Which casino game has the best odds reddit
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You may not have perfected the art of card counting at MIT but blackjack is still one of the best bets you can make at a casino. When you walk through the doors of a casino, you do so knowing your net worth is probably going to be lower by the time you emerge back into the blinding sunlight, but at least you can get a few free drinks for your troubles.
Which casino games have the best (and worst) odds?
Of all the ways to lose money in life, gambling is probably the most enjoyable (at least up to a certain point).
When you walk through the doors of a casino, you do so knowing your net worth is probably going to be lower by the time you emerge back into the blinding sunlight, but at least you can get a few free drinks for your troubles.
However, if you want to maximize the number of watered down adult beverages you receive while gambling, it’s important to know which games to play in order to ensure you don’t burn through your funds any quicker than necessary.
In order to do that, you need the answer to one simple question: which casino games have the best odds?
Here’s everything you need to know.
Games of chance vs. Games of skill
Casino games are a lot like cryptocurrencies: you have plenty of options when it comes to taking a risk with your money but there are certain ways to gain an edge if you actually know what you’re doing.
If you don’t want to rely on a computer algorithm, a rolling ball, or a random person tumbling dice, there are a few other places where you might feel right at home.
For the purpose of this article, I’m going to assume you aren’t rain man or someone who enjoys the adrenaline rush that comes with knowing you could be hauled into a backroom at any minute if you get caught counting cards.
If either of those labels apply to you, then I doubt you need much advice in the first place.
Which games have the worst odds?
Before we address the best casino games to win money we should also examine the ones that rip you off the most.
Odds can vary from casino to casino and many of them actually have guides that can tell you which games will give you the best return on your investment. However, they’re a bit less likely to advertise which games are designed to screw you over more than others.
I’m more than happy to take on that burden.
I know it can be tough to resist the urge of the flashing lights and the alluring gaze of carrie bradshaw radiating from the sex and the city slot machine but you’re doing yourself a severe disservice if you don’t have the self-control required to not sit down.
Slot machines are great because you can sit there for hours on end while establishing a camaraderie with the person bringing you drinks, which the casino is more than happy to provide you with because you’re basically printing money for them.
Odds vary from machine to machine, but one analysis says the house edge can be upwards of 15%. That number will shrink as you play machines with larger betting amounts, but if you’re a penny slots diehard, you might want to rethink your fandom.
2. The wheel of fortune
There’s a pretty small chance you’re ever going to find yourself standing next to pat sajak on a set in los angeles, so for most people, this game is the closest they’ll ever get to actually playing wheel of fortune.
However, unlike actual wheel of fortune contestants, you don’t get to walk away with a food dehydrator or a new set of flatware if you lose— and there’s a very good chance you’re going to.
If you’re brave enough to bet on higher amounts, you should do so knowing the casino has up to a 25% house edge. You’ll honestly probably have better luck if you just audition for the show.
I’m not sure why anyone would play keno at a casino when you can just go to a sketchy bar or a bowling alley— not to mention that it’s just an objectively boring (and entirely random) game.
You can spice things up a bit if you want to play glorified bingo surrounded by AARP members instead of staring at a screen but you’re not doing yourself any favors either way. Opting for the former comes with a house advantage of up to 16% but that number can balloon to 30% when it comes to the virtual version.
Thankfully, there are more than a few other games you can hit up for the best odds in the casino.
Which casino games have the best odds?
When you consider roulette gives players the chance to basically bet on a coin flip, you’d think it would be one of the best games on the casino floor.
However, the inclusion of the green 0 and 00 actually gives the house a bigger advantage than you’d think. Unlike some other games, the odds never change, which means a casino will statistically have a 5.26% house edge.
There are a variety of different betting strategies that can theoretically increase your odds but there’s still a very good chance you’ll end up losing money in the long run even if you use them.
There are a million different ways to bet on craps but if you’re new to the game you’re probably just going to want to bet on the pass line and yell “seven!” a lot.
If you choose to adopt that strategy then the casino is looking at a house edge of 1.41%. Sadly, there’s no solid data on whether or not blowing on the dice before a roll impacts that number.
2. Blackjack
You may not have perfected the art of card counting at MIT but blackjack is still one of the best bets you can make at a casino.
Even if you’ve never played a single game of blackjack in your life you still have a pretty good chance of coming away with a winning hand as long as you know how to do simple addition.
If you did, in fact, go to elementary school, the house only has a .5% edge whenever the cards are dealt.
1. Video poker
Sure, video poker might not be as exciting as facing off against a guy rocking sunglasses inside with a pair of beats over a pulled-up hoodie, but at least you don’t have to deal with the blow to your psyche if you end up losing to him.
If you can track down a jacks or better machine, you’re in a position to rake in more money than anywhere else in the casino.
Technically speaking, an inexperienced video poker player has the same shot at winning as a blackjack player does but there are a number of proven strategies that (if applied correctly) result in the house only having an advantage of .46%.
