The "La Partage" rule, commonly found in French Roulette, offers a second chance on zero outcomes for outside bets. While Jackpoker may not explicitly state this rule applies to all roulette variants, its absence on standard European wheels (37 sectors, 97.30% RTP) means the house edge remains at 2.70%.
In contrast, American Roulette, featuring 38 sectors including a double zero, has a significantly higher house edge of 5.26% with an RTP of 94.74%. Without the "La Partage" or "En Prison" rule, any bet on an outside outcome like Red/Black or Odd/Even that lands on zero results in a complete loss of the stake.
This distinction is critical for players aiming to mitigate losses. The presence of a "La Partage" or "En Prison" rule effectively halves the house edge on even-money bets when zero hits, a benefit not provided by the 38-sector American variant, thus impacting the overall player return.
House edge and payouts of table games at Jackpoker compared
What doesn't count: bets over 5 EUR
The welcome bonus terms at Jackpoker stipulate that bets exceeding 5 EUR do not contribute to wagering requirements. This limit directly impacts how quickly a player can clear the bonus funds, particularly for those accustomed to higher stakes.
For instance, a 300% welcome bonus up to €2,000, requiring 40x wagering, means a total turnover of €80,000 is needed. If a player consistently places bets of €10 on slots (which contribute 100%), they would need 8,000 such bets to meet wagering. However, if these bets are placed on table games with a 10% contribution, and exceed the 5 EUR limit, their impact is nullified.
Therefore, players must adhere to the 5 EUR bet limit on all games to ensure their wagers count towards the bonus turnover. Failure to do so could result in the bonus being forfeited or winnings being invalidated upon withdrawal, making strategic bet sizing paramount.
Variance at the Table: 1:1 vs. 35:1
The payout structure in roulette significantly influences game variance. A Straight bet, paying 35:1, offers the highest potential return on a single number in both American and European roulette. However, this high payout comes with a correspondingly lower hit frequency.
Conversely, even-money bets like Red/Black or Odd/Even, paying 1:1, offer much lower individual payouts but occur with a higher frequency. In American Roulette, the house edge for a 1:1 bet is 5.26% (RTP 94.74%), whereas in European Roulette, it is 2.70% (RTP 97.30%) for the same bet type, assuming no special rules apply.
This disparity in payouts creates a stark contrast in gameplay. Players seeking frequent, smaller wins might favour 1:1 bets, while those pursuing larger, less frequent wins will be drawn to the 35:1 potential of a Straight bet, each carrying a distinct risk profile and impact on the game's volatility.
Soft 17: the Ace counts 11 or 1
In Blackjack, the definition of a "Soft 17" hand is crucial for optimal strategy. A Soft 17 is a hand consisting of an Ace and a six, where the Ace can be counted as either 11 or 1. This flexibility provides players with more options for hitting or standing.
The dealer's action on Soft 17 varies between casinos and impacts the game's house edge. When the dealer hits Soft 17 (H17), it increases the house edge by approximately 0.22 percentage points compared to when the dealer stands on Soft 17 (S17).
For a game with standard rules, 6 decks, DAS, DOA, and 3:2 Blackjack payout, the RTP is 99.54% with a house edge of 0.46% when the dealer stands on Soft 17. If the dealer hits Soft 17, the RTP decreases, making it less favourable for the player.
Declining Insurance: The Most Common Blackjack Mistake
Blackjack Insurance is a side bet offered when the dealer's upcard is an Ace, allowing players to bet on whether the dealer has a Blackjack. This bet pays 2:1, but its underlying house edge is substantial, standing at 7.47% for games with 6-8 decks.
Basic strategy dictates that players should almost always decline the Insurance bet, as it is statistically unfavourable. The RTP for this side bet is only 92.53%, significantly lower than the main game's RTP, which can be as high as 99.85% for single-deck blackjack with optimal rules.
The only exception where Insurance might be considered is when card counting indicates a "true count" of +3 or higher, signifying a deck rich in tens. In typical play, however, consistently declining Insurance is a fundamental aspect of minimizing losses and maintaining a higher overall return on investment in Blackjack.
