Want to play casino games with discipline and understanding? This guide breaks down the strategy, odds, and house edge for roulette, blackjack, craps, baccarat, and slots—helping you make informed decisions, manage your bankroll, and avoid costly mistakes.
Last updated: January 2026 | By Darren Noble, The Online Betting Club
The Truth About Casino Games (Read This First)
Let’s be brutally honest:
❌ No system beats the house edge long-term (not Martingale, not Fibonacci, not any “guaranteed” method)
❌ The casino always has a mathematical advantage on every game (except skilled poker and card counting in blackjack)
❌ RNG (Random Number Generator) games are completely random – past results don’t predict future spins
BUT:
✅ You CAN make smarter decisions by understanding odds, house edge, and optimal strategy
✅ You CAN protect your bankroll with proper staking and discipline
✅ You CAN enjoy casino games responsibly if you treat them as entertainment, not income
This page teaches you smart casino play—not false promises.
Understanding House Edge & RTP
What is House Edge?
The house edge is the casino’s built-in mathematical advantage on every bet.
Example (European Roulette):
- 37 numbers (0-36)
- Bet on a single number pays 35:1
- True odds: 36:1
- House edge: 2.70%
Over time, the casino keeps 2.70% of all money wagered.
What is RTP (Return to Player)?
RTP is the flip side of house edge—the percentage paid back to players over millions of spins.
Example:
- European Roulette RTP: 97.30% (house edge 2.70%)
- American Roulette RTP: 94.74% (house edge 5.26% due to double zero)
Higher RTP = Better for players.
House Edge Comparison: Casino Games
| Game | House Edge | RTP | Skill Factor |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blackjack (basic strategy) | 0.5% | 99.5% | High – strategy matters |
| Baccarat (banker bet) | 1.06% | 98.94% | Low – mostly luck |
| European Roulette | 2.70% | 97.30% | Zero – pure chance |
| Craps (pass line) | 1.41% | 98.59% | Low – some bet selection skill |
| American Roulette | 5.26% | 94.74% | Zero – avoid this version |
| Slots (average) | 2-10% | 90-98% | Zero – pure RNG |
| Keno | 25-40% | 60-75% | Zero – worst odds in casino |
Takeaway: Blackjack and baccarat offer the best odds. American roulette and keno are terrible value.
Roulette Strategy & Systems
Understanding Roulette Basics
European Roulette:
- 37 pockets (0-36)
- Single zero (0)
- House edge: 2.70%
American Roulette:
- 38 pockets (0-36 + 00)
- Double zero (00)
- House edge: 5.26%
- Avoid American roulette – nearly double the house edge for no benefit
French Roulette:
- Same as European (37 pockets)
- La Partage or En Prison rules reduce house edge to 1.35% on even-money bets
- Best roulette variant for players
Common Roulette Bets
| Bet Type | Payout | Probability (European) | House Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Straight (single number) | 35:1 | 2.70% | 2.70% |
| Split (two numbers) | 17:1 | 5.41% | 2.70% |
| Street (three numbers) | 11:1 | 8.11% | 2.70% |
| Corner (four numbers) | 8:1 | 10.81% | 2.70% |
| Red/Black | 1:1 | 48.65% | 2.70% |
| Odd/Even | 1:1 | 48.65% | 2.70% |
| 1-18 / 19-36 | 1:1 | 48.65% | 2.70% |
Key insight: Every bet has the same 2.70% house edge (except the “five number” bet in American roulette, which is even worse at 7.89%).
Popular Roulette Systems (And Why They Don’t Work)
Martingale System
What it is: Double your bet after every loss.
Example:
- Bet £10 on red, lose
- Bet £20 on red, lose
- Bet £40 on red, lose
- Bet £80 on red, win → recover £10 profit
Why it fails:
- ❌ Table limits stop you doubling indefinitely (e.g., £10 min, £500 max = only 5-6 doubles)
- ❌ Requires huge bankroll (8 losses in a row = £2,560 stake needed)
- ❌ Doesn’t change house edge—you’re still playing a -EV game
- ❌ One bad run wipes out weeks of small profits
Verdict: AVOID. Martingale is a bankroll destroyer.
Fibonacci System
What it is: Increase stakes following Fibonacci sequence (1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13…).
Why it fails:
- ❌ Still a progression system—loses to house edge over time
- ❌ Slower than Martingale but still risky
Verdict: Slightly safer than Martingale but still not recommended.
D’Alembert System
What it is: Increase stake by 1 unit after loss, decrease by 1 after win.
Why it fails:
- ❌ Assumes wins and losses balance out short-term (they don’t)
- ❌ Still can’t beat house edge
Verdict: Lower risk than Martingale but no mathematical advantage.
Labouchere System
What it is: Write down a sequence (e.g., 1-2-3-4), bet the sum of first and last (1+4=5), cross off numbers when you win, add the loss to the end when you lose.
Why it fails:
- ❌ Complicated with no edge
- ❌ Long losing streaks = huge stakes
Verdict: Interesting but ultimately futile.
The Only “System” That Works: Smart Bankroll Management
✅ Set a session budget (e.g., £100) and stick to it
✅ Use small stakes (1-2% of bankroll per bet)
✅ Never chase losses (walk away when budget is gone)
✅ Play European or French roulette (never American)
✅ Set win/loss limits (e.g., stop if you double up or lose 50%)
For in-depth roulette strategy, staking plans, and live dealer tips:
🔗 Visit our dedicated Roulette Strategy Hub at theonlinebettingclub.co.uk →
Blackjack Strategy
Why Blackjack Has the Best Odds
Blackjack is the only casino game where player decisions significantly affect the house edge.
