Basic Strategies for Popular Casino Table Games

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. Making the right choices based on probability can reduce the house edge, giving you a better return over time. Let’s look at some simple ways to play smarter at these two classic casino games.

Blackjack: The Power of Basic Strategy

It’s a game of skill where good decisions are rewarded. To play optimally, you need to learn basic strategy. This is a mathematically proven set of rules that tells you the best action to take (Hit, Stand, Double Down, casino or Split) for every possible hand you can have against every possible dealer upcard.

Simple Rules to Remember:

• The Golden Rule of Splitting: This is the most universal rule in basic strategy.
• 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.
• Double Down on 11: With a starting total of 11, doubling your bet is the most profitable move in the long run.
• Know When to Stop: Don’t risk hitting on a hard 17; the chances of busting are greater than 60%.

By perfectly following basic strategy, you can lower the casino‘s advantage to a minimum.

How to Bet in Roulette

Unlike Blackjack, Roulette is all about luck; no strategy can influence where the ball will land. However, you can use betting strategies to manage your bankroll and influence your volatility.

The Safest Wagers:
For the best odds of winning on any single spin, stick to the even-money outside bets.

• Red or Black
• Odd or Even
• High (19-36) or casino 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: Always choose European (or French) Roulette over American Roulette if you have the choice. This one small difference has a huge impact on your long-term results.