From Classic to Modern: A Review of Table Games in Online Casinos
Believe it or not, table games trace back to ancient civilisations like the Roman and Chinese empires. They were originally a form of entertainment for soldiers but gradually spread across different regions across the world.
Because of that, table games have undergone a lot of modifications that fit the new cultures and times they were found in. Still, their simple nature and core remained, allowing them to remain just as popular throughout thousands of years of human development.
So it’s only natural that technology reshaped them once again and that today’s casinos had something to build upon.
Technological Advancements
As technology advanced, we were able to digitalise table games and introduce them to online casinos. At first, these were simple designs with only a few features and basic graphics. But over time, table games became more sophisticated with advanced design and a multitude of features and side bets.
We even figured out a way to bring the authentic experience of brick-and-mortar casinos to mobile and computer screens with live casinos. The atmosphere of interacting with a host and other players from all over the world is unparalleled!
On top of that, there are so many choices. Even if you stick to just one type of table game, you’ll have hundreds of titles to choose from. To discover the one that suits your preferences and playing style the most, you should find out the latest game reviews.
Roulette
Roulette is one of the most popular and played games today, but its origins trace back to ancient Greece and Rome. Though, the type of Roulette they played is pretty unrecognisable to modern audiences. It involved spinning a shield or chariot wheel and even drawing symbols in the sand and then spinning arrows.
France takes credit for the modern version of Roulette that we know and love. In the 17th century, games like “Roly Poly” and “Even-Odd” were extremely popular and the gist of the games was very similar to that of Roulette. As you may have already guessed, these were two of the biggest influences on modern Roulette. It’s no wonder the game carries a French name!
It became popularised when the prince of Monaco decided to open gambling houses in one of the biggest gambling capitals of today. Aristocrats and royalty took to the game immediately and it slowly spread from there.
Their version was almost identical to the one we know today. It had 36 numbers, red and black colours, and some variants even had double zero pockets!
Blackjack
You can thank the French for Blackjack, too! It originated in the 17th century in French casinos and was known under the name “Vingt-en-Un” (Twenty-one). French colonists brought the game with them to America in the 18th century, where it became popular mainly in the casinos of New Orleans. What’s interesting is that the rules were somewhat different than those we abide by today. The dealer, for example, was allowed to double!
America kept the name “21” and it wasn’t until the 20th century that it started being called Blackjack. This happened because of creative casino promotions. Operators paid extra if a jack of spades or clubs (a black jack) ended up being dealt with an ace of spades. This attracted more new players and 21 was quickly renamed to Blackjack, even though the promotion didn’t stick for too long.
Around this time, the rules were also changed by the Nevada Gaming Commission and those are actually the rules we know today.
Baccarat
The story of Baccarat is quite an interesting one. It predates both modern Roulette and Blackjack, as it’s believed to have originated in 14th-century Italy. The game is based on an Etruscan legend of a virgin who needed to throw a die to determine her faith. The die was nine-sided and if she managed to roll an eight or a nine, she’d become a priestess. A six and seven would allow her to live, and anything lower would result in banishment to the sea. So it’s no wonder that rolling lower than a six in Baccarat today means that you’ve lost!
The man credited with the invention of the game, based on that story, was Felix Falguiere. He named it “baccara” after the Italian word for zero. But as the game became more popular, the French spelling that we recognise today was adopted.
Similarly to Blackjack, Baccarat also travelled across the oceans and made its way into different cultures. In South America and the Caribbean, the game was known as Punto Banco and played just against the dealer. When it made its way to North America, it became known as American Baccarat, as well.
However, it didn’t catch on quite as quickly in Nevada casinos. So, operators marketed the game towards VIP and high roller players, even going as far as to put Baccarat tables in special secluded rooms. The minimum bet was raised quite a bit, and just like that, the game gained additional attention and remains widely played today!
Poker
Poker is one of the most well-known card games today, but it has fascinated people all around the world for thousands of years. That’s because this is a table game that draws elements from different cultures and puts them together on one table.
One of the believed origins of poker is As Nas, a card game from 16th century Persia. Another is a Chinese game of domino cards that traces all the way back to 969 CE. And also in the 16th century, the Spanish, French, and German all started playing games (Primero, Poque, Pochen, respectively) that influenced modern versions of Poker.
However, it wasn’t until the game was brought to North America in the 19th century that modern Poker was born.
The Future of Table Games
It’s unlikely that casino table games are going anywhere in the future. They’ve already undergone significant transformations with the advancement of today’s technology and there’s no reason to believe they won’t continue doing so.
All of these games can be enjoyed through screens today in both virtual and live casino versions. Here’s how we can expect them to morph with other futuristic technology:
- Live streaming: Game providers have studios in different countries where they host live table games for a worldwide audience. All you have to do is log in from your computer or phone and you’ll be able to play any variant of Poker, Roulette, or Baccarat. On top of that, there are even automated tables for Roulette that work 24/7 without a host present. So you can place bets and play as much as you want without having to deal with RNGs (Random Number Generators), hosts, or other players.
- Virtual Reality: This one will undoubtedly transform table games the most. Soon, casinos will be able to create virtual environments that players can interact with. We can’t wait to see how creative they’ll get with table game design. You’ll be able to sit down and play Poker with others just like you were in a brick-and-mortar casino, without having to leave your home.
Conclusion
Table games have fascinated humans for thousands of years and it’s safe to say that their future remains bright. Nothing can replace such a simple yet elegant concept that raises your adrenaline at the same time. Whether you’re a fan of Roulette, Blackjack, Baccarat, Poker, or something else, you’ll soon probably have an even better and more advanced environment to play in.