Table Games Around the World – What Crown and The Star Won’t Tell You

Australia’s biggest casinos—Crown Melbourne and The Star Sydney—are known for their luxurious gaming floors, offering classic table games like Blackjack, Baccarat, and Roulette. But what they don’t tell you is that these games represent just a fraction of the global gambling scene. Across the world, there are hundreds of table games, each with its history, strategy, and unique twist.

This article takes you on a journey beyond Australian casino floors to explore some of the most fascinating and underappreciated table games from different cultures. Whether you’re looking for a game of skill, strategy, or sheer luck, you’re bound to discover something new.

The Global Evolution of Table Games: From Ancient Civilisations to Modern Casinos

Table games have existed for thousands of years, evolving from primitive gambling rituals to the sophisticated games found in today’s casinos. Understanding their origins provides insight into how different cultures have shaped the way we play.

The Origins of Table Games

• China’s Influence – Gambling was deeply embedded in ancient Chinese culture. Dice games were played as early as 2300 BC, while Keno, which still exists today, is believed to have helped fund the Great Wall.
• The Roman Empire – Romans loved betting, particularly on dice games that closely resemble modern Craps. They also played Tabula, which evolved into Backgammon.
• Medieval Europe – Playing cards entered Europe in the 14th century, leading to the creation of games like Baccarat and early forms of Poker.

The Rise of Modern Casinos

• The Venetian Casino (1638) – The world’s first official casino, the Ridotto, was established in Venice to regulate gambling.
• The Monte Carlo Boom (19th Century) – The glamorous Monte Carlo Casino became the epicenter of high-stakes gambling in Europe.
• Las Vegas & Macau (20th Century) – Las Vegas transformed casino gaming in the mid-20th century, while Macau rose to prominence as Asia’s gambling capital in the 21st century.

Additional Table Games from History

• Faro (18th Century America & Europe) – Once the most popular card game in America, Faro was notorious for being rigged but remained a favorite among gamblers.
• Biribi (France, 18th Century) – An early version of lottery-style betting that influenced modern Roulette.

Why This Matters to Aussie Gamblers:

Understanding these historical influences helps players appreciate game mechanics, odds, and strategies, making them more informed gamblers.

Asia’s Table Game Secrets: Mahjong, Sic Bo, and Beyond

Asian casinos, particularly in Macau, Singapore, and South Korea, feature games that are either rare or completely absent from Australian casinos. Many of these games rely on a mix of skill, superstition, and tradition.

Mahjong – The Chess of Gambling

• Why It’s Popular: A game of strategy, psychology, and skill, played with 144 tiles instead of cards.
• How It Works: Players form sets to create a winning hand while blocking opponents.

Sic Bo – The Dice Game of Fortune

• Why It’s Popular: A fast-paced, easy-to-learn dice game with a wide variety of betting options.
• How It Works: Players bet on the outcome of three dice.

Pachinko – Japan’s Hybrid Slot-Table Game

• Why It’s Popular: A mix of skill and chance, found in nearly every Japanese city.
• How It Works: Players fire small balls into a machine, aiming to land them in winning pockets.

Pai Gow – The Domino-Based Casino Game

• Why It’s Popular: This traditional Chinese game combines luck and strategy.
• How It Works: Players receive domino tiles and must arrange them into two hands, with the goal of beating the dealer.

Dragon Tiger – The Simplest Casino Card Game

• Why It’s Popular: One of the fastest casino games, often favored by beginners.
• How It Works: Players bet on which card (Dragon or Tiger) will be higher.

European Elegance: The Art of Playing in the Continent’s Grand Casinos

European casinos are known for their high-stakes, sophisticated gambling experiences. Many classic games originated here, often offering better odds than their American or Australian versions.

French Roulette vs. American Roulette

• Key Difference: French Roulette has a single zero, whereas American Roulette has an extra double zero, increasing the house edge.
• Why It’s Better: The “La Partage” rule allows players to recover half their bets when the ball lands on zero, lowering losses.

Chemin de Fer – The James Bond Baccarat

• Why It’s Popular: Unlike standard Baccarat, this version allows players to take turns as the banker.
• Why You Should Try It: It offers more strategy than traditional Baccarat.

Trente et Quarante – The Hidden Gem of Monte Carlo

• Why It’s Popular: This fast-paced card game has one of the lowest house edges.
• Why You Should Try It: It’s easy to learn but offers strategic depth.

Klaverjas – The Dutch Trick-Taking Game

• Why It’s Popular: A game that involves both gambling and skill-based play.
• How It Works: Players use a 32-card deck to win tricks and outplay their opponents.

