When faced with a game catalog as expansive as the one at Borgata Onlne, it can be a daunting task for someone unfamiliar with online casino games to choose one that suits them and their play style. Whether you’re attracted to the exhilaration and unpredictability of random number generator (RNG) games or the strategy-based gambling of poker and blackjack, online casinos offer something for everyone. However, not all casino games are as easy to win as others. So, when you’re looking for something to play, do you go for the game you love or the casino games with the best odds?
The choice for many punters is to play casino games that they like and hope for some wins along the way, but for more serious gamblers, the point is to chase the best odds for a win. Take a look at a trio of the most popular online casino table games — namely craps, blackjack, and baccarat — and determine which of these offers you the best odds.
What Are the Odds in Craps?
At first glance, the craps casino game can seem a lot more complicated than it actually is, which deters some players. However, once you know how to play, the craps table offers you one of the most exciting (and potentially rewarding) experiences of any casino game, both online and in-person. Online craps might not be the most popular casino game to play online, but it’s a great choice if you’re looking to test how lucky you are or just enjoy casino dice games.
Now, if you’re looking for the best odds at the online craps table, then the pass line bet is your go-to. The pass line bet is straightforward. You’re betting that the shooter will roll a point (a number other than 2, 3, 7, 11, or 12) before rolling a 7. Once a point is established, you continue rolling until either the point is rolled again (you win) or a 7 is rolled (you lose).
The house edge on the pass line is just 1.4%, meaning you’ll lose about a penny on average for every dollar you spend on the game. This isn’t bad, considering you can fire the dice with just the click of a button, so get ready for some rapid-fire betting (within your available budget, of course). If luck’s in your favor, and you’re increasing your bet incrementally as you win, then you could extend your bankroll quite a bit while you play.
Another approach, though it can be met with some dirty looks, is to play the “don’t pass line.” This wager allows you to win when the shooter 7s out before establishing a point. Now, the odds are even better here than on the pass line (the house edge is a measly 1.36%), but remember that everyone else at the table is likely going to be playing the pass line, and if you win on the don’t pass line, then everyone else loses. (So, celebrate quietly to yourself if you do win because nobody else will be.)
While pass and don’t pass bets are some of the best craps bets you can make, these bets do have a small house edge, which means the casino has a slight advantage over time. However, did you know that there is a craps side bet that has no house edge?
After a point is established (which is a number set by the first roll of the dice that is not a 7 or 11 win or a 2, 3, or 12 loss), you can make what’s called an “odds” bet. This bet is unique because it pays at the true odds of rolling the point again before you roll a 7, meaning that there is no house edge.
How exactly does that work? In casino games, the term “house edge” refers to the casino’s mathematical advantage over the players over time. It’s expressed as a percentage representing the average gross profit the casino can reliably expect to make from each game.
The odds bet in craps is an exception to this because it pays out at true odds. This means that the payouts are exactly proportional to your chances of winning. For example, if there’s a 2:1 chance of rolling a certain number, the payout is also 2:1 (or +200 in moneyline format). So, when you place an odds side bet, you’re getting a fair game where your chance of winning is exactly balanced by the amount you get if you do win. So, when you place an odds bet in addition to your pass or don’t pass bet (when allowed), you can effectively make a portion of your total stake free of any house edge.
Online Baccarat Odds
Online baccarat is a game that’s easy to understand, boasts solid betting odds for players, and is incredibly popular at both online and brick-and-mortar casinos. The rules are simple — you bet on the player or the banker, both sides draw cards from a deck, and whoever ends up with a hand closer to 9 is the winner.
Baccarat has some of the best casino game odds. In fact, one of the main factors that attract players to the game of baccarat is the low house edge on the two main bets. The house edge on standard online baccarat tables is only:
- 1.06% for banker bets
- 1.24% for player bets
Overall, baccarat odds are pretty modest compared to most other games, which is great for you if you’re playing at tables with decent stakes. Keep in mind, however, that the tie bet in baccarat carries a higher 14.4% house edge, so it’s advisable to avoid wagering on ties unless you’re feeling exceptionally lucky.
Now, baccarat casino games have higher betting limits than other casino table games, but don’t let that deter you from playing them. Players can sometimes be scared off by a $50 minimum bet at a table, particularly those who don’t have enormous bankrolls backing them. But think about it like this: It’s better to play at a high-stakes table where the odds are good for a win than to play at a low-stakes game where the odds of winning are almost non-existent.
What separates baccarat is the opportunity to win decent payouts at relatively low risk compared to other table games. With a 50/50 chance of winning player or banker bets, along with that low 1.06% to 1.24% house edge, skilled baccarat players can stretch their bankrolls surprisingly far when implementing proper betting strategies and bankroll management. So, while minimum stakes may seem high, baccarat’s simple rules and player-friendly odds more than justify giving it a try.
Online Blackjack Odds
Of the casino table games covered here, online blackjack is the most popular by far. It offers the best odds, but it’s also going to take the most work compared to craps and baccarat because of the strategic effort needed to play it. So, if you were planning on having some mindless fun, you’re better off deciding between the other two for the best odds with the least amount of cerebral input. However, if you’re willing to put in the work, online blackjack presents an incredibly rewarding opportunity.
When referring to online blackjack having the best odds, it typically means a house edge in the ballpark of 0.5%. This means that for every $100 you wager, you’ll only lose an average of $0.50 over the long run — an impressively small house advantage. But note that this depends on the table you’re sitting at and the amount of work you’re willing to put into studying (or whether you play with a cheat sheet next to you).
That minuscule 0.5% house edge is only achievable if you play with perfect basic strategy across every possible hand situation. Even slight deviations from the mathematically optimal plays will increase the house advantage against you. While a 0.5% edge is theoretically possible, it takes dedication to learn and apply that level of optimal play without mistakes. You’ll need to know precisely when to hit, stand, double, split pairs, and take insurance based on every possible combination of your hand versus the dealer’s upcard.
For example:
- Do you hit or stand on 12 against a dealer’s 2? (Hit)
- When do you split 4s? (Only when the dealer’s upcard is a 5 or 6)
- Do you always split 8s? (Yes)
Keep in mind that specific table rules and the number of decks used can also impact the house edge. For example, player-friendly rules like allowing re-splitting aces, late surrenders, and fewer decks in the shoe swing the odds more in your favor as the player. Unfavorable rules that benefit the house, like no doubling after splitting pairs or dealer hits soft 17, will increase that sub-1% edge.
Most casual online blackjack players won’t play to that elite 0.5% level. A more reasonable expectation may be a house edge around 1% by following a decent basic strategy and choosing a game with good rules. This is still an excellent player advantage compared to other casino games.
Beat the Odds at Borgata Online
Now that you’re armed with a little knowledge of what casino games have the best odds, why not put your knowledge to the test at the tables at Borgata Online? This online casino features some of the best table games available and live dealer games that put you face-to-face with the dealer in real time for the best online casino experience. Register with Borgata Online, exclusively available to players in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, to gain access to some of the most exciting and fun casino table games with the best odds around.