Casino table games are the classic, dealer-run games that sit at the heart of any casino floor — blackjack, roulette, baccarat, craps and the whole family of poker-based card games — where you place bets against the house (or, in poker rooms, against other players) using cards, dice or a spinning wheel. This hub page is part of our casino games guide for Canada, and it gives a plain-English overview of every major table and card game: what each one is, how it works, roughly how long it takes to learn, and the house edge — the built-in mathematical advantage the casino keeps over the long run. Think of it as a map: read the summary of any game below, then follow it to a dedicated guide for the full rules and strategy. Nothing here is a tip for winning — every table game favours the house over time, and this page is about understanding, not persuasion.
Key Points
- What they are: dealer-run games played with cards, dice or a wheel — blackjack, roulette, baccarat, craps and the poker-based card games.
- Best odds: blackjack with basic strategy (~0.5%) and full-pay video poker (~0.46%) have the lowest house edge; baccarat Banker (1.06%) and craps Pass Line (1.41%) are the best no-skill bets.
- Worst value: the baccarat Tie (14.36%), keno (25%–29%) and the money wheel carry the steepest house edges.
- Skill vs chance: blackjack and the poker games reward decisions; roulette, baccarat and dice games are pure chance.
- Golden rule: every game favours the house over time — set a budget first and play for entertainment, not income.
What are casino table games?
Casino table games are games played on a physical (or virtual) table, usually run by a dealer or croupier, in which players wager chips on an outcome decided by cards, dice or a wheel. The term covers two broad groups: table games in the strict sense (roulette, craps, sic bo and the money wheel, where no traditional hand is formed) and casino card games such as blackjack, baccarat and the poker variants. In day-to-day casino language the whole lot is simply called “table games,” as opposed to slot machines and electronic terminals.
Three features separate table games from slots. First, a human element: a dealer manages the cards, chips and payouts. Second, choice: in many table games your decisions change the odds, whereas a slot spin is fully automatic. Third, pace: a table game is slower and more social, with time to think between bets. If you want the underlying maths behind all of this, our explainer on how casino games work covers odds, payouts, house edge and return to player (RTP) in detail.
How do casino table games work?
Every table game works on the same basic loop: you place a bet, an outcome is generated, and the game pays or collects according to a fixed set of odds that always leaves a small margin for the house. That margin is the house edge, expressed as a percentage of each bet the casino expects to keep on average over many rounds. A 1% house edge means that, in theory, the casino keeps about CA$1 of every CA$100 wagered over the long run — though any single session can swing far either way.
The outcome is produced in one of three ways. At a land-based or live dealer table a real person deals cards, rolls dice or spins a wheel in front of you. In a purely digital table game the result comes from a random number generator (RNG), a tested algorithm that mimics a fair deal or spin. Either way the long-term percentages are set by the rules and payouts, not by luck or “hot streaks.” Understanding that the edge is baked into the payouts — rather than the dealer or the machine — is the single most useful thing a beginner can learn.
The main casino table and card games
Below is a summary of each major game, with its typical house edge on the main bet. House edge figures follow the standard reference tables; actual numbers shift with house rules, pay tables and the bets you choose. Full rules and strategy for each game live in its own dedicated guide.
Blackjack
Blackjack is a card game in which you try to beat the dealer’s hand by getting as close to 21 as possible without going over. It is the most skill-rewarding game on the floor: with correct basic strategy the house edge can fall to roughly 0.5%, and under the most liberal rules closer to 0.3%. Watch the payout on a natural blackjack — a 3:2 table is standard, while a 6:5 table quietly adds about 1.4% to the edge. Simple rules, deep strategy; the best starting point for a player who wants a say in the outcome.
Roulette
Roulette is a wheel game: you bet on where a ball will land among numbered pockets, choosing single numbers, colours, odds/evens or larger groups. The key decision is the wheel. European (single-zero) roulette carries a 2.70% house edge on every bet, while American (double-zero) roulette almost doubles it to 5.26% because of the extra 00 pocket. Pure chance, no skill — so the only “strategy” that matters is choosing the single-zero wheel when you can.
