Best House Edge Casino Games
- Understanding The House Edge: Which Casino Games Pay The Best
- House Edge Of Casino Games Compared - Wizard Of Odds
- House Edge In Casino Games - Games With The Worst House Edge
Roulette games have an online casino set house edge at 2.7 per cent for single zero and 5.6 per cent for double zero, which is pretty good. If you can get the hang of this game fast you’ll get the best odds at winning your bet and quickly too. This is still a game of chance, but one that can be perfected over time. Mar 08, 2020 If you make mistakes at blackjack or video poker, the house gets a higher edge against you as much as 2% or more. The highest house edge in the casino is on games like keno, where the house edge might be 35% or higher. Any bet where the house edge is higher than 10% is unacceptable to me, but you might not care. Aug 28, 2020 Unlike the other table games, the best odds are found in baccarat, as simple as it is. Here, you bet on the banker or the player. When you wager on the banker, you will have a house edge of 1%.
Blackjack games with the best house edge have the following: Blackjack pays 3/2 (games which pay 6/5 have a terrible odds) Liberal Splitting / Doubling Rules (double after split, resplit aces and so on) Small Number of Decks (single and double deck blackjack are best, 6+ decks normal).
Most players go to the casino with a favorite game in mind and will play it regardless of its house edge. This is not the best play. The main goal of gambling is to win. The correct action is to play the games with the highest chances of winning, even if you’re on a budget.
Blackjack
The game with the lowest house edge in a casino is usually blackjack. There are rules that may change the return of blackjack from one casino to another. The most important rule in a blackjack game is that it pays 3-2 on blackjack. If the table pays 6-5 on a natural, keep walking.
It is also important for the blackjack game to allow double down on any two cards and after splitting. Other rules that benefit players include permitting surrender and resplitting aces. It is also best to find blackjack tables where the dealer stays on all 17’s.
Craps
Craps is often the best or second best game in a casino. The higher the odds allowed, the lower the house edge. That is because there is no house edge on an odds bet at a craps game. It theoretically returns 100% to the player. The best bet on the craps table to start a roll is the Don’t Pass. Don’t Come is the identical bet and has the same edge, but is only available after the come out roll. The Pass Line is the second best bet. The Come offers identical odds for rolls after the come out.
Placing numbers is the next best bets at a craps table. The Field is reasonable as long as 12 pays triple. Most of the other wagers at a craps table are sucker bets. The closer you get to the middle of the table, the higher the house edge.
Ultimate Texas Hold’em
Ultimate Texas Hold’em is a complex game with a surprisingly low house edge. The game is based on Texas Hold’em where players are up against only the dealer. Players receive 99.6% returned on average.
Video Poker
Video poker can be a great game. Depending on the pay table, it may be the best in the casino. Some casinos offer better video poker than others. Check out VPFree2.com to find the best video poker in your local casino. It may offer a better return than blackjack or any other table game. Make sure to always wager five coins and learn basic strategy.
Worst Casino Games to Play
Some casino games should never be played. This is due to the massive house edge or speed of the game. The games below are among the worst in any casino.
Big Six Wheel
The Big Six Wheel is the worst table game in a casino. The best bet has a house edge of 11%. The worst long shot bets have a 24% edge. This game is often found at the entrance of the casino. Keep walking past it.
Understanding The House Edge: Which Casino Games Pay The Best
Double Zero Roulette
Double Zero Roulette is often referred to as American Roulette. That is because you will not find the game in most other countries. The game has a 5.26% house edge on all but one bet on the wheel. The other bet, one that is impossible on a single zero wheel, has a 7.89% edge. A player that wagers $10 per spin will lose $31 an hour on average.
Casino War
The house edge on Casino War is 2.9%. That is not terrible by itself. The problem lies in that over 500 hands per hour can be played. This means that players can lose 15 bets per hour at the Casino War table. The house edge on the tie side bet is nearly 20%. If you must play this game, make sure to at least avoid that sucker bet.
Slots
Slots are the most popular game in the casino. The edge on most penny slots is 10%. Considering the hundreds of spins a player can make per game, this adds up fast. If you must play slots, choose the old reel-style games for $1 or higher. It will cut the house edge by at least half.
Mississippi Stud and Caribbean Stud
Mississippi Stud is a newer carnival game. It requires players to place as many as four bets. The edge on this game is 5% with wild variance. Caribbean Stud deserves an honorable mention as its edge and variance are nearly identical. Players looking to play poker table games should learn Ultimate Texas Hold’em.
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Casino games like blackjack and video poker provide an excellent chance to win when compared to other games. They can both feature under a 0.5% house edge with the right rules/variation.
