games, it is often believed that real players go for the table games. It’s no doubt that slot machines usually feature the biggest edges for the casino and as such, the smarter players tend to go for the tables. Tables give many real players a chance to test their strategy, skills, and luck. Casino gaming fanatics can revel in a variety of popular table games including Blackjack, Craps, Roulette, Baccarat, and Three Card Poker.
Across the world’s casinos, the popularity of Blackjack surpasses all other table games due to simple gameplay coupled with a low house edge. Meanwhile, in many Asian countries, Table game lovers tend to indulge in popular dice games like Sic Bo or the simple Baccarat game.
Most casinos are embracing table games not just to let their players enjoy them but also to earn money out of their favorite games. Let’s dive into the intricacies of the most popular casino table games that you can play both in physical casinos and as online variants:
Blackjack
Blackjack is one of the most popular games among table action lovers primarily because it is simple to pick up. When playing Blackjack, you can either compete against other players and the dealer or just the dealer. The aim is to create a score of 21 in the fewest cards possible. In other words, the bid is to beat the game dealer’s hand without going over 21.
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So, you only win when the two cards in your hand add up to a score more than the two cards in the dealer’s hand – without going over 21. In case you exceed 21, you lose. Note that each number card has its numerical value. For instance:
- A face card is worth 10
- An ace is worth either 1 or 11
Depending on how much skill is incorporated into the game, certain cards are shown at their face value while others are hidden. Some Blackjack variants focus on European rules while others allow more face-up cards. Luckily, there is a wide range of Blackjack variants to fit the specific preferences of each gamer.
Roulette
Roulette is a game of chance where you take a risk without knowing all the information first. When playing Roulette, the aim is to guess where the ball will fall on the spinning wheel. You can place your bet on a number, a specific set of numbers, or even go for an almost 50/50 route by choosing odds and evens or a color.
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In most casinos, Roulette lovers can revel in single-zero and double-zero roulette wheels. In such cases, you bet with a colored roulette chip designated for the specific table of your choice. Most importantly, the value of each roulette chip is calculated at the time of buy-in.
As a game of chance, some gaming strategies may prove more effective than others. However, winning is not just dependent on probability but luck. Let’s just say luck is a fundamental ingredient when spinning the roulette wheel.
Three Card Poker
Three Card Poker is another easy-to-play table game that able action lovers enjoy. Generally, there are three ways you can bet and four ways you can win. In this game, the dealer and the player are dealt three cards. To start playing this game, you must place an ante.
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After placing an ante, the player and the dealer both receive three cards. You can either make additional wagers – if you like your hand or fold and forfeit the ante.
Craps
If you are looking for a change from card games, Craps is the best choice you have to get fast and exciting gameplay. Craps is a popular game played using dice. It involves players making predictions on the outcome of:
- A dice roll
- A series of dice rolls
- A pair of dice
After players wager on the possible outcomes, one player, the shooter, throws the dice. Note that all bets must be placed before the “shooter” throws the dice. The dice are then passed to another shooter when the shooter “seven-outs”.
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As you’d expect, the game requires a lot of courage to place high wagers based on the fact that you are placing bets on a roll of a dice. Nevertheless, there are dozens of possible wagers for players to make and you can be sure to get one that fits your preference.
Most casinos offer tables for craps and although the game does not attract as much of a new crowd as games featuring cards do, it is one of the options for fast and thrilling gameplay. Notably, there are certain key terminologies used to denote the outcome of certain pairs of dice including Snake eyes (for two ones) and box cars (for two sixes).
Ultimate Texas Hold’em
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It is a table game where you play against the dealer in a one-on-one poker matchup. To start, the player makes a blind bet and an ante then raises four times before the flop, two times after the flop, and one time after the turn. On the bright side, the game has 6 Card bonus and 2 side bets; TRIPS or BETTER.
Baccarat
Baccarat is yet another table game that requires strategic thinking and little skill to play. Baccarat is played between a player and a dealer with the aim of each being to get a better hand than their opponent.
Normally, there are three gaming outcomes; the dealer wins, the player wins or they tie. Remember that each player is dealt two cards, and whoever gets a point total closest to 9 wins. It is important to note that 10s and face cards count as zeros.
Pai Gow Poker
Pai Gow Poker is an interesting game featured as a combo of the Asian game of Pai Gow and the American poker game. To start the game, each player is dealt seven cards. The goal is to sort your cards to make the two best poker hands. You only win (according to the play table) if you beat both the dealer’s hands. Otherwise, in case you win just one of the hands, the result is a tie and the Pai Gow poker game starts again.
Sic Bo
Sic Bo is known by a variety of names including hi-low, Tai sai, big and small, and dai siu. It is most popular among the Asian community and is played in most casinos in Macau. Sic Bo is one of the easiest table games played with 3 dice. The idea is simple, players bet on the outcome of a single roll of the dice and the rarer the combination, the higher the payout.
Final Words
Many players love to indulge in table action and as such casino table games are some of the most popular games around the world. While it’s true that many gamers flock the slot machine in casinos, Blackjack, Roulette, Baccarat, Craps and other types of poker have accrued their followings in casinos. Casino table games are accessible to any type of gamer whether a novice or a veteran but most of them require some skill and strategy for one to become a formidable player.
