Electronic table games, sometimes called ETGs, became common in Las Vegas when the casinos reopened in June 2020. These machines helped fix capacity requirements and dealer shortages at live tables.
There are multiple forms of electronic table games. Some are heads-up. Others simulate a live table game. Many involve stadium gaming where dozens of seats can share a hand, roulette spin, or dice roll.
Some electronic table games use real cards and live dealers. In other cases, all outcomes are produced by a random number generator, also known as RNG, which is similar to how online slots play.
This may seem like a problem. However, it is not a concern. Random number generators were used on casino floors for decades before video tables came along. Video poker machines have one to determine the cards dealt. Modern slot machines use weights and RNGs to determine the combinations that appear on the reels. It was a natural transition to use the same technology for video tables.
Online casinos and poker sites also use RNGs to determine outcomes. You can read more about that at smartcasinoguide.com.
These games have been met with mixed reactions by players. Some enjoy the ability to play low-limit table games. Others like the faster speed most of these devices offer. However, there are many players who think nothing can ever replace live table games and are willing to sit at tables with higher minimum bets to get that experience.
Types of electronic table games
Roulette is the most common ETG. Interblock, Bally’s, and IGT are among the manufacturers that make these games. Many roulette machines use a real wheel. This makes players feel more comfortable seeing where the ball lands, as opposed to having an algorithm determine the outcome.
Most ETG roulette is double zero. There are a few single zero roulette ones. These are usually Bally’s machines. Note that the payouts on many single zero roulette machines short pay straight and split bets.
There are a few video triple zero roulette games in Las Vegas. Vegas Advantage last saw these at Caesars Palace and at the airport. All other triple zero roulette machines we found over the years appear to have disappeared. Unfortunately, the same can’t be said of the live version of the game.
Blackjack
Blackjack is another common electronic table game. In most cases, a video table is used and each player receives a unique hand. This is also how online blackjack is dealt. Stadium blackjack may have live dealers. Real cards are used in these instances.
Baccarat
Baccarat ETGs are most commonly dealt on live dealer stadiums. Las Vegas casinos like Gold Coast, Palace Station, and Venetian are examples of this. IGT’s Dynasty is the most common live baccarat stadium machine.
Craps
There are several types of craps ETGs. Most use actual dice and don’t rely on random number generators like online slots and video tables. Aruze’s Shoot to Win Craps opened the door for real dice in these types of games. Interblock stadiums and its hybrid craps games are other examples of this.
Other ETG games
There are a few other electronic table games found in Las Vegas. Treasure Island deals a live dealer Three Card Poker game on its stadium. The minimum bet is only $2. Venetian has $5 video stadium Three Card Poker that plays like a casino site. In both instances, a tic-tac-toe board of cards are dealt face down. Players pick three and go against the dealer’s hand. The Pair Plus bet is available in any direction on the tic-tac-toe board, as well as on the three cards picked by the player.
This Venetian machine also deals a $3 Casino War game. Players choose a card from the set and hope to beat the dealer with it. This is different from online Casino War, which just deals a virtual card to the player and dealer.
Ultimate Texas Hold’em is dealt in two ways on ETGs. The Venetian stadium machine deals three hands. The player can choose one, two, or all three hands. The minimum bet is $6 for this Venetian stadium game.
The Cosmopolitan game deals more like an online casino game. Virtual cards are picked by the RNG. There are five seats at this Ultimate Texas Hold’em machine. Each hand is independent. One benefit of this game is the ability to see the cards belonging to other players as they are dealt face-up. Players can also receive hands at every available station.
