Back in the day, a night of gambling included a group of friends sitting around a table and batting it out face to face. You might call it nostalgic, but there was something in the intimacy and intensity of this setting that still carries a powerful connotation. So much so that many of the traditional table games from the 80s remain immensely popular to this day – albeit in the online version.
To understand why our beloved games from the 80s have such staying power, we need to look at this phenomenon from different angles and compare the gamblers’ expectations then versus now.
What Makes Table Games Special?
In the gaming parlance, the term table games refers to a group of multi-player contests that depend on a combination of skill and luck. Card games make up for a lion’s share of this category, with poker, blackjack, and baccarat being the most widely played. You can also add a few casino classics like roulette or craps to the mix, along with backgammon, sic bo, and a bunch of other games. All of these games use very simple means to determine the outcomes but support a wide range of possible strategies, making them well suited for casino play or friendly competition.
Table games don’t take a long time to learn and allow beginners to win against more experienced players with some luck. At the same time, they provide veteran players with a chance to use their skills and discipline and outlast the challengers. The number of players that can participate at once is flexible, and in some cases they compete directly against the house. All of those traits are consistent with the expectations of players, both in the 80s and today.
Why Table Games Work so Well Online?
The first online casinos started appearing in the mid-90s, so it’s understandable that they immediately digitalised the games that were popular at the time. This made complete sense since the first users were people who were already familiar with the rules of major table games. For anyone who wanted to play blackjack casino Canada websites were a faster and more affordable option than going to Vegas.
As casino websites gained traction, they started expanding their offer of games. Since table games like poker and roulette were the headline attractions, they soon got dozens of new versions that utilised different rules and introduced new features. These additions didn’t take away from the unique thrill these games provide, only expanded the range of options to suit the more dynamic online environment. Since the original concepts were developed gradually for decades and already undergone a few cycles of evolution, they proved to be a great match for internet casinos.
How Online Games Differ from their Original Versions?
Some virtual table games use the original rules and look more or less the same as they ever did. When you play Texas Hold’em poker on a casino site, it works exactly the same way as if you were dealing the cards yourself. However, on the internet you can switch to a different rule set at will by starting a different poker-themed game. This way, you don’t have to re-learn your favourite games but you can still try new things when you are in the mood.
In a bid to attract more first-time players, some software studios release table games loaded with extra features or cross-over titles that mix different types of games. Some of these modifications can give players additional space for strategic calculations, and mostly make the games more fun. Online games typically have very simple commands and feature automatic dealers, which makes it possible to focus on the game even more than in a physical setup. It’s very easy to control how much you will bet on each round with a single click, so budget management is more streamlined.
Can Online Gambling be a Valid Replacement for the ‘Real Thing?
Younger players who never visited a poker room or casino floor before are perfectly happy to consume virtual versions of table games over the internet. On the other hand, some players claim that the secret ingredient that made gambling so satisfying in the old days has been lost in the shuffle. There is something about being able to look your opponent in the eye, take a deep breath, and face the odds – and this is very hard to replicate in a virtual casino where everything happens at a press of the button.
The best evidence that online gambling sites can’t fully replace traditional table games is that people still love to play them in person. For some players, nothing can beat the old-school feeling of being at the casino table and watching the cards turn before their eyes. Even now when everyone carries a mini casino in his pocket, it’s not rare to travel for hours just to have a chance to play a few rounds of poker against high-level opponents. As far as we are concerned, there is absolutely nothing wrong with that.
