Casino table games are skill-adjacent - the house edge is fixed, but the decisions you make at the table determine how close to that edge you actually play. Blackjack basic strategy reduces the house edge to under 0.5%. Video poker optimal play achieves RTPs above 99%. This section covers the rules, strategy and odds for every major table game.
Table Games by House Edge
| Game | Best House Edge | Condition | Skill Required? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blackjack | 0.42% | Basic strategy, 4-deck S17 | Yes - strategy chart |
| Video Poker | 0.46% | Full-pay Jacks or Better, optimal play | Yes - hold decisions |
| Baccarat | 1.06% | Banker bet only | No - bet selection only |
| Craps | 1.36% | Pass line + max odds | Minimal - bet selection |
| Roulette (European) | 2.70% | Single-zero, any even-money bet | No |
Game Guides
Why House Edge Matters
The house edge is the percentage of every bet the casino expects to keep over the long run. A 1% house edge means the casino expects to keep £1 of every £100 wagered - across millions of hands. In any single session, results vary widely; the edge only asserts itself over large sample sizes.
For table games, the house edge depends heavily on how you play. In blackjack, a player using no strategy faces a house edge of 2–4%. A player using the basic strategy chart faces 0.42–0.65% depending on rules. The chart is freely available and legal to use - there is no reason to play blackjack without it.
In purely chance-based games (roulette, baccarat), no strategy changes the mathematical edge. Bet selection in baccarat - always Banker - reduces your exposure to 1.06% versus 1.24% (Player) or 14.4% (Tie). That is the entire strategy for baccarat: do not bet Tie.
