Live games use real cards and wheels, so the maths of each bet is fixed by the rules and the payouts. You can't change the odds, but you can choose cheaper bets, make better decisions where the game allows it and control how much you play. These tips are ordered by how much they affect your results.
1. Choose games and bets with a low house edge
| Game and bet | House edge |
|---|---|
| Blackjack with basic strategy (common rules) | Low, usually under 1% |
| Baccarat banker bet (5% commission) | 1.06% |
| Baccarat player bet | 1.24% |
| European or French roulette | 2.70% |
| American roulette | 5.26% |
| Baccarat tie bet at 8:1 | 14.36% |
Game shows and side bets usually cost more than the main table bets. Check the RTP in each game's help screen; it is the share of stakes the game returns over a long run. Our guide to RTP in live casino games explains how to read it.
2. Pick the right version of the game
The same game can come in versions with different costs. Single-zero roulette costs about half as much as double-zero. In blackjack, a table paying 3:2 on blackjack is better than one paying 6:5. French roulette's la partage rule returns half of an even-money bet when zero lands. Read the rules panel before you sit down; see live roulette and live blackjack.
3. Learn the decisions in skill games
In blackjack and in casino poker games such as Casino Hold'em, your choices change the cost of play. A basic strategy chart for the table's rules tells you when to hit, stand, double and split. Playing by feel costs more than any other single habit at a blackjack table.
4. Set a session budget and size bets to it
Decide what you can afford to lose in a session before you start and treat it as spent. Then size each bet so the budget survives normal losing runs: a common rule is 1–2% of the session budget per bet on even-money bets, and smaller for long-shot bets such as roulette straight-ups. With $200 and $2 bets you have 100 bets; with $20 bets you have 10.
5. Don't chase losses
Raising stakes to win back what you lost is the fastest way to empty an account. Progressive systems like the Martingale turn a series of small wins into an occasional large loss when a losing run meets the table maximum or your budget. Past results don't make a win more likely: that is the gambler's fallacy. If you want a rule, flat betting keeps the stake fixed.
6. Treat side bets as entertainment
Side bets and multiplier features pay more when they win and cost more over time. If you play them, keep them small relative to your main bet. Our guide to live casino side bets compares them.
7. Read the bonus terms for live games
Many bonuses exclude live games or count only part of each bet towards wagering, and most set a maximum bet while the bonus is active. Breaking those rules can void the bonus and its winnings. Check the terms before you accept an offer, or play live games with cash only. See live casino bonuses.
8. Pick tables that fit your stakes
Table minimums vary a lot between tables of the same game. A minimum that is too high for your budget forces bigger bets than you planned. Low-stakes players should look for $1 minimums or lower; see low-stakes live roulette.
9. Watch the time
Game shows and speed tables play many rounds per hour, so the same bet size costs more per hour than at a slower table. Set a session time limit as well as a budget, and use the reality-check reminders that licensed casinos provide.
10. Play at a licensed casino
All of the above assumes the casino pays out. Check the licence on the regulator's register and read the withdrawal terms before you deposit. Our guide to finding a good live casino lists the checks. If gambling stops being fun, see responsible gaming.
