What are betting limits?
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5 Sep 2025 •
Reading time: 3 minutes Betting limits (or table limits) determine how much a player can bet at the minimum and at the maximum. They conceal a complex mechanism combining commercial strategy, risk management and player psychology.
Why these figures?
Imagine yourself at a blackjack or roulette table. A sign indicates a minimum of €5 and a maximum of €500. These numbers define the minimum and maximum bets authorised at each table.
These figures are not arbitrary. They reflect a genuine economic choice based on risk management: on the one hand, to prevent a large bettor from jeopardising the casino’s reserves; on the other, to ensure that each table earns enough to cover the costs of croupiers, space and maintenance.
Profitability and image
Minimum stakes play a dual role. Firstly, they ensure that the tables are profitable. If a high roller were to bet just 50 centimes per hand, this would not be enough to cover the staffing and operating costs. Secondly, they shape the image of the casino. A place that imposes high stakes can cultivate an exclusive atmosphere: fewer average players, more prestige.
In Las Vegas in the 1990s, low stakes like a quarter of a dollar were commonplace. They created a popular and exciting atmosphere, attracting crowd after crowd. But casinos back then had twice as many staff as they do today. Now that costs have been cut, the casinos prefer these “small players” to head for the slot machines.
Why betting limits really exist
It is often thought that casinos introduced betting limits solely to counter Martingale, the strategy of doubling your bet after each loss on a bet with almost equal odds (red/black on roulette, for example) until you win. At first sight, this seems logical: if a player could bet indefinitely, he would inevitably end up winning a bet that would cover all his losses.
But in reality, casinos are not really afraid of this method. The limits exist mainly to protect against another, far more dangerous scenario: that of a lucky player who bets very big. If just one gambler cashes in with a win that is disproportionate to the financial strength of the establishment, the casino’s economic equilibrium is shaken.
A striking example illustrates this risk: in 2004, Tim Poster and Tom Breitling, the new owners of the legendary Golden Nugget in Las Vegas, decided to revive the spirit of Old Vegas. To attract the big bettors, they opted for a bold strategy: offering games with a low house edge and very high betting limits.
The gamble worked… but only for nine months. In a fortnight, a high roller raked in 8.5 million dollars. The result: a whole year’s profits evaporated in one fell swoop. The experience was so powerful that the owners immediately reverted to lower limits, which they considered safer.
Online, the rules remain the same
With the rise of online casinos, the same principles apply. Operators impose limits according to their risk profile and the rules of responsible gambling. For example, some operators prefer to accept large bettors with high stakes, while others limit the stakes to protect themselves.
Limits are also a well thought-out marketing tool: they let players know what to expect from the outset, with a welcome degree of transparency.
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Do limits really change depending on the time of day?
Yes: in the morning or during the week, tables often have lower limits; they go up when there is more demand.
Why do we see only one very low stakes table in a casino?
It’s often an offer to attract players. But the conditions (such as blackjack payouts at 6:5 instead of 3:2) are less favourable, compensating for the low stakes.
How do you choose the right table for your playing style?
An experienced player knows that limits determine strategies. Always betting the minimum allows you to stretch your capital, but limits your winnings. Conversely, betting the maximum opens the door to potentially bigger winnings… but also to rapid losses.