However, video poker and blackjack are also quite complicated from a strategy standpoint. They each require you to learn complex strategy to win more often.
Are there any easier games that also give you a strong chance to win? Yes! In fact, the following seven games all have low house edges and don’t require much—if any—strategy to win.
Roll the Dice With Craps
Playing real money craps requires you to toss dice down a long table and hit the rubberized backstop. Therefore, it’s a completely random game that doesn’t involve much strategy.
But you can influence the results by choosing the right bets. In fact, your betting decisions have a large impact on how well you do.
Here’s a look at the different craps wagers along with their house edges:
| Wager | House Edge |
|---|---|
| Don’t Pass Line / Don’t Come | 1.36% |
| Pass Line / Come | 1.41% |
| Place 6 / Place 8 | 1.52% |
| Lay 4 / Lay 10 | 2.44 |
| Lay 5 / Lay 9 | 3.23% |
| Place 5 / Place 9 | 4.0% |
| Lay 6 / Lay 8 | 4.0% |
| Buy 4 / Buy 10 | 4.76% |
| Buy 5 / Buy 9 | 4.76% |
| Buy 6 / Buy 8 | 4.76% |
| Field | 5.56% |
| Place 4 / Place 10 | 6.67% |
| Hard 6 / Hard 8 | 9.09% |
| Big 6 / Big 8 | 9.09% |
| Yo (11) | 11.11% |
| 3 | 11.11% |
| 2 or 12 (Hi-Lo) | 11.11% |
| Craps (2, 3, or 12) | 11.11% |
| Hard 4 / Hard 10 | 11.11% |
| Horn | 12.5% |
| Whirl | 13.33% |
| 2 | 13.89% |
| 12 | 13.89% |
| Any 7 | 16.67% |
You can see that pass line and don’t pass line are the two best wagers. They feature 1.41% and 1.36% house advantages, respectively.
However, you can lower the casino house edge even more through “odds.” The latter refer to wagers that you place behind a pass line or don’t pass line bet. And the best part: odds don’t carry a house edge!
Instead, these bets pay at true odds. You just need to wait until a point is established before placing them.
Odds are measured by a multiple of your pass line or don’t pass line wager. Most casinos allow you to bet odds ranging from 2x to 5x your original bet.
Here’s a look at how much the house decreases looking at the size of odds you take:
| Odds | Pass Line House Edge | Don’t Pass Line House Edge |
|---|---|---|
| 1X | 0.85% | 0.68% |
| 2X | 0.61% | 0.46% |
| 3X | 0.47% | 0.34% |
| 5X | 0.33% | 0.23% |
| 10X | 0.18% | 0.12% |
Payouts are equal to the true odds of winning (hence, no house edge). The following shows how much you stand to win based on the point number:
| Point Numbers | Pass Line Payout | Don’t Pass Line Payout |
|---|---|---|
| 4 and 10 | 2:1 | 1:2 |
| 5 and 9 | 3:2 | 2:3 |
| 6 and 8 | 6:5 | 5:6 |
Again, craps doesn’t offer in-depth strategy. You just need to place the best wagers and back them with odds if you have a large enough bankroll.
Keep It Simple With Baccarat
Playing baccarat is the simplest casino activity of any on this list. Aside from side bets, it only features three main wagers.
You can bet on the player hand winning, the banker hand winning, or both hands tying. This limited number of options ensures that you don’t need to think hard to play baccarat.
It also means that the strategy is easy to comprehend. You just need to place the bet with the lowest house advantage.
The house edges for these wagers include:
| Wager | House Edge |
|---|---|
| Banker Hand | 1.06% |
| Player Hand | 1.24% |
| Tie Bet With 9:1 Payouts | 4.85% |
| Tie Bet With 8:1 Payouts | 14.36% |
The casino takes a 5% commission out of every banker hand win. Even still, this wager gives you the best chance of winning with just a 1.06% house edge.
Betting on the player also gives you a decent chance of winning. You’re only facing a 1.24% house advantage with this wager.
The tie bet is absolutely terrible when compared to the other two wagers. It features a 14.34% house edge with 8:1 payouts or 4.85% with 9:1 payouts.
The Best Variation of Roulette
Roulette has multiple variations that differ based on their rules and wheel. Out of the several available variants, French roulette is ideal.
This version plays out on a European wheel, which features 37 numbers. It also includes a rare rule called la partage.
The wheel with 37 numbers is significant because it only includes a single zero. The zero is the lone pocket that always favors casinos. Therefore, the European wheel typically offers a 2.70% house edge.