House edge (using basic strategy): 0.5%
House edge (playing randomly): 2-4%
That’s a 4x difference—strategy matters.
Basic Strategy Chart (Simplified)
Basic strategy is a mathematically optimal way to play every hand based on your cards and the dealer’s upcard.
Key rules (European/UK blackjack):
Hard totals (no Ace or Ace counted as 1):
- 8 or less: Always hit
- 9: Double if dealer shows 3-6, otherwise hit
- 10-11: Double if your total is higher than dealer’s upcard, otherwise hit
- 12-16: Hit if dealer shows 7+, stand if dealer shows 2-6
- 17+: Always stand
Soft totals (Ace counted as 11):
- Soft 13-17: Hit (or double against dealer 5-6)
- Soft 18: Stand against 2-8, hit against 9-A
- Soft 19+: Always stand
Pairs:
- Always split: Aces, 8s
- Never split: 4s, 5s, 10s
- Split conditionally: 2s, 3s, 6s, 7s, 9s (based on dealer upcard)
🔗 [Full Basic Strategy Chart (PDF) – Coming Soon]
Blackjack Tips
✅ Use basic strategy – reduces house edge to ~0.5%
✅ Avoid insurance – it’s a sucker bet (house edge 7%+)
✅ Never take “even money” on blackjack vs dealer Ace (same as insurance)
✅ Avoid side bets (Perfect Pairs, 21+3, etc.) – house edge 3-10%
✅ Play single or double-deck if available (slightly better odds than 6-8 deck shoes)
Card Counting (Advanced)
Card counting does work in live blackjack but:
- ❌ Banned in most casinos (you’ll be asked to leave)
- ❌ Requires intense focus and large bankroll
- ❌ Impossible in online RNG blackjack (deck reshuffles after every hand)
- ❌ Harder in live dealer online (frequent shuffles, penetration limits)
Verdict: Learn basic strategy first. Card counting is for serious advantage players only.
Craps Strategy
Understanding Craps
Craps is a dice game with some of the best and worst bets in the casino—all on the same table.
Best bets (low house edge):
- Pass Line: 1.41% house edge
- Don’t Pass: 1.36% house edge
- Come / Don’t Come: Same as pass/don’t pass
- Odds bet (behind pass/don’t pass): 0% house edge (true odds)
Worst bets (avoid):
- Any 7: 16.67% house edge
- Hardways: 9-11% house edge
- Proposition bets (center table): 10-16% house edge
Simple Craps Strategy
✅ Stick to pass line + odds (lowest house edge)
✅ Take maximum odds (3x, 4x, 5x, or higher if available)
✅ Avoid proposition bets (the stickman pushing them is paid to lose you money)
✅ Set a session budget and walk away when it’s gone
Want the full craps playbook?
🔗 Get “How to Win at Craps” by Darren Noble (PDF) →
🔗 Visit our Craps Strategy Hub at theonlinebettingclub.co.uk →
Baccarat Strategy
Understanding Baccarat
Baccarat is a simple, low-edge game popular with high rollers.
Three bets:
- Banker: 1.06% house edge (but 5% commission on wins)
- Player: 1.24% house edge
- Tie: 14.36% house edge (AVOID)
Optimal Baccarat Strategy
✅ Always bet Banker (lowest house edge)
✅ Never bet Tie (terrible odds)
✅ Ignore patterns (scoreboards are meaningless—each hand is independent)
✅ Set win/loss limits (baccarat moves fast)
Verdict: Baccarat is almost pure luck. Bet banker, manage bankroll, and accept variance.
Slots Strategy (If You Insist on Playing)
The Reality of Slots
Slots are pure RNG (Random Number Generator). No skill, no patterns, no “hot” or “cold” machines.
House edge: 2-10% (varies by game)
RTP: 90-98% (check game info)
How to Play Slots Smarter
✅ Check RTP before playing (aim for 96%+ RTP)
✅ Play for entertainment, not profit (slots have the worst EV in casino)
✅ Set strict loss limits (e.g., £20 session budget, walk away when gone)
✅ Avoid progressive jackpots (lower RTP, tiny win chance)
✅ Never chase losses (slots are designed to drain bankrolls)
Verdict: Slots are the casino’s biggest money-maker for a reason. Play blackjack or baccarat instead.
Casino Bankroll Management
The 1-5% Rule
Never bet more than 1-5% of your total bankroll per hand/spin.
Example:
- Bankroll: £500
- Max bet (5%): £25
- Recommended bet (1-2%): £5-£10
Session Budgets
Set a session budget before you play and stick to it.
Example:
- Total bankroll: £1,000
- Session budget: £100 (10% of bankroll)
- Stop when you’ve lost £100 or doubled to £200
Win/Loss Limits
✅ Win limit: Stop when you double your session budget (e.g., £100 → £200)
✅ Loss limit: Stop when you’ve lost your session budget
Why it works:
- Protects profits
- Prevents chasing losses
- Forces discipline
Best UK Casino Sites
For Roulette:
- Bet365 Casino – Live dealer, French roulette, mobile-friendly
- 888 Casino – High RTP slots, fast withdrawals
- LeoVegas – Excellent mobile casino, huge game selection
For Blackjack:
- Bet365 – Live dealer blackjack, multiple variants
- William Hill – Classic blackjack, good bonuses
For Craps:
- Bet365 – Live dealer craps (limited availability)
