Straight, Split, and Corner: Three Terms Briefly Explained
A 'Straight' bet in American Roulette covers a single number and pays 35:1. This bet is placed on one of the 38 sectors on the wheel, which includes numbers 1-36, a 0, and a 00. The house edge on this bet, as with all bets on American Roulette, stands at 5.26%.
A 'Split' bet involves wagering on two adjacent numbers on the betting layout, paying 17:1. This is one of the betting options available on both American and European Roulette wheels. While the payout is lower than a Straight bet, it covers more potential outcomes.
The 'Corner' bet, also known as a Square bet, covers four numbers simultaneously and offers a payout of 8:1. This bet is also present on American Roulette with its 38 sectors. The house advantage remains consistent across most bet types on this wheel, at 5.26%.
House edge and payouts of table games at Slotexo Casino compared
Soft 17: the Ace counts 11 or 1
In Blackjack, a 'Soft 17' hand occurs when the dealer has an Ace and a six. If the dealer hits this hand, the house edge increases by 0.22 percentage points. This rule variation is common and impacts the overall player advantage.
The rule where the dealer Hits Soft 17 (H17) is a significant factor in the house edge. For comparison, a liberal rule set like S17 + DAS + Resplit + Late Surrender offers a house edge of only 0.28%.
Conversely, if the dealer stands on all 17s (S17), the house edge is reduced. This difference of 0.22 percentage points demonstrates how a single rule can alter the game's mathematics, impacting player returns over time.
Why the Double Zero Almost Doubles the House Edge
American Roulette features a wheel with 38 sectors, including both a single zero (0) and a double zero (00). This dual zero setup results in a significantly higher house advantage compared to its European counterpart.
The house edge for American Roulette is 5.26%, nearly double that of European Roulette which stands at 2.70%. This is due to the payouts being based on 36 numbers, while the wheel actually contains 38 possible outcomes for many bets.
For example, a Straight bet on American Roulette pays 35:1, the same as on European Roulette, but the presence of the double zero dramatically increases the casino's average retention per spin. This makes the game mathematically less favourable for players.
Hold or discard five cards: the decision
The decision of which cards to hold or discard is central to Video Poker, particularly variants like Jacks or Better. Optimal strategy aims to maximize the potential for winning hands based on the dealt five cards.
In Jacks or Better 9/6, a Royal Flush pays 800 coins for a five-coin bet, while a Full House pays 9 coins. Understanding these payouts and the probability of forming hands is crucial for strategic play. The RTP for this game, played optimally, is 99.54%.
For a player aiming for the highest returns, such as in Jacks or Better 9/6 with an RTP of 99.54%, discarding certain cards to draw to a better hand is a key skill. The standard deviation for this game is 4.42, indicating its volatility.
Bankroll for 200 Rounds at 1 EUR
To play 200 rounds of a game with a 1 EUR bet, a player would require a bankroll of 200 EUR. This forms the basis for assessing the sustainability of play over a set number of rounds.
Considering a game like Blackjack Liberal Vegas Strip with a house edge of 0.28%, a 200 EUR bankroll might offer extended play. The RTP for this game is 99.72%, suggesting a low theoretical loss over time.
Alternatively, if a player chooses a game with a higher house edge, such as Baccarat Player Pair / Banker Pair side bet with a house advantage of 10.36%, the same 200 EUR bankroll would be depleted at a much faster rate. The RTP for this side bet is only 89.64%.
Game categories at a glance
Category
Examples
Stakes From
Highlight
Slots
Major Millions, Dragon's Luck, Money Train 2
0,10 EUR
thousands of titles
Table games
Roulette, Blackjack, Baccarat
0,50 EUR
classic rules
Live casino
Mega Roulette, Quantum Roulette Live
0,20 EUR
real dealers
Jackpot games
Mega Moolah, Divine Fortune, Age of the Gods
0,20 EUR
progressive pools
Instant games
Aviator, Plinko, Mines
0,10 EUR
fast rounds
Video poker
Jacks or Better, Deuces Wild
0,25 EUR
strategy based
6 Decks vs. 8 Decks in House Edge
A reduction from 8 decks to 6 decks in Blackjack can decrease the house edge by approximately 0.02 percentage points. This marginal improvement is often offset by other rule variations introduced by casinos to maintain their advantage. For players, understanding these subtle changes is key to identifying more favourable game conditions.
