Responsible gaming
If gambling has stopped being fun for you or someone you know, help is free and confidential, 24 hours a day.
Call or text 1-800-GAMBLER
Or visit the National Council on Problem Gambling at ncpgambling.org.
Before you go
- Set a budget before you leave home, and bring only that much. Leave cards and the rest of your cash behind.
- Treat losses as the cost of entertainment, like a concert ticket. Every casino game has a house edge, so over time the casino wins.
- Decide on a time limit as well as a money limit.
At the table
- Never chase losses. Raising your bets to win back what you lost is how a bad night becomes a very bad one.
- Side bets have higher house edges. In Ultimate Texas Hold'em, Trips costs 0.9% to 6.2% depending on the paytable, and the $5 jackpot bet often more than 30%. In Three Card Poker the main game costs 3.37% per Ante played well, while the 6 Card Bonus costs 8.6% or more.
- Take breaks. Step away from the table, check the time and check your budget.
- Do not gamble to solve money problems, or when you are upset, tired or drinking heavily.
- Know the age limit. Casino gambling is for adults 21 and over in most of the US.
About this site
Practice Table Games is for learning only. It uses play money, has no prizes, and does not link to real-money gambling. Knowing the right play lowers the house edge, but it never removes it.