Winning advantage: the best table games to increase your chances of winning
Table games are the best entry point for those who want to reduce the ‘distance tax’ and play consciously. Unlike slots, the rules and the player's decisions really affect the outcome: the right table, the right strategy and discipline make the session longer and more predictable.
Why table games give you more control
Table games have straightforward maths: the house edge depends on the specific rules and how close you play to the optimal strategy. In blackjack, roulette, baccarat, craps, and video poker, small details — such as ‘Stand on Soft 17’ or the presence of ‘La Partage’ — change the long-term expectation more than it seems.
A little research can help you incorporate these details into your game plan: compare the table rules of different operators, look at the contribution of specific games to the playthrough and the speed of the cashier. Independent compilations and guides such as 666gambit.org.uk often publish cheat sheets on rules, basic strategies and reminders about limits — this saves money and time right from the first session.
Blackjack: a ‘textbook’ for minimal edge
The main advantage is the influence of decisions. The basic strategy with fair rules (3:2 payout for blackjack, ‘Stand on Soft 17’, doubling after a split, splitting aces) reduces the house advantage to a fraction of a percent. Avoid tables with 6:5 payouts and double restrictions — such ‘little things’ imperceptibly increase the cost of each round. Play with a fixed percentage of your bankroll and do not raise your bet ‘on emotions’ after a series.
How to quickly improve your results
Memorise the basic decisions for common situations (hard hands 12–16 against the dealer's cards, soft combinations with an ace, pairs to split). Even an incomplete table reduces errors and stabilises cash flow.
Baccarat: betting on the Banker as a discipline
The rules are simple, and betting on the Banker historically gives the smallest edge (take into account the commission or special ‘No Commission’ rules when winning on 6). The strategy is elementary: a fixed bet, a clear stop-loss/stop-win, no ‘chasing’. Baccarat is ideal for those who want a steady pace without complicated decisions.
Craps: the power of ‘right’ bets and Odds
Craps often seems complicated, but a few bets make it one of the fairest games. The basics are Pass/Don't Pass and Place/Don't Come; adding Odds gives you ‘true odds’ payouts without the house advantage. This is a rare case where careful bet selection brings the expectation close to zero, and discipline rules stronger than ‘gut feeling’.
Video poker: pure mathematics
In Jacks or Better and related variations, the outcome depends on which cards you hold/discard. With ‘correct’ pay tables (e.g., 9/6 for JoB), the theoretical return is significantly higher than with reduced ones. Master the basic decision table and play slower — speed is not your friend here: every extra spot dealt is an extra turnover on the edge.
Roulette: choose the table version, not the ‘system’
European roulette with a single zero gives the house an advantage of about 2.7%, while French roulette with La Partage/En Prison is even more profitable on even-money bets. It is better to avoid the American version with ‘00’. Progression strategies do not change the expected value and quickly reach the table limits, so rely on simple bets and time control rather than ‘patterns’.
Casino poker: when you want a solution, not action
Ultimate Texas Hold'em, Three Card, Caribbean — simplified versions of poker with fixed payouts. They beat slots in that you have a decisive ‘raise/fold’ point, and basic action tables reduce errors. Choose games with a transparent payout chart and practise standard spots — even basic chartism significantly reduces the edge.
Pace, bankroll and cashier: practical details that bring in money
Even the ‘cheapest’ game in terms of mathematics quickly becomes expensive at turbo speed. Set the duration of the session (for example, 45–60 minutes), turn on time reminders, and keep your bet in the range of 0.5–1.5% of your bankroll per round. For high-variance formats (craps with aggressive sides, show games) — closer to the lower limit; for low-variance formats (baccarat Banker, equal probability roulette bets) — slightly higher.
Think about payouts before placing your first bet. Complete KYC in advance, use the ‘same way back’ method (withdrawal method = deposit method), keep your account in local currency and disable withdrawal cancellation — this way you will turn a successful session into real money, rather than continuing to play.
Bonuses: how not to turn a plus into a minus
Many operators reduce the contribution of table games to the wagering requirement to 10-20% or exclude them altogether. If your goal is tables, look for cashback without a strict wager or tournaments, rather than cumbersome welcome packages. Always check the betting limit with an active bonus: exceeding it is a common reason for winnings to be cancelled.
Mini-algorithm for choosing a ‘winning’ table
First, the maths and rules — then the atmosphere. Look for European/French roulette, ‘proper’ blackjack with 3:2 payouts and S17, Banker in baccarat, Pass/Don't Pass with Odds in craps, and full pay tables in video poker. Adjust your bet to the variance and fix your profit according to your plan, not your mood.
Conclusion
The best table games for increasing your chances are those where your decisions reduce the house edge: blackjack with correct rules, baccarat with an emphasis on Banker, craps with Odds, video poker with the ‘correct’ payout table, and European/French roulette. Add to this a slow pace, fixed bet sizes, a well-thought-out cashout and a sensible choice of bonuses, and you get a real ‘winning edge’ not through myth, but through a system.
