Table game cheat sheets

How it works

Get closer to 21 than the dealer without going over. Cards 2 to 10 count face value, face cards count 10, aces count 1 or 11. The dealer must hit until 17.

Only play 3:2

The felt says "Blackjack pays 3 to 2" or "6 to 5." Always pick 3:2. A 6:5 table pays $12 instead of $15 on a $10 blackjack and roughly quadruples the house edge.

Your options

Hit (take a card), Stand (keep your total), Double (double your bet, take exactly one card), Split (turn a pair into two hands), and at some tables Surrender (give up half your bet).

Skip insurance

When the dealer shows an ace and offers insurance, say no. It's a side bet that loses money over time.

Basic strategy

The chart below is the math-correct play for every hand. Played perfectly at a good 3:2 table, the house edge is around half a percent. Casinos let you use a strategy card at the table.

Basic strategy chart

For 4 to 8 decks, dealer stands on soft 17, double after split allowed. Dealer's up card across the top, your hand down the side.

H Hit S Stand D Double (hit if you can't) Ds Double (stand if you can't) P Split

If surrender is offered: surrender hard 16 against 9, 10 or ace, and hard 15 against 10. Otherwise follow the chart.

How it works

The shooter's first roll is the "come out." 7 or 11 wins for the pass line; 2, 3 or 12 loses. Any other number becomes the "point," and the shooter keeps rolling until they hit the point again (pass line wins) or roll a 7 (pass line loses).

The bet to make

Pass line (house edge 1.41%), then once a point is set, put money behind it as odds. The odds bet has no house edge at all, the only bet in the casino like that.

Also fine

Place 6 and 8 (1.52%). Come bets work like a pass line bet made mid-roll (1.41%).

Avoid

Everything in the middle of the table: any 7 (16.7%), any craps (11.1%), hardways (9 to 11%), and the field when 12 only pays 2:1 (5.6%).

Etiquette

Don't say "seven" at the table, keep your hands out of the way when the dice are thrown, and toss them so they hit the back wall.

Find a single-zero wheel

A wheel with one green 0 has a 2.70% house edge. A wheel with 0 and 00 (most of the Strip) has 5.26%, nearly double. Single-zero tables usually have higher minimums but are worth it.

Every bet costs the same

On a double-zero wheel, red/black, odd/even, dozens and single numbers all carry the same 5.26% edge. Pick bets by how fun they are and how long you want your money to last.

One bet to avoid

The five-number bet (0, 00, 1, 2, 3) on a double-zero wheel has a 7.89% edge, the worst bet on the table.

Systems don't work

Doubling after every loss (the Martingale) just means rare, huge losses instead of steady small ones. Table limits make sure of it.

How it works

You bet on the Banker hand, the Player hand, or a Tie. The dealer follows fixed rules for drawing cards; you never decide anything. The hand closest to 9 wins (only the last digit counts, so 15 is 5).

Bet Banker

Banker has the lowest edge, about 1.06%, even after the 5% commission on wins. Player is close behind at about 1.24%.

Never bet Tie

The tie pays 8 to 1 and carries a house edge over 14%.

Ignore the scorecards

The boards tracking past results don't predict the next hand.

How it works

Place equal Ante and Blind bets. You and the dealer each get two cards; five community cards come out in stages. You get one chance to make a Play bet: 3x or 4x before the flop, 2x after the flop, or 1x on the river.

Simple strategy

Bet 4x before the flop with any pair (except 2s), any ace, and strong kings. After the flop, bet 2x if you've made a pair or better (not one using only the board). On the river, bet 1x if you can beat what the dealer could easily have; otherwise fold.

The edge

About 2.2% of your ante with good strategy.

Side bet

The Trips bonus pays on three of a kind or better. Fun, but it has a much higher edge than the main game.

How it works

Place an Ante and get three cards. Either fold or make a Play bet equal to your ante. The dealer needs queen-high to qualify.

The one rule

Play any hand of queen-6-4 or better. Fold anything worse.

Pair Plus

A separate bet that pays on a pair or better no matter what the dealer has. Its edge depends on the paytable printed on the felt, so compare tables if you play it.

Read the paytable

On Jacks or Better, look at what a full house and a flush pay for one coin. "9/6" (9 for a full house, 6 for a flush) returns about 99.5% with perfect play. "8/5" or "7/5" machines return noticeably less for the same game.

Bet max coins

The royal flush pays far more at max bet. Playing fewer coins lowers the return.

Basic holds

Keep any paying hand. The exceptions: break up a flush, straight or high pair if you hold four to a royal. Four to a flush beats a low pair (2s through 10s), but a high pair (jacks or better) beats four to a flush.

Buying in

Put cash on the felt between hands and say "change only." Never hand money to the dealer directly.

Hand signals

At blackjack, tap the table to hit and wave your hand flat over your cards to stand. Cameras need to see it.

Don't touch

Leave your bet alone once cards are coming out, and don't touch cards dealt face up.

Tipping

Tip the dealer occasionally or place a small bet for them. They notice.

Phones and filming

Most casinos don't allow filming at live tables. Ask before you record.