In Blackjack, the decision on how to count an Ace in Soft 17 is a crucial rule. When a dealer stands on Soft 17, as seen in some Blackjack variations, it benefits the player. This specific rule contributes to a favorable RTP of 99.54% for the "Blackjack 6 Decks, S17, DAS, DOA" game, with a low house edge of 0.46%.
The interpretation of an Ace's value can significantly impact gameplay. In the "Blackjack Liberal Vegas Strip" variant, the Ace can be counted as 11 or 1, contributing to a very low house edge of 0.28% and a high RTP of 99.72%. This liberalization includes dealer standing on S17 and allowing doubling after splitting.
Understanding these soft hand rules is essential for players aiming to maximize their returns. A lower house edge directly translates to a higher RTP, meaning the casino retains less of the wagered amount over time. The "Blackjack 6 Decks" game, for instance, offers a 99.54% RTP when playing with optimal basic strategy.
Table games at Dragonia Casino: Roulette, Blackjack, Baccarat, and dice games
Craps Odds Bet with 0 Percent House Edge
The Craps Odds Bet stands out as a unique wager offering a 0 percent house edge. This bet is only available after a "Pass Line" or "Don't Pass" bet has established a "Point". By betting on the Odds, players are essentially being paid out at true mathematical probabilities for the dice rolls.
When a Point of 4 or 10 is established, the Odds Bet pays 2:1. For a Point of 5 or 9, it pays 3:2, and for a Point of 6 or 8, it pays 6:5. These payouts are at exact odds, removing the casino's inherent advantage on this specific bet. The combined RTP for "Craps Free Odds – with Pass Line, Modus 3-4-5x" is 99.63%.
The "Craps Free Odds" bet, particularly with multipliers like 3-4-5x, allows players to significantly reduce the overall house edge of their Craps wagers. While the Pass Line bet itself has a house edge, the Odds Bet, with its 0.00% house edge, makes this a compelling option for strategic players seeking the best possible return.
Straight 35:1 Instead of 36:1: Where House Edge Originates
In European Roulette, the standard payout for a "Straight" bet on a single number is 35:1. This payout structure, while generous, inherently includes the house edge. With 37 sectors on the wheel (numbers 1-36 plus a single zero), a true odds payout would require 36:1 for the house to break even on all outcomes.
The difference between a theoretical 36:1 payout and the actual 35:1 payout for a Straight bet in European Roulette is where the house advantage is embedded. This creates a house edge of 2.70% across all bets on this wheel type. French Roulette, however, offers variations like La Partage that can reduce this edge on even-money bets.
For players, this means that on average, 2.70% of all wagered amounts on European Roulette will be retained by the casino over the long term. This edge remains consistent across all bet types, from single number "Straight" bets to "Dozen" or "Column" bets, which also pay 2:1.
Baccarat commission: 5 percent on each Banker win
In Baccarat, betting on the Banker hand is typically the most statistically favorable option, offering a high RTP of 98.94%. However, this advantage comes with a standard 5% commission levied on winning Banker bets. This commission is applied to the net winnings, effectively reducing the payout.
The commission on Banker wins ensures that the casino maintains a house advantage, in this case, 1.06%. For a Banker win, the payout is effectively 0.95:1 after the 5% commission is deducted. This is a critical factor to consider when comparing Banker and Player bets, where the Player bet offers a 1:1 payout with a 1.24% house edge.
The "Baccarat Banker" bet, despite the 5% commission, remains the strongest bet within the game due to its superior RTP compared to the Player bet. The commission effectively balances the inherent advantage the Banker position has in drawing the third card, making it a strategically sound, albeit slightly less direct, winning proposition.
Four Blackjack Hand Decisions at a Glance
Understanding key Blackjack decisions can significantly enhance player strategy and reduce the house edge. For example, in "Blackjack Liberal Vegas Strip," a player's decision to Hit, Stand, Double Down, or Split is based on their hand and the dealer's upcard. This game offers a low house edge of 0.28% and a high RTP of 99.72%.
The "Blackjack 6 Decks, S17, DAS, DOA" game presents another scenario with liberal rules, including dealer standing on Soft 17 (S17), allowing Double After Split (DAS), and Double on Any two cards (DOA). Playing this game with basic strategy results in an RTP of 99.54% and a house edge of 0.46%.
These Blackjack variations highlight how rule sets impact player advantage. The ability to Double Down on any two cards (DOA) or after Splitting (DAS), alongside favorable dealer rules like standing on Soft 17, contributes to lower house edges and higher RTPs, making these games more attractive for informed players.
