What Casino Games Have The Best Odds?

What casino games have the best odds?

Whether you are a slot enthusiast or prefer table games, there is something about casino games that draws players in. This is true of both land-based casinos and online operators. It is important to note, however, that not all games are created equal when it comes to the likelihood of player success. In fact, relatively few games can even be considered to have fair odds for players. Before you jump into the flashing lights and exhilarating spins, take some time to find the right title that offers you the best chance of winning. What casino game has the best odds? Let’s look at the various titles that are most favorable to players.

What is the house edge?

Before we dive into casino game odds, it is important to discuss the idea of the house edge. If you are a casino game fan, you might have heard of the term ‘the house always wins’. This refers to the casino operator’s chance of winning over the player’s, and it is true that it almost always has the edge. 

While this might not seem overly fair, it is also not illegal and most casinos do not hide this fact from players. When you decide to play a casino game, you are doing so with the knowledge that you are facing steep odds. Additionally, land-based and online casinos both use random number generators (RNGs) to operate their games. The outcomes are generally completely random, in other words, and both the games and generators are regulated by third parties.

When it comes to casino games, house odds will almost always be difficult to overcome. With some skill and knowledge, however, the prospect becomes a bit less overwhelming. Which casino game has the best odds? Let’s take a look.

Blackjack

When considering what casino game has the best odds, blackjack is a common pick. With some basic strategy and skill, the house edge is reduced to about 0.5% or so depending upon table rules. This means that when you wager a dollar, you lose half a cent. If these odds sound too good to be true, this is likely because the numbers don’t consider the extra effort that players need to put into the game in order to boost their chances of winning. Without any strategy or skill, blackjack presents players with a house edge of around 2%. This translates into a two-cent loss per dollar bet for inexperienced players.

Blackjack generally pays the same at both online and land-based casinos. The best option is to find a live dealer version of the game if playing online. Many virtual casinos offer this option, particularly larger operators. If this version of the game isn’t available at your favorite provider, make sure that you read through the game details to ensure that the RNG presents the same odds that you would experience if playing the game in person. 

Players who get a blackjack receive a 3:2 payout; hands that win but do not total 21 receive 1:1; and insurance pays 2:1. If you are serious about whittling down the house edge as much as possible, it is imperative to learn basic blackjack strategy.

Craps

No list of the best table game odds at casinos would be complete without craps. With odds that rival blackjack, craps is a solid choice for players who are interested in making money without investing as much time and energy into mastering the game that blackjack demands. The game is played using dice rather than cards, with one player serving as the ‘shooter’ and rolling, while the others bet on the results.

Note that the odds in craps depend upon the wager in question. It is a bit more volatile than blackjack, and while it does not demand advanced strategy, it is important to understand the different types of rolls. Some multi-roll bets even offer players a 0.00% house edge. You don’t necessarily need to spend hours mastering craps, in other words, but you do need to have a basic understanding of the game and how the rolls work. The learning curve is a bit steeper than blackjack’s. 

Roulette

Which casino game has the best odds for a payout? Some swear by roulette. Created in the mid-17th century by French physicist, mathematician and inventor Blaise Pascal, roulette has a venerable history. The game has endured the tests of time thanks to the low house edge that it offers players, be it French, European or American. It is important to understand the type of roulette you are playing, however, as each version features different house edges. 

French roulette has a 1.35% house edge; European roulette features a 2.7% house edge; and American roulette has the highest of them all, sitting at 5.26%. Despite the high edge, American roulette is something of a fan favorite. This is largely due to the extra pocket that the American wheel features, giving it 38 compartments rather than the 37-compartment wheel from both French and European roulette. Additionally, American roulette still has a relatively low edge compared to other casino games, illustrating just how good the odds in roulette really are. It has easily one of the best casino game odds for players. 

Baccarat

Baccarat is not often mentioned on lists of the highest casino game odds, but it is one of the casino games with odds in your favor. It is not a difficult game to play, either, contrary to popular belief. In fact, it has some of the simplest odds around. Players have three decisions to make when they play, offering them a much more straightforward and predictable experience than blackjack or roulette. When you opt for baccarat, you back either the banker, the player, or a tie before each hand is played. 

The banker is 45.86% likely to win, while the player is only 44.62% likely to win. This leaves a potential tie sitting at 9.52%. This means that betting on the banker is a smarter move than betting on the player. However, banker wins come with a commission fee. This is generally set at 5%. 

When baccarat is played by an experienced player, they can usually reduce the house edge to 1.06% or even as low as 0.5% depending upon the strategy followed. Inexperienced players, however, face a steeper house edge at around 4%. This is significantly more than blackjack’s unskilled house edge of 2%. If you are interested in straightforward games, baccarat might still be the best choice for you. If, instead, you’d prefer casino game odds with a bit more excitement, you might pick from blackjack, roulette or craps instead.

Sic bo

Another interesting casino dice game that offers players decent odds is sic bo. The name means ‘dice pair’ and is based upon an old Chinese gambling game. It might not be a common name in the US, but it is very popular abroad, and for good reason.

Sic bo is one of the trickier games on this list and requires a decent chunk of time and effort to master. Mastering the game is important, because the house edge on some bets can run as high as 47.22%. The game is played by wagering on the outcome of a three-dice roll. Bets are made at the table before the dealer rolls the dice, and the majority of big and small bets feature a house edge of around 2.78%.

Players looking for an exciting game that favors adrenaline over comfort might find sic bo right up their alley. Just make sure that you take some time to learn basic strategy and memorize which bets are likely to give you the win and which are unreasonably risky.

Which casino game has the worst odds?

There are a few different games that qualify as having the worst game odds in casinos. Slots, keno and Wheel of Fortune are some of the most cited examples. The house edge on slots varies, with some as low as 4% and others as high as 8%. If you find one with a decent edge and enjoy taking risks on the reels, you might give it a try despite the less-than-stellar odds. 

Keno has the second-highest house edge on this list, ranging from 16% to 30%. The latter is more common online than in land-based casinos, so it might be best to focus on something else for internet play.

What casino game has the worst odds? Wheel of Fortune has the worst odds in casino games on this list. The house edge starts at 24% and only goes up from there. The game is a bit of a trade-off. It is an undeniably fun way to spend your time, but it is unlikely to win you serious money. 

Which of these casino games has the highest odds? The answer varies depending upon the knowledge and skill that players have in each of them. In general, blackjack offers the best odds if users take the time to employ basic strategy.