1. Baccarat: The Power of the Banker Bet
Baccarat remains a casino favorite due to its low house edge and simplicity. Here’s how to optimize your play:
- Stick to the Banker: Statistically, the Banker bet has a 1.06% house edge (vs. 1.24% for Player). Despite the 5% commission, it’s the smartest long-term play.
- Avoid the Tie Bet: With a staggering 14.4% house edge, the Tie bet is a sucker’s wager.
- Trend Tracking: While baccarat is luck-based, some players use scorecards to spot short-term patterns (e.g., “Dragon Tiger” streaks).
Pro Tip: Set a win/loss limit (e.g., 10 units per session) to avoid chasing losses.
2. Roulette: Combining Strategies for Better Odds
Roulette offers multiple betting options, but strategy is key:
- European Over American: Always choose single-zero (European) roulette (2.7% house edge) over double-zero (American) versions (5.26%).
- Mix Outside & Inside Bets: Combine low-risk even-money bets (e.g., Red/Black) with high-reward inside bets (e.g., straight-up numbers) for balance.
- Martingale with Caution: Doubling bets after losses can recover losses quickly, but table limits and bankroll constraints make it risky. Use mini-Martingale (3-4 steps max).
Latest Trend: “Neighbors Bets” (covering adjacent numbers) are gaining popularity in online live dealer roulette for wider coverage.
