Every bet on the floor has a price — the house edge. Some are cheap; some quietly rob you. Here’s what to skip, and why.
↓ Download the “what to skip” card (PDF)
Skip these at the tables
- 6:5 blackjack — roughly nine times more expensive than a 3:2 game at the same minimum.
- Insurance / “even money” — about a 7% edge unless you’re counting.
- Any 7 (craps) — a brutal 16.7%.
- Crapless craps — 5.4% on the 3, 9, and 11.
- Triple-zero roulette — 7.69%. Find a single-zero wheel.
- The Tie (baccarat) — 14.4%. Just bet Banker.
Skip these on the floor
- Big Six / Money Wheel — 11–24%.
- Keno — 25–30%, among the worst odds in the building.
- Most side bets (21+3, Lucky Ladies, etc.) — 5–10%.
- Penny slots — often the highest hold on the floor.
What to play instead
The pattern: if it’s flashy, sits in the center of the table, or has “bonus,” “Xtra,” or “multiplier” in the name, it’s usually a trap. Stick to the low-edge plays on our other cards — 3:2 blackjack, craps with odds, Banker in baccarat, single-zero roulette, and 9/6 video poker.
21+ · For entertainment and education only. Long-run averages; nothing guarantees winning. Gamble responsibly — 1-800-GAMBLER.
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