1. Learn the core rule set first
Each card game has one decision rule that does most of the work. In blackjack it is the basic strategy chart, which cuts the house edge to about 0.5% on a 3:2 table. In baccarat it is to bet Banker. In Three Card Poker it is to play any hand of queen-six-four or better and fold the rest.
2. Practise for free
RNG versions of blackjack, baccarat and casino poker have demo modes. Play 100 hands and count your mistakes against the chart before you put money on it.
3. Size your bankroll
For blackjack and baccarat, a session bankroll of 40 to 50 base bets survives most losing runs. With ₱10,000 for the session, that means bets of ₱200 to ₱250.
For poker against other players, keep at least 20 buy-ins for the stake you play.
4. Watch before you sit down
At live tables, watch a few rounds: you learn the betting time, the side bets on the layout and the table limits before your first bet.
5. Keep a simple record
Note the date, the game, the time played and the result. Over a month the record shows what the game really costs you, which feels very different from memory.
Mistakes that cost the most
- Chasing losses with bigger bets.
- Taking insurance in blackjack: it wins only about 31% of the time and pays 2:1.
- Betting the tie in baccarat at a house edge of about 14%.
- Following trends on the baccarat scoreboard: each hand is independent.
More detail in our baccarat tips and poker tips for casino players.