- Baccarat has one of the best odds to win in a casino at 1.06 percent.
- Blackjack is a top choice, as well, due to the ability to count cards and make informed decisions.
- Roulette may not be the first game that comes to mind, but French Roulette actually gives the house just a 1.35% edge.
When it comes down to it, most casino games are designed to make a profit for the house.
A casino would go out of business pretty fast if they had games where players consistently won; the whole point of a casino is to make money. With that being said, the house will always have the advantage in a casino; if you take that away, you no longer have a casino.
However, the house edge can vary greatly from game to game. Some games are based entirely on chance, while others require some skill. The games with more skill involved typically offer better odds for the player.
If you are looking for the casino games with the best chances of winning, this list is for you. I’ll break down the five casino games with the best odds as well as a few honorable mentions.
What Are the Odds of Winning at a Casino?
Before we get into the specific casino games with the best odds, let’s talk about the odds in general.
The casinos are in this to make money. If they didn’t make a profit, they wouldn’t last very long. They have many different ways to ensure that they come out ahead.
One way they do this is by having a house edge or a house advantage. The “house” refers to the casino. The house edge is the average gross profit that the casino makes on each wager.
For example, let’s say that you flip a coin. It’s 50/50 that it lands on heads or tails, so we’ll say that the house edge here is 0%.
Now, let’s say that it’s roulette, and the wheel has 10 red numbers, 10 black numbers, and 1 green number. Again, your chances of guessing the right color correctly are 50%, so the house edge is 0%.
However, let’s say that there’s a game where there are 10 red slots and 20 black slots. Now, your chances of guessing the right color decrease to 30%.
This would mean that the casino would win three out of every 10 times, and you would win only two out of every 10 times. The house edge here would be 30%.
The lower the house edge (or advantage), the better off you’ll be as the player. Ideally, you want to play games with a low house edge and then hope that luck is on your side.
Some games have fixed odds that you can . Other games require a little bit of strategy to put yourself in the best position to win.
It’s important to note that, even at the games with the best odds, you could realistically walk away empty-handed. That said, you’ll like your chances much more at these than you would at the slot machines.
5. French Roulette
Roulette might not be the first game that comes to mind when you think about the casino games with the best odds.
brand new online casinos 2023It might shock you to know that it has one of the best RTPs (Return to Player) of any game in the casino. It depends on the type of roulette that you play.
In the United States, there are two common versions of roulette – American Roulette and European Roulette. In Europe, they also play European Roulette in addition to a version called French Roulette.
Let’s take a look at the house edges for all three.
- American Roulette — 5.26%
- European Roulette — 2.70%
- French Roulette — 1.35%
As you can see, the house edge climbs from French to American. You might be thinking, “Why would anyone play American Roulette?” Well, unfortunately, it’s very popular.
The reason why it’s so popular has mostly to do with simple brand recognition. People have heard of American Roulette their entire lives, so that’s what they want to play.
Additionally, casinos in the United States tend to have more American Roulette tables than their European or French counterparts.
Here’s the twist, though—French Roulette is practically identical to European Roulette. The only difference is the rules for two specific games. You might as well treat them both the same for betting purposes.
The key here is to avoid American Roulette if possible. Assuming a $1 bet, the average gross profit that the casino makes will be $0.10 on French Roulette and $0.05 on European Roulette. On American Roulette, they make $0.19 on average.
You can place inside bets and outside bets in roulette. The house edge is the same for both, although some strategies tend to lean toward one over the other.
If you are looking for the casino games with the best odds of winning money, avoid American Roulette and head for French (or European).
Looking to get started with roulette? Here’s the top sites to consider.
4. Pai Gow Poker
Next up, we have Pai Gow Poker. This is one of the few casino games where a skilled player has a mathematical edge over the house.
Casino Review UK - Slots & Other Games to PlayHere’s how the game works. You are given seven cards. Your goal is to make a two-card hand and a five-card hand. The two-card hand should be stronger than the five-card hand.
Once you set your two hands, compare them to the dealer’s. If you win both hands, you win. If you lose both, you lose. If you win one and lose the other, it’s a push, and you keep your hand.
