Electronic Table Games in the Casino – How to Play RNG Blackjack & Roulette?
10 minutes
Last Updated: December 24, 2022
As the gambling industry always strives to keep up with the latest trends and innovations, it is constantly trying to implement new content and more modern versions of existing casino classics.
Electronic table games are a perfect example of this.
These games bring a unique element to the classic casino experience. Besides the standard slots and video poker machines, nowadays, you can also enjoy electronic versions of blackjack, roulette, craps, and many other games.
So, how do electronic table games work? Are the payout percentages more or less favorable? What are the perks of playing electronic casino games, and can the casino rig these games against you?
If you want to find the answers to all this and much more, keep reading!
What Are Electronic Table Games and How Do They Work?
Electronic table games, often abbreviated as ETGs, are exactly what they sound like. They are electronic versions of standard table games.
Instead of playing a table game that features a dealer and other players, you’re playing the electronic version on a machine on your own.
Electronic table games work according to the same principles as other electronic games, such as slots and video poker. They implement an RNG (Random Number Generator) algorithm to produce random and fair outcomes for every game you bet on.
These games are developed by professional gambling software providers and licensed by regulatory organizations in the jurisdiction they are offered.
Every electronic table game is extensively tested and needs to be proven fair before it is approved for play.
When electronic table games first started appearing in casinos, they usually came in the form of blackjack, roulette, and craps games. But, the industry has come a long way since these early days.
Nowadays, industry giants like IGT, Novomatic, and many other game developers offer an increasing selection of electronic table games.
For example, you can also find games like baccarat, sic bo, and different variations of the games we’ve mentioned above.
Why Casinos Like Electronic Table Games
The main reason casinos like electronic table games stems primarily from a financial perspective. Electronic table games reduce the overall labor cost and allow casinos to operate at a much higher profit margin.
Another reason why casinos feature electronic table games is that they allow for better floor space.
In other words, there’s more room to fit more players on an electronic table game, increasing the casino’s profits.
Moreover, an electronic table game allows casinos to host more tables per “dealer” and more active gamblers per round without limiting the game.
Naturally, these benefits are far from being one-sided. Players can also enjoy numerous advantages thanks to electronic table games. This leads us to the next part.
Biggest Advantages of Electronic Table Games
While electronic table games are undoubtedly getting more popular with time, they don’t enjoy the popularity of traditional table games.
One of the main justifications for this might perhaps be that many players aren’t aware of the advantages that come with playing electronic table games.
With that in mind, electronic table games come with a few very apparent and beneficial traits from the casino player’s perspective. Here are the five biggest advantages of electronic table games:
You Control the Game’s Pace
The first advantage is arguably the most important one, as it can make a huge impact on your entire experience. When you play a table game with a real dealer, they are the ones controlling the tempo.
If you’re a beginner, it can be difficult to keep up with the speed of the game, so you could end up making poor decisions.
On the other side of the spectrum, if you’re an experienced gambler, waiting for newbies who slow down the action can get tedious.
No matter what side of this argument you find yourself on, you can agree that switching to electronic table games solves both of these issues.
You decide how fast the round plays out, when the hands are dealt, or when the roulette ball is spun.
The Minimum Bet Limits are Generally Lower
Because the casino can save money on operating costs, it is able to offer more budget-friendly minimum table limits.
This is extremely beneficial for gamblers playing with a tight bankroll.
You can stretch a smaller bankroll and play for longer if you choose to play an electronic table game instead of its standard casino counterpart. From a practical point of view, you also save money on tips.
No Risk of Human Error
Unlike humans, machines don’t make mistakes. Even a well-trained and experienced dealer can have an off night and make a mistake. They might hear you wrong or accidentally do something in the casino’s favor and at your expense.
Of course, a dealer making a mistake isn’t the end of the world. All you have to do is stand up for yourself and politely let them know that they’ve made an error.
When this happens, they’ll call up the pit boss and security, who will go over the tape caught by the cameras.
So, to be completely objective, a dealer’s mistake won’t lead to any more severe issues. But, it still is a nuisance that stops the games, takes away from your experience, and potentially causes you stress.
With electronic table games, you can eliminate this element and enjoy a pure and error-free game. This is a massive advantage, especially when playing at higher stakes.
You Set the Atmosphere
Lastly, a great advantage of electronic table games is that you can set the atmosphere you want. Sure, playing a standard casino table game while surrounded by other gamblers can be an exciting and positive experience.
But, sometimes, other players at the casino table can get annoying to listen to. Some might constantly offer you unprompted advice or criticize how you play, while others might be boastful and unpleasant.
If you’re irritated by the mere thought of any of this, electronic table games are an excellent alternative for enjoying your favorite casino table games in solitude.
