Not all casino games are created equal when it comes to your chances of winning. Sure, the house always has an edge – that’s how casinos make their money – but some games are a lot kinder to your bankroll than others. If you’ve ever felt like your chips disappear too fast, the problem might not be your luck – it could be the game you’re playing.
In this guide, we will walk you through the games that offer the best odds and share tips to help you make the most of your time (and money) at the tables.
What Is House Edge, and Why Should You Care?
The house edge is the casino’s built-in advantage, and it’s what keeps the lights on and the free drinks flowing. But here’s the thing: that edge varies depending on the game you play.
If a game has a 5% house edge, the casino will, on average, keep $5 of every $100 wagered. That might not sound like a big deal, but over hundreds of bets, it adds up. Knowing which games have the lowest house edge is like finding the best bang for your buck – it lets you play smarter.
Casino Games With the Lowest House Edge
If you’re logging into an online casino, one of the smartest things you can do is choose your games wisely. The house always has an edge – it’s how casinos make money – but some games are much kinder to players than others. Let us walk you through the games that offer the lowest house edge.
Blackjack – House Edge as Low as 0.5%
Blackjack is often called the best bet in the house, and for good reason. When played with basic strategy, the house edge can dip to as low as 0.5%, and in some variants, even lower.
Now, what’s this “basic strategy” all about? It’s a set of rules that tells you the statistically best move for every possible hand you’re dealt. For instance, if the dealer is showing a strong card like a 10 or an Ace, you’ll want to play defensively and avoid risky moves like doubling down. On the flip side, if the dealer has a weak card like a 5 or 6, you can afford to be more aggressive.
Different versions of blackjack come with different rules, and those rules affect the house edge. For example, tables that pay 3:2 for a blackjack are better for players than those that pay 6:5. Some variants, like Blackjack Switch, can offer an even lower house edge when played optimally.
Tips to Lower the Edge Even Further:
- Avoid side bets;
- Play single-deck blackjack if you can find it;
- Use bonuses wisely to stretch your bankroll.
Baccarat – House Edge Around 1.06%
Baccarat might look like a high-stakes game, but in reality, it’s one of the simplest and most player-friendly options in the casino. The rules are easy: bet on the Banker, the Player, or a Tie.
Here’s the kicker: not all bets are created equal. The Banker bet is the best choice, with a house edge of just 1.06%. Why? The mechanics of the game slightly favor the Banker, though you’ll pay a 5% commission on winning Banker bets. The Player bet isn’t far behind, with a house edge of 1.24%.
The Tie bet, however, is a trap for most players. Sure, it pays out at 8:1 (sometimes 9:1), but the house edge skyrockets to 14.36%. That’s a lot to give up for the chance at a bigger payout.
Craps – House Edge Varies
Craps is one of those games that looks complicated from a distance, but once you learn the basics, it’s actually pretty straightforward!
The bets you choose make all the difference. Start with the Pass Line or Don’t Pass Line bets, which have house edges of 1.36% and 1.41%, respectively. Once you’re comfortable, you can add Odds Bets, which have no house edge at all. Yep, you read that right—zero edge. They’re one of the rare bets in the casino where the house doesn’t take a cut.
But, some bets, like “Any Seven” or “Hardways,” come with house edges as high as 16%. These might seem exciting, but they’re a quick way to burn through your bankroll.
European Roulette – House Edge of 2.7%
Roulette is a timeless casino classic, but not all roulette wheels are the same.
European Roulette has a single zero, giving it a house edge of 2.7%. That’s a pretty fair deal compared to American Roulette, which adds a double zero and bumps the house edge up to 5.25%.
If you’re lucky enough to find French Roulette, you’re in even better shape. Thanks to a rule called la partage, you get half your stake back on even-money bets (like red/black or odd/even) if the ball lands on zero. This cuts the house edge down to 1.35% for those bets, making it the best option of the three.
What to Remember: Always go for European or French Roulette if they’re available.
Video Poker – House Edge as Low as 0.5% with Optimal Play
Video poker is like a hybrid between poker and slots. The house edge depends on the variant you play, but it can be as low as 0.5% if you know what you’re doing.
