Games where decisions matter
Blackjack
Basic strategy, the mathematically best play for each hand, brings the edge down to about 0.5% on good rules. Look for tables that pay 3:2 on blackjack, not 6:5, and where the dealer stands on soft 17. Card counting does not work online, because RNG and most live tables reshuffle constantly.
Poker
Player-versus-player poker is the only casino-floor game where skill can beat other players over time. Casino poker against the house, such as Casino Hold'em or Three Card Poker, has a fixed edge you can only reduce with correct play. See our guide to new poker variants.
Baccarat
There are no decisions beyond the bet. The banker bet has the lowest edge at 1.06% after commission; the tie bet at 8:1 carries about 14.4%. More in our baccarat tips.
Games with many bets
Craps
Pass line at 1.41%, plus free odds behind it at zero edge, is one of the best bets in the casino. Many proposition bets in the middle of the table carry edges above 10%.
Roulette
European roulette has one zero and a 2.70% edge; American roulette adds a double zero and 5.26%. French roulette with La Partage halves the loss on even-money bets when zero lands, bringing those bets to 1.35%. Martingale, Fibonacci and similar systems change how you lose, not how much.
Pai Gow Poker and Sic Bo
Pai Gow Poker splits seven cards into two hands and pushes often, which makes it slow and low-variance. In Sic Bo, the big and small bets have a 2.78% edge, while single-number and triple bets are far worse.
House edge at a glance
| Game and bet | House edge |
|---|---|
| Blackjack, basic strategy, 3:2 | About 0.5% |
| Baccarat, banker | 1.06% |
| Baccarat, player | 1.24% |
| Craps, pass line | 1.41% |
| French roulette, even money with La Partage | 1.35% |
| European roulette | 2.70% |
| Sic Bo, big or small | 2.78% |
| American roulette | 5.26% |
| Baccarat, tie at 8:1 | About 14.4% |
Habits that matter more than any system
- Bankroll: set a session budget and a stop-loss before you sit down, and keep bets to 1 to 2% of it.
- Rules first: read the table rules and payouts; a 6:5 blackjack table costs you far more than any strategy saves.
- Bonuses: table games often count 10% or nothing towards wagering, so most bonuses are poor value for table players.
- Practice: learn a new game in demo mode before staking real money.
Set deposit and time limits in your account. Our responsible gaming guide explains the tools.