The house edge for Blackjack with 6 decks is 1.85% when the payout for a blackjack is 6:5, a significant increase compared to the traditional 3:2 payout. This specific rule change alone adds approximately 1.39 percentage points to the casino's advantage, making it a critical factor for players to consider.
Blackjack played with a single deck under classic rules, offering a 3:2 payout for a blackjack, presents a significantly lower house edge of 0.15%. This contrasts sharply with multi-deck games, where the edge can be higher, underscoring the impact of deck count and payout ratios on player returns.
Sic Bo Pays from 1:1 to 180:1
Sic Bo offers a wide range of payouts, with specific triple bets paying as high as 180:1. This significant multiplier is attractive to players, but it is crucial to examine the associated house edge for each bet type. Not all bets in Sic Bo carry the same risk or reward.
The house edge in Sic Bo can vary dramatically, ranging from 7.87% for a Single Number bet to a substantial 18.52% for a Specific Double bet. This wide disparity means that some bets offer a much more favourable return to the player than others.
The Two-Dice Combo bet in Sic Bo provides a payout of 5:1, but it comes with a house edge of 16.67%. This demonstrates how even bets with moderate payouts can carry a significant disadvantage for the player due to the underlying mathematics of the game.
How Long Does a Roulette Round Take on Average?
European Roulette, with its single zero and 37 sectors, offers a house edge of 2.70% across all bets. The payouts, such as 35:1 for a straight-up number, are consistent with a 36-sector wheel, meaning the additional zero directly contributes to the casino's advantage.
American Roulette features 38 sectors due to the inclusion of a double zero, resulting in a house edge of 5.26%. While payouts are similar to European Roulette, the extra sector significantly doubles the casino's inherent advantage on every spin. This makes American Roulette less favourable for players.
The speed of a Roulette round is not explicitly detailed in the provided data. However, game mechanics typically involve betting periods, spin duration, and payout distribution. Understanding the house edge, such as 2.70% for European Roulette and 5.26% for American Roulette, provides more insight into the long-term player experience than round duration.
Craps: Pass Line plus Odds lowers the average
The Pass Line bet in Craps has a house edge of 1.41%, with a payout of 1:1. This is a fundamental bet for new players, establishing the game's core mechanics and initial risk. The Come bet mirrors this mathematical profile.
Incorporating the Free Odds bet alongside the Pass Line bet in Craps can lead to a combined house edge as low as 0.37%, with the Odds bet itself having a 0.00% house edge. This is achieved by placing additional bets after a point is established, which pay according to true odds.
The concept of 'Free Odds' in Craps allows players to bet on outcomes with no built-in casino advantage, effectively reducing the overall house edge on their wagers. For instance, placing Odds on a point of 4 or 10 pays 2:1, significantly improving the player's theoretical return.
Declining Insurance: The Most Common Blackjack Mistake
Blackjack Surrender, specifically Late Surrender, can reduce the house edge by approximately 0.08 percentage points. This rule allows a player to forfeit half their bet after the dealer checks for blackjack, a valuable option that is often overlooked by players.
The insurance side bet in Blackjack is often a detrimental choice for players, significantly increasing the house edge. This bet, typically paying 2:1 on the dealer's potential blackjack, is generally not recommended due to its unfavourable odds.
A critical rule modification in Blackjack is the payout for a blackjack being 6:5 instead of the standard 3:2. This change increases the house edge by 1.39 percentage points. For a $10 bet, a player would receive $12 instead of $15, a substantial difference in potential winnings.
When is Splitting Aces and Eights Sensible?
Splitting Aces is a key strategic decision in Blackjack, with liberal rules like at Vegas Strip offering a 99.72% RTP. This strategy is often advisable because it creates two potentially strong hands from a weak starting point. The impact of rules like Dealer Hits Soft 17, which increases house edge by 0.22 percentage points, can be mitigated with smart play.
Splitting eights, however, is almost always the recommended play in Blackjack, especially with a favourable 99.85% RTP on a single-deck game with classic rules. The reasoning is that two eights make a hand total of 16, which is a poor starting point. Breaking it into two hands of eight offers a better chance of forming winning totals.