Game categories at a glance
Category
Examples
Stakes From
Highlight
Slots
Nitropolis 4, Big Bamboo, Major Millions
0,10 EUR
thousands of titles
Table games
Roulette, Blackjack, Baccarat
0,50 EUR
classic rules
Live casino
Sweet Bonanza CandyLand, Ultimate Roulette
0,20 EUR
real dealers
Jackpot games
Mega Moolah, Divine Fortune, Age of the Gods
0,20 EUR
progressive pools
Instant games
Aviator, Plinko, Mines
0,10 EUR
fast rounds
Video poker
Jacks or Better, Deuces Wild
0,25 EUR
strategy based
What doesn't count: bets over 5 EUR
The 300% welcome bonus up to €2,000 has specific wagering contribution rules. Bets made on table games contribute only 10% towards meeting the wagering requirements. For example, a 5 EUR bet on Roulette would only count as 0.50 EUR towards the turnover.
Slots, however, contribute 100% to the bonus wagering. This means a 5 EUR bet on a slot game counts fully as 5 EUR towards clearing the bonus. This disparity in contribution significantly impacts how players can strategize to meet the bonus conditions efficiently.
It is therefore crucial for players to be aware that any bets exceeding 5 EUR on table games will not count towards the bonus wagering at all. This effectively sets a maximum bet limit for table game play when aiming to fulfil bonus requirements.
Martingale Fails After 8 Rounds at Table Limit
The Martingale betting system, which involves doubling the bet after each loss, is particularly susceptible to table limits. In Craps, the Don't Pass bet has a house edge of 1.36%. If a player were to implement Martingale on this bet, a losing streak would quickly escalate bet amounts.
After eight consecutive losses, the bet size would reach 256 units. If the table limit is set at 100 units, the player would be unable to continue the Martingale progression. This highlights a fundamental flaw in the system when faced with real-world casino restrictions.
Furthermore, the theoretical RTP of Don't Pass is 98.64%, but even with this favourable return, the inherent risk of hitting a table limit or running out of funds makes Martingale an unsustainable strategy for long-term play.
Straight 35:1 Against the Chance of 1 in 37
In European Roulette, a Straight bet on a single number pays 35:1. The wheel has 37 sectors, meaning the mathematical probability of hitting any single number is 1 in 37. This payout is designed to be close to the true odds of the outcome.
The house edge on European Roulette is 2.70%, derived from the single zero. This edge is applied across all bets, including the Straight bet, ensuring the casino retains a small percentage over time. For instance, a 1 EUR Straight bet has an expected loss of 0.027 EUR.
While this payout might seem attractive, it's important to note that French Roulette with La Partage rule offers a significantly lower house edge of 1.35% on even-money bets, making it more favourable for players on those specific wager types.
Pass Line in Craps: Process in Four Steps
The Pass Line bet in Craps begins with a 'come out' roll. If a 7 or 11 is rolled, the bet wins instantly. If a 2, 3, or 12 is rolled (known as 'craps'), the bet loses. The RTP for the Pass Line bet is 99.63%, with a house edge of 0.37%.
If any other number (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10) is rolled, that number becomes the 'point'. The game then continues with subsequent rolls until either the point number is rolled again (winning the Pass Line bet) or a 7 is rolled (losing the Pass Line bet).
The Free Odds bet, which can be placed once a point is established, offers a 0.00% house edge and pays out at true odds. For a point of 4 or 10, the odds pay 2:1; for 5 or 9, it's 3:2; and for 6 or 8, it's 6:5, significantly improving the overall return.
House Edge and RTP: Two Names for the Same Number
The house edge represents the average percentage of each bet that the casino expects to keep over the long term. For example, American Roulette, specifically the Five Number Bet, has a substantial house edge of 7.89%. This means for every 100 EUR wagered on this bet, the casino expects to retain 7.89 EUR.
Return to Player (RTP) is the inverse of the house edge, indicating the theoretical percentage of wagered money that a game will pay back to players over an extended period. The Five Number Bet in American Roulette has an RTP of 92.11%, reflecting its high house edge. This is a crucial metric for players to understand game profitability.
In contrast, French Roulette with the La Partage rule offers a very low house edge of 1.35% on even-money bets, with a corresponding RTP of 98.65%. This significantly lower house edge makes it a more player-friendly option compared to the American version's higher percentages.
