The goal
Build a hand that beats the dealer without going over 21. Number cards score their face value, picture cards count as ten, and an ace is one or eleven.
Table Games
Blackjack, roulette and baccarat are the cornerstones of any casino. This evergreen guide explains the basics of each for Australian players — how they are played, the bets involved and the role chance and house edge play — so you can sit down knowing what to expect.
01 — Overview
Table games are the classic casino formats built around cards, a wheel or dice rather than spinning reels. The three you will meet most often online are blackjack, roulette and baccarat. Compared with pokies, table games tend to have clearer rules, a known set of bets and, in some cases, decisions that shape how a hand plays out. That does not make them games of skill in the way chess is — chance still decides every result, and each game carries a built-in house edge — but understanding the rules helps you play with confidence and choose bets that suit you. This guide covers the basics of each so a first session feels familiar rather than daunting.
02 — Blackjack
Blackjack is the most decision-driven of the classic games, which is part of its appeal. The aim is simple even if the choices add depth.
Build a hand that beats the dealer without going over 21. Number cards score their face value, picture cards count as ten, and an ace is one or eleven.
On each hand you can hit for another card, stand on your total, or in some cases double or split. These decisions are where blackjack rewards a little knowledge.
The dealer follows fixed rules — typically drawing to a set total and standing after. Knowing them helps you judge your own hand.
Blackjack is often among the lower house-edge games when played sensibly, but every hand still favours the house over the long run.
03 — Roulette
Roulette is the iconic wheel game: easy to grasp, with a wide spread of bets from cautious to bold.
A ball is spun around a numbered wheel and settles into a pocket. You bet on where it will land before the wheel closes for that round.
Bets on single numbers or small groups. They pay more because they are less likely to land, suiting players chasing a bigger result.
Broader bets such as red or black, odd or even, or high or low. They pay less but land more often, giving steadier, lower-key play.
The green zero (and double zero on some wheels) is what gives roulette its house edge. European single-zero wheels carry a smaller edge than double-zero ones.
04 — Baccarat
Baccarat has a reputation for glamour but is one of the simplest games to play, with almost nothing to decide once you have placed your bet.
You bet on the Player hand, the Banker hand, or a Tie. You are not dealt cards to manage — you simply back which hand you think will win.
Two hands are dealt by fixed rules. The hand closest to a total of nine wins, with picture cards and tens counting as zero.
Whether a third card is drawn follows set rules, not player choice, so there is no strategy to learn beyond which bet to place.
Winning Player and Banker bets pay even money (a small commission often applies to Banker), while a Tie pays more but lands rarely.
05 — Getting started
A little preparation makes your first hands feel comfortable and keeps play within plan.
Read the basics of your chosen game so you understand the bets before real money is involved.
Even-money roulette bets or a straightforward blackjack hand are gentle ways to find your feet.
Every bet has a built-in margin. Knowing it helps you pick bets that match the experience you want.
Decide an entertainment budget before you sit down, and treat any win as a bonus.
Deposit and session limits help keep a session within the plan you set for yourself.
06 — FAQ
Short answers to what Australian players ask most about table games.
Baccarat is among the simplest because you only choose which hand to back and the rest follows fixed rules. Roulette is also easy if you start with outside bets like red or black.
Chance decides every result, but in blackjack your decisions affect how a hand plays out and can influence the long-run house edge. Roulette and baccarat are almost entirely chance once a bet is placed.
It is the small built-in margin that favours the casino over time. It varies by game and by bet, which is why some bets are gentler on a bankroll than others over many hands.
Yes. Many table games are available with a real dealer streamed in real time. Our Live Casino guide explains how live dealer tables work and what to expect.
Set a budget before you start, stick to bets you understand, use account limits, and treat play as entertainment. Our Responsible Gambling page has tools and support if you need them.
Our team is online 24/7 to walk you through the rules of blackjack, roulette or baccarat, or to help you set account limits before you play. Table games are entertainment, so set a budget you are comfortable with.
Open Live ChatTip: simple even-money bets are a relaxed way to learn the rhythm of a table.