Simple approaches to excel in table games

Online table games have become a popular pastime around the world, and many of us have indulged in some of these games at least one time. However, for inexperienced players, it can get a bit frustrating sometimes - we can get on a cold streak, or face more seasoned players, and end up losing some money. As most of these are games of chance, we’re always looking for factors besides luck that could improve our results.

Apart from poker, which is regarded as a game of skill, with different abilities required and several strategies to be applied, table games like craps, baccarat, and even roulette, are usually driven by luck. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t some measures that can decrease losses or boost winnings. Aspects such as choosing the best game variants or selecting the optimal bets can be the difference between breaking even and earning some big prizes.

Best approaches for Baccarat

A beloved game in Europe and Asia - and the game of choice for James Bond - baccarat has made its way to becoming a popular card game in the United States as well, both at land-based and online casinos. Its rules are pretty simple, and the game is very straightforward, which makes it a great alternative for novice players. Baccarat also has a low house edge, usually around 1 percent, which means that players lose $1 for every $100 wagered, on average over time. 

The first aspect we’re taking a look at is game selection. Whether you’re playing at a traditional brick-and-mortar casino, or an online casino, baccarat can be played using one, six, or eight decks of playing cards. The house edge varies with each of these settings, and players should always opt to play single-deck games, since it has the lowest house edge of the three settings, 1.0117 percent.

After selecting the game variant, it’s time to choose the wager with the best chances of winning. Statistically, the banker hand tends to win more than the player hand or the tie, around 51 percent of the time. Unless there’s a commission on it, the banker bet is always the optimal wager for baccarat. It’s also important to notice that there are no scenarios in which the tie or the pair bets are the better options, since the house edge significantly increases with these two wagers.

Online craps can be simple

As unusual as it may seem, craps is also available at online casinos. A popular dice game all over the world, the game is known for its many intricacies and exciting gameplay. Playing craps at a land-based casino, however, can be a little intimidating, since there’s usually a lot of action around a table of craps, and there are many possible wagers to choose from. Whereas, at an online casino, the game can be much easier, since most websites offer screen guides and visual aids that help players get a better understanding of it.

When playing craps at an online casino, you should only play at tables in which bettors can take odds on the pass and come bets, and you should never place proposition bets, since their odds and house edges are unfavorable. A simple strategy that can be used by novice players is the six-eight strategy: playing the Place to Win bet on 6 or 8, since these numbers have the highest dice combinations, therefore the best chances of winning.

You can also consider using one of the many existent betting systems such as the Martingale and the Paroli systems, which we’re covering in this article. However, these systems are somewhat risky and expensive strategies, so moderation is imperative.

A new poker boom

Ever since the poker boom, in the mid-2000s, online poker has become a cultural phenomenon, being played by millions of people around the globe. Last year, with the COVID-19 pandemic, online poker went through a new boom, since most of us had to stay home and comply with social distancing measures. 

Today, there are numerous guides and strategy books that can help players improve their game, and studying is definitely the best way to become a better poker player. There are some quick steps, however, that can help you boost your winnings. If you are an inexperienced player, start from the lower limits tables, to get a better feel of the game, and then work your way up to higher limits. Game selection is also a key element, and you should always play against players at your skill level.

Your position on the table also plays an important part. The dealer button and the spot to its right are considered the best spots. When playing from these positions, you should be aggressive and play a wider range of hands. Whereas, if you’re playing from the two spots to the left of the dealer, you should be more conservative and don’t get into many hands.

Betting systems

When playing games that offer the possibility of wagers to be made on even bets, players can consider using a betting system. These systems require big bankrolls, and tend to derive from the gambler’s fallacy - an erroneous belief that the probability for an outcome after a series of outcomes is different from the probability of a single outcome. For instance, believing that a roulette ball will land on black, just because all previous rounds resulted in a red number. Therefore, caution is advised when using one of these systems. 

The Martingale system is the most popular, because it doesn’t require intricate calculations, but it is a risky method, since it’s a steep progression strategy, which means it involves increasing your bets exponentially. Start with the table minimum, and keep betting the same amount until you lose. Then, double the wager for the next round, so, in case you win, you will recover your losses. If you keep on losing, keep doubling the bet. As soon as you win, return to the minimum and start again.

Another popular method is the Paroli system, or Reverse Martingale. This strategy is a bit safer than the Martingale, but it’s also a steep progression system. As the name suggests, the Paroli does the exact opposite of the Martingale: double your bet after each win, and after each loss, you restart the system with the table minimum.