How to Table Games

Let’s pull up a chair and talk about the thrilling world of table games! These are the classics, the heart and soul of any casino, both online and off.

This article is your quick start guide to the most popular table games. We’ll break each one down into simple steps so you can understand the basics. Blackjack has it own separate article at How to Blackjack and Chart – Le Gambler

1. Roulette: The Iconic Wheel of Fortune

Roulette is all about predicting where a little ball will land on a spinning wheel. It’s simple, elegant, and full of betting options.

The Goal: Bet on which numbered pocket (or group of pockets) the ball will settle into.
The Basics:
1. The wheel has numbers 1-36, alternating red and black, plus one or two green zeros (0, and sometimes 00).
2. You place your chips on the “layout” (the betting table) to make your predictions.
How to Play:
1. Place your bets on the table. You can bet on a single number (“straight up”), red or black, odd or even, groups of numbers, or many other combinations.
2. The dealer (or croupier) spins the wheel and releases the ball in the opposite direction.
3. Once the ball drops into a numbered pocket, the dealer announces the winning number and pays out all winning bets.
Key Point: Bets with a lower probability of winning (like a single number) pay out much more than bets with a high probability (like red/black).

2. Baccarat: The Sophisticated Game of Chance

Baccarat always had a high-roller reputation! It’s actually one of the simplest games to play. You’re just betting on which of two hands will win: the “Player” or the “Banker.”

The Goal: Correctly predict whether the Player’s hand or the Banker’s hand will have a total value closest to 9. You can also bet on a Tie.
The Basics:
1. Cards 2-9 are worth their face value. 10s, Jacks, Queens, and Kings are worth 0. Aces are worth 1.
2. If a hand’s total is more than 9, only the second digit counts (e.g., a 7 and a 6 total 13, but the hand value is 3).
How to Play:
1. Place your bet on either Player, Banker, or Tie.
2. Two cards are dealt to both the Player and Banker.
3. The hand with a total closest to 9 wins. A third card may be drawn for one or both hands based on predetermined rules. You don’t have to remember these rules; the dealer handles everything automatically.
4. Winning bets on Player are paid 1:1. Winning bets on Banker are also paid 1:1, but a small commission (usually 5%) is charged because it’s a slightly better bet. Tie bets pay 8:1 or 9:1.

3. Craps: The Energetic Dice Game

Craps looks complex with its giant table and specialized lingo, but the most common bets are straightforward.

The Goal: Correctly predict the outcome of the roll, or a series of rolls, of two dice.
The Basics:
1. The game revolves around a “shooter” who rolls the dice.
2. The first roll is called the “come-out roll.”
How to Play (The Simple Version):
1. The simplest and most fundamental bets are the Pass Line and Don’t Pass bets.
2. On the come-out roll:
  - If you bet the Pass Line, you win if the shooter rolls a 7 or 11. You lose if they roll a 2, 3, or 12 (this is “craps”). Any other number (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10) becomes the “point.”
3. If a point is established, the shooter keeps rolling until they either roll the point number again (you win!) or roll a 7 (you lose).
Tip : Start with the Pass Line bet. It’s a bet with low house edge and you can explore more complex bets once you’re comfortable.

4. Other Classic Table Games

Three Card Poker:

A fast-paced poker-based game where you play against the dealer, not other players. You get three cards and decide if your hand is strong enough to “play” against the dealer’s. You can also place a “Pair Plus” side bet that pays if you get a pair or better, regardless of what the dealer has.

Sic Bo:

A ancient dice game of pure chance, hugely popular in Asia. You bet on the outcome of three dices. You can bet on specific numbers appearing, the total sum of the three dice, or combinations. The betting layout has many options, making it fun and visually engaging.

Table games offer some of the most diverse and exciting experiences in the casino so…

Good luck, and have fun at the tables!

Cheers,
Le gambler