To make things easier, think of it like this –
- Five-Card Hand = High Hand
- Two-Card Hand = Low Hand
So, you want your Low Hand to be higher than your High Hand. Does that sound backwards?
It’s not as complicated as you might think. This provides a lot of room for wiggle room with your cards. Also, you are dealt seven cards, which gives you more options than you would have in a game like Texas Hold’em.
Holding four cards for your high hand and three cards for your low hand is known as “four-card Pai Gow.” Holding two cards for your high hand and five cards for your low hand is known as “five-card Pai Gow.” Six-card Pai Gow allows you to play all of your cards in your high hand.
There are right and wrong ways to hold cards in each of these scenarios. You want to minimize the likelihood of losing both hands.
The house edge for Pai Gow Poker is approximately 1.46%-2.84%, depending on the way you set your hands. If you play according to the optimal strategy, the house edge drops down closer to 1.46%.
That’s much lower than most other casino games. The only ones that typically beat it out are baccarat, craps, and the games we’ll discuss next.
You can find Pai Gow Poker tables in most casinos. It tends to be less crowded than other card games like blackjack and poker, so it’s worth checking out.
Not sure how to get started playing Pai Gow Poker? Consider using our How to Play Pai Gow Poker guide as a starting point.
3. Blackjack
Blackjack is another one of the top casino games that give you a chance to win. Like Pai Gow Poker, a skilled player can have an edge over the house. The biggest separator between blackjack and the other games on this list is interaction.
Almost every decision that you make matters in blackjack. In contrast, baccarat is simply picking between two options. Craps focuses mainly on bonds and partial wheels. French Roulette is purely random.
Counting cards is the main way that players try to get an edge in blackjack. It’s not illegal, but many casinos will ask you to leave if they suspect that you are doing it.
Essentially, counting cards is keeping track of the cards that you see come out of the deck. There are formulas and techniques involved, but the end goal is knowing when there is a higher probability of getting a blackjack.
Here’s an oversimplified explanation – imagine that nine out of the eleven cards you’ve seen are tens. There’s a good chance that you’re going to run into an ace soon, making it likely that you hit a blackjack.
On the flip side, if you’ve seen mostly low cards, there’s probably a low probability of hitting a blackjack. Counting cards allows you to adjust your play depending on the situation.
It takes a while to master card counting, and even expert counters don’t have much of an edge. So, why bother?
Well, think about this –
Even if you only have a tiny edge over the house, the individual player can have many advantages. You are making decisions throughout the duration of the hand. If you draw on a hard 16 versus the dealer’s 10, for example, you don’t stand a chance if you just randomly decide whether to hit or stay. There has to be a method to the madness.
When you add your skill advantage to the small skill advantage the card counting provides, it can make you incredibly difficult to beat.
The house edge in blackjack varies based on the rules. Standard blackjack with one or two decks has a 0.5% house edge when proper basic strategy is used. However, if you bring card counting into the mix, a skilled player can reduce that edge down to roughly 0.2%.
Where you play is also important. Make sure to seek out games with favorable rules and smaller minimum bets.
I recommend reading up on before heading to the casino.
2. Craps
Craps is often considered one of the better games for the player. Of course, the house will still have the edge, but it’s not as bad as many of the other options.
Additionally, there is something to be said about having multiple bets that carry a 0% house edge.
Most people stick to pass line and don’t bet at the center of the table in craps. Pass line has a 1.41% house edge. Don’t pass has a 1.36% house advantage.
These are the simple bets that cover the first throw (the “comeout”) and then the shooter’s second throw. If the shooter’s point is established, the bet then rides with it. You can bet on either the shooter to win (pass line) or the shooter to lose (don’t pass).
Typically, players will lay odds behind one of these bets. The odds pay 2:1 on pass line and -2:1 on don’t pass. There is no house edge on odds bets, provided you adjust your initial bet to account for the payout.
Let’s assume you bet $10 on pass line and then lay $6 in odds. Your total bet is $16, and the casino has no edge (provided you adjust your bet based on the payout). If you win, you’ll receive your $16 back plus $12 in profit.
