Where decisions change the result
| Game | With good play | Where skill shows |
|---|---|---|
| Poker (vs players) | Can be profitable for the best | Hand selection, position, reading opponents |
| Blackjack | About 0.5% edge | Basic strategy on a 3:2 table |
| Jacks or Better (9/6) | 99.54% RTP | Correct holds by strategy chart |
| Craps | 1.41% or less | Line bets plus odds, nothing else |
| Baccarat | 1.06% on Banker | Choosing Banker, avoiding the tie |
Games with many bets
Craps, sic bo and pai gow poker have long bet menus where the edge ranges from almost nothing to over 15%. Experience here means knowing which few bets to use. In sic bo, small and big carry about 2.8%, while a bet on a specific triple costs about 16% to 30% depending on its payout.
Roulette has no playing skill. The only choices that matter are a single-zero wheel and, on French tables, the la partage rule that halves even-money losses on zero.
Habits that matter more than systems
- Set a bankroll for the month and a stop-loss for each session.
- Keep a record of results; memory flatters.
- Learn the strategy in demo mode before using real money.
- Skip side bets unless you know their edge.
See also how to become a professional player for what that would really take.