Table games: the rules and numbers that matter
Table games have something slots do not: public rules and maths you can calculate. This page summarises the classic games found in lobbies such as Woos, digital or live, and gives the house edge and the most common mistake for each. Always read the exact rules in each table's panel: variants change the numbers.
Roulette: European, French, American
European roulette has 37 pockets, 0 to 36. Every bet has the same house edge, 2.70%, because payouts are calculated as if there were 36 pockets. French roulette uses the same wheel and, with the la partage rule, returns half of even-money bets (red/black, odd/even, low/high) when zero comes up, cutting the edge on those bets to about 1.35%. American roulette adds a double zero, 38 pockets, for a 5.26% edge; the five-number bet on 0, 00, 1, 2 and 3 reaches 7.89%.
| Variant | Pockets | House edge |
|---|---|---|
| European | 37 | 2.70% |
| French with la partage (even-money bets) | 37 | about 1.35% |
| American | 38 | 5.26% |
No betting system (doubling after a loss, number sequences) changes these numbers. It only changes the shape of the balance swings, and doubling quickly runs into the table maximum.
Blackjack: the one where choices really count
The goal is to beat the dealer by getting closer to 21 without going over. You can hit, stand, double or split pairs; the dealer follows fixed rules. With favourable rules and correct basic strategy the house edge can fall below 1%; with poor rules or instinctive play it rises a lot. Three details to read at the table: the payout for a natural (3:2 is standard, 6:5 is much worse), whether the dealer hits soft 17, and the number of decks. Insurance, offered when the dealer shows an ace, is generally a poor bet.
Baccarat: simple and fast
You bet on Player, Banker or Tie; the cards follow fixed rules and you decide nothing else. Under classic eight-deck rules, Banker with a 5% commission has a house edge around 1.06%, Player 1.24%, while Tie, usually paid 8 to 1, is above 14%. "No-commission" variants change the payout on some Banker wins: recalculate the edge from the table rules.
Poker against the house
In Caribbean Stud you get five cards and decide whether to continue by raising or to fold; the dealer must "qualify" with at least ace-king. In Texas Hold'em Bonus you play two hole cards and five community cards, with a decision at each stage. In both you play the house, not other players, and side bets on the final hand usually carry a higher house edge than the main bet. Read each table's paytable: it varies by supplier.
What an hour costs: an example
| Game (example) | Stake | Rounds per hour | Expected loss per hour |
|---|---|---|---|
| European roulette | 5 | 60 | about 8.10 |
| Baccarat, Banker | 5 | 70 | about 3.70 |
| Blackjack, basic strategy | 5 | 60 | about 1.50–3 |
These are illustrative estimates based on typical house edges; real numbers depend on table rules and room pace. The point is that the choice of game and stake matters more than any "method".
Etiquette and good habits
At shared live tables the chat is moderated and room manners apply: no abuse of the dealer, no advice on other players' bets. More important, decide in advance how many hands to play and at what result to stand up. The live casino and responsible gambling pages complete the picture.