Online Table Games The Complete UK Guide 2026
Blackjack, Poker, Baccarat, Craps and more — master the rules, strategy, and odds of every major casino table game.
0.5%
Blackjack House Edge
1.06%
Baccarat Banker Edge
Skill+
Strategy Makes a Difference
Why Play Table Games Online?
Casino table games represent the intellectual heart of gambling. Unlike slots where outcomes are purely random, table games reward players who take the time to learn the rules and apply proven strategy. Blackjack played with perfect basic strategy carries a house edge as low as 0.5% — one of the best odds of any casino game available.
Online table games at UK-licensed casinos offer significant advantages over their land-based counterparts: lower minimum bets (sometimes as little as £0.10), no waiting for a seat, the ability to play at your own pace, and access to detailed statistics and strategy guides in a second browser tab while you play.
Modern online casinos also offer live dealer table games — real tables, real cards, real dealers, all streamed in HD to your device. This bridges the gap between online convenience and the authentic casino atmosphere.
Blackjack — The Skill Game
Blackjack is arguably the most popular casino table game in the world. The objective is simple: beat the dealer by getting a hand value closer to 21 without going over ("busting"). You're not playing against other players — only against the dealer.
🃏 Basic Rules
- • Number cards = face value; J, Q, K = 10; Ace = 1 or 11
- • A "natural blackjack" (Ace + 10-value card) pays 3:2 on most tables
- • Hit (take a card), Stand, Double Down, Split pairs, or Surrender
- • Dealer must hit on 16 and stand on 17 (or soft 17 in some variants)
- • Insurance can be taken when dealer shows an Ace (usually a bad bet)
📊 House Edge by Rule
- • Single deck, S17, 3:2 BJ: ~0.15%
- • 6 deck, S17, 3:2 BJ: ~0.44%
- • 6 deck, H17, 3:2 BJ: ~0.61%
- • 6 deck, 6:5 Blackjack payout: ~1.45%
- • Continuous shuffle machine: Varies
Basic Strategy — The Cornerstone of Smart Play
Basic strategy is a mathematically proven set of decisions that tells you the statistically correct play in every possible blackjack situation. Learning basic strategy can reduce the house edge from around 2–3% (for guessing players) to 0.5% or below. Printed basic strategy cards are allowed at most land-based casinos, and you can keep one open in a browser tab when playing online.
Key basic strategy rules: Always stand on hard 17+. Always hit on hard 8 or below. Double down on 11 against any dealer card except an Ace. Never split 5s or 10s. Always split Aces and 8s. Never take insurance — it's a side bet with a high house edge.
✅ Best Blackjack Variants at UK Casinos: Classic Blackjack · European Blackjack · Blackjack Switch · Perfect Pairs · Pontoon · Spanish 21
Casino Poker Games
Casino poker games pit you against the house rather than other players — unlike poker rooms where you play against other gamblers. These games combine the strategy and hand rankings of poker with the simplicity of a casino table game.
Texas Hold'em Casino (Casino Hold'em)
Based on the world's most popular poker game. You and the dealer each receive 2 hole cards plus 5 community cards. The best 5-card hand wins. House edge: ~2.16%.
Three Card Poker
Both you and the dealer receive 3 cards. You then decide to Play or Fold. Combines two games: Pair Plus (bet on your hand's value) and Ante/Play (beat the dealer). Fast-paced and beginner-friendly. House edge: ~3.37% on Ante/Play.
Caribbean Stud Poker
5-card stud poker against the house. A progressive jackpot side bet is typically offered. The dealer must qualify with at least Ace-King to play. House edge: ~5.22% (higher than other variants — approach with caution).
Ultimate Texas Hold'em
Place bets at different stages of the hand — pre-flop, flop, or river. The earlier you bet, the more you can wager. Optimal strategy significantly reduces the house edge to ~2.18%.
Baccarat — Simple & Elegant
Baccarat is one of the simplest casino table games to play — there are only three betting options (Banker, Player, or Tie) and no strategy decisions required once you've placed your bet. Cards are drawn according to fixed rules. Despite its simple rules, baccarat is extraordinarily popular, especially in Asia and among high-rollers.
Banker Bet
1.06%
House edge (after 5% commission)
✅ Best bet at the table
Player Bet
1.24%
House edge
No commission charged
Tie Bet
14.44%
House edge
❌ Avoid this bet
The best strategy in baccarat is always bet on the Banker. It wins slightly more than 50% of hands (before commission). Never bet the Tie — despite its 8:1 or 9:1 payout, the 14.44% house edge makes it one of the worst bets in the casino.
Table Game House Edge Comparison
| Game | House Edge | Skill Involved | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blackjack (Basic Strategy) | 0.5% | High | Medium |
| Video Poker (Jacks or Better) | 0.46% | High | Medium |
| Baccarat (Banker) | 1.06% | None | Easy |
| Casino Hold'em | 2.16% | Medium | Medium |
| Three Card Poker | 3.37% | Low | Easy |
| Craps (Pass Line) | 1.41% | Low | Hard (rules) |
| Caribbean Stud | 5.22% | Low | Easy |
| Baccarat (Tie) | 14.44% | None | Easy |
* House edges shown are for optimal play. Incorrect strategy increases the house edge significantly.
Table Game Tips for UK Players
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