Casino games are undoubtedly fun and engaging. They’re very unpredictable and fast-paced, making you feel excited and entertained. This thrill of the unknown, in particular, keeps most players returning for more. They’re also a perfect way to socialize and meet new people.
The only concern about casinos is their house edge. It’s their statistical advantage built so players lose money. While it may sound bad, it’s the only way casinos profit. Without it, they can’t operate. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t beat it.
Here are five casino games with the least house edge, increasing your chances of winning.
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Blackjack (House Edge: 0.42% to 1.5%)
One’s odds of winning are high in blackjack. While it’s not the simplest to play, there are a lot of strategies you can learn that can make the game easier. Plus, they’re very uncomplicated to learn. That’s why it’s the casino game with the least house advantage, ranging between 0.42% and 1.5%.
Note that a fixed house advantage percentage is usually uncommon. It all depends on the unique rules of each casino. For example, most casinos don’t allow players to split-double down because it decreases their edge, going down from 0.62% to 0.42%. The idea is the more numbers you can double down, the lower a casino’s edge will be.
Another key factor is ratios. A game that pays out 3:2 ($3 for every $2 you bet) when you get a Blackjack hand is far better than a game that pays out 6:5 ($6 for every $5 you bet). Specifically, 3:2 blackjack has 1.5:1 odds with a house edge that usually stays in the ~0.5% range. Conversely, 6:5 blackjack has lower odds at 1.2:1 but a higher house edge that shoots up to almost 2%.
With this in mind, avoid casinos converting to 6:5 Blackjack hands since they decrease your winnings by quite a bit. Luckily, the tables nowadays are usually 3:2.
Video Poker (House Edge: -0.76% to 5%)
Despite being rarely anyone’s favorite, video poker gives players quite a good chance of winning since it’s a game of skill. That means players’ decisions may greatly impact the result of the game.
Video poker is a group of games with many versions, but the ones with the most chances of winning are simpler variations. For example, in Jack or Better, also called Draw Poker, the full pay or 9/6 ($9 for a full house and $6 for a flush) has a 99.5% return-to-player (RTP), which means the house edge is only 0.5%.
Another example is the game Deuces Wild. It’s a very special case because it has 100.76% RTP, making the house edge negative, specifically at -0.76%! Of course, this won’t be reached without good strategies, so if you get a reasonably high advantage, delve into this game and hone your skills.
Online slots (House Edge: 1% to 12%)
Most slot machines have a relatively low RTP because it’s a game of luck, meaning there’s no way to improve your winning odds by experience or skill. This also increases a casino’s house edge from 1% to 12%. That’s why there are so many slot machines in land-based casinos.
However, there are online slots that have a phenomenally good of up to 99%, which lowers the house edge. For example, the turn your fortune game has 96.24% RTP, meaning the house edge is only roughly around 3%.
Baccarat (House Edge: 1.06% to 14.36%)
Also called Punto Banco, baccarat is one of the top casino games with the least house edge. In this game, you can bet on the Banker, the Player, or a Tie before the cards are dealt. Among all these, the baccarat Banker hand has a lower house edge mainly because of the drawing rules. It gets to go last or plays out its cards second—an advantage like in blackjack where you can bust before the dealer even has to play—making it a slightly better gamble.
Specifically, here’s the house edge for each hand:
- Banker – 1.17%
- Player – 1.36%
- Tie – 14%
Betting on the Banker is such a great wager that it increases players’ advantage on the house. Consequently, casinos must charge players a 5% commission on all their winning bets to ensure they still have a statistical advantage.
Roulette (House Edge: 2.70% to 5.26%)
Like video poker, roulette has several variations in every casino, but the one with the better odds of winning is the European and French roulette. In this game, you bet on numbers from 0 to 36. However, 0 isn’t included in the winning odds, causing the odds not quite to match the possibilities. This is why it often gives a house edge of 2.70%.
American Roulette, another video poker variety, has a higher house edge. In this game, there’s an additional double zero (00). This extra number decreases your winning odds from 1/37 to 1/38. This results in a house edge of 5.26%, twice as high as European and French Roulette. Hence, despite its uncertainties, European and French Roulette versions are often recommended where possible.
Final Thoughts
Besides opting for low-house edge games, learn the game rules to a tee to increase your odds of winning and lower the casino’s house edge. More importantly, have fun, but in the most responsible way.