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Double Down: double bet, only one card
The Blackjack Double Down option allows a player to double their initial bet after seeing their first two cards, in exchange for receiving only one additional card. This strategic move is available on any two-card hand in some variants, offering a way to capitalize on favorable situations.
In Blackjack with liberal Vegas Strip rules, the RTP reaches 99.72% due in part to features like Double After Split (DAS), which enhances player options. This specific rule allows for doubling down even after a split hand, providing a significant RTP boost compared to variants without it.
For players utilizing the Double Down strategy effectively, particularly when combined with liberal rules such as DAS and a 3:2 Blackjack payout, the potential for increased winnings exists. However, the restriction to receiving only one card means the player must commit to the hand's outcome after this move.
Declining Insurance: The Most Common Blackjack Mistake
The Insurance side bet in Blackjack, offered when the dealer's upcard is an Ace, presents a payout of 2:1 if the dealer has Blackjack. However, this bet typically carries a significant house edge, making it a disadvantageous option for most players in the long run.
In standard Blackjack with a 3:2 payout and a house edge of 0.46%, the Insurance bet's odds are unfavorable. The theoretical return for this side bet is considerably lower than the main game, contributing to the overall house advantage.
For players aiming to minimize the house edge, avoiding the Insurance bet is advisable. This decision preserves the main game's RTP, which can be as high as 99.54% in optimal conditions, and avoids a statistically unfavorable wager. This is considered a fundamental principle for disciplined Blackjack play.
Craps Odds Bet with 0 Percent House Edge
The Craps Odds bet is a unique wager that can be placed after a point has been established on the Pass Line or Come bet. This bet is not directly offered by the casino but is an additional wager placed behind the initial bet, based on the probability of the point being rolled again.
Unlike most casino bets, the Craps Odds bet offers a 0 percent house edge. This means that, theoretically, the casino retains no percentage of the wagers placed on the Odds bet over the long term. The payouts are based on true odds.
For a Pass Line bet in Craps, with an RTP of 98.59% and a house advantage of 1.41%, the addition of an Odds bet dramatically improves the player's overall return. By strategically placing Odds bets, players can effectively reduce the combined house edge on their total wagers significantly.
6 Decks vs. 8 Decks in House Edge
The number of decks used in Blackjack can influence the house edge, with fewer decks generally favoring the player. For instance, a game using 6 decks can offer a lower house edge compared to a game using 8 decks, assuming all other rules remain constant.
A rule modification such as using 6 decks instead of 8 can decrease the house edge by approximately 0.02 percentage points. While seemingly minor, this incremental reduction is beneficial for players seeking the most favorable conditions at the table.
When comparing Blackjack variants, a game with 6 decks, S17, DAS, and DOA rules, and a 3:2 payout offers an RTP of 99.54% and a house advantage of 0.46%. This is a highly favorable scenario for players, illustrating the impact of deck count on the game's mathematical properties.
What Doesn't Count Towards Bonus Wagering on Table Games?
When a bonus is active, not all wagers contribute equally to the wagering requirements. Table games, in general, have a lower contribution rate than slot games, meaning a larger amount must be wagered on table games to clear the bonus.
Specifically, table games typically contribute only 10% towards bonus wagering requirements. This means that for every €10 wagered on a table game, only €1 counts towards meeting the playthrough. For example, a €2,000 welcome bonus with a 40x wagering requirement would necessitate €80,000 in total wagers if only slots were played.
Wagering on certain table game bets might be excluded entirely from contributing to bonus wagering. For instance, low-risk bets like Baccarat Player or Banker, or even French Roulette with La Partage on even chances, may not count, or may count at a reduced rate, impacting how quickly a bonus can be cleared by players focusing on these games.
