Table games are a gambling favorite for good reason. This is where the real action is. Table games allow players to incorporate strategy and put that knowledge to use. It’s all about knowing the odds, making it a more active way to gamble than pulling a slot lever (virtual or real) and hoping for the best.
The same is true at real-money online casinos, where experienced players and newcomers alike can profit from knowing what to do and knowing which games give the house the biggest edge. Some games, such as blackjack, incorporate a lot of strategy while others, including baccarat, are more straightforward.
Like anything in life, playing these games and playing them well is all about reps. The more you play blackjack or three-card poker, the more comfortable you’ll be making the right decision. Eventually you won’t even have to think about it anymore. The strategy and by-the-book plays will be ingrained in your brain.
The only way to reach that point is with lots of practice, and there’s no better way than with online casino table games. Playing online gives you the chance to hone your skills and learn these games inside and out with a lot of repetition. Yes, you can play to win real money, but many online casinos also have low-limit games, welcome bonuses and even a free bet to entice new bettors. Check out the top games offered at all the best paying online casinos below.
Baccarat
Baccarat is still a mystery for many casino players. It has a fancy name and is generally considered a high-stakes table game, so a lot of folks gravitate toward their comfort zone in the slots area. It’s all nonsense. Baccarat is a relatively easy game to learn. A player is dealt two cards (and a third if the total is less than 5). Same for the dealer. Nine is the magic number. Whichever hand equals or comes closest to nine wins, with face cards counting as zero and aces counting as one.
If a hand adds up to more than nine, the total is subtracted by 10. For example, a pair of eights has a value of six: 8 + 8 = 16; 16-10 = 6
We’re talking elementary-level math here. The twist is that players don’t have to bet on their own hand. Before the cards are dealt they can bet on their hand, the dealer’s hand, or a tie, with varying odds for each bet.
Playing online baccarat is the quickest way to learn. The hands go fast and, unlike blackjack, players don’t make any decisions once the cards have been dealt. The only decision is made before the hand when players choose which outcome to bet. Playing popular table games such as baccarat online is a great way to get comfortable with the various odds.
And, despite its high-stakes reputation at the casino and in movies, online games offer a variety of stakes and minimum wagers. Try a few hands online – you can even play a live dealer version – and you’ll quickly realize baccarat is actually less complicated than most casino table games.
Craps
If you’re at the casino and hear a massive cheer, there’s a good chance it’s coming from the craps table. Players are usually rooting for the same outcome as they take turns throwing dice onto a large, numbered board. Simply put, it is one exciting game to watch and even better to play.
The most common bet is the “pass line.” If the shooter rolls a 7 or 11, the pass bet wins. If the shooter rolls a 2, 3 or 12, the pass bet loses. If the shooter rolls any other number, that number becomes the “point.” The shooter will continue to roll the dice until he rolls the same number again, in which case the pass bet wins, or rolls a 7, in which case the pass bet loses. Those are just the very basics, with tons of additional bets and opportunities to increase wagers throughout the shooter’s turn.
Getting hot on the dice is easily one of the most thrilling gambling experiences and can lead to big payouts for everyone at the table. But craps is a bit more intricate than other casino table games. It requires more time to understand all the different bet types and when player are allowed to increase their wagers during a shooter’s turn.
