With thousands of options in online casinos, how do you choose which game to play? Sure, playing the game that looks the most fun might make sense, but game odds should definitely factor in your decision. Finding online casino games with the best odds or the lowest house edge means you have a better chance of winning. Your mind might be set on classics like online poker, but many other casino games offer house edges you can’t miss out on.
Let us help you gamble like a true pro and teach you everything you need to know about the return to player (RTP) and determining the odds of a casino game. After that, we’ll recommend casino games to play with the lowest house edge.
What is the house edge?
You’ve probably heard the famous saying that the “house always wins.” This phrase refers to the infamous house edge. Also known as the “house advantage,” it refers to the average percentage of profit that a land-based casino or gambling site makes from a player’s wager.
Think of the house edge as the long-term average a gambling site expects to win when you play casino games. For instance, say the edge on the roulette wheel is 2.7%. For every $100 a player wagers on a roulette spin, they can expect to lose $2.70. The higher the house edge, the worse the odds are for the player. You can still win more than your wager, but in the long term, the casino will get 2.7% back in profit from all bets placed on the particular game.
Luckily, you can use the RTP to your advantage. The house edge is not always fixed. Some online slots and table games have a variable house edge or RTP because the house edge can change depending on how you play. You can further reduce the house edge for games like online blackjack by using the best strategies.
Is the casino house edge fair?
The casino’s edge is not a way to rig games but a way to stay profitable while giving players a fair chance to win. Both online and offline gambling games use random number generators (RNGs) to ensure game outcomes are completely random. The RNGs and games are regularly audited by third parties to ensure fairness at all times. Always play at a fully licensed online casino so you can rest assured all the games you play are fair.
RTP vs. the house edge
If you play online slot machines, you’ll have seen the term RTP used instead of the house edge. The house edge and the RTP are essentially opposite sides of the same coin. While the house edge looks at how much the casino will profit, the RTP calculates the amount players can expect to win back in the long term. To calculate the house edge from an RTP percentage, use the following basic formula.
RTP = 100% – House Edge
With online casino table games, if the house edge is 5%, then the RTP would be 95%.
Top casino games with the best odds of winning
Any time you play to win at a casino, the house edge matters. It should be the first thing you look at before playing a casino game. Fortunately, we’ve compiled a list of 10 casino games with the best odds in the house.
1. Cash or Crash
House edge from 0.4%
Cash or Crash, one of Evolution’s live dealer casino games, offers an incredible RTP of 99.6%. The game takes place on a powerful airship, with a large sphere filled with three different-colored balls in the center of the blimp. A conductor directs you through all the action, making the game very beginner-friendly.
The game has 28 balls in total: 19 green, eight red and one gold. If you get a green ball, you gain a level on the paytable and boost your potential earnings. You’ll also see the airship rise above the city, giving you an even better view of the world around you. However, if you land a red ball, it’s game over unless you’ve previously landed a gold ball. The gold ball not only boosts your earnings but acts as a shield to protect you from the red balls.
The great thing about this live dealer game is that you have a strong chance of winning early in the game, as there are more green balls than red. Conservative players who are okay with smaller wins can easily walk away with the initial small prizes. If you’re interested in bigger wins, you’ll have to take ever-increasing risks. Each time a green ball is selected, your chances of choosing a red ball go up.
2. Blackjack
House edge from 0.72%
Blackjack, also known as 21, is undoubtedly one of the most popular classic skilled gambling games. It’s also famous for having the lowest house edges in most casinos, so it had to be on our list.
With a dealer there to prompt you to bet and deal cards, blackjack is easy to follow. Getting a blackjack (where the cards in your hand add up to 21) pays 3:2, while insurance pays 2:1 and beating the dealer without a blackjack wins 1:1. The payouts for this card game are usually the same at land-based and online gambling sites. Playing the game using a basic strategy or taking the time to develop your blackjack skills can further lower the house edge of this game.
The most popular blackjack variations include Classic, Atlantic City, European Blackjack and Spanish 21. You can play these and many other versions at online casinos.
3. Baccarat
House edge from 1.06%
Baccarat was not only James Bond’s first casino game of choice, but it also falls under the category of classic gambling games. This card game is a worldwide favorite and has many exciting variations like Mini, Baccarat Banque, Punto Banco and Chemin de Fer.
In this game, the banker’s hand usually has more of an advantage. However, the house charges a 5% commission on all winnings for this hand. The banker’s hand pays 0.95:1, while the payout for the player’s hand is 1:1 and 8:1 for the tie. This timeless game is easy to join once you understand the different bets and payouts.
The house edge for the banker is a mere 1.06% and 1.24% for the player’s hand. Choose your casino wisely – the average house advantage can be more than 14% at some gambling sites.
4. Roulette
House edge from 1.35%
Roulette is one of the oldest casino table games. The most popular forms of the game are American, European and French roulette. All these variations feature incredible odds for players. Let’s take a look at them one by one.
