There are so many different gambling games to choose from these days, whether you’re playing at an online casino or a brick-and-mortar venue. So, it can be pretty hard for a beginner to decide what to try first.

The logical approach would be to start with an easier game, progressing to the more complex ones later. But how do you know which games are easy to play? This blog post can help you with that. Below, you’ll find the five most popular casino games, ranked from the easiest to the most difficult.

What Makes a Casino Game Easy?

The simplest games to learn, understand, and play aren’t necessarily the easiest casino games to win at. Some might be more complex than others, but they might offer a lower house edge; such games are technically easier to win, but that won’t be easy if you don’t understand them.

So, for the purposes of this list, a casino game is considered “easy” if anyone can learn it quickly. But don’t worry — you’ll also learn more about the house edge and your chances of winning.

1. Roulette

First up, this is one of the easiest games with simple strategies for beginners. There isn’t much to decipher here: the wheel spins in one direction, and the ball travels the other way. Players must guess where the ball will come to rest and place their bets accordingly. Any betting strategy is purely about bankroll management since there’s no skill involved.

While there are several different wagers available for roulette, all of them offer the same house edge (the exact percentage depends on the game version). In the European version, with a single zero pocket, that’s 2.70%. The American version, on the other hand, features both a single and a double zero pocket. That gives the casino a greater advantage of 5.26%.

The only exception to the consistent house edge is the five-number bet, which is only present in the American version. Here, the house advantage is a rather unappealing 7.89% — and usually best avoided.

The bets themselves are all very straightforward. Pick a specific number or color. Placing chips on the corner of four numbers covers all of them at once. Bet on a whole column or a dozen if you wish. And as a purely luck-based game, roulette is ranked as the easiest to play.

2. Slots

Slots aren’t difficult to master, either. You just press the “Spin” button or pull on the lever and let the slot machine do its thing. However, it can be a bit more convoluted to understand what’s actually going on. 

For instance, you can vary the number of lines you’re betting on. Some games feature multipliers, which change the payouts at random. Additionally, you could hit a bonus round, producing free spins or other features. With many different numbers and symbols flying around, it can be hard to keep track of everything that’s going on when you’re new.

On top of that, the house edge is not consistent across different slot machines, and the percentages can vary wildly. However, both online slots and their mechanical counterparts should at least display the house edge somewhere obvious.

In slots, the term used instead of house edge is return to player (RTP). It’s easy to calculate the house edge, though. Simply subtract the RTP from 100%. For example, a slot machine with a 95.45% RTP features a house edge of 4.55%.

You’ll want to find slots with the highest RTP to give yourself the best chance of success. Since that can be a little elusive to find, coupled with the lack of uniformity of slots, roulette is slightly easier to play.

3. Craps

Craps is more difficult than both of the previously mentioned games. That’s largely due to the huge number of different bet types, each with its own payouts and house edges. 

On top of that, you can place multiple wagers all at once, which complicates the calculation of your odds. Bets can quickly become so complex that even a more experienced player won’t be able to calculate the exact house edge.

What’s more, there’s a whole etiquette and different language around the craps table. There’s a specific time frame for betting, for instance. If you arrive outside of this, you’ll need to wait. Many players frown upon the idea of betting against the shooter, even if it gives you a better chance of winning. 

You’ll also need to master the lingo, learning what terms like “boxcars,” “snake eyes,” and “Yo eleven” mean. Hence, it takes time to learn how to play craps properly.

4. Blackjack

For most people, the rules of blackjack are probably easier to grasp than those of craps. However, the thing about blackjack is that if you’re extremely skilled, you can win long-term. 

With the previous three games, the most you can do is to aim for the lowest house edge and hope for the best. But blackjack involves genuine skill. The application of basic strategy reduces the house edge massively. 

While blackjack may be a little simpler to learn, it’s certainly not an easy game at which to turn massive winnings. Not only must you put in hours of practice and keep your discipline, but if you’re caught counting, you’ll quickly be escorted out of the casino.

5. Poker

Finally, poker is the most difficult casino game of all. There are, of course, many different forms of the game. But even if you focus specifically on Texas hold’em, it takes time just to learn the basic rules — never mind actually trying to master the game. However, that’s not to say it’s impossible.

First, you’ll need to understand concepts like position, pot odds, and hand ranges, as well as learn to read the felt. Then, as you improve, you’ll have to think about player psychology, strategies, and other advanced ideas related to the game. Some pros have won major competitions, making millions of dollars in the process, and are still learning new things every day.

What’s great about poker, though, is that it’s among the casino games with the lowest house edge. Technically, there is no edge at all since you’re playing against other people. However, in poker games, you must pay a rake. In a tournament, the rake is often a part of the entry fee.

It’s Never Been So Easy To Play

If you’re searching for a new casino online where you can try out some of the easiest — or hardest — games to play, look no further. Register at Borgata Online today. Roulette, slots, craps, live dealer blackjack, poker — you name it, it’s available.