Table games
Table games are the casino classics played against the house: blackjack, roulette, baccarat and poker variants, in digital (RNG) or live-dealer versions. They usually have a lower house edge than slots when you use the right bets, but they count little or nothing towards most South African bonus wagering.
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The main table games
- Blackjack: get closer to 21 than the dealer without going over. Decisions matter: following basic strategy (when to hit, stand, double or split) lowers the house edge to its minimum.
- Roulette: bet on where the ball lands on the wheel. European roulette has one zero; French tables may return half your even-money stake on zero; American tables add a double zero.
- Baccarat: bet on the player hand, the banker hand or a tie. There are no decisions after you bet. The banker bet has the lowest edge, the tie bet one of the highest.
- Poker variants: casino hold’em, three card poker and similar games played against the house, not other players.
House edge in plain words
Table games publish their edge through their rules. Single-zero roulette keeps about 2.7% of stakes over time, so R1,000 of bets costs about R27 on average. Blackjack with basic strategy is usually lower; with guesswork, much higher. Baccarat’s banker bet is close to 1%. Slots, by comparison, often keep 3–5%. That doesn’t make table games profitable, but they’re cheaper per Rand staked when played well.
RNG or live?
RNG table games run on a certified random number generator. They’re quick, allow small bets and often have free demos. Live tables, covered on our live casino page, stream a real dealer from a studio; they’re slower and more social, with higher minimum bets. The rules and edges are the same.
Table games and bonuses
Because their edge is low, most casinos limit how much table games count towards wagering. Terms at South African sites typically weight blackjack at about 10% and roulette or baccarat at 2–10%, and some exclude them. A bonus with 30x wagering at 10% contribution effectively needs 300x on blackjack. Use our wagering calculator before you claim.
Where to play
Table games are in nearly every casino lobby, including Betway, YesPlay, Easybet and our featured casino 1Win. For quick card games with verifiable results, try Hi Lo on our provably fair hub. Set a budget before you sit down; the NRGP helpline is 0800 006 008.
Frequently asked questions
Which table game has the best odds?
Blackjack played with basic strategy has one of the lowest house edges in the casino. Baccarat's banker bet and European roulette are also relatively low; side bets are almost always worse.
What is the difference between RNG and live table games?
RNG tables are computer games with a certified random number generator, often with free demos and low minimum bets. Live tables are streamed from a studio with a real dealer and have no demo.
Do table games count towards wagering?
Usually only partly. Many South African offers count blackjack at around 10% and roulette or baccarat at 2–10%, and some exclude them completely. Check the bonus terms.
Is European or American roulette better?
European roulette, with a single zero, has a house edge of about 2.7%. American roulette adds a double zero, which almost doubles the edge.
From our research
Other game types
Mark has been writing about online gaming since 2007, covering everything from sportsbooks to casino and slot reviews, offering insights for players of all levels.