Compare this with the American wheel, which has both a single and double zero. As a result, the American wheel carries a 5.26% house advantage.
The la partage rule adds another wrinkle to this game. It pays half back on even-money bets when the ball lands on zero.
Given that you receive half of your bet back in this situation, you’ll only face a 1.35% house edge with French roulette.
You just need to stick with even-money bets to enjoy the low house advantage. These wagers include red/black, high/low, and odd/even.
Online Big Six Wheel
Big Six is typically one of the worst casino games with regard to your chances of winning. Some land-based versions feature a 24% house edge on certain bets.
Here’s an example of what you may see in brick and mortar casinos:
| Wager | Number of Spaces | Payout |
|---|---|---|
| $1 | 24 | 1:1 |
| $2 | 15 | 2:1 |
| $5 | 7 | 5:1 |
| $10 | 4 | 10:1 |
| $20 | 2 | 20:1 |
| Casino Logo 1 | 1 | 40:1 |
| Casino Logo 2 | 1 | 40:1 |
If you care at all about winning with casino games, then you normally shouldn’t go anywhere near Big Six Wheel.
However, this game can be favorable under certain circumstances. Gamesys’ online Big Six features a 2.04% house edge on every bet.
Therefore, you don’t need to use in-depth strategy when playing. Any wager you pick will offer a reasonable 2.04% house advantage. You just need to make sure to choose the Gamesys version.
The Next Best Variation of Roulette
This game represents another favorable version of roulette. True to its name, it runs on a European wheel just like the French variation.
With that said, you don’t get the extra boost that comes with la partage. But you can still enjoy a 2.70% house edge with this game.
Unlike with French Roulette, the European version doesn’t require specific wagers just to enjoy the lowest house edge. You’ll always face a 2.70% house edge on every single wager.
Here’s a look at the many bets you can place when playing European roulette:
| Wager | Odds | Payout |
|---|---|---|
| Single Number | 36:1 | 35:1 |
| Split | 17.5:1 | 17:1 |
| Street | 17.5:1 | 17:1 |
| Corner | 8.25:1 | 8:1 |
| Six Line | 5.17:1 | 5:1 |
| Column | 2.08:1 | 2:1 |
| Dozen | 2.08:1 | 2:1 |
| Odd/Even | 1.06:1 | 1:1 |
| Red/Black | 1.06:1 | 1:1 |
| High/Low | 1.06:1 | 1:1 |
Try the Asian-Style Casino Game Sic Bo
Sic bo is a popular Asian-style casino game that’s offered in both land-based and online casinos. It feels similar to craps due to its format and betting board.
You’ll have numerous wagers to choose from on the board. This game’s betting spaces are fashioned into dominoes—some of which have words on them.
After you place a bet, the dealer shakes three dice inside of a “cage.” The croupier then rolls the dice onto the table to determine results.
Another similarity between sic bo and craps is that you only need to make certain wagers to enjoy optimal house edges.
Both the “Big” and “Small” bets only carry a 2.78% house advantage. You can see how both of these wagers work below:
- Big – You win if the dice produce a combination of 11 through 17. You lose with combos under 11 and three of a kinds (4:4:4 and 5:5:5).
- Small – You win if the dice produce a combination of 4 through 10. You lose with combos over 10 and on triples (2:2:2 and 3:3:3).
Play Online Slots
Slot machines are called “one-armed bandits” for a reason. They’re among the most-brutal games in land-based casinos with house edges ranging from 5% to 12%.
However, online slots can be much friendlier. The average internet slot features a 4% house advantage. Some of these games can even offer as low as a 1% house edge!
You can determine online slots house edges with simple research. You’ll find information on specific slots by searching for “[game name] RTP.”
Once you have the RTP, you can just subtract it from 100 to get the house advantage. For example, a slot with 97% payback features a 3% house edge (100 – 97 = 3).
RTP is also available through the info/help screen in many cases. Upon selecting help, you should find the RTP somewhere in this section.
Enjoy Playing With a Low Casino House Edge
House Edge Of Casino Games Compared - Wizard Of Odds
You don’t need to deal with complex strategy just to enjoy a low house edge. In fact, plenty of simple casino games offer a solid chance to win without featuring complicated strategy.
Craps actually provides under a 1% house advantage when combining the best bets with odds. Baccarat isn’t far behind with its banker wager (1.06%).
French roulette (1.35%) is yet another game that gives you a strong chance to win. You can also find online slots that feature around a 1% house advantage.
House Edge In Casino Games - Games With The Worst House Edge
If you’re ever looking for the easiest way to enjoy a low house edge, just refer back to this list of seven games.