Baccarat
Baccarat is a card game where you simply bet on which of two hands — Banker or Player — will total closest to nine, or on a Tie. There are no playing decisions; the draw rules are fixed. The Banker bet has the lowest house edge at 1.06% (a 5% commission on winnings is already included in that figure), the Player bet is 1.24%, and the Tie is a trap at 14.36%. Fast, elegant and beginner-friendly because the game plays itself once you have chosen a side.
Craps
Craps is a dice game built around the roll of two dice, with a lively table of different bets. The core Pass Line bet carries a 1.41% house edge and Don’t Pass about 1.36%, among the best odds in the casino. Behind those you can take “free odds,” a rare bet paid at true odds with a 0% house edge. The flip side is the many proposition and centre bets that run from mild to brutal, so craps rewards players who stick to the line and odds bets and ignore the rest.
Poker-based card games
A whole family of games pits you against the dealer using poker hand rankings rather than against other players. They share a hand-strength logic but differ in house edge and side bets:
- Three Card Poker — make the best three-card hand; roughly a 3.37% edge on the Ante-and-Play.
- Ultimate Texas Hold’em — a hold’em-style game against the dealer; about 2.19% of the ante with correct play.
- Caribbean Stud Poker — five-card stud versus the dealer; around 5.22%.
- Let It Ride — you bet on your own hand improving; about 3.51%.
- Pai Gow Poker — split seven cards into two hands; roughly 1.5% of the total staked, with frequent ties (pushes).
All of these rely on the same poker hand hierarchy — from a high card up to a royal flush — so learning the ranking order once pays off across every variant.
Casino War, sic bo and the money wheel
These are the simplest, lowest-skill games on the floor. Casino War is a one-card-high showdown against the dealer with about a 2.88% edge when you go to war on ties. Sic bo is an ancient three-dice game whose bets range from a reasonable 2.78% on Small/Big up to well over 30% on specific triples. The money wheel (Big Six) is a giant spinning wheel with one of the highest edges in the house, often 11% to 24%. Fun and effortless to play, but the maths is rarely in your favour.
Video poker and keno
These two bridge table games and machines. Video poker is a solo, screen-based draw-poker game, and a full-pay “9/6” Jacks or Better machine with perfect play has a house edge of just 0.46% — one of the best bets in any casino, provided you read the pay table. Keno is a lottery-style numbers game that is easy and relaxing but carries a steep 25% to 29% house edge, among the highest you will meet. Know which is which before you sit down.
House Edge Comparison
| Game (main bet) | Typical house edge | Skill involved |
|---|---|---|
| Video poker — 9/6 Jacks or Better | 0.46% | High |
| Blackjack — basic strategy, 3:2 | ~0.5% | High |
| Baccarat — Banker | 1.06% | None |
| Craps — Don’t Pass | 1.36% | Low |
| Craps — Pass Line | 1.41% | Low |
| Pai Gow Poker | ~1.5% | Medium |
| Ultimate Texas Hold’em | 2.19% | Medium |
| European roulette (single zero) | 2.70% | None |
| Sic bo — Small/Big | 2.78% | None |
| Casino War — go to war on ties | 2.88% | None |
| Three Card Poker — Ante & Play | 3.37% | Medium |
| Let It Ride | 3.51% | Medium |
| Caribbean Stud Poker | 5.22% | Medium |
| American roulette (double zero) | 5.26% | None |
| Baccarat — Tie (side bet) | 14.36% | None |
| Keno | 25%–29% | None |
Figures are standard reference values for common rules and pay tables; your casino’s specific rules and side bets will shift them.
Table games vs slots: what’s the difference?
The biggest practical difference is control. Many table games let your decisions improve your odds — hitting or standing in blackjack, choosing the Banker in baccarat, sticking to the Pass Line in craps — while a slot spin outcome is fixed the moment you press the button. Table games are generally slower, more social and often carry a lower house edge on the best bets than the typical slot. Slots, by contrast, are simpler, faster, require no strategy, and offer far larger jackpot potential relative to the stake.