Jacks or Better is one of the most popular versions, and it offers some of the best casino game odds when played with a full-pay paytable (look for 9:1 for a full house and 6:1 for a flush). The key to success is learning the optimal strategy, which tells you which cards to hold and which to discard in every possible situation.
Strategies to Further Lower the House Edge
Knowing which games have the lowest house edge is a great start, but to really maximize your chances, you’ll need to use the right strategies.
Use Basic Strategy in Blackjack
Blackjack is one of the rare games where your decisions directly impact the outcome. By following basic strategy, which involves making the mathematically correct move for every possible hand, you can lower the house edge to as little as 0.5%. For example:
- Always split Aces and 8s.
- Never take insurance—it’s a sucker bet.
Basic strategy charts are easy to find and memorize. If you’re playing online, you can even keep one handy as you play.
Avoid Tie Bets in Baccarat
Baccarat is a simple game with great odds, but only if you avoid the Tie bet. While the Banker and Player bets have house edges of 1.06% and 1.24% respectively, the Tie bet shoots up to a massive 14.36%. The payout might look tempting, but in reality, it’s a long shot that rarely pays off. Stick to Banker or Player bets to keep things in your favor.
Stick to Low-House Edge Bets in Craps
Craps offers some of the best and worst bets in the casino. To stay on the right side of the odds, focus on low-edge bets like the Pass Line (1.36%) or Don’t Pass Line (1.41%). Pair these with an Odds Bet, which has no house edge, to maximize your returns. Avoid high-risk bets like “Any Seven” or proposition bets, which can drain your bankroll quickly.
Play Games With the Highest RTP (Return to Player)
RTP, or Return to Player, is the flip side of the house edge. The higher the RTP, the more you’re expected to win back over time. Look for games like:
- Blackjack: RTP up to 99.5% with perfect strategy.
- Video Poker (Jacks or Better): RTP up to 99.5% on full-pay machines.
- High-RTP Slots: Some slots, like Playtech’s Ugga Bugga, have RTPs above 99%.
Even small differences in payout percentages can have a big impact over the long run.
House Edge vs. RTP: What’s the Difference?
If you’ve spent any time in a casino or playing online, you’ve probably come across the terms “house edge” and “RTP.” While they’re connected, they mean different things—and knowing both can make you a smarter player.
How RTP Affects Your Payouts
RTP, or Return to Player, shows the percentage of your wagers a game is expected to return over time. For example, an RTP of 95% means that, in the long run, the game pays back $95 for every $100 wagered. The remaining $5 is the house edge.
But while RTP can give you a long-term view, luck still plays a big role in the short term.
Why House Edge and RTP Are Important for Different Game Types
House edge tells you how much of a built-in advantage the casino has on a particular game. RTP is often used for slots and video poker, where payouts can fluctuate depending on the game and its features.
For example:
- In blackjack, a house edge of 0.5% means the casino keeps 50 cents for every $100 you wager.
- In slots, an RTP of 98% means you can expect to get back $98 for every $100 bet over time.
Additional Tips for Choosing Low House Edge Games
Here’s how to get the most out of your casino experience by picking games that give you the best odds:
Look for Single-Zero Roulette Wheels
Roulette is all about the wheel you choose. European roulette (single zero) has a house edge of 2.7%, while American roulette (with a double zero) raises it to 5.25%. Even better, some French roulette tables offer a rule called la partage, which cuts the edge further to 1.35% on even-money bets. Always aim for single-zero wheels when you play.
Choose Games with Simple Betting Options
Games with straightforward bets often have lower house edges. Avoid flashy or complicated side bets—they usually come with worse odds.
Avoid Complex Betting Strategies with High Risk
Betting systems like the Martingale might sound smart (doubling your bet after every loss to eventually recover), but they don’t actually reduce the house edge. In fact, they often lead to massive losses if you hit the table limits. Stick to consistent, low-edge bets instead of trying to “outsmart” the odds.
FAQ
Blackjack with basic strategy offers the lowest house edge at around 0.5%. Baccarat (Banker bet: 1.06%) and craps (Pass Line: 1.36%) are also great low-edge games.
You can’t beat it, but you can reduce it. Use strategies like basic blackjack play or stick to low-edge bets in games like baccarat or craps to stretch your bankroll.
Look for simple games like blackjack, European roulette, or baccarat. Check for favorable rules like single-zero wheels or full-pay tables.
