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. By making mathematically optimal decisions, you can lower the casino's built-in advantage, known as the "house edge." Let's look at some simple ways to play smarter at these two classic casino games.
Blackjack: The Power of Basic Strategy
Blackjack is one of the few casino games where player decisions directly impact the outcome. 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, or Split) for every possible hand you can have against every possible dealer upcard.
Core Blackjack Tips:
- Always Split Aces and 8s: This is the most universal rule in basic strategy.
- When Not to Split: 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: An 11 is the strongest possible starting hand for doubling down.
- Stand on Hard 17 or Higher: 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.
Minimizing Risk 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.
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. The single-zero European wheel has a much lower house edge than the double-zero American wheel.