Both bond and partial wheels cover multiple outcomes. A full wheel covers all of your numbers, while a partial wheel covers just some of your numbers.
Both types of bets have a 0% house edge. Unfortunately, you have to adjust your initial bet to account for the payout. Here’s an overview of how that works –
- Full Wheel – To bet $5 on a full wheel, you need to adjust for a expected value of $4.77. This means you could win four times for every six losses. Your bet would be $5 x 4 = $20, and your losses would be $5 x 6 = $30, for a total of $50. By betting only $4.77, you expect to lose 23 cents per roll ($4.77-$4.54), for a net loss of 23 cents per $5 bets. Essentially, no house edge applies if you bet to win four times for every six times.
- Partial Wheel – For a partial wheel, you are betting on a smaller group of numbers. Let’s say that you can win three times for every twice you lose on a specific full wheel. Instead of betting $5, you bet $4.33. Your bets will win three times for every two losses. You would bet $4.33 x 3 = $13.00 in winnings vs $4.33 x 2 = $8.66 in losses for a total of $4.34. Once again, you are losing roughly 4.34 credits per $5 wager. No house edge applies if you bet to win three times for every two times.
Besides those bets, everything else comes with a house edge. Some of the worse bets include Big (1.42%) , C & E (1.57%), and World (2.78%).
If you can stick to the right bets at the craps table, it can be one of the best games to play in a casino. Just beware of the people around you who seem extra excited when you lose.
They might be superfans of the craps table, or they might be working for the house. Read our guide to playing craps online to help get you started.
1. Baccarat
Baccarat takes the top spot as the casino game with the best odds. In fact, baccarat has the best odds of all the popular casino games.
It’s ironic because baccarat has the reputation for being a game strictly for the wealthy. Movies and TV shows often show high rollers playing baccarat, dropping hundreds of thousands of dollars with a grin on their face.
The truth is, just about anybody can play baccarat. There aren’t many people who will play at the low stakes tables on television, but they exist. Furthermore, baccarat is one of the simplest games in the casino.
There are three bets that you can make in baccarat – Banker, Player, and Tie. Out of those three, nothing has a higher return and a lower house edge than Banker. The house edge on Banker is just 1.06%, making it the best bet in the casino.
Tie is also an intriguing bet because the house edge is only 1.06%. The problem is that the ties usually pay out at 8 to 1. Similar to craps, you have to adjust your bet size to account for the payout.
Here’s how the math works –
Let’s say that you flip a fair coin ten times. There are 1024 possible outcomes.
Of those 1024 outcomes, there will be 312 that result in five heads and five tails (50% on each flip). There will also be 312 outcomes that result in five tails and five heads. That’s a total of 624 outcomes where ties occur (1 - (.5^10)).
Out of those 624 outcomes, there will be 128 that result in four heads and six tails (any arrangement of four heads and six tails will do). There will also be 128 outcomes that result in six heads and four tails. That’s a total of 256 outcomes that result in tied results with four actual ties (.4X.6X10).
Out of those 256 outcomes, there will be 64 outcomes that result in three heads and seven tails (any arrangement of three heads and seven tails will do). There will also be 64 arrangements that result in seven heads and three tails. That’s a total of 128 outcomes that result in three ties (.3X.7X10).
This pattern continues until we reach zero ties, which will occur in 16 outcomes (.1X.9X10).
Using this data, the probable percentage for each amount of ties is as follows –
5-5 – 1:50
4-5-1, 5-4-1, or 4-4-2 – 1:21
3-5-1, 5-3-1, or 3-3-2 – 3:21
2-5-2 or 5-2-2 – 5:21
1-5-4 or 5-1-4 – 8:21
0-5-5 or 5-0-5 – 15:21
We can use this information to determine the expected value. Let’s assume that you believe the coin flip is completely fair and even money. You bet $100 on a tie for every flip.