French roulette
House edge 1.35%
This version features the lowest odds in the roulette casino game category. French roulette differs from other roulette variations due to its unique table layout. This game has two special rules that make it very exciting to play. If the ball lands on zero after the player has placed an even-number bet, it pays the player half their wager. This first special rule is known as “la partage.”
If the second special rule, “en prison,” is in effect, the wager will remain available for the next spin when the ball lands on zero. If this results in a win, players will collect their original wager and avoid a loss. The game’s chance bets set it apart from other roulette variants.
European roulette
House edge 2.63%
European roulette also features a single-zero wheel. The house edge in this variation is twice as low compared to American roulette, which features double zeros. It plays like French roulette, but without the additional rules that lower the house edge. However, you’re more likely to come across European than French roulette in many casinos, as it is far more widespread.
American roulette
House edge 5.26%
American roulette is the most played version despite its higher house edge. What makes this variant different from the rest is the number of pockets available on the wheel. American roulette has 38 compartments, while the two other versions have 37 (1 to 36 and 0.)
The additional pocket is marked with double zeros (“00”,) which decreases the chances of success because the number of winning outcomes becomes one lower than the number of losing outcomes.
The American version still offers decent odds compared to other casino games. All 38 numbers on the wheel are equally arranged. This means the ball has an equal opportunity to settle in any of the compartments.
5. Craps
House edge from 1.4%
When it comes to casino odds, craps has mixed reviews. Once you understand how craps odds bets work, you’ll see why craps odds can be confusing. Some bets take multiple dice throws, making it very tricky to determine the winning and losing probability for the game as a whole. Some craps wagers have a steep house edge, while others have great odds for the player.
The two dice have 36 total combinations. Hitting a 7 has the highest probability of 16.67%. The chances of throwing a 6 or 8 have 13.9% and the 12 has the lowest with a 2.78% probability.
Learning how to play craps at a casino involves knowing how likely certain numbers are to come up and understanding the difference between single-roll bets and multi-roll bets. Some single-roll bets offer a low house edge of 5.56%, while some multi-roll bets offer an incredible house edge of 0.00%! So even though it may take some effort to learn all the intricacies of this casino game, it may be well worth your time in the long run.
6. Casino War
House edge from 2.42%
Casino War is one of the least-played casino games. In this very fast-paced game, punters either wager on the game ending in a tie or on which card will be higher between the player and the banker. Casino war is played with a standard 52-card deck and requires no skill to play. The payout for a tie is usually a high 10:1, but this may vary depending on the deck used for the game. The banker and player hands each have 46.3% chance of winning. The house edge can vary depending on the number of decks in play and the rules used by the casino.
7. Pai gow poker
House edge from 2.5%
Pai gow poker is a popular online poker game derived from the Chinese domino game of the same name. The game uses a standard deck of cards instead of dominos in online casinos. It’s one of the best gambling games with the most favorable odds for players. The best part is it still follows the standard hand rankings for poker, except that the second-strongest hand in the game is the wheel, which consists of an ace, 2, 3, 4 and 5.
8. Sic bo
House edge from 2.78%
Sic bo is an exciting casino dice game where players bet on the outcome of a roll of three dice. They place bets on a specific part of the table, after which the dealer will place three dice in a small sealed chest. The dealer then shakes the chest and reveals the resulting dice combination.
The house advantage in this game is pretty great for most bets. The big and small bets offer a house edge of 2.78%. Other bets, like the single dice bet and the three dice total, range between 7.9% and 19%. Specific doubles or triples bets are much riskier. These bets come with massive house edges ranging from 29.2%, all the way up to 47.2%. Before you play, do your homework and proceed with caution!
9. Slot machines
House edge from 4–8%
Slots are the most played casino games and the easiest to play. Still, it’s better to choose casino slot games with a higher probability of winning to reduce the house edge. You can do this by checking the RTP.
The higher the RTP, the better. Another factor worth considering when calculating your odds of winning is volatility. High volatility means the game will pay out less frequently, but the prize amount will be more significant. Slot games with low volatility pay out more frequently, but the wins are smaller.
Our favorite high RTP slot is Microgaming’s Immortal Romance slot. This immersive title offers an incredible RTP of 96.80%, which translates to a house edge of 3.2%. Try it on the Borgata Online website.
10. Keno
House edge from 16%
Keno is a popular lottery-style game that comes second to bingo in the popularity stakes. The game works like a game of chance, just like the lottery. Because the outcome is completely random, the 16% house edge makes sense. If you’re interested in bingo or a lottery-style game, be sure to check out this game of chance because it’s great fun to play! To make the most of this luck-based game, play it in a trusted online casino with standard rules and fair practices like Borgata Online.
Navigating the give and take of casino odds
A low house edge might increase your chances of winning, but it doesn’t guarantee a win. Although games with the lowest house edges offer better value for your money, the ones with the highest casino odds usually pay out the most. A great strategy and solid bankroll management give you the freedom to play games with different levels of risk.
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