When you play table games, are you looking for a shot at a big jackpot, or
do you want more frequent small wins? Do you want a lot of action on the
table, or do you want to take it one bet at a time?
Different table games attract players for different reasons. Last week, we
went over the strengths and weaknesses of three old table favorites -
blackjack, craps and baccarat. This week, let's look at one more traditional
game, roulette, along with three newer games, Caribbean Stud, Let It Ride
and Three Card Poker.
ROULETTE
Strengths: Easy to play, with no complicated strategies - put your money on
your chosen bets and wait for the wheel to decide who wins. Plenty of
betting options. Those looking for a one-spin windfall can bet on single
numbers, with a 35-1 payoff; those wanting to grind it out can make
even-money bets such as red or black, odd or even, and there are many
options in between the extremes. Spinning the wheel and waiting for players
to place bets on the layout takes time, so roulette moves more slowly than
most table games. Players who get entertainment value out of extended play
can make their money last here with small, even-money bets at this stately
paced game.
Weaknesses: House edge is higher than on most table games - the 5.26 percent
house edge on most bets at a double-zero roulette wheel is 10 times higher
than the house edge faced by blackjack basic strategy players. Despite slow
pace, the average risk per hour is fairly high because most players make
multiple wagers, betting more than the table minimum. Table layout with
dozens of possible bets makes roulette look more complex than it really is,
and it can be intimidating to a new player.
CARIBBEAN STUD POKER
Strengths: Potential for a large jackpot that is rare on table games -
record payoff is in excess of $700,000 for a $1 side bet on the progressive
pot. Based on five-card stud poker, so it has a familiar feel and is easy to
learn for anyone who has played poker. Strategy is easy to learn, much less
complex than blackjack.
Weaknesses: Even at a $5 table, risk per hour is fairly high because players
must make a bet of double their ante to stay in the hand, and must bet
another $1 for a chance at the big progressive payoffs. For a player anteing
$5, the average total risk is $10, not including a progressive bet. House
edge is higher than blackjack, craps or baccarat, at 5.2 percent of the ante
or 2.6 percent of total action on basic play against the dealer. There is a
frustration factor in that when the dealer doesn't qualify with an Ace-King
or better, players are not paid on the bets of double the ante, no matter
how good the hand. Frequency of winning hands is low, with player winning on
only 39 percent of hands, and winning more than even-money payoffs on only
17 percent. Odds against hitting the really big progressive jackpot for a
royal flush are astronomical - royals are dealt an average of once per
649,740 hands.
LET IT RIDE
Strengths: Like Caribbean Stud, based on five-card stud poker, making for a
game that is easy to learn. No dealer hand to beat - if you have a hand that
ranks high on the pay table, you'll get your money without having to worry
if the dealer qualifies. For those lucky enough to get a royal flush, payoff
without a side bet is higher than in Caribbean Stud even though the odds are
the same - you'll get 1,000-1 in Let It Ride but only 100-1 in Caribbean
Stud unless you make the progressive bet. Risk is lower than it looks.
Players make three bets at once but have opportunities during play to pull
back first two.
Weaknesses: House edge of 3.5 percent of one bet or 2.8 percent of total
action is higher than blackjack, craps and baccarat. Frequency of winning
hands is low - much lower than at Caribbean Stud - with player winning on
only 24 percent of hands. That can lead to long losing streaks. Some "Bonus
Let It Ride" tables offer a $1 side bet with a very high house edge,
anywhere from 14 percent to 36.5 percent, depending on pay table.
THREE CARD POKER
Strengths: Two easy betting options - Pair Plus, which pays off on any pair
or better, and play against the dealer, with an easy strategy of making a
bet equal to the ante with any Queen-6-4 or better. Win frequency of 42
percent against the dealer is higher than on Caribbean Stud, win frequency
of 26 percent on Pair Plus is higher than on the similar Let It Ride.
Three-card format means the top payoff for a three-card straight flush
occurs much more often than a royal does in five-card games. Players will
hit a three-card straight flush an average of once per 460 hands, making it
a realistic possibility.
Weaknesses: As in other new table games, house edge is higher than on some
old standards. Best version of Three Card Poker has a 2.3 percent house edge
on Pair Plus, and on play against the dealer it's 3.4 percent of the ante or
2 percent of total action. Multiple pay tables of this game exist, with the
worst hiking the Pair Plus house edge to 7.3 percent - players should be
wary. Big jackpots, as in Caribbean Stud, or 1,000-1 hits, as in Let It
Ride, aren't available here. Biggest payoff is 40-1 in Pair Plus for a
three-card straight flush.