7Red Casino Review UK - Slots & Other Games to PlayHere are the potential results and the expected value –
- 5-5 – -$100 x 1/5 + $800 x 1/5 -$700 = -$14
- 4-5-1, 5-4-1, or 4-4-2 – $100 x 1/21 + $40 x 4/21 -$700 = -$14.29
- 3-5-1, 5-3-1, or 3-3-2 – $100 x 3/21 + $25 x 9/21 -$700 = -$10.53
- 2-5-2 or 5-2-2 – $100 x 5/21 + $16.67 x 15/21 -$700 = -$6.06
- 1-5-4 or 5-1-4 – $100 x 8/21 + $12.50 x 35/21 -$700 = -$3.70
- 0-5-5 or 5-0-5 – $100 x 15/21 + $10 x 64/21 -$700 = -$1.96
On average, you will lose $6.06 for every $5 wager.
The probability of a tie might be low, but when it happens, you will usually win eight times your money. The problem is that it happens so infrequently that you will rarely realize that profit.
Another option is to bet on one or the other of Player or Banker, rather than a tie. Both of these bets have a 1.06% house edge.
The banker bet charges a 5% commission on wins. The probability of winning the banker bet is 45.86%, so the unadjusted house edge is 1.02%.
With the 5% commission, the expected value is -$.06 (+1.02 – .05 = +.97). The house edge is essentially 0% if you remove the 5% commission. Unfortunately, the casino doesn’t give you that option.
If you multiply your win by 0.95 before you receive your chips, you will come out ahead. In other words, instead of taking $100 in winnings, you take $95. You’ve just reduced your house edge from 1.06% on Banker to 0.91% (1.06% – .15%) when you adjust for the commission.
Betting on the Player side works the exact same way. The unadjusted house edge is 1.17%, and the adjusted house edge is 1.08% (1.17% – .09%). Either way, betting on Banker or Player is the way to go in baccarat.
The tie bet isn’t terrible considering the 1.06% house edge and 8-1 payout, but it takes a long time to clear the juice. You can avoid the problem altogether by avoiding the tie bet and sticking with Banker or Player.
Interested in giving it a shot? Check out our list of the best baccarat online casino sites below.
Honorable Mentions
The following casino games do not crack the top five, but they are close. They also have better odds than most games you will find in the casino.
6. Video Poker
Full pay video poker, specifically 9/6 Jacks or Better, has a house edge of 0.46% when played perfectly. It quickly becomes much worse if the pay table changes.
Most video poker games have a house edge of around 5% or higher. It largely depends on the pay table. Here’s an overview –
- 9/6 Jacks or Better – 0.46%
- 8/5 Bonus Poker – 1.68%
- 9/5 Bonus Poker – 2.03%
- 10/7 Double Bonus – 2.01%
- 9/5 Triple Play Poker – 2.01%
- 9/6 Bonus Poker Deluxe – 2.02%
- 9/5 Joker Poker – 2.06%
- 9/6 Bonus Poker – 2.12%
- 9x Wild Deuces – 2.44%
- 8/5 Jacks or Better – 2.64%
- 9/5 Bonus Poker with Elite Quads – 2.73%
- 9/6 Double Double Bonus – 3.12%
- 9/5 Bonus Poker with Bandits Quads – 3.38%
- 9/5 Bonus Poker with Melons Quads – 3.44%
- 9/5 Bonus Poker with Stacks Quads – 3.48%
- 9/6 Bonus Poker with Bandits Quads – 3.53%
- 9/5 Bonus Poker with Melons Quads – 3.57%
- 9/5 Bonus Poker with Stacked Quads – 3.59%
- 9/5 Bonus Poker with Regular Quads – 3.62%
- 9/6 Double Bonus – 3.66%
- 9/5 Bonus Poker with Extra Wild Card – 4.21%
- 9/6 Double Double Bonus with Extra Wild Card – 5.41%
- 9/5 Bonus Poker with Four Wild Cards – 6.88%
- 9/5 Bonus Poker with Three Wild Cards – 7.50%
- 9/5 Bonus Poker with Two Wild Cards – 8.27%
- 9/5 Bonus Poker with One Wild Card – 9.05%
- 9/5 Bonus Poker with No Wild Card – 9.84%
- 8/5 Bonus Poker – 9.98%
- 9/5 Bonus Poker – 10.05%
- 9/5 Bonus Poker – 10.20%
If you don’t mind giving up the gambling, video poker can be one of the best games in the casino. Always check the pay table before you start playing. Our explains how to find the best games.
