Been spending a fair bit of time on the streamed tables lately instead of the usual RNG stuff, mostly blackjack and roulette, plus a bit of baccarat when I'm feeling reckless. After a decent sample across a few sites, the biggest difference for me isn't the whole realism angle people carry on about - it's the pace. You can't just mash through hand after hand like a maniac. You've actually got a few seconds to think, watch what's happening, and not punt like a drongo after one bad result.
The decent setups are pretty bloody good now. Clear video, cards easy to read, wheel cameras not stuck in 2014, dealers generally know how to keep things moving. When the stream is stable, it does feel a lot closer to a proper table session, especially on blackjack. I pay way more attention to seat availability, table limits, and the actual rule set than the flashy presentation though. A nice-looking table means bugger all if it's 8-seat blackjack with rubbish rules and side bets doing all the heavy lifting.
What still gets on my nerves... some rooms crawl once the chat gets noisy, and the low-stakes tables can turn into pure chaos. A few sites also keep trying to shove the game-show style stuff front and centre. Fair enough if that's your thing, but I still reckon the straight-up tables are where you get the better session, especially if you're trying to play properly and not just have a crack for a laugh on a Friday arvo. Mobile can be hit and miss too - if the stream drops at the wrong time, it's enough to make you want to throw your phone at the servo.
If I'm judging a site's table section now, I'm looking at boring stuff more than anything: stream stability, sensible minimums, enough blackjack seats, roulette that doesn't lag, and whether the dealers keep a steady pace without dragging every round out. Curious what other regulars reckon - do you actually prefer the real-table setup now, or do you still go back to the standard online versions because they're quicker and less mucking around?