Games where skill counts
Poker
You play against other players and the house takes a rake, so skill decides who wins over time. Reading ranges, position and bankroll discipline matter more than any single hand.
Blackjack
Basic strategy cuts the edge to about 0.5% at a good table. See our basic strategy guide.
Video poker
Full-pay Jacks or Better returns about 99.5% with perfect play, which makes the paytable the first thing to check.
Games where bet choice counts
Baccarat
Bet banker (1.06% edge) or player (1.24%). The tie bet at 8:1 carries about 14.4%.
Craps
Pass and don't pass with odds behind them are among the cheapest bets in the casino; the proposition bets in the middle are among the worst. Our craps guide has the numbers.
Roulette
European single-zero wheels have a 2.70% edge; American double-zero wheels 5.26%. French tables with la partage halve the edge on even-money bets.
Games with complex rules
Pai Gow Poker
Seven cards split into a five-card and a two-card hand. Many hands push, which makes it a slow, low-variance game, with a 5% commission on wins.
Sic Bo
Three dice and many bets. Small and big have about a 2.8% edge; triples and specific totals cost far more.
Habits of experienced players
- Track results and time, not only wins.
- Set a stop-loss for each session.
- Play bonuses only where the game weighting allows it.
- Avoid side bets, which nearly always carry a higher edge.