Basset – The Banned French Card Game

• Why It’s Popular: This 17th-century card game was once a favorite among European nobility.
• Why It’s Rare: It was banned in France due to its high-risk, high-reward nature.

Latin America & Africa: Unconventional Table Games You Should Try

Beyond traditional casinos, Latin America and Africa have unique gambling games that combine history, culture, and betting.

Tejo (Colombia) – The Gambling Sport with Explosives

• Why It’s Popular: Players bet on hitting explosive targets with metal discs.
• Why You Should Try It: It’s unlike any other gambling game in the world.

Perudo (Peru) – The Original Liar’s Dice

• Why It’s Popular: A game of bluffing and probability, similar to Poker.
• Why You Should Try It: It’s highly strategic and social.

Boeresport Dice (South Africa) – The High-Stakes Dice Game

• Why It’s Popular: A dice-based betting game with unique regional variations.
• Why You Should Try It: It offers a raw, exciting gambling experience.

Calabash (West Africa) – The Seed-Based Gambling Game

• Why It’s Popular: Played with cowrie shells or seeds, it’s a mix of skill and chance.
• Why You Should Try It: It’s a deeply cultural gambling experience.

Burro (Argentina) – The Wildest Card Game

• Why It’s Popular: A high-energy, fast-paced card game played for money in Argentina.
• Why You Should Try It: If you enjoy speed-based card games like Snap, this is a must-try.

What Aussie Casinos Don’t Want You to Know About Table Game Odds

When you enter Crown Melbourne or The Star Sydney, the flashy lights and lively atmosphere aim to keep you playing. Free drinks add to the allure. However, the games are set up to boost casino profits. Every game has a house edge, but Aussie casinos usually pick those with a higher advantage.

The Roulette Trap: Why Australian Casinos Push the Wrong Version

Roulette is a favorite among Aussie gamblers, but there’s a big difference between European Roulette and American Roulette—and most casinos don’t want you to notice.

The key issue? American Roulette has an extra “00” on the wheel, nearly doubling the house edge compared to the European version. Over time, this significantly reduces your chances of winning.

Casinos push American Roulette because it’s more profitable for them, even though European Roulette offers much better odds for players. If you want to improve your chances, always look for a single-zero European wheel. If you can’t find one at a land-based casino, you’re better off playing online.

Blackjack’s Hidden Rule Changes That Cost You Money

Blackjack is often praised for having one of the lowest house edges—if you’re playing the right version. But Aussie casinos tweak the rules in ways that hurt players without them even realizing.

One of the biggest traps is 6:5 Blackjack, where a natural Blackjack pays out less than the traditional 3:2 ratio. This small adjustment increases the house edge dramatically, costing you money in the long run. Other unfavorable rule changes include forcing the dealer to hit on soft 17 and restricting doubling down after splitting.

The takeaway? Always look for tables that offer traditional 3:2 payouts and better player-friendly rules. If a casino only offers 6:5 Blackjack, it’s best to walk away.

Baccarat: The Game That Casinos Don’t Want You to Play

Baccarat is a favorite among high rollers, and for good reason—it has one of the lowest house edges in the casino. But while Baccarat is widely available, casinos prefer to steer casual players towards games with a higher house advantage, like Roulette or Pokies.

The key to winning at Baccarat is simple: always bet on the Banker. This bet has the lowest house edge, while the Tie bet—often promoted as a tempting high-payout option—has terrible odds. Many players fall into the trap of betting on a Tie, but statistically, it’s one of the worst bets you can make.

Since casinos can’t manipulate Baccarat odds as easily as other games, they sometimes set high minimum bets to discourage casual players. If you’re looking for a game with solid odds, Baccarat is one of the best choices—as long as you stick to the right bets.

Craps: The Casino’s Best-Kept Secret

Craps is one of the best games for players in terms of odds, but you’ll rarely see it promoted in Aussie casinos. Why? Because some of its bets, particularly the Odds Bet, have a house edge of exactly zero—meaning the casino makes no money from them.

While Craps may seem intimidating to beginners, it’s one of the most rewarding games to learn. The safest bets, like the Pass Line and Don’t Pass Line, have some of the lowest house edges in the entire casino.

Because of this, many Australian casinos don’t even offer Craps, and those that do often downplay it in favor of more profitable games. If you ever find a Craps table, it’s one of the smartest games to play—especially if you take advantage of the free Odds Bet.

Why Some Games Pay More—and Why You’ve Been Playing the Wrong Ones

Crown and The Star offer a top casino experience, but they only show a small part of what gambling has to offer. If you like the strategy of Mahjong, the thrill of Tejo, or the fancy card games of Monte Carlo, there are many more table games beyond Australia’s big casinos. Next time you visit a casino, look beyond Blackjack and Roulette. You might find a new favorite game.