An Edge in Table Games
While most casino games are based on luck, some table games involve an element of skill or strategy that can improve your chances of winning. Making the right choices based on probability can reduce the house edge, casino giving you a better return over time. Let's look at some simple ways to play smarter at these two classic casino games.
Improving Your Blackjack Game
Unlike slots, your choices in Blackjack have a significant effect on whether you win or lose. To play optimally, you need to learn basic strategy. Basic strategy is a chart that dictates the most profitable move in any given situation, based on your hand and the dealer's visible card.
Key Principles of Basic Strategy:
The Golden Rule of Splitting: Splitting two Aces gives you two chances to hit 21. Splitting two 8s turns a very weak hand (16) into two much better starting hands (8). Never Split 10s or 5s: A total of 20 is a winning hand most of the time. A pair of 5s should be treated as a 10. The Best Doubling Opportunity: An 11 is the strongest possible starting hand for doubling down. Stand on Hard 17 or Higher: The odds of improving a hand of 17 without going over 21 are very low, so standing is the correct play.
By perfectly following basic strategy, you can lower the casino's advantage to a minimum.
How to Bet in Roulette
It's important to understand that you cannot beat the math of Roulette in the long run. But, you can use certain betting patterns to control your risk and structure your play.
Focus on Outside, Even-Money Bets:
The smartest bets for casino beginners and conservative players are the "outside" bets that pay 1:1.
Red or casino Black Odd or Even High (19-36) or Low (1-18)
While the payouts are small, these bets have the lowest volatility and are best for bankroll preservation.
Pro Tip: Play European Roulette: The most important strategic decision in Roulette is picking the right table. European Roulette has only one zero (0), giving it a house edge of 2.7%. American Roulette has two zeros (0 and 00), which nearly doubles the house edge to 5.26%.