9/6 table: nine for Full House, six for Flush
The Video Poker Jacks or Better 8/5 game offers a return to player (RTP) of 97.29%, with a house edge of 2.71%. This specific payout structure features nine units for a Full House and six units for a Flush. Compared to higher-paying tables like 9/6 which offers 98.45% RTP, this variation results in a lower theoretical return.
This RTP figure is calculated based on the defined payouts for hands such as a Royal Flush at 800 units and Four of a Kind at 25 units. The difference between this 8/5 table and a 9/6 table, where a Full House pays nine and a Flush pays six, amounts to a 2.25 percentage point reduction in RTP. Therefore, players opting for this game face a greater average loss over time.
For players engaging with this specific Video Poker variation, the practical implication is a higher cost per hour of play due to the increased house edge. A wagering requirement of 40 times the bonus amount, for example, would mean a turnover of €4,000 on a €100 bonus. This game's contribution to wagering requirements is 100%.
Multihand Blackjack with Up to 5 Hands
Multihand Blackjack, allowing players to manage up to 5 hands simultaneously, provides a high return to player (RTP) of 99.54% with a house edge of 0.46%. This game utilizes a 6-deck shoe, allows the dealer to stand on a Soft 17, and permits doubling down on any two cards, as well as doubling after splitting.
The payout for a natural Blackjack in this variant is 3:2, while regular wins pay 1:1, and Insurance pays 2:1. Adherence to basic strategy is essential to achieve the stated RTP, as deviations will increase the house advantage. The game does not allow for splitting Aces or surrendering.
Playing with multiple hands increases the speed of game action, potentially leading to more hands played per hour. For instance, if a player typically plays 50 hands per hour with one hand, playing with five hands could increase this to 250 hands per hour, magnifying the impact of the house edge and the effectiveness of basic strategy.
French Roulette: La Partage Lowers to 1.35 Percent
French Roulette, when the La Partage rule is applied to even-money bets, offers a significantly reduced house edge of 1.35%. This rule is specifically applied when the ball lands on zero, returning half of the player's stake on bets like Red/Black, Odd/Even, or High/Low. The wheel configuration remains consistent with European Roulette, featuring 37 sectors.
The La Partage rule is only active for even-money bets, meaning that inside bets such as Straight (35:1), Split (17:1), or Corner (8:1) retain the standard European Roulette house edge of 2.70% as they do not benefit from the rule. This effectively creates two different house edges within the same game, depending on the bet type.
This reduction in house edge for even-money bets translates to a higher theoretical RTP of 98.65% for those specific wagers. For a player aiming to maximize their potential return, focusing on these bets under the La Partage rule is statistically advantageous compared to inside bets or games with a higher house edge, such as American Roulette.
Split 17:1 and Corner 8:1 in Payout Comparison
In European Roulette, a Split bet, which covers two adjacent numbers, pays 17:1. A Corner bet, covering four numbers, offers a payout of 8:1. These payouts are applied across all 37 sectors of the wheel, including the single zero.
These payout ratios contribute to the overall house edge of 2.70% for European Roulette. For instance, a €10 bet on a Split would return €170 plus the original stake if successful, while a €10 Corner bet would return €80 plus the stake. The consistent house edge means all bets carry the same average percentage loss over the long term.
When comparing these payouts to other table games, for example, Blackjack with a 3:2 payout for a Blackjack, the returns on Roulette bets are generally lower relative to the risk. The fixed payouts on Roulette, irrespective of the number of outcomes covered, create the casino's mathematical advantage.
En Prison on Zero Gives Second Chance
The 'En Prison' rule in French Roulette, similar to 'La Partage', offers players a second chance on even-money bets when the ball lands on zero. Instead of losing half the stake, the bet is 'imprisoned' or held over for the next spin. If the bet then wins on the subsequent spin, the stake is returned, but no profit is awarded.
This rule, when applied, also results in a house edge of 1.35% for even-money bets on the French Roulette wheel, which has 37 sectors. This is the same statistical advantage as the 'La Partage' rule, effectively giving players a better chance to recoup their stake compared to standard European Roulette rules where zero results in a loss for even-money bets.
The application of 'En Prison' can significantly influence player strategy for even-money bets, as it provides a mechanism to mitigate the impact of zero. For example, a €10 bet on Red is 'imprisoned' after zero. If the next spin is also zero, the bet is lost entirely; however, if Red hits, the original €10 stake is returned.