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.

How to Play Blackjack Optimally
It's a game of skill where good decisions are rewarded. The foundation of skilled play is called "basic strategy." Basic strategy is a chart that dictates the most profitable move in any given situation, based on your hand and the dealer's visible card.

Simple Rules to Remember:

Always Split Aces and 8s: These are the two pairs you should always split, without exception. Never Split 10s or 5s: A total of 20 is a winning hand most of the time. A pair of 5s should be treated as a 10. Double Down on 11: With a starting total of 11, doubling your bet is the most profitable move in the long run. 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.

By perfectly following basic strategy, you can lower the casino's advantage to a minimum.

Minimizing Risk in Roulette
It's important to understand that you cannot beat the math of Roulette in the long run. But, casino you can use certain betting patterns to control your risk and structure your play.

The Safest Wagers: For the best odds of winning on any single spin, stick to the even-money outside bets.

Red or casino Black Odd or Even High (19-36) or Low (1-18)

They are low-risk, low-reward bets perfect for extending your playtime.

Pro Tip: Play European Roulette: 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%.