Online table games have significantly improved over the past few years and have become a hot trend among online punters. However, in 2020, as countries went under lockdowns and people had to stay home to comply with health restrictions and social distancing, the online gambling industry experienced an increase in the number of new players, and, with land-based casinos being shut down, casino websites became a safe and attractive alternative to players all around the world.
The first online casinos were created in the 1990s, and by then, the selection of games available was limited, consisting mostly of slot machines. But as technology improved, and the demand for these games increased, many new games were created, and now the offer of table games online is huge, including classics like roulette and blackjack, and novelty games like sic bo and Let it Ride. Today, online casinos make up for a big share of an industry that specialists estimate will profit over US$120 billion by 2027.
If you are a beginner or a novice player, it might be difficult to navigate these websites and find the best game variants, tables and bet limits. In this article, we present to you the best table games for beginners.
Roulette
Among popular casino games, roulette is probably the most recognizable casino setting in the world. Over the years, it has been depicted in books, movies and TV shows, and is usually the game of choice for beginners, as its rules are easy and very straightforward. Online roulette features the same number field and bets as its real-life counterpart, and can be found in almost every online casino.
Most websites offer the American roulette, which features two zero pockets, and the French roulette, with only one zero pocket. Other variants include multiball roulette, no-zero roulette and themed tables. There are live dealer games as well, which are streamed from brick-and-mortar casinos or luxurious studios, and feature professional croupiers to operate and manage the games.
Blackjack
One of the most played card games in the world, Blackjack is present in every reputable online casino. Also known as 21, the game also has straightforward rules, and a lower house edge than most table games, usually around 1%, which means for every $100 wagered, punters lose around $1 in average over time. Since the chances of winning are higher, blackjack is the best alternative for novice players both at online and land-based casinos.
There are many variants as well, including progressive blackjack and multi-hand blackjack, and most websites also offer live dealer tables. To avoid mistakes and losses, keep a blackjack strategy chart at hand, and select the best course of action with each hand in the game.
Baccarat
Baccarat is a card game, with mechanics similar to blackjack, that is a great choice for inexperienced players. Although not very known in the United States, it’s one of the most popular table games in Europe and Asia, and it’s even played by James Bond in the series of novels by Sir Ian Fleming. Baccarat has simple rules, being played between two hands, the player and the banker. Bets are made on one of three outcomes: the player hand wins, the bank hand wins, or a tie.
At online casinos, you will find many variants of the game, including punto banco, chemin de fer, and baccarat banque, which are the most popular variations, and live dealer games as well. It also has a low house edge, usually around 1%. Remember to start at tables with lower bet limits, since the game is also favoured by high-rolling players.
Let it Ride poker
Let it Ride is a variation of online poker that has become a hot trend among online punters in recent years. Available in most online casinos, it’s an incredibly easy game for beginners. It’s based on the five-card stud poker game, and players bet on hands formed by their own three cards and two community cards. On two opportunities during a round, players are able to withdraw one-third of their initial wager.
One of the easiest variations of poker, Let it Ride is a great choice for novice players and those starting to play poker online, and once you get a hang of it, you can progress to more difficult poker games, such as Texas and Omaha Hold’em.
