“The house always wins.” A common expression whispered throughout the gambling sphere and one that holds some truth. That’s not to say people haven’t walked home with millions. But if playing online casino games was easy, everyone would do it. Tough yet doable, the challenge is beating the house, otherwise known as the casino. Discover the casino games with the lowest house edge.
What Is a House Edge?
As mentioned, “house” refers to the casino, meaning a house edge relates to the percentage of bets the casino turns into profit. In other words, it signifies the casino’s advantage. Whether you’re playing online slots or casino table games like blackjack and roulette, the house will always have a slight edge, ranging from 0.5% to 15%.
Although gamblers often experience success, casinos profit more over the long term. For instance, if you’re playing roulette, which has a house edge of 4%, it means that for every dollar bet, the casino keeps $0.04, while the gambler wins $0.96.
Simply put, the house edge indicates what the average loss is. But it doesn’t mean that for every dollar you stake, you’ll always lose $0.04; instead, it’s the average amount you’d lose.
A frequent question asked is: How can you beat the house edge? Experienced gamblers utilize several strategies to improve their odds, whether it be selecting safer bets, such as choosing red or black in roulette rather than placing their chips on individual numbers, or choosing the lowest house edge casino games — live dealer casino games like baccarat and blackjack are often fruitful for finding soft house edges.
What Games Have the Lowest House Edge?
So, what are the lowest house edge games? While they might vary between casinos, here’s a list of casino games with the best odds.
Blackjack
On average, blackjack offers the lowest house edge — between 0.40% and 1.5%. Low house edges are often the case with single-deck games requiring strategy, as experienced players can utilize skill to increase their chances of success.
Simple and easy to learn, played between player and dealer, the aim is to be the closest to the coveted 21. And if you reach 21, you automatically win the round. Regarding scoring, cards 2 to 10 amount to the face value of their number (4 of clubs = 4 points,) whereas each royal card equates to 10 points, apart from the ace, which can double as either an 11 or 1.
Craps
Another fan favorite is the house edge of craps, which usually varies between 1.4% to 5%. It’s a reasonably big swing between the two figures, highlighting the importance of researching numerous casinos to find the best odds.
Although it offers one of the lowest house edges, gamblers are often dissuaded by the number of betting options and rules embedded within craps. Ironically, once you’ve learned the guidelines, it’s one of the easiest and most exciting games to play.
In a game that often sparks camaraderie among gamblers, you can expect a crowd of spectators cheering on players at its peak — it feels like when they win, everyone wins.
Baccarat
Similarly to blackjack, baccarat is played between dealer and player. The aim is to bet on the hand closest to nine. Unlike blackjack, the gambler can bet on either hand or a tie. The house edge varies between the three betting options. For instance, betting on a tie would give the house around a 14% advantage, whereas it’s only approximately between 1.06% and 1.25% when betting on the banker or player.
Interestingly, casinos often attach commission charges when the banker wins, meaning the lowest edge is usually the player’s hand.
Slots
From the variety of games to the bonuses and jackpots available, online slots are one of the best casino games — there’s something for everyone. On average, a slot advantage is 7%, making it one of the highest house edges on the list. But, with so many slots available, this figure can vary between 1% to 12%.
Interestingly, slots measure the casino’s advantage rather than stating the house’s edge through a Return to Player (RTP) percentage. Measured out of 100 — the higher, the better — typical RTPs are between 93% to 96%. However, there are several games with higher RTPs on the scene.
Roulette
One of the most popular gambling games, roulette has been a staple within casinos for centuries. Contrary to the other games on this list, it’s played differently between Europe and America. The former offers a 1 in 37 chance of winning, while the latter is 1 in 38. Because of this, the house edge for European tables is 2.70%, whereas American establishments are 5.26%.
So, if you’re playing in America, can you beat the house edge in roulette? The answer is yes. By selecting bets that boast 1:1 odds, such as red or black, higher or lower, you’re increasing your chances of success while decreasing the house’s edge.
Three-Card Poker
Exciting and fast-paced, the popularity of three-card poker has gained momentum over the past few years. As the name suggests, each player (and the dealer) is dealt three cards.
The players win if the dealer has a jack-high or worse. But if they’re holding a queen-high or between, the ante is split evenly between the dealer and players. And if the dealer retains the strongest outright hand, they receive the winnings. The house edge is usually 1.5%.
Find Low House Edges on Borgata Online
Want to increase your chances of winning? Look no further. With a vast selection of low-house edge games, Borgata Online is a great place to practice and perfect strategy while improving your odds of walking home in the green. Register today and test your skills.
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