However, an expert at deuces or wild can theoretically gain a .7% edge on the casino, so if you happen to have some time on your hands, you might want to start studying up.
List of casino games with best odds
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Our top 10 casino games with the highest payouts
Hitting a jackpot can change your life, and the best way to do it is play casino games with best odds. Most people think of winning a casino game is purely a matter of luck. However, a casino game’s outcome is a purely based on statistics and probability.
You will have a better chance of winning any game that has a lower house edge, and therefore better odds, than one with a high house edge. It is with that in mind that we decided to review casino games with best odds. Read on to find which games give you a better chance of winning a golden jackpot.
So, what casino games offer the best odds?
1) blackjack – house edge from 1%
To many gamblers, blackjack is the best game to play at casino to win money, especially if you apply a basic winning blackjack strategy. This table game has a house edge, or advantage, of an average 1%, which gives the player a winning advantage of 99%. Without a strategy, an average player will face a house edge of 2% to 3%.
When using the basic playing strategy below, you must not alter based on any hunch that you have concerning the game’s outcome.
The only exception is if you are counting the cards. IBM’s julian braun was the first to put the basic strategy of card counting to test using computer simulations. This blackjack strategy predicts a particular outcome after millions of hand play.
Your hand versus dealer’s up-card | |
8 | double on 5 to 6, else hit. |
9 | double on 2 to 6, else hit. |
10 | double on 2 to 9, else hit. |
11 | double. |
12 | stand on 4 to 6, else hit. |
13 to 16 | stand on 2 to 6, else hit. |
17 to 21 | stand. |
A, 2 to A, 5 | double on 4 to 6, else hit. |
A, 6 | double on 2 to 6, else hit. |
A, 7 | stand on 2, 7, 8, or A, and double on 3 to 6, but hit on 9 or 10. |
A, 8 | double on 6, else, stand. |
A, 9 | stand. |
A, A | split. |
2, 2 | split on 3 to 7, else hit. |
3, 3 | split on 4 to 7, else hit. |
4,4 | double on 5 to 6, else hit. |
5, 5 | double on 2 to 9, else hit. |
6, 6 | split on 2 to 6, else hit. |
7, 7 | split on 2 to 7, stand on 10, else hit. |
8, 8 | split. |
9, 9 | split on 2 to 9, but for 7, 10, or A, stand. |
10, 10 | stand. |
Blackjack is by far the most commonly played games among the high rollers and VIP casino players, due to what can be achieved with a basic strategy. Overall, blackjack is the best casino game to win money if you feel you have mastered some basic gaming skills.
Get an edge at the casino by knowing which games have the best odds
The best and worst casino games to play if you want to win
Image (c) michael blann / getty images
Some people go to a casino to have fun, and only want to play the games they like the most. But if you want to improve your chances of walking away with more money than you went in with, you need an edge. Before you sit down at a table, know which casino games have the best odds so that you can spend your money wisely.
Before you start, know that none of the casino games have good odds for players. There's a reason for the phrase, "the house always wins." every casino game is designed to give the house a better chance of winning, but some of them are more tilted than others.
The three best casino games to play
If you walk into a casino and can't remember the details of this article, keep one thing in mind: you have the best odds of winning at a table game. They may be more intimidating than slots, but they usually work out better for the players.
Here are the three best casino games to play if you want decent odds of winning money:
Blackjack's odds of winning: 49%
Blackjack is a simple card game with an element of skill to it. The odds of winning aren't too bad. You play against the dealer; more people can play at one time, but each is only trying to beat the dealer, not each other. The person whose hand comes closest to 21 without going over (which is called a "bust") wins.
Winning blackjack takes luck and a relatively small amount of skill. The dealer relies as much on luck as the players do, so the odds of winning are pretty even. In most casinos, the advantage to the dealer is about one percent.
If you want to brush up on your blackjack skills, check out these blackjack tips for beginners from business insider.
Craps' odds of winning: nearly 50 percent
Craps is a table game played with dice. One person is the "shooter," who rolls the dice, and the other players make wagers on the results of that roll.
On the first roll, called "coming out," the shooter wins on a seven or an eleven. If the shooter rolls any other number, that number is now the "point." the shooter needs to hit the point before he rolls a seven to win.
The simplest bet to make is: will the shooter win or lose on his roll? You can also place other bets. For example, you can bet that the shooter will hit another number before he rolls a seven.
If you make a "pass line" wager to bet whether or not the shooter will win, your odds are approximately 50/50. If you make more specific bets, your odds of winning drop but your payouts rise.
You can read more about craps strategies and rules in pokernews.Com's craps for dummies guide.
Roulette's odds of winning: nearly 50%
Roulette is a wheel with 38 numbers on it. The numbers 1 - 36 are either red or black and the number 0 (and in american casinos, also 00) in green. The croupier, as a roulette dealer is called, spins the wheel and the ball falls on one of the numbers.
There are several ways to place roulette bets. The simplest is to bet on whether the ball will fall on a red or black piece, which has odds of almost 50/50 ("almost" because of the one or two green tiles at 0 and 00).