7. Three Card Poker
Three Card Poker has a house edge of 2.0% when you play Ante, Play, and pair+ples.
Pair+ples is a side bet that you can make in addition to anteing and playing. The house edge for this bet is 7.26%.
Unfortunately, most players don’t stop there. They’ll also play the Ante Bonus, which has a 27.0% house edge. When you combine that with the 2.0% on Ante, Play, and pair+ples, your overall house edge skyrockets to 29.26%.
The key is to avoid the Ante Bonus altogether and focus on plain Three Card Poker with pair+ples. You can also shop around for better rules casinos. The house edge for the base game varies based on the specific rules.
Here are some examples of Three Card Poker with Ante, Play, and pair+ples –
- Payback (%): Ante, Play = 98.61, pair+ples = 95.48%, Overall House Edge = 2.33%
- Payback (%): Ante, Play = 98.35, pair+ples = 95.27%, Overall House Edge = 2.58%
- Payback (%): Ante, Play = 98.31, pair+ples = 95.22%, Overall House Edge = 2.69%
- Payback (%): Ante, Play = 98.28, pair+ples = 95.17%, Overall House Edge = 2.75%
- Payback (%): Ante, Play = 98.27, pair+ples = 95.15%, Overall House Edge = 2.82%
- Payback (%): Ante, Play = 98.25, pair+ples = 95.12%, Overall House Edge = 2.93%
- Payback (%): Ante, Play = 98.24, pair+ples = 95.09%, Overall House Edge = 3.05%
- Payback (%): Ante, Play = 98.23, pair+ples = 95.06%, Overall House Edge = 3.19%
- Payback (%): Ante, Play = 98.21, pair+ples = 95.03%, Overall House Edge = 3.34%
- Payback (%): Ante, Play = 98.20, pair+ples = 94.99%, Overall House Edge = 3.50%
As you can see, the overall house edge can vary dramatically based on the base game rules.
Your goal is to find a table that pays off with an average returm of 98.25% or higher. If the overall house edge is under 3%, you’re in a good spot.
Unfortunately, the pair+ples bet isn’t as great as it looks. Most players view it as a 5-card stud without the anxiety because it’s relatively straightforward.
The big attraction to the bet is when you make three of a kind with four Aces. This bet will pay off at 200 to 1.
Unfortunately, the odds of achieving this are 94-1. Even with the 200 to 1 payoff, this bet still carries a house edge of 7.26%. Unless you believe that the payoff odds are off, it’s best to avoid this bet.
Many people enjoy Three Card Poker because it feels like a skill game. Truth be told, it’s almost all luck. Once you receive your cards, the rest is out of your control. The only thing you can control is your original bet.
As long as you avoid the Ante Bonus and the pair+ples with the 5-card stud aspect, it isn’t a terrible game. You can also play for free online.
8. Spanish 21
Spanish 21 is similar to blackjack, but it uses a Spanish deck with 48 cards (no 10s). It also features several unique rules and bonus payouts.
Despite the bonus payouts, Spanish 21 has a lower house edge than traditional blackjack. The best version of the game, Spanish 21 Super Fun 21, has a house edge of just 0.42%.