Neither is “better”; they suit different moods. Table games reward patience and a little learning; slots reward players who want instant, low-effort play. Across both, the house edge is always present — it is simply more visible, and sometimes smaller, at the tables.
Live dealer table games online
Live dealer games stream a real human dealer from a studio to your screen in real time, letting you place the same bets as at a physical table through an online interface. They exist because they restore the trust and atmosphere that a pure RNG game can lack: you watch the actual cards being dealt or the real wheel spin. Blackjack, roulette, baccarat and game-show-style formats are the most common. The rules and house edge match their land-based versions — a live single-zero roulette table is still 2.70% — so the choice between live and RNG play is about experience, not odds.
Common mistakes beginners make
The most expensive beginner mistake is ignoring the house edge when choosing a game or a bet. A few specific traps:
- Playing the high-edge bets. The baccarat Tie (14.36%), craps proposition bets, keno and the money wheel all look tempting but cost far more than the main bets.
- Sitting at a 6:5 blackjack table. The worse natural payout roughly triples a well-played game’s house edge — always check for 3:2.
- Choosing American over European roulette when both are available, doubling the edge for no reason.
- Chasing losses or trusting betting systems like the Martingale. No staking pattern changes the fixed odds of the next round.
- Not reading the pay table in video poker, where two machines that look identical can differ by more than 1% in house edge.
Which casino table game should you choose?
Choose by how much skill you want to use and how much the odds matter to you. If you want the best odds and enjoy making decisions, blackjack (3:2) and full-pay video poker are the standouts. If you want low effort with still-reasonable odds, baccarat’s Banker bet and the craps Pass Line are hard to beat. If you want pure, decision-free entertainment, roulette, sic bo or casino war deliver that — just accept the higher cost of play. Whatever you pick, set a budget before you start and treat any losses as the price of the entertainment, because over time the edge always favours the house.
Responsible gambling
This page is educational and neutral; it is not betting advice and does not improve your chances of winning. Every casino table game is designed with a built-in house edge, so the expected long-run result for the player is a loss — no system, demo play or “strategy” changes that. You must be of legal gambling age to play in Canada: 19 in most provinces and territories, and 18 in Alberta, Manitoba and Quebec. Only ever gamble money you can afford to lose, set deposit and time limits in advance, and never chase losses. If gambling stops being fun, free, confidential help is available in Canada through ConnexOntario at 1-866-531-2600 and the Responsible Gambling Council. For tools such as deposit limits and self-exclusion, and a full list of provincial help lines, see our guide to responsible gambling in Canada.
Sources
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the easiest casino table game for a beginner?
Baccarat and casino war are the easiest, because they involve no playing decisions — you simply pick a side and the rules resolve the rest. Roulette is also beginner-friendly. If you want something easy that still has good odds, baccarat’s Banker bet is the natural choice at a 1.06% house edge.
Which table game has the lowest house edge?
Blackjack played with correct basic strategy has the lowest house edge of the traditional table games, around 0.5% and sometimes under 0.3% with liberal rules. Full-pay Jacks or Better video poker is even lower at about 0.46%, and baccarat’s Banker bet (1.06%) and the craps Pass Line (1.41%) are the best of the no-skill options.
What is the difference between table games and slot machines?
Table games are dealer-run games played with cards, dice or a wheel, and many of them let your decisions affect the odds. Slot machines are automated, faster and require no strategy, with outcomes set entirely by a random number generator. Table games are usually slower, more social and often carry a lower house edge on their best bets.
Are casino table games skill or luck?
Both, depending on the game. Blackjack, video poker and the poker-based games reward skill and reduce the house edge with correct play. Roulette, baccarat, craps dice rolls, sic bo and casino war are games of chance where no decision changes the underlying odds. In every case the house keeps a long-term edge.
How old do you have to be to play table games in Canada?
The legal gambling age is 19 in most Canadian provinces and territories, and 18 in Alberta, Manitoba and Quebec. This applies to both land-based casinos and licensed online casinos, and operators are required to verify your age and identity before you can play for real money.