From Blackjack to Baccarat: Table Games Explained for the Curious Beginner

Bet99 is a handy place to warm up, and this piece lays out exactly what follows — clear, friendly explainers on blackjack, roulette, baccarat, and craps, with simple rules, starter bets, house edges in plain numbers, and the table etiquette that keeps you comfortable from the first hand.

If the green felt makes you freeze, take a breath; you’ll get the cues, the chip habits, and a few bankroll tips so you can sit at a low-limit game without second-guessing every move.

The gist, minus the jargon

Blackjack’s core decisions are hit or stand based on your total versus the dealer’s up-card. Learn the simple signals: tap the felt to hit, wave your hand horizontally to stand. Dealers prefer signals because cameras record them cleanly.

Roulette offers two bet families. Outside bets (red/black, odd/even) pay lower but hit more often. Inside bets (straight-up numbers, splits) pay higher but land less. Many Canadian floors run double-zero wheels; some online lobbies offer single-zero.

Baccarat is mostly about Banker vs Player. The table’s third-card rule is automatic, so your job is choosing a side. Most regulars favour Banker for math reasons.

Craps opens with the Pass Line. Shooter sets a point (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10). If that number repeats before a 7, everyone on Pass Line wins. Adding odds behind your Pass Line bet reduces the overall edge on your total wager.

What the house takes (kept simple)

Here’s a quick, plain-language look at typical long-run edges. These are averages; specific rules can nudge numbers up or down.

These figures come from widely cited math resources and regulator-aligned guides that break down rule sets and their impacts on the edge. Blackjack’s edge range assumes basic strategy; baccarat’s Banker and Player edges reflect standard eight-deck rules with commission; roulette edges depend on wheel type; craps’ Pass Line sits near 1.41%.

A quick correction to older advice found online: some guides muddle roulette by focusing on betting systems. Systems don’t change these edges. Wheel layout does.

Table manners that keep you in good standing

Etiquette helps you fit in faster than any hack. Before the quick list below: buy chips by placing cash on the felt, not handing it to the dealer; once the dealer calls “no more bets,” keep your hands off the chips until the hand ends; and use those hand signals in blackjack—tap to hit, wave to stand.

• Tip with small chips when you’re having a good session; it’s part of the culture and keeps the mood upbeat.
• Wait for a natural break to join blackjack or baccarat; ask the dealer, “Mind if I jump in after this hand?”
• In craps, set your chips on the layout and let the dealer place complex bets. Less fuss, fewer mistakes.
• Phones stay in pockets at live tables. Take calls away from the felt.
• Keep drinks tidy; sticky layouts get frowns, not fortune.

That’s enough to look comfortable anywhere from Windsor to Vancouver. It reads like common sense because it is.

Playing online? A quick word on Bet99

If you prefer starting at home, Bet99’s lobby includes live-dealer staples—blackjack, roulette, and baccarat—along with Canadian-friendly ways to move money such as Interac e-Transfer and Instadebit. Payout timelines are documented, and card payments are supported, which keeps things straightforward for first-timers.

Bonuses change, but here’s the kind of detail you should look for before opting in: a welcome offer advertised on the site listed 100% up to C$400 on first deposit, 50% up to C$500 on second, with a 35× wagering requirement and C$20 minimum deposit; a live-casino bonus of 100% up to C$200 was also shown. Read the terms on rollover, eligible games, and expiry so you know exactly what you’re getting.

One more practical perk: live tables at peak evening hours usually have a seat, so you can practice pacing without side-eye from anyone.

Start small, keep it fun

Here’s a short plan to keep you grounded while you get the hang of things:

1. Pick learner bets. Blackjack at micro limits, Pass Line plus odds in craps, Banker in baccarat, outside bets in roulette.
2. Cap your spend. Decide your session budget in CAD and leave a little buffer for table minimums.
3. Use time blocks. Play 20–30 minutes, take a stroll, then decide if you still feel sharp.
4. Pocket wins. If you double your starting stack, skim half into a separate rack and play on with the rest.
5. Quit clean. No chasing. There’s always tomorrow.

Table games should feel like entertainment with a side of mental math. If someone at your table claims a secret edge system, smile, stack your chips, and let the math be the math.

Numbers and etiquette guidance above reflect widely referenced public resources on house edge and Canadian table conduct.