Here’s an overview of the various rules and versions you might encounter, along with the house edge for each one –
- Version – House Edge
- Spanish 21 – 0.44%
- Spanish 21 Super Fun 21 – 0.42%
- Spanish 21 Super Fun 21 with Match the Spirit Bonus – 0.41%
- Spanish 21 Super Fun 21 with Match the Spirit Bonus and Rainbow Royal Flush Bonus – 0.39%
- Spanish 21 with Match the Spirit Bonus – 0.40%
- Spanish 21 with Match the Spirit Bonus and Bonus 21 – 0.38%
- Spanish 21 with Bonus 21 – 0.37%
- Spanish 21 – 7-7-7 Jackpot – 0.36%
- Spanish 21 – 7-7-7 Jackpot and Snapshot – 0.34%
- Spanish 21 – 7-7-7 Jackpot and Snapshot and Bonus 21 – 0.33%
- Spanish 21 – Snapshot – 0.31%
- Spanish 21 – Snapshot and Bonus 21 – 0.30%
- Spanish 21 – 7-7-7 Jackpot – 0.29%
- Spanish 21 – 7-7-7 Jackpot and Bonus 21 – 0.28%
- Spanish 21 – Bonus 21 – 0.27%
- Spanish 21 – All 3 Jackpots – 0.26%
- Spanish 21 – Snapshot without royal flush – 0.24%
- Spanish 21 – Snapshot without royal flush and Bonus 21 – 0.22%
- Spanish 21 – All Promotions – 0.21%
- Spanish 21 – Snapshot without royal flush and all bonuses – 0.19%
- Spanish 21 – 7-7-7 Progressive – 0.18%
- Spanish 21 – 7-7-7 Progressive and Bonus 21 – 0.17%
- Spanish 21 – Bonus 21 – 0.16%
- Spanish 21 – All Promos – 0.15%
- Spanish 21 – All Promos (except royalf flush) – 0.14%
- Spanish 21 – No bonus promo – 0.11%
- Spanish 21 – 7-7-7 Progressive – 0.10%
- Spanish 21 – 7-7-7 Progressive and Snapshot (exclude RF) – 0.09%
- Spanish 21 Super Fun 21 with Match the Spirit Bonus and Rainbow Royal Flush Bonus – 0.08%
- Spanish 21 Super Fun 21 with Match the Spirit Bonus – 0.07%
- Spanish 21 Super Fun 21 – 0.06%
- Spanish 21 – Bonus 21 – 0.05%
- Spanish 21 – 0.04%
- Spanish 21 – 0.03%
- Spanish 21 – 0.02%
- Spanish 21 – 0%
- Spanish 21 – -0.01%
- Spanish 21 – -0.02%
- Spanish 21 – -0.03%
- Spanish 21 – -0.04%
- Spanish 21 – 7-7-7 Progressive (no Bonus 21) – -0.05%
- Spanish 21 – 7-7-7 Progressive and Snapshot (no RF) (no Bonus 21) – -0.06%
The 7-7-7 jackpot and rainbow royal flush bonus significantly help the player’s expectations. The only catch is that you have to hit a 7, 7, and 7 for payment.
Some versions of the game feature a snapshot bonus that pays you for holding onto the same hand after a loss.
Best Real Money Casino Apps in the USA for 2023For example, you might hit a blackjack and lose because the dealer hits a better blackjack. If you were snapped, you would receive the bonus payout.
Bonus 21 pays you 3:2 if your 21 includes a 7, 7, 7. You would also receive a bonus if you achieve 6, 7, 7, 7, 7 or 7, 7, 7, 7, 7. The payouts range from 2000:1 to 10,000:1.
Spanish 21 is worth playing solely for the entertainment factor. Very few casinos offer this game, but it’s certainly worth seeking out if you find it.
Our explains how to play online.
Caveats to Be Aware Of
All casino games have catches, especially ones with seemingly small or negative house edges. Here are a couple of caveats to be aware of.
Commission
Many casino games charge players a commission. These fees cut directly into your bottom line.
French Roulette has a 1.35% house edge without en prison or la partage. But with la partage, the house edge drops to 1.30%.
This seems like a good reason to avoid la partage because the house edge goes up. The reality is the opposite when you consider that la partague negates half of the losing spins.
If you bet $10 on every spin and lose 45 out of 100 times, you would normally lose $450.
Without la partage, you would still lose $450 because the house edge is 1.35%. With la partague, you lose $225 because the house edge is 1.30%. Commissions can skew the house edge in the same manner.
Furthermore, let’s assume that you’re playing a casino poker game against the dealer, and you lose 45 out of 100 hands. If there is no rake or fee, you will lose 45 units.
But if the casino charges a 5% fee on every pot, you’ll lose 48.25 units. Over time, this will really add up. Therefore, you want to avoid games with large commissions or fees attached.
Any commission greater than 5%