Table games: roulette, blackjack and baccarat by the numbers

RNG table games — roulette, blackjack, baccarat, casino poker — recreate classic games with a random number generator instead of physical cards or wheels. Unlike slots, their rules are public and their maths is known, so you can work out exactly what each bet costs. This page explains that maths without describing any operator's catalogue.

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European or American roulette

The difference is the number of zeros. European roulette has 37 pockets; American has 38, with zero and double zero. A straight-up bet pays 35 to 1 in both, but the chance is 1 in 37 in one and 1 in 38 in the other. That is where the house edge comes from:

Variant	Pockets	House edge (approx.)
European roulette	37 (single zero)	2.7 %
American roulette	38 (zero and double zero)	5.3 %

At the same stake, American roulette costs nearly twice as much over time. If both are in the lobby, the choice is simple.

Blackjack: the game where decisions count

In blackjack, every decision — hit, stand, double, split — changes the expected result. Basic strategy is the decision chart that minimises the house edge for each combination of your hand and the dealer's up-card. Followed exactly, it leaves the house a small edge that depends on table rules: number of decks, whether the dealer hits soft 17, whether blackjack pays 3 to 2 or less. A table paying 6 to 5 on blackjack is considerably more expensive than one paying 3 to 2.

Baccarat and casino poker

Baccarat: three bets — Player, Banker, Tie. Banker wins slightly more often and so pays commission; Tie pays a lot but carries a much higher house edge.
Casino poker: variants such as Caribbean Stud or Three Card Poker are played against the house, not other players. Side bets usually carry the highest house edge on the table.

Roulette and blackjack in bonus wagering

Many bonus terms give table games a low contribution to wagering, or exclude them. Anyone who mainly plays roulette or blackjack should read that table before accepting a bonus — see wagering requirements.

The table and the site

The maths of European roulette is the same on every site. Who stands behind it is not: on a licensed site the operator answers to a regulator, typically must offer deposit limits and is covered by self-exclusion schemes. Check the domain in your regulator's register before you play.

Table games FAQ

What is the difference between European and American roulette?

European roulette has 37 pockets (1 to 36 plus a zero) and American has 38 (zero and double zero). That puts the house edge at about 2.7 % for European and about 5.3 % for American.

Does blackjack basic strategy work?

It lowers the house edge to the minimum the table rules allow, but does not remove it. It varies with the number of decks and the dealer's rules.

Why does the Banker bet in baccarat pay commission?

Because Banker wins slightly more often than Player. The commission on Banker wins restores the house's advantage.