Game categories at a glance
| Category | Examples | Stakes From | Highlight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Slots | Diamond Mine Megaways, Cygnus 4, Extra Chilli Megaways | 0,10 EUR | thousands of titles |
| Table games | Roulette, Blackjack, Baccarat | 0,50 EUR | classic rules |
| Live casino | PowerUP Roulette, Quantum Blackjack Plus 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 |
Game Shows: sectors, multipliers, and bet ranges
Specific Sic Bo bets like 'Specific Triple' offer a substantial payout of 180:1, but carry a high house edge of 16.20%. In contrast, the 'Single Number' bet in Sic Bo is the most favorable special bet with a house edge of 7.87%. Players should note that the house edge can vary significantly across different bet types within Sic Bo.
The 'Five Number Bet' in American Roulette presents a steep house edge of 7.89%, significantly higher than other bets on the same wheel. This bet covers five numbers (0, 00, 1, 2, 3) and pays 6:1. European Roulette, with its single zero, avoids this specific high-edge proposition.
Baccarat 'Tie' bets, paying 8:1, represent the least favourable main bet in Baccarat, with a considerable house edge of 14.36%. This makes it a proposition with a significantly lower RTP compared to the Player or Banker bets, impacting overall player return.
Before Double Down: read the open dealer card
In Blackjack with 6 Decks, S17, DAS, DOA rules and a 3:2 payout, the house edge is 0.46%. Applying basic strategy is essential for achieving the optimal RTP of 99.54% in this game. Double Down is permitted on any two cards, and re-splitting is allowed.
Conversely, a Blackjack game offering a 6:5 payout instead of 3:2 increases the house edge to 1.85%. For a $10 bet, this means a payout of $12 instead of $15, a reduction of $3 per Blackjack. This rule change significantly increases the casino's advantage.
The most favourable Blackjack rules, found in Liberal Vegas Strip variants with a 3:2 payout, achieve a house edge of just 0.28%. These tables often include S17, DAS, Resplit, and Late Surrender, contributing to a higher player RTP of 99.72%.
Split, Double, and Surrender: Three Decisions Explained
Blackjack rules detailing 'Double After Split' (DAS) can improve the player's RTP by approximately 0.14%. This rule allows a player to double their bet after splitting a pair. The 'Dealer Hits Soft 17' (H17) rule, however, increases the house edge by 0.22 percentage points.
In Craps, the Pass Line bet offers an RTP of 98.59%, resulting in a house advantage of 1.41%. This bet applies to the initial roll and subsequent rolls until a point is established or sevened out. The 'Come' bet shares identical mathematical properties.
French Roulette with the 'La Partage' rule provides a player advantage on even-money bets, reducing the house edge to 1.35% by refunding half the stake on a zero outcome. This rule specifically applies to bets like Red/Black, Odd/Even, and High/Low.
Jacks or Better: Check Payout Table Before Betting
Video Poker Jacks or Better 9/6 (Full Pay) offers an impressive RTP of 99.54% with a house edge of 0.46%. The '9/6' designation refers to payouts of 9 coins for a Full House and 6 coins for a Flush per single coin wagered. A maximum bet of 5 coins is required for the Royal Flush bonus.
A reduction in the payout for Jacks or Better, specifically to an 8/5 version (Full House 8, Flush 5), significantly increases the house edge to 2.71%. This change, a reduction of only 2 payout units, costs 2.25 percentage points of RTP compared to the 9/6 version.
The 'Video Poker Jacks or Better 8/5' table shows a Royal Flush payout of 800 coins for the maximum bet. Other payouts include Four of a Kind at 25, and Jacks or Better at 1. A Straight Flush pays 50 coins, demonstrating the impact of payout variations on game return.
Roulette Wheel with 37 vs 38 Pockets
American Roulette, featuring 38 pockets (including 0 and 00), presents a significantly higher house edge on most bets compared to its European counterpart. The 'Five Number Bet' is particularly disadvantageous, carrying a substantial house edge of 7.89%.
French Roulette with the 'La Partage' rule, featuring 37 pockets, offers a 1.35% house edge on even-money bets like Red/Black. This rule ensures that half the bet is returned if the ball lands on zero, improving the player's odds on these specific wagers.
The house edge on French Roulette for inner bets, where 'La Partage' does not apply, rises to 2.70%. While the wheel still has 37 pockets, the absence of favourable rules like 'La Partage' for these wagers increases the casino's statistical advantage over the player.
