Reducing the House Edge
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. By making mathematically optimal decisions, you can lower the casino's built-in advantage, known as the "house edge." This guide will cover some basic strategies for two of the most popular table games: Blackjack and casino Roulette.
Improving Your Blackjack Game
Unlike slots, your choices in Blackjack have a significant effect on whether you win or lose. The best way to play is by using "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.
Simple Rules to Remember:
Always Split Aces and 8s: These are the two pairs you should always split, casino without exception. Never Split 10s or casino 5s: A hand of two 10s is a 20, which is a very strong hand you don't want to break up. Two 5s make a 10, which is a great hand to double down on. The Best Doubling Opportunity: With a starting total of 11, doubling your bet is the most profitable move in the long run. Stand on Hard 17 or Higher: If you have a "hard" total (a hand without an Ace) of 17 or more, you should always stand, as the risk of busting is too high.
You can find basic strategy charts online. Printing one out and referring to it while you play (especially online) is a fantastic way to learn and dramatically reduce the house edge to less than 1%.
How to Bet in Roulette
It's important to understand that you cannot beat the math of Roulette in the long run. The purpose of a Roulette strategy is to manage your money, not to guarantee a win.
The Safest Wagers:
The smartest bets for beginners and conservative players are the "outside" bets that pay 1:1.
Red or 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%.