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." This guide will cover some basic strategies for two of the most popular table games: Blackjack and Roulette.

Blackjack: The Power of Basic Strategy
Blackjack is one of the few casino (goldfish.it) games where player decisions directly impact the outcome. 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.

Core Blackjack Tips:

The Golden Rule of Splitting: This is the most universal rule in basic strategy. Never Split 10s or 5s: A total of 20 is a winning hand casino most of the time. A pair of 5s should be treated as a 10. Double Down on 11: An 11 is the strongest possible starting hand for doubling down. Know When to Stop: The odds of improving a hand of 17 without going over 21 are very low, so standing is the correct play.

You can find basic strategy charts online. Printing one out and referring to it while you play (especially online) is a fantastic way to learn and casino dramatically reduce the house edge to less than 1%.

Roulette: Smart Betting Strategies
Roulette is a game of pure chance, and no betting system can change the odds or predict the outcome. But, you can use certain betting patterns to control your risk and structure your play.

Focus on Outside, Even-Money Bets: The smartest bets for beginners and casino conservative players are the "outside" bets that pay 1:1.

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

These bets won't make you rich quickly, but they give you the best chance to have a longer playing session and walk away with a small profit.

Pro Tip: Play European Roulette: Always choose European (or French) Roulette over American Roulette if you have the choice. The single-zero European wheel has a much lower house edge than the double-zero American wheel.