Online Casino: Slots vs. Table Games

Online casino games have never been more popular than they are right now. That is part of a wider shift towards people seeking out digital forms of entertainment.

It is a success that the industry has worked hard to consolidate though. The top online casino sites are always adding new games and enticing bonuses to help them attract and retain customers.

When it comes to the games, they can be divided into two categories: slot machines and table games. There is not much crossover between those categories, as casino gamers tend to be fans of one or the other.

This article will look at the pros and cons of each, so that you can choose the one that is right for you.

Explaining More about Slots and Table Games

When you first visit a casino site, you will be struck by the volume and variety of games on offer, with technology advancing, providers are able to offer more games than ever before. There will be hundreds of them to choose between, and it can be hard to know where to start.

All of them are either slots or table games though, so begin by dividing them up that way. Slot games will usually be in their own section and come with themes that range from pop culture to ancient history.

Table games will often be split into a separate section for each game. Examples of casino table games include roulette, blackjack, baccarat, craps and poker.

The reason they are known as ‘table games’ is because they have traditionally been played while sitting at a table. This is something that was initially lost in the online casino era, but live casino is now helping to revive it.

Just as there are different table games with their own rules, it should be pointed out that there is more than one type of slot game. In addition to standard ones, you can play things like video slots and progressive jackpot ones.

Slot Game Pros and Cons

Pros

• Simplicity
The first big advantage of slot games is how simple they are. It means that a first-time casino visitor can start playing them more or less immediately. That is one of the main factors behind the popularity of online slots – and they are comfortably the most popular casino games. The rules are very easy to learn and there is no real strategy involved.

• Entertainment
In terms of pure entertainment, slot games are very hard to beat. They come with themes that tell a genuine story, using elements like video graphics and audio effects. Slot games also come with play that is fast-paced and exciting. By contrast, most table games tend to be slower and more considered in their play.

• Payouts
Slot games offer a good chance of a payout – especially if you pick one with a high return-to-player (RTP). Progressive jackpot slots are riskier, but contain the potential for major payouts.

Cons

• Isolated
Playing a slot game is a solo activity, as there is no way to do it with others. That lack of social options can make it feel lonely.

• Unchallenging
The simplicity of slot games can become a problem for people after a while, because it renders the games unchallenging. There are no real strategy options to test your skills with.

Table Game Pros and Cons

Pros

• Betting options
Casino table games like roulette give players many more wagering options than slot games. You can assess them and make a choice based on your risk tolerance.

• Sociability
Most of the casino table games are played with other people – the exception being blackjack. Even then though, you can talk to the dealer. This social interaction is possible even when playing them online, thanks to live casino games that use video streams.

• Strategic options
Many table games provide the player with more opportunities to affect the outcomes through clever play and strategy. That is particularly true of blackjack and poker.

Cons

• Complexity
Games such as poker and blackjack are extremely complex, which makes them almost impossible for new players. Trying to play these games when you are unfamiliar with the rules and strategies will result in almost certain defeat. They are best played by people who have had time to learn all that they need to. Even then, defeat is still possible when up against skilled opposition – but that is part of the learning process.

• Payouts
While table games often have better mathematical odds than slot games, it can still be harder to win a payout by playing them. That is because the games are lengthy endurance tests and the other players are frequently highly skilled.

In the end, both slot games and table games have their definite pros and cons, so it is largely a matter of individual choice.