When you talk about casino table games, you can easily picture James Bond playing his moves at a Baccarat table — social, sophisticated and sharp. But when you step foot into a casino, you can easily get overwhelmed by the crowd and the intense pressure these table games offer.

Slots are much simpler — just pull the lever and watch the magic happen — no fancy stuff, no brainwork required. So why do people even go for table games? 

As per stats, “In 2023, there were 72,243 table games, including poker, in casinos worldwide, with North America leading at 30,746 games.”

So, it’s crystal clear that people LOVE table games. That’s because slots, video poker, and keno are all pure games of chance, while table games often offer better odds, giving you a higher chance of scoring big.

If live games aren't your style, try low-stakes online table games instead. That way you can polish your skills with some low-stakes or free bets.

Let’s dive into the article to explore the top 10 casino table games, their odds and tips on how to win at table games.

1. BlackJack

BlackJack is indeed the most popular card game worldwide. Even Napoleon Bonapart was a die-hard fan of the game. Formerly known as “Vingt-et-Un” (which means 21 in French), this game offers the best odds players can think of. 

In blackjack, you have about a 42% chance of winning with player hands, but this can change based on rules.

With the right strategies, you can easily reduce the house edge to 0.5%-0.6% which makes a big difference as compared to slots with house edge 5%-15%.

The best thing about blackjack is, it doesn't make you feel like competing in WrestleMania. It’s not a player vs player; instead, it’s you against the dealer, making the game both exciting and intriguing.

How to Play

• You have to make your bet before the game starts.
• You and other players along with the dealer, each get two cards, with your cards usually face up and one of the dealer's cards face down.
• You can choose to hit (grab another card) or stand (stick with what you've  got)
• If your hands total exceeds 21, you lose!
• Number cards are worth their face value (Kings, Queens, Jacks), are worth 10, and Aces can be worth 11
• Once you’re done, the dealer reveals their hidden card and has to hit until they hit 17 or higher.
• If you’re lucky enough to get a hand closer to 21 than the dealer; you win, if it’s the same, it’s a push(tie).

2. Baccarat

Want to know which is the second most popular game in Vegas and Macau? Baccarat. Similar to blackjack, you’re competing against the house instead of individual players. 

Though the name might present a more complex picture of the game it’s one of the easiest table games you’ll find. Players are drawn towards this game because it offers some of the highest odds of winning against that dominant house.

Want to know something interesting? According to a simulation that ran over a billion hands, the house won 45.8% of the time, while players got their share of winning 44.6% of the time. This means that the house only gets a 1.2% edge. 

But do keep in mind to avoid Tie Betting which has a house edge of approx 14.5%, just like the ex who keeps popping back — definitely not worth the trouble.

How to Play

• You aim to bet on the Player, Banker, or Tie, predicting which hand will be closest to 9.
• Aces count as 1, cards 2-9 are worth their face value, and 10s and face cards are worth 0.
• Both Player and Banker get two cards; if either has a total of 8 or 9, it’s a natural win, and the game ends.
• If the Player's total is 5 or less, they draw a third card.
• The Banker’s drawing rules depend on the Player's third card.
• Winning bets on the Player pay 1:1; Banker bets pay 1:1 minus a 5% commission.
• Tie bets usually pay 8:1 or 9:1
• No special skills are needed—just enjoy the game!

3. Roulette

Some folks call Roulette “The Devil’s Game” as all the numbers on the roulette wheel add up to 666 while with red and black colors, it kinda adds up the spooky vibe. But that should keep you from playing this lively game. Roulette’s popularity is not far behind blackjack and baccarat.

But to be honest, the odds are a lot slimmer than other table games you’ll find at a casino. Even Einstein said, “You cannot beat a roulette table unless you steal money from it.”

Still, the house edge for American Roulette is 5.26%, while European Roulette’s edge is 2.7%. But if you’re lucky you can increase your winning chances with even-money bets (like red/black or odd/even) to 47.37%.

Remember to stay away from 5-number bets (on 00, 0, 1, 2, and 3) as it can give you a house edge of 7.89% in American Roulette here.

How to Play

• Pick your game: American Roulette has a 0 and 00, while European Roulette only has one 0, giving you better odds.
• Place your bets on the layout: You can go for individual numbers, colors (red or black), or groups like odd/even or high/low.
• Get your chips at the table; they’re different colors to avoid mix-ups with other players.
• When everyone’s ready, the dealer spins the wheel and rolls the ball in the opposite direction.
• The ball lands in a pocket, and the dealer calls out the winning number and color. Winning bets get paid out based on your wager.
• Collect your winnings, keep playing, or cash out when you’re done!

4. Craps

You’ll be surprised to know that Craps is derived from the French word “crapaud” which stands for “toad”. Imagine players huddled on the ground, squatting low to toss the dice, looking like, well, a bunch of toads. That’s what we call channeling the inner amphibian.

