To maximize your chances of winning, you must absolutely avoid games that carry a massive casino advantage.
The ‘house edge’ dictates exactly how much money the casino expects to keep from every wager over the long term.
Mastering Blackjack for Optimal Odds
No other game allows the player to reduce the casino’s advantage as dramatically as standard 21.
However, this incredibly low edge assumes that you are following a mathematically perfect ‘Basic Strategy’ chart.
- Rules like ‘Dealer stands on soft 17’ lower the house edge further in your favor
- If surrender is allowed, use it mathematically to save half your bet on terrible hands
- Print out a basic strategy card and keep it on the table; casinos legally allow you to use them
Finding Value Beyond the Blackjack Table
Baccarat requires absolutely zero skill, yet offers an incredibly low house edge of just 1.06% on the Banker bet.
Alternatively, certain variations of Video Poker (like 9/6 Jacks or Better) offer an edge of less than 0.5%.
| Casino Game | Optimal House Edge | Skill Required |
|---|---|---|
| Blackjack (3:2) | ~0.50% | High (Basic Strategy) |
| Baccarat (Banker) | 1.06% | None |
The casino relies on players being ignorant of the math; don’t be one of those players.