When selecting games at an online casino, it’s natural to seek those with the most favorable odds of winning.
Casino game odds refer to the likelihood of winning and the payouts awarded upon winning. Let’s delve into how these odds function and their implications for your potential profits.
Which casino games offer the best odds of winning?
One crucial factor to consider is a game’s Return to Player (RTP) rate, representing the percentage of wagers that should be returned to players as winnings over time.
For instance, if a blackjack game boasts a 99% RTP, it implies that, on average, 99 cents of every dollar wagered will be paid out as winnings. While individual outcomes may vary, the game’s overall performance should align with its stated RTP.
Here’s a breakdown of the RTP for common casino games:
- Video poker: 98% to 100.05%
- Blackjack: 98% to 99.57%
- Baccarat: 98.76% to 98.94%
- Slot machines: 85% to 99%
- Craps: 83.3% to 100%
- Ultimate Texas Hold’em: 97.8%
- European roulette: 97.3%
- Pai Gow Poker: 97.16%
Another crucial consideration is the house edge, which represents the casino’s expected profit from a game. It’s essentially the inverse of RTP, indicating the percentage of wagers that the casino anticipates retaining.
Let’s delve into the house edge for each game:
- Video poker: The house edge ranges from -0.05% to 2%. Deuces Wild can even yield a negative house edge, but achieving this requires flawless strategy execution.
- Blackjack: House edge varies from 0.43% to 2%, contingent on factors like the number of decks, rules, and player strategy. Single Deck Blackjack typically offers the lowest house edge.
- Baccarat: House edge hovers between 1.06% to 1.24%, depending on whether you bet on the banker or player. However, banker bets incur a commission, albeit with a lower house edge.
- Slots: The house edge on slots spans from 1% to 15%, determined by the specific slot machine.
- Craps: With numerous betting options, house edge on craps wagers ranges from 0% for pass line bets to almost 17% for betting on seven (big red).
- Ultimate Texas Hold’em: The house edge is 2.20%, provided you employ optimal strategy.
- European roulette: Featuring just one zero pocket, European roulette boasts a 2.70% house edge. In contrast, American roulette, with its double-zero pocket, carries a 5.26% house edge.
- Pai Gow Poker: The house edge stands at 2.84%, but achieving it requires consistent optimal hand-setting strategy.
How to Enhance Your Casino Odds
Video Poker
Video poker presents favorable odds if you employ the correct strategy. Optimal card-holding decisions after the initial draw significantly boost your chances of winning. Strategy charts are readily available to guide you through optimal play.
Blackjack
Choose blackjack variants with fewer decks and player-friendly rules to improve your odds. Favorable rules include the ability to double down on any two cards, the dealer standing on Soft 17, and blackjack paying 3:2. Your decisions, such as standing, hitting, doubling down, or splitting pairs, influence your odds. Utilize blackjack strategy charts for optimal decision-making.
Baccarat
For improved odds, bet on the banker spot in baccarat. Although a commission is charged on banker wins, it’s a small price for better odds. Since drawing cards follows house rules, your only decision is to capitalize on the enhanced odds offered by the banker spot or opt for slightly reduced odds on the player spot.
Slots
To boost your winning chances in slots, select games with high Return to Player (RTP) percentages. Additionally, consider betting the maximum amount, as many slots offer better odds for higher bets.
Craps
For the best odds in craps, focus on pass line and don’t pass bets. These bets, along with additional bets placed behind them after the point is established, carry no house edge, providing you with favorable odds.
Ultimate Texas Hold’em
Improving your winning chances in Ultimate Texas Hold’em involves making informed decisions. Knowing when to hold, fold, and bet based on your hand strength is crucial. Fortunately, strategy charts specific to Ultimate Texas Hold’em are accessible, providing valuable guidance.
European Roulette
To increase your likelihood of winning in European roulette, focus on outside bets such as large number combinations, odd/even, and red/black. These bets have the lowest house edge on the table and offer nearly a 50% probability of winning.
Identifying Casino Games with Worst Odds:
Certain bets and games should be avoided altogether if you prioritize favorable odds and minimizing the house edge.
- Triple Zero Roulette: Featuring three zero pockets, Triple Zero Roulette carries a hefty house edge of 7.69%, with an RTP of 92.31% and a winning chance of 42.31%. Opt for European or American roulette variants whenever possible to avoid this unfavorable option.
- Keno: Known for its high house edge ranging from 25% to 30%, keno offers poor odds and minimal chances of winning, making it an unappealing choice for most players.
- Money Wheel/Dream Catcher: While wheel spin games like Money Wheel or Dream Catcher are straightforward to play, they often come with a substantial house edge of up to 16%. Consider exploring alternative bets within the casino for better odds.
- Low RTP Slots: Slots typically boast an RTP between 95% and 99%, but those with an RTP below 90% should be avoided, unless there’s a significant jackpot at stake. Choosing slots with higher RTP values maximizes your chances of winning in the long run.
Understanding the Casino House Advantage
The casino house advantage, also known as the house edge, represents the built-in advantage that the casino holds over players in a game. It quantifies the expected profit for the casino from that particular game. Essentially, it indicates the percentage of all the money wagered by players that the casino anticipates retaining as profit over time.
It’s essential to recognize that the house edge manifests over the long term. While individual players may experience fluctuations in their wins or losses in the short run, the cumulative effect of the house edge ensures that the casino consistently generates profits from the game in the end.
Where to Play the Best Online Casino Games
If you’re in Alabama, you won’t find state-licensed online casinos offering the low house-edge games mentioned here. To enjoy such games, you may need to visit states like New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Michigan, or West Virginia.
However, there’s a local alternative available. You can access online casino games at sweeps and social casinos that adhere to Alabama’s sweepstakes laws. These platforms provide premium currency for gameplay, which you can later exchange for cash prizes and gift cards. It’s an optimal gaming option where state-licensed online casinos are unavailable.
Even better, you can participate for free and still have the chance to redeem cash prizes and gift cards. Sweepstakes and social casinos offer the necessary premium currency through signup bonuses, free-play currency purchases, contest promotions, and mail-in requests.