You don’t have to worry about etiquette or interacting with others. Just sit down and play the game like you would a slot or video poker machine.
Ease Your Way into Standard Table Games
Traditional table games can be intimidating for a beginner casino player. You need to know a many aspects, both in terms of table etiquette and gameplay itself, which can be overwhelming if you’re just starting out.
Electronic table games enable you to ease your way into the casino experience. Moreover, you can even play a dealer-assisted electronic table game, which still allows you to play using a machine, but has more elements of the traditional casino table game.
Do Electronic Table Games Cheat?
Many casino players think that every electronic game is fixed and that you can’t win by playing such casino games. This is far from the truth, as casinos have to operate within the law and adhere to local gaming regulations.
Despite what some might think, casinos are not mob-run businesses like many of them were half a century or more ago.
Sure, the casino could rig a game, but they will never do it.
Firstly, they already have the built-in house advantage that earns them money over time. Secondly, if the casino ever gets caught fixing electronic table games, they would receive a back-breaking fine and possibly even get shut down.
So, while it’s easy to fall for the common myth that casinos fix electronic table games, believing this can only limit your experience. If you’re playing in a trusted and licensed casino, you can rest assured that the electronic table game isn’t fixed against you.
Playing Electronic Casino Games – A Quick Guide
If you’re used to playing standard versions of these casino table game classics, playing the electronic version for the first time can be intimidating.
However, there’s nothing to worry about, as the gameplay is still pretty simple and straightforward. Here are helpful tips for playing some popular electronic casino games:
How to Play Electronic Blackjack
If you’re not familiar with how electronic blackjack games work, here’s a step-by-step guide on how to play electronic blackjack in a casino:
- Insert the bills into the terminal.
- Select your denomination by dragging one or more of the available bet sizes.
- Once the cards are dealt, choose your next move (hit, stand, split, double down).
- Wait for the game to reveal the dealer’s cards.
Electronic blackjack games offer all of the same features that you’d find in a regular blackjack game.
This includes insurance, as well as additional types of side bets like 21+3 and Lucky Aces, among many others. These can vary depending on what variation you’re playing.
How to Play Electronic Roulette
Electronic roulette is equally easy to learn as blackjack and follows almost the same steps that we’ve gone over in the previous example. Here’s how to play electronic roulette:
- Insert your bills into the machine.
- Select your bet size.
- Once you’ve chosen the desired bet amount, tap on the screen and mark the roulette bets you want to place.
- Confirm your bets.
- Spin the wheel.
- Wait for the RNG-determined outcome.
If you’re playing a dealer-assisted roulette game, the dealer will be the one spinning the roulette wheel. This version of electronic roulette is more similar to the standard version of this wheel-based game.
Additionally, if the casino you’re playing at offers a loyalty card, its electronic table game terminals most likely accept this card. In such cases, insert the loyalty card first.
This will help you earn points as you play, which you can later redeem for free drinks, food, or other amenities.
Stadium Gaming – A Fusion of Innovation and Tradition
When discussing electronic table games, it’s also convenient to mention the rising trend of stadium-style gaming that such games bring into the industry.
In the past couple of years, we’ve seen a number of large casinos introducing stadium-style gambling setups in their gaming rooms.
Stadium-style games are an amalgamation of electronic table games and standard casino table games.
More specifically, while these games use electronic interfaces and heavily rely on technology, they still include a dealer as an integral part of the game. The dealer stands in the middle, surrounded by dozens of terminals.
These games use electronic terminals similar to slots. You’re still playing on your own and have your own screen. But, the games you bet on are featured in the center of the “stadium”, where the live dealers are operating the game.
Are Electronic Table Games a Good Pick?
Gambling traditionalists view electronic table games as entirely unnecessary inventions. And, we can’t say that they are completely wrong.
Popular casino games like blackjack and roulette have existed for centuries and seem perfect in their classic form.
Plus, based on how these games have prevailed over hundreds of years and their massive popularity today, rolling out electronic table games might seem like a step in the wrong direction.
You won’t get any benefits in terms of the house edge and might even lose more money because you can play the games faster on your own.
So, are electronic table games worth your time and money? The cliché answer is that you’re the only one who can give that answer.
It’s a fact that electronic table games have had positive reception among gamblers. These games offer an unusual experience that bridges the gap between classic casino gambling and playing on an online gambling site.
From that viewpoint, they are an interesting novelty worth trying out. You can take your time, play at your own pace, and enjoy lower betting limits. There’s nobody beside you to pressure you to play or annoy you while betting.
Considering all of that, electronic table games are suitable for all casino players. Experienced gamblers can play them when they just want to relax and have a more hands-on experience.
Beginners, on the other hand, can use them to practice and build up confidence before progressing to live dealer tables.