Players don’t like to mention the word “seven” in the game as it’s highly considered unlucky. Although the game has several betting options, the most popular ones include “Pass Line”, “Don't Pass Line”, “Come” and “Don’t Come”.

For a Pass Line Bet, the house edge is 1.41%, while for a Do Not Pass Bet, it’s slightly lower at 1.36%. The game has been referenced in various literary and cinematic works, including The Canterbury Tales, Casino, and Ocean’s 13. 

Currently, it’s one of the most played games in North America and with the rise of online gaming, its popularity isn't fading away anytime soon.

How to Play

• Start by placing your bets. You can bet on the Pass Line (a good starting point for beginners) or the Don't Pass Line if you're feeling rebellious.
• The shooter rolls the dice. If they roll a 7 or 11 on the first toss, Pass Line bets win. If they roll a 2, 3, or 12, those bets lose.
• If they roll any other number (the "point"), that number is marked, and the goal is to roll the point again before rolling a 7.
• While the shooter is trying to hit the point, you can place additional bets like Come and Don't Come, which function similarly to Pass and Don't Pass.
• If a 7 is rolled before the point, Pass Line bets lose, and Don't Pass bets win.
• After the round, the next player becomes the shooter, and the fun continues!

5. Poker

Poker is the granddaddy of card games, with roots stretching back over 1000 years. At this point, you should be convinced that even dinosaurs might’ve gathered around a campfire to play a hand or two.

As time passed, the game evolved from a 20-card game to 52 52-card showdown to include more players. Poker gained popularity after the inception of the World Series of Poker in 1970. In 2012, the first poker tournament with a $1 million buy-in happened, and Antonio Esfandiari won an incredible $18,346,673.

Poker and It’s Different Variations:

Texas Hold'em generally has a house edge of about 2-3% in cash games and none in tournaments, with roughly 85% of starting hands winning at showdown.

Omaha has a similar house edge, around 2-3%, and about 60-70% winning odds for strong hands. In Seven Card Stud, the house edge is approximately 2-4%, with winning odds of around 50% for decent hands.

Five Card Draw has a higher house edge of around 5%, and winning odds of about 40-50%. Razz typically has a house edge of about 5%, with odds of approximately 45% for a good low hand. In Caribbean Stud Poker, the house edge is about 5.22%, giving players around 44% odds of winning against the dealer.

Lastly, Three Card Poker has a house edge of roughly 3.37% for the ante bet, with winning odds around 25% against the dealer. These variations offer different strategies, playstyles, and odds, making poker an engaging game for players.

How to Play

• Choose a poker variant, like Texas Hold'em, Omaha, or Seven Card Stud.
• Learn the basic rules, hand rankings, and betting structure for your selected game.
• Players contribute to the pot through blinds or antes.
• In Texas Hold'em, each player is dealt two hole cards, and community cards are placed face-up on the table.
• Betting rounds occur where players can bet, check, call, raise, or fold.
• After the final betting round, the remaining players reveal their hands in a showdown.
• The player with the best hand wins the pot.
• Continue playing hands, accumulating chips or money based on your wins.

6. Pai Gow

PaiGow has been around since the Song Dynasty. A casino owner, Sam Torosian, updated the version where players create two hands — one with five cards and another with two. Now that's how you double the fun.

However the tie goes to the dealer, so it’s important to keep your heads up and strategize. Being accessible online, you can easily enjoy the game on your table, phone or computer.

In Pai Gow Poker, the house edge typically ranges from 2.5% to 3.5%, meaning that for every $100 wagered, the casino expects to profit between $2.50 and $3.50 over time. 

Players have about a 45% to 50% chance of winning by playing optimally, but ties go to the dealer, slightly lowering effective winning odds.

How to Play

• In Pai Gow, each player starts by placing a bet before receiving their seven cards from the dealer.
• The goal is to create two poker hands: a high hand with five cards and a low hand with two cards. The high hand must always beat the low hand.
• Arrange your cards to form the best possible hands, keeping in mind that pairs, straights, and flushes can help you win.
• Once everyone has set their hands, the dealer reveals their hand. Your hands must beat the dealer’s two hands to win.
• If you win both hands, you get paid even more money. If you win one and lose the other, you push your bet (no win, no loss). If you lose both, the dealer takes your bet.
• Remember to follow the house rules for setting your hands, as some casinos may have specific guidelines!

Conclusion

Now you know the six-table games that can really amp up your casino experience. Whether you prefer the strategy of Blackjack or the thrill of Roulette, each game has its unique flair and odds to explore. Just remember, practice makes perfect, so whether you’re hitting up a casino or playing online, get familiar with the rules and strategies. Have fun, stay smart, and may the odds be ever in your favor!