Games where decisions matter
| Game | Best bet or play | House edge or return |
|---|---|---|
| Blackjack | Basic strategy on a 3:2 table | About 0.5% |
| Video poker | Full pay Jacks or Better with perfect strategy | 99.54% return |
| Craps | Pass or don't pass with free odds | Under 1.41%, falling with odds |
| Baccarat | Banker | 1.06% |
| Pai gow poker | Correct hand setting | About 1.5% to 2.5% |
| Sic bo | Big or small | 2.78% |
| Poker (cash games) | Play against other players | The casino takes a rake, not an edge |
Poker
In cash games and tournaments you play against other players and the casino takes a rake. Skill, position and bankroll management decide results over time. Casino poker against the house, such as Casino Hold'em or Three Card Poker, has a fixed edge like any table game.
Craps and roulette
Craps rewards knowing which bets to avoid: the pass line with free odds is among the cheapest bets in the casino, while proposition bets carry edges above 10%. Roulette has no strategy that beats the wheel, but the choice of wheel matters: European 2.70%, American 5.26%, French with la partage 1.35% on even money bets.
Habits of serious players
- Keep a record of every session: game, stake, time and result.
- Use the rules that cost least: 3:2 blackjack, full pay video poker, single zero roulette.
- Treat bonuses as maths: count the wagering cost before claiming.
- Set a loss limit you never move during a session.
Our guide to playing like a professional covers bankroll and record keeping in more detail.