We have all heard warnings not to play bad table games like 6:5 blackjack, triple zero roulette, and crapless craps. However, sometimes it is better to play these games with higher house edges than at tables with better rules. Here are some examples.
Bad Blackjack Rules
The most common bad table game rules occur at blackjack tables. Some now pay 6:5, especially in Las Vegas. That adds 1.39% to the house edge. That is about triple what a typical 3:2 blackjack game holds when the rules are otherwise the same.
Many Las Vegas casinos deal 6:5 throughout the pits, with few or no 3:2 options. The 3:2 games may only be available in the high-limit salon. The games with bad rules start at $5 to $25, while salon games start at $50 to $200. This wide minimum-bet spread makes it reasonable to play 6:5 over 3:2 in these instances.
Blackjack Expected Losses Per Hand by Payout
The following lists show the amount a player can expect to lose per hand, on average. It is split into 6:5 and 3:2 payouts by minimum bet. The house edge of a six-deck shoe 3:2 blackjack game with standard double down rules, hits soft 17, and does not allow surrender or re-splitting aces is 0.63%. That same game with a 6:5 payout holds 2%.
6:5 Per Hand Expected Loss
- $5: $0.10
- $10: $0.20
- $15: $0.30
- $25: $0.50
3:2 Per Hand Expected Loss
- $5: $0.03
- $10: $0.06
- $15: $0.10
- $25: $0.16
- $50: $0.32
- $100: $0.64
As you see in the math above, the expected loss at $5 6:5 and $15 3:2 blackjack is identical. In this case, it depends on how much variance you want. The $5 6:5 game has a lower expected loss than a $25 3:2 table.
Many Las Vegas Strip casinos have a $15 minimum bet for 6:5 and $50 for 3:2. In this example, the 6:5 table has a slightly slower expected loss rate.
Oyo in Las Vegas has $1 even money blackjack and a $5 3:2 game. The $1 game holds about $0.03 per hand, while the $5 3:2 game has an identical expected loss. In this case, it depends on a player’s bankroll and risk tolerance.
Comparing Roulette Games
Double zero is the most common roulette version. Some markets also have single zero and triple zero. When a casino has double zero and triple zero in the pits, the minimum bet is often the same. In some cases, triple zero will be $5 or $10 cheaper. Single zero is usually a high-limit game, though a handful of casinos deal it in pits for $15 to $100.
Roulette House Edges
The following roulette house edges are for all bets except the five-number basket, which is the 0, 00, 1, 2, and 3 on double-zero and triple zero wheels. Some single zero tables have la partage, which returns half of a bet when the ball lands in the zero pocket. That game is called European Roulette.
- European: 1.35% on even money bets, 2.7% on all others
- Single zero: 2.7%
- Double zero: 5.26%
- Triple zero: 7.69%
Roulette Expected Loss Per Hand
The list below shows the expected loss per hand at each common minimum bet.
Single Zero
- $15: $0.41
- $25: $0.68
- $50: $1.35
- $100: $2.70
Double Zero
- $5: $0.26
- $10: $0.53
- $15: $0.79
- $20: $1.05
- $25: $1.32
- $50: $2.63
Triple Zero
- $5: $0.38
- $10: $0.77
- $15: $1.15
- $20: $1.54
- $25: $1.92
The numbers above show several times when players will have better results at triple zero roulette compared to double zero games with a higher minimum bet. For example, a $5 triple zero table has a lower expected loss than a $10 double zero. A $10 triple zero game and a $15 double zero game are within two cents. Another common scenario is $15 triple zero and $25 double zero. The $15 triple zero game has a lower negative expectation.
Plaza in downtown Las Vegas has $10 or $15 double zero and $25 single zero. The single zero game is in the nonsmoking room that streams live on YouTube. When you can play $10 double zero, choose it over $25 single zero. However, when double zero is $15, pick the $25 single zero game, if your bankroll and risk tolerance allow it.
Or Learn Better Games
The above information assumes players did not go to the casino to watch others play. In the big picture, you are better off avoiding the bad games altogether. Instead, players can learn better games with lower house edges.
Heads Up Hold’em and Ultimate Texas Hold’em are similar games that return over 99% accounting for all raises when played perfectly. This is known as the element of risk. Unfortunately, the strategy is difficult to learn. Luckily, casinos will let you sit at the table with a strategy card.
Crazy 4 Poker returns around 99% when using the element of risk calculation. High Card Flush and its clone I Luv Suits, are another example. While it holds around 1.6%, these flush games have a simple strategy.
Play When Limits Are Lower
Another alternative is to schedule your casino table game action when minimum bets are lower. Avoiding weekends is best, though some casinos are slow on Sundays and Friday afternoons. The best times to play with lower minimum bets are during the week and late at night and early in the morning.
If Limits Are Too High, Don’t Play
If you arrive at the casino and the table games are busy, minimum bets may be higher than your comfort level. Do not play at that time. Players make mistakes when playing uncomfortable limits. Variance can catch up quickly, leaving your bankroll busted faster than you planned.
Most casinos with table games also have electronic versions. Play those and see if you can wait out the higher limits. The rules and house edges often match the live tables. There is no difference between a live and electronic version of a roulette game with the same number of zeros. Look out for lower craps odds and 6:5 or even money payouts on electronic table games.