The decision to split is influenced by the casino's rules, such as the payout for a Blackjack being 3:2 or 6:5. A 6:5 payout significantly increases the house edge to 1.85%, making fewer hands profitable. This means a $10 bet pays $12 instead of $15, reducing potential winnings on advantageous splits.
9/6 table: nine for Full House, six for Flush
The 9/6 Jacks or Better video poker variant offers a Return to Player (RTP) of 99.54%, with a house edge of 0.46%. This specific paytable is considered optimal for players using the correct strategy. The designation '9/6' refers to the payouts for a Full House (9 coins) and a Flush (6 coins) per one coin wagered.
A 9/6 Jacks or Better game requires a maximum bet of 5 coins to achieve the Royal Flush bonus of 4000 coins. Compared to other video poker variations like Deuces Wild 'Not So Ugly Ducks' with an RTP of 99.73%, the 9/6 Jacks or Better still presents a very favourable game.
In contrast, a Jacks or Better game with an 8/5 paytable, where a Full House pays 8 and a Flush pays 5, significantly reduces the RTP to 97.29%. This difference of only two payout units for the Full House and Flush results in a loss of 2.25 percentage points of RTP compared to the 9/6 version.
Double Down: double bet, only one card
The Double Down option in Blackjack allows a player to double their initial bet in exchange for receiving only one more card. This strategic move is typically employed when the player's initial two cards total a favourable number, and the dealer's upcard suggests a strong chance of winning. Blackjack games with liberal rules, like those at Vegas Strip casinos with an RTP of 99.72%, often include favourable Double Down rules.
The Double After Split (DAS) rule in Blackjack, which allows players to double down after splitting a pair, improves the player's RTP by approximately 0.14 percentage points. This rule is often found in games with a standard deviation of 1.15, contributing to a lower house edge. A player exercising this option, for example, on a $10 bet, effectively risks $20 for a single card.
Understanding these rules is crucial for maximizing winnings, especially when considering the impact of different Blackjack variations. For instance, a Blackjack game paying 6:5 instead of the standard 3:2 significantly increases the house edge to 1.85%. This means a player betting $10 would only receive $12 for a Blackjack, a notable reduction compared to the $15 from a 3:2 payout.
Before sitting down: check table bet limits
Table bet limits are a critical factor for any player before engaging in games like European Roulette, which has a house edge of 2.70% across all bets. For example, a player might find tables with a minimum bet of €1, suitable for testing strategies without significant risk. Conversely, higher limit tables can accommodate larger wagers for players with a more substantial bankroll.
When playing Craps with the 'Free Odds' bet, which offers a 100.00% RTP on the odds portion, understanding the bet limits is essential. While the Pass Line bet has a house edge of 1.41%, the Free Odds bet has a 0.00% house edge. Bet limits on the odds can range from 1x to 5x the Pass Line bet, affecting the overall potential return.
In Baccarat, the Tie bet carries a substantial house edge of 14.36% with an RTP of 85.64%, making it a less favourable option. Players should be aware that minimum and maximum wagers apply to all bets, including the Tie bet. For instance, a player might observe a minimum bet of €5 on the Player or Banker hand, with the Tie bet also subject to its own limits.
Roulette Wheel with 37 vs 38 Pockets
The European Roulette wheel features 37 pockets, including a single zero (0), resulting in a house edge of 2.70% and an RTP of 97.30%. All bets on this wheel, from straight-up numbers to even-money bets like red/black, share this consistent house edge. A straight-up bet on a single number pays 35:1, offering a substantial payout on a winning spin.
American Roulette, conversely, has 38 pockets due to the inclusion of a double zero (00). This addition doubles the house edge to 5.26% while the payouts for most bets remain the same as European Roulette, such as 35:1 for a straight-up bet. This means that for every €100 wagered, the casino expects to retain €5.26 on average.
The mathematical difference between the two wheels is significant for the player over time. For example, playing 100 spins on European Roulette with an average bet of €10 per spin would theoretically result in an average loss of €270 (€100 * 2.70% * 100). On American Roulette, the expected loss for the same scenario would be €526 (€100 * 5.26% * 100).