Double Down: Doubling Your Bet After Two Cards
The Blackjack Double Down option allows a player to double their initial bet after receiving their first two cards. This maneuver is typically employed when the player believes their hand has a strong chance of winning against the dealer's. In a typical Blackjack game, such as the 6 Deck S17, DAS, DOA variant with a 3:2 payout, this strategic doubling is a key element.
The ability to Double After Split (DAS) is a rule modifier that can improve player RTP. In liberal Vegas Strip Blackjack, which features DAS, the house edge is a mere 0.28%. This rule, alongside others like S17 and Resplit, contributes to a more favourable environment for the player than less generous rule sets.
For the player, understanding when to utilize the Double Down, especially after a split, is crucial for optimal strategy. This option, present in various Blackjack forms, directly impacts the potential winnings on a given hand, making its strategic application a significant factor in game outcomes.
Table Games Often Count Only 10 Percent
Players aiming to meet wagering requirements for bonuses will note that table games often contribute only 10 percent. For example, a €100 wager on a table game would only count as €10 towards the bonus turnover. This significantly extends the amount of play required to clear a bonus compared to slots.
This 10% contribution rule means that to wager through a €2,000 welcome bonus, a player would need to bet €20,000 on table games. This is calculated as €2,000 bonus amount multiplied by the wagering requirement (implied by the 10% contribution, assuming a typical x40 wagering on bonus amount).
Consequently, players focusing on table games like Roulette or Baccarat must be prepared for a much longer play-through period. While these games offer strategic depth, their low contribution rate to bonus wagering means that slots, contributing 100%, are a much faster route to unlocking bonus funds.
How many sectors does the Game Show wheel have?
While specific Game Show wheels are not detailed in the provided data, a comparable wheel mechanism is seen in Roulette. French Roulette, for instance, utilizes a wheel with 37 sectors. This structure dictates the probabilities for various betting outcomes on the table.
The American Roulette wheel, however, features an additional sector, bringing its total to 38. This extra '00' sector increases the house edge significantly, particularly on specific bets. The existence of unique betting options like the Five Number Bet highlights the differences in wheel construction.
The number of sectors on any given wheel directly influences the odds and payouts offered. For example, a single number bet in French Roulette covers 1 out of 37 sectors, whereas an American Roulette's 'Five Number Bet' covers 5 out of 38 sectors, demonstrating a direct link between wheel design and game mathematics.
Straight 35:1 Against the Chance of 1 in 37
In French Roulette, a straight-up bet on a single number offers a payout of 35:1. This payout is set against the mathematical probability of hitting that specific number on a wheel with 37 sectors. The house edge on these inside bets is 2.70% when La Partage does not apply.
The odds of landing a specific number on a 37-sector wheel are precisely 1 in 37. A 35:1 payout means a €1 bet would return €35 in winnings plus the original stake, totalling €36. This payout structure is standard for single-number bets in European and French Roulette variants.
This payout ratio, while seemingly generous, contributes to the overall house edge. For example, if a player bets €1 on each of the 37 numbers and only one hits, they receive €35 profit. However, they have staked €37, resulting in a net loss of €2 over the long term.
Columns and Dozens Pay 2:1 in Roulette
Bets placed on columns or dozens in Roulette offer a payout of 2:1. These are considered 'outside' bets, covering 12 numbers each. On a standard 37-sector wheel, such as that used in French Roulette, these bets have a significantly lower house edge compared to inside bets if La Partage is active.
A 2:1 payout means that for every €1 wagered and won, the player receives €2 in profit, plus their original stake back. These bets cover a substantial portion of the wheel, offering a higher probability of winning on each spin than single-number bets. For example, betting on the first dozen covers numbers 1 through 12.
While the payout is lower than a straight bet, the increased frequency of wins makes these bets popular. However, the house still maintains an edge. In French Roulette, the house edge for even-money bets like columns and dozens is reduced to 1.35% when the La Partage rule is in effect.
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