Basic Strategies for Popular Casino Table Games

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." This guide will cover some basic strategies for two of the most popular table games: Blackjack and Roulette.

How to Play Blackjack Optimally

Unlike slots, your choices in Blackjack have a significant effect on whether you win or casino (goldfish.it) lose. 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.

Simple Rules to Remember:

• Always Split Aces and 8s: This is the most universal rule in basic strategy.


• Never Split 10s or casino 5s: A hand of two 10s is a 20, which is a very strong hand you don't want to break up. Two 5s make a 10, which is a great hand to double down on.


• The Best Doubling Opportunity: With a starting total of 11, doubling your bet is the most profitable move in the long run.


• Stand on Hard 17 or Higher: The odds of improving a hand of 17 without going over 21 are very low, casino so standing is the correct play.

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

Unlike Blackjack, Roulette is all about luck; no strategy can influence where the ball will land. However, you can use betting strategies to manage your bankroll and influence your volatility.

Focus on Outside, Even-Money Bets:
These wagers give you an almost 50% chance of winning.

• Red or Black


• Odd or Even


• High (19-36) or Low (1-18)

While the payouts are small, these bets have the lowest volatility and are best for bankroll preservation.

Choose the Right Wheel: The most important strategic decision in Roulette is picking the right table. European Roulette has only one zero (0), giving it a house edge of 2.7%. American Roulette has two zeros (0 and 00), which nearly doubles the house edge to 5.26%.