Game categories at a glance
Category
Examples
Stakes From
Highlight
Slots
9 Coins Grand Gold Edition, Gonzo's Quest, Money Train 2
0,10 EUR
thousands of titles
Table games
Roulette, Blackjack, Baccarat
0,50 EUR
classic rules
Live casino
Infinite Blackjack, Sweet Bonanza CandyLand
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
Craps Odds Bet with 0 Percent House Edge
The Craps Pass Line bet, when combined with an Odds bet, offers a house edge of 1.41% on the initial wager. This specific bet structure is often considered favourable by players due to its low edge. The Odds bet itself, placed behind the Pass Line, carries a house edge of 0%.
When comparing different betting options, the Craps Odds bet stands out as a mathematically neutral proposition. For instance, a standard French Roulette with inside bets has a house edge of 2.70%, significantly higher than the 1.41% for the initial Craps bet. The American Roulette, with its double zero, increases this to 5.26%.
This 0 percent house edge on the Odds portion means that, theoretically, over an infinite number of rounds, no profit is retained by the casino. For a 100 EUR bet across 50 rounds, the expected value calculation would primarily be influenced by the 1.41% house edge on the Pass Line, not the zero edge of the Odds bet.
100 EUR bet, 50 rounds: the expected value
A 100 EUR bet placed over 50 rounds at a Blackjack table with a 0.46% house edge, employing basic strategy, would theoretically result in a certain expected value. This house edge is derived from a game with S17, DAS, DOA rules and a 3:2 payout for Blackjack. This contrasts with French Roulette's 2.70% house edge.
For a 100 EUR bet on French Roulette (inside bets, no La Partage) with a 2.70% house edge, the expected loss over 50 rounds would be substantial. This RTP of 97.30% indicates the theoretical return to player. For comparison, Baccarat Player Pair side bet has a significantly higher house edge of 10.36%.
Considering a bet of 100 EUR over 50 rounds, the expected loss for a game with a 1.85% house edge, such as Blackjack with a 6:5 payout, would be higher than a standard 3:2 payout game. The RTP for this 6:5 Blackjack is 98.15%, demonstrating a reduction in player return compared to the 99.54% RTP of 3:2 Blackjack.
Before sitting down: check table bet limits
Table bet limits are a crucial factor to consider before playing, especially for high-stakes players. For example, a French Roulette table with a 2.70% house edge might have minimum bets of 1 EUR and maximums of 1,000 EUR. This range allows for varied betting strategies, unlike some lower limit tables.
In contrast, a Blackjack table with a lower house edge of 0.46% (6 decks, S17, DAS, DOA, 3:2 payout) might offer similar betting limits, but the reduced house edge makes longer play sessions more feasible within those limits. The minimum bet on such a table is essential for managing bankroll effectively.
The specific bet limits for games like French Roulette, with its 2.70% house edge, are set to manage risk for both the player and the casino. Players should always verify these limits, as they directly impact the number of rounds one can play with a given bankroll, especially considering side bets like Baccarat Player Pair with its 10.36% house edge.
Straight, Split, and Corner in direct comparison
In French Roulette, a Straight bet on a single number offers a payout of 35:1. This bet has a house edge of 2.70% when played on a wheel with 37 sectors. For comparison, a Split bet, covering two numbers, pays 17:1 with the same underlying house edge.
A Corner bet, covering four numbers, has a payout of 8:1 in French Roulette. Despite the lower payout multiplier compared to a Straight bet, the house edge remains consistent at 2.70% due to the number of sectors on the wheel. This contrasts with the Dozen and Column bets, which pay 2:1.
When comparing inside bets in French Roulette, the Straight bet at 35:1 provides the highest multiplier for a single number. However, the probability of hitting it is significantly lower than hitting a combination covered by a Corner bet (8:1) or a Split bet (17:1). All these bets operate under the same 2.70% house edge.
