Playing Smarter, Not Harder
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
It's a game of skill where good decisions are rewarded. The foundation of skilled play is called "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.
Key Principles of Basic Strategy:
The Golden Rule of Splitting: These are the two pairs you should always split, without exception. Never Split 10s or 5s: A hand of two 10s is a 20, which is a very strong hand casino you don't want to break up. Two 5s make a 10, which is a great hand to double down on. Double Down on 11: You should almost always double down when your first two cards total 11. Know When to Stop: 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%.
Roulette: Smart Betting Strategies
Roulette is a game of pure chance, and no betting system can change the odds or predict the outcome. But, you can use certain betting patterns to control your risk and structure your play.
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)
These bets won't make you rich quickly, but they give you the best chance to have a longer playing session and walk away with a small profit.
Pro Tip: Play European Roulette: Whenever possible, opt for the European version of the game. European Roulette has only one zero (0), giving it a house edge of 2.7%. American Roulette has two zeros (0 and 00), casino which nearly doubles the house edge to 5.26%.