Table games: the rules that move the house edge
Software table games bring roulette, blackjack, baccarat and casino poker variants without a dealer or a timer: you play at your own pace, and a random number generator decides cards and numbers. For anyone who likes maths, it is the most transparent part of the lobby, because the house edge depends almost entirely on the rules printed at the table. This page helps you read those rules in the 389win table section.
Software roulette: count the zeros
| Wheel | Pockets | House edge |
|---|---|---|
| Single zero (European) | 37 | ≈ 2.70% |
| Double zero (American) | 38 | ≈ 5.26% |
The single fact that changes classic roulette maths is the number of zeros. Some single-zero tables return half of even-money bets when zero hits, lowering the edge on those bets; the rule, when present, is described at the table. In themed variants such as Monopoly Roulette, read the payout table before assuming it matches classic roulette.
Blackjack: rules worth money
In blackjack, the house edge varies with the rules and your decisions. Rules that hurt the player: blackjack paying 6 to 5 instead of 3 to 2, the dealer hitting soft 17, restrictions on doubling or splitting. Rules that help: fewer decks, doubling after splitting, surrender. Basic strategy — a decision chart for every hand against the dealer's upcard — is how to play close to the minimum edge for that table.
Baccarat: three bets, one classic recommendation
In baccarat the cards follow fixed rules and your only decision is where to bet. Banker wins slightly more often and is usually paid with a commission; player pays 1 to 1; tie pays high and offers the worst value. The exact numbers depend on each table's commission and tie payout.
Pace and session cost
Without a timer, a software table can be as fast as you can click. Illustrative example, not a 389win term. At 120 blackjack hands an hour and 5 units a hand, turnover is 600 units; with a 1% edge, expected cost is 6 units an hour — far less than the same turnover on a 94% slot, which would cost 36. That is why table players think in turnover per hour rather than "small stakes".
Table games and bonuses
Precisely because the edge is low on well-played tables, many offers cut their wagering contribution or exclude them. Using blackjack to clear wagering may be prohibited, and covering bets on roulette usually are. Before playing tables with bonus money, read the contribution table — see bonus terms.
Software or live?
Software versions are ideal for learning rules and practising basic strategy without a timer. Live versions bring the casino atmosphere and a slower pace. The rule maths is the same; turnover per hour and experience differ. Compare in live casino.