La Partage applies only to even money bets
The La Partage rule in French Roulette, when active, reduces the house edge on even money bets to 1.35%. This rule applies to bets such as Red/Black or Odd/Even, where players receive half their stake back if the ball lands on zero. This is a significant reduction compared to the standard 2.70% house edge.
However, it is critical to note that the La Partage rule does not extend to inside bets in French Roulette, such as Straight, Split, or Corner bets. These bets retain the full 2.70% house edge, irrespective of whether La Partage is in effect. This distinction is important for understanding optimal play.
For example, a player making a 100 EUR even money bet on French Roulette would theoretically lose only 1.35 EUR on average per 100 EUR wagered if La Partage is applied. If La Partage were to apply to inside bets, the house edge would be halved, but this is not the case, making them less favourable.
Punto Banco: 5 Percent Commission on Banker Wins
In Punto Banco, the Banker bet offers a house edge of 1.24% with an RTP of 98.76%, calculated on an 8-deck shoe. This RTP is achieved by levying a 5 percent commission on all winning Banker bets, which is a standard practice in many Baccarat games.
This commission directly impacts the house edge, increasing it from what would otherwise be a lower figure. For comparison, the Player bet in Punto Banco, with a 1:1 payout and no commission, has a slightly higher house edge of 1.41%, with an RTP of 98.59%.
Therefore, while the Banker bet is mathematically favoured over the Player bet in the long run, the 5 percent commission means a portion of those wins is returned to the casino, affecting the net payout on successful Banker wagers.
Splitting in Blackjack: one hand becomes two
Blackjack rules frequently permit players to split pairs, a feature that can improve the RTP. For example, the rule 'Double After Split' (DAS) provides a player advantage of approximately 0.14 percentage points when implemented.
This rule allows a player to double down after splitting a pair, which is a strategic move that can be particularly beneficial. In contrast, 'Resplit Aces' (RSA) offers a smaller, albeit positive, effect on RTP, improving it by around 0.08 percentage points.
When considering the impact of various rule modifications on RTP, DAS and RSA are beneficial modifiers. For instance, the rule 'Dealer Hits Soft 17' (H17) has the opposite effect, worsening the RTP by 0.22 percentage points.
Sic Bo Pays from 1:1 to 180:1
Sic Bo features a range of bets with significantly varied house edges and payouts. The 'Specific Triple' bet offers a substantial payout of 180:1, but carries a high house advantage of 16.20%.
Conversely, the 'Single Number' bet, while paying out at only 1:1, 2:1, or 3:1 depending on dice matches, presents the lowest house edge among the special bets at 7.87%. This makes it a comparatively better option for players.
The 'Specific Double' bet represents the worst of the special bets with a house edge of 18.52%, highlighting the considerable disparity in risk and reward across different Sic Bo wager types.
Player pays 1:1 without any commission
In Baccarat, the 'Player' bet offers a direct 1:1 payout without any commission deducted from winning bets. This bet carries a house edge of 1.24%, with a corresponding RTP of 98.76%, calculated over an 8-deck shoe.
This offers a clearer return compared to the Banker bet, which incurs a 5 percent commission on wins. The house edge for the Player bet is 0.18 percentage points higher than the commission-inclusive Banker bet.
The mathematical advantage for the Player bet is therefore slightly less favourable than the Banker bet before commission, but the absence of commission on wins simplifies the payout calculation for the player.
Baccarat commission: 5 percent on each Banker win
The Banker bet in Baccarat is subject to a 5 percent commission on all winning wagers. This commission is applied to the payout of winning Banker bets, affecting the net return to the player.
Despite this commission, the Banker bet generally maintains a lower house edge than the Player bet. With the commission, the house edge for the Banker bet is 1.24%, making it still statistically more favourable than the Player bet's 1.41% house edge.
This 5 percent commission is a crucial factor in Baccarat's mathematical structure, ensuring the casino maintains a consistent advantage even on the most frequently bet outcome, while providing a slightly better RTP of 98.76% compared to the Player's 98.59%.