Table games online are the internet versions of casino classics such as baccarat, blackjack, roulette and sic bo. You can play them two ways: as software games run by a random number generator (RNG), or as live dealer games streamed from a studio. This guide compares the main table games side by side, explains how the house edge differs between them and between individual bets, and points you to our full rules guides for each.
- Table games usually have a lower house edge than slots, but only on the right bets. Side bets and long-shot bets cost much more.
- Baccarat Banker (1.06%), blackjack with basic strategy (about 0.5%) and single-zero roulette (2.70%) are among the better-value bets.
- RNG tables are fast and often allow lower minimums. Live tables are slower and show real cards and wheels.
- No betting system changes the house edge.
RNG vs live dealer table games
| RNG table games | Live dealer table games | |
|---|---|---|
| How results are decided | Random number generator software | Real cards, wheels or dice, streamed on camera |
| Pace | You control it; can be very fast | Set by the dealer and betting timer |
| Minimum bets | Often lower | Often higher, varies by table |
| Demo mode | Often available | Rarely available |
| Best for | Learning rules, low stakes | The casino atmosphere, watching the action |
Speed matters more than most beginners think. The house edge applies to every bet, so the more rounds you play per hour, the more you are expected to lose per hour. A fast RNG game at 1% edge can cost more per hour than a slow live table at the same edge.
House edge compared
The house edge is the average share of each bet the casino keeps over the long run. These figures assume standard rules; real tables vary, so check the rules and paytable screen in each game.
| Game and bet | Typical house edge | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Blackjack (basic strategy, good rules) | About 0.5% | Depends on rules: 6:5 blackjack adds about 1.4% |
| Baccarat Banker | 1.06% | 8 decks, 5% commission |
| Baccarat Player | 1.24% | |
| Craps Pass Line | 1.41% | Free odds bet behind it has 0% edge |
| Pai Gow Poker | About 1.5% | Lower when the player banks |
| European roulette | 2.70% | Single zero |
| Sic Bo Big or Small | 2.78% | Loses on any triple |
| Three Card Poker (Ante) | About 3.4% of ante | |
| Dragon Tiger (Dragon or Tiger) | About 3.7% | Lose half on a tie |
| Caribbean Stud | About 5.2% of ante | |
| American roulette | 5.26% | Double zero |
| Baccarat Tie (8:1) | 14.36% | One of the costliest common bets |
| Dragon Tiger Tie (8:1) | About 32.8% | Avoid |
What this means in pesos
Say you bet ₱100 a round for 100 rounds, ₱10,000 in total. At a 1.06% edge (baccarat Banker), the expected cost is about ₱106. At 14.36% (baccarat Tie), it is about ₱1,436. Same game, same table, very different price. Results in a single session will vary widely around these averages.
The main table games
Baccarat
The most popular table game in the Philippines. You bet on Banker, Player or Tie, then the dealer follows fixed drawing rules; you make no decisions after betting. Banker is the best-value bet. Read our baccarat guide.
Blackjack
You try to beat the dealer’s hand without going over 21. It is the only common table game where your decisions change the edge a lot. With basic strategy and good rules, the edge is around 0.5%; without it, players typically give up 2% or more. Read our blackjack guide.
Roulette
You bet on where the ball lands. European roulette (one zero) has a 2.70% edge on standard bets. American roulette (zero and double zero) has 5.26%, so choose single-zero wheels. Read our roulette guide.
Sic Bo
Three dice are rolled, and you bet on totals, numbers or combinations. Big and Small (2.78%) are the simplest and cheapest bets; specific triples and totals can carry edges of 15% to 30%.
Dragon Tiger
One card to Dragon, one to Tiger; the higher card wins. It is very fast and very simple. The main bets carry an edge of about 3.7%, and the Tie bet is far worse.
Craps
Craps is a dice game with many bets. The Pass Line (1.41%) and Don’t Pass (1.36%) are the core bets, and taking “odds” behind them adds a bet with no house edge. It is rarer in Philippine lobbies than baccarat or sic bo.
Poker-based table games
House-banked games such as Three Card Poker, Casino Hold’em and Caribbean Stud pit you against the dealer, not other players. Edges typically range from about 2% to 5% of the ante. Player-vs-player poker is different: the house takes a rake instead. See our online poker guide.
Where to play live table games
Live table games in PH lobbies come mostly from specialist studios. Read our Evolution spotlight and Pragmatic Play spotlight to see what each studio offers and which of their games are on PAGCOR‘s approved list. Whatever studio you play, the operator must be PAGCOR-licensed; see how to tell if an online casino is legit.
Beginner mistakes at online tables
- Playing side bets because the payouts look big. Their edges are usually several times higher than the main bet.
- Following baccarat roads or “hot” numbers. Each round is independent; patterns do not predict the next result.
- Using Martingale (doubling after each loss). It produces many small wins and occasional large losses, and table limits stop it from “working”.
- Playing too fast. Fast RNG tables multiply your hourly cost.
- Forgetting bonus rules. Many bonuses count table games at a reduced rate toward wagering. Read wagering requirements explained first.
Our take
In our view, the best table game for most beginners is baccarat on the Banker bet: simple, low edge, no decisions to get wrong. Blackjack can be even better value, but only once you have learned basic strategy. Whatever you choose, ignore the side bets until you understand exactly what they cost.
FAQ
Which online table game has the best odds?
Blackjack played with basic strategy under good rules, at about 0.5%, followed by baccarat Banker at 1.06%. Craps free odds have no house edge, but you must place a Pass or Come bet first.
Are online table games rigged?
Games from approved providers on licensed sites are tested for fairness. PAGCOR publishes lists of approved electronic games by provider. Play only on PAGCOR-licensed sites, where you have a regulator to complain to.
Can I play table games for free?
Many RNG table games have a demo mode. Live dealer tables usually need a real-money account.
Is RNG or live baccarat better?
The rules and house edge are usually the same. RNG is faster and often has lower minimums; live is slower, which can help you control spending.
Play responsibly
Set a budget and a time limit before you sit down at any table, and stop when you reach either one. For free, confidential support, call PAGCOR’s 24/7 National Problem Gambling Helpline at (02) 8248-9568, or read our responsible gambling guide.
This site is for 21+ only. Please gamble responsibly.
Sources
- House edges computed by CasinoGuide PH from standard rules (8-deck baccarat with 5% commission; European/American roulette; standard sic bo, dragon tiger and craps paytables).
- PAGCOR, Electronic Gaming Licensing Department page (approved electronic games by provider), accessed 26 Oct 2026: pagcor.ph/regulatory/cegs.php
Last updated: 28 October 2026
