Table games: RNG or live dealer, and what changes between them
By Kristaps Birznieks · updated October 2026
Table games come in two forms online. RNG tables are software: a random number generator decides the card or the pocket, rounds take a few seconds, and you play alone. Live dealer tables are filmed in a studio with real equipment, rounds follow the dealer's pace, and other players share the table. The rules can be identical, but the experience, the speed and sometimes the bonus treatment differ. This page compares the two and explains the poker-style games where you play against the house rather than other players.
RNG and live: the same maths, a different clock
If an RNG European roulette uses the same wheel and payouts as a live one, the house edge is the same 2.70%. What changes is speed. An RNG table can resolve hundreds of rounds an hour; a live wheel resolves perhaps a few dozen. Expected loss per hour is roughly stake × rounds per hour × house edge, so the faster format costs more per hour at the same stake, even with identical rules.
| Feature | RNG table | Live dealer table |
|---|---|---|
| Result decided by | Random number generator | Physical wheel or cards |
| Pace | You control it | Dealer and timer control it |
| Other players | None | Shared table, chat |
| Rule variety | Wide, depends on version | Wide, shown in the info panel |
Neither format is fairer by default. An RNG game is as trustworthy as the testing behind it and the licence of the operator offering it; a live table is as trustworthy as the studio and the same licence. The practical check is identical: find the operator in the licence register of your country, then read the rules panel of the game.
Poker against the dealer
Several popular table games borrow poker hand rankings but pit you against the house. They share a pattern: you place an ante, see your cards, then decide whether to fold or raise with a further bet. The dealer often needs a minimum hand to "qualify"; if not, some of your bets are paid and others returned. Common formats include casino hold'em, three card poker and stud variants.
What decides the value of these games is the paytable: how much the ante pays when the dealer does not qualify, how bonus hands are paid, and whether side bets are offered. Side bets with large payouts for rare hands usually carry a much higher house edge than the main game. Compare paytables between versions before you play; they are not always the same even when the game has the same name.
Choosing a table
- Read the rules panel: payouts, side bets, dealer rules.
- Check the minimum and maximum stake against your session budget. A table minimum that is large relative to your budget ends the session quickly.
- Decide on the format: RNG if you want to control pace, live if you prefer the atmosphere and a slower rhythm.
- Set a time limit before the first hand, especially at RNG tables where rounds are fast.
Where to go next
For the detailed roulette, blackjack and baccarat rules see Live casino. For slot games, where volatility plays a bigger role, see Slots and the Games section. If you combine tables with sports bets, the margin calculation in Sports betting works on the same principle as the house edge here. Tools for setting limits are described in Responsible gambling.