Betting Limits

Detailed Explanation

Betting limits define the range of acceptable wagers at a table. A table with $10 minimum and $1,000 maximum allows any single bet between those amounts. Minimums protect casino profitability — a table must generate sufficient revenue to cover dealer wages and floor space costs. Maximums protect the casino against loss exposure on any single outcome.

Limits vary significantly across casino types and market segments. Budget casinos in mass markets may offer $5 minimums; high-limit rooms can start at $100, $500, or even $1,000 per hand with no published maximum for VIP guests (limits negotiated directly with the pit). Online casinos often offer much lower minimums ($0.10 or less) and higher maximums than comparable land-based properties.

For card counters and advantage players, maximum bet limits are critical. Bet spreading — raising bets from minimum to maximum at favourable counts — is the mechanism by which card counting generates profit. A 1:12 spread on a $10 minimum table allows betting up to $120; the same spread on a $25 table reaches $300. Casinos may lower bet limits mid-session as a countermeasure against suspected counters, a practice called 'limiting' the player.