You can increase the payout — but lower your odds — by betting on specific numbers or ranges of numbers (like "1 to 12" or "1 to 18").
If you'd like to learn more, check out the best and worst roulette strategies from roulettephysics.Com.
Note that the three games with the best odds of winning still have odds that mean that you'll win less than half the time. That means to walk away with more money than you started with, you need a good amount of luck.
The two casino games with the worst odds of winning
The two casino games that are hardest to win also happen to be two of the most popular games to play. They're easy to understand and require little to no skill, so a lot of people play, making lots of money for the casinos.
Now, there's nothing wrong with playing these games if you enjoy them. After all, you went to a casino to have fun, right? But keep in mind that the chances are high that you'll lose the money you play with.
Big six wheel/wheel of fortune: odds of winning: 26% - 39%
When you play the big six wheel, you bet on whether the wheel will stop on a segment labeled $1, $5, $10, $20, or a joker. The segment that the wheel stops on is the amount you'll receive if you win.
Placing a $1 bet has the best odds of winning, with only an 11 percent edge for the house, but also the worst payout. The joker offers a 36x payout but has a 24 percent edge for the house.
Slots: odds of winning around 1 in 49,836,032
You play slots by putting money into a slot machine and pulling a lever or pushing a button to spin a wheel. Depending on where the wheel lands, you win or lose.
Slot machines have various odds of winning, and the odds are printed on each machine. Be sure to read them before you select a machine to play.
Generally, the more money you need to spend to play, the better your odds of winning are. You may also have better odds of winning smaller payouts than a jackpot prize.
If you want more tips, check out this strategy for winning at slots.
The wildcard — odds are hard to calculate
There is one casino game where the odds are wildly variable because skill plays as large a part in winning as luck does:
Poker: odds vary dramatically
Poker is a game where you have more control over whether you'll win or not. Luck plays a role, since you receive random cards, but how you play those cards does a lot to determine whether you win or not.
Obviously, playing poker at a casino is a very different beast than playing at home with your friends. You will be up against other players who may be total beginners or vicious sharks.
If you want to win money playing poker at a casino, make sure your skills are good before you start. Then find a table that meets your budget and skill level.
Upswingpoker.Com recommends playing at night, when there may be more recreational players and when the drinks have been flowing for a while.
Conclusion
These tips will help you make informed bets at a casino, but remember that the house always has the advantage. The more often you bet, the higher your chances of losing are.
There's a difference between not winning and being a loser. You can enjoy a casino and accept that it will cost you some money to be there. After all, you'll spend money if you go to an amusement park, too.
But be sure to walk into the casino with a firm budget of how much money you are willing to lose, and never let yourself cross that boundary.
Furthermore, be aware of the warning signs of gambling addiction and know how to get help, if necessary.
Before you go gambling: the best and worst casino game odds
Many people will be visiting a casino this summer, whether on a trip to vegas, on a cruise ship, or just at a local casino during a "staycation."
But before you go, you may want to know which games give you the best chance of winning.
So we went behind the scene at two casinos, and spoke with the game managers, to find out which games give you an edge.
Table games your best bet
Jay bean, a caesar's floor manager, agreed to sit down with us and talk about the games with the best odds.
He said many people don't realize that table games have much better odds than slots. They are intimidated by thoughts of card sharks taking their money, with images of an intense texas hold 'em tournament in their minds, and so they stick with the safe games: the slots.
But they are doing themselves a disservice, he said.
Bean's advice? After you've spent some time on the slot machines, move on to the blackjack table, and start by just observing.
Blackjack has the best odds of winning, with a house edge of just 1 percent in most casinos, bean said.
Plus, you are playing against only the dealer, not hooded poker champions.
"blackjack is one of our easiest games to play," bean said. "you're just looking for a number that beats the dealer's number without going over 21."
If you're a novice, bean said to sit down during a less busy time, such as the afternoon, and the dealer will walk you through the game.
But the same is not true with poker: you should practice the game with your friends first, at home, bean said, until you are comfortable with it. Bean said novices are best off passing on the poker tables, where yes, the competition can be tough.
You can find out more information about the game of blackjack at the following link:
http://wizardofodds.Com/games/blackjack/
So from the blackjack table, he suggests moving on to the dice game craps, the game with the second best odds, also nearly 50-50.
The craps table can be a bit intimidating for the beginner with all the boxes on the table, bean admitted. But it's really not tough, and it has one of your best chances of winning. In the end, all you are really doing is betting on a dice roll.
Bean said your next stop should be the roulette wheel. It's simple, and pays fairly well.
"so you bet on your favorite numbers," bean said. "the dealer spins, and if your number comes in you win."
If you stick to betting on just reds or blacks, you have nearly a 50-50 chance of walking away a winner. If it lands on red when you choose red, you will double your bet, bean explained.
While it may seem you have an even chance of winning by simply choosing a color, there is one catch that gives the house its edge: the extra green 0 and 00 position on the wheel. It's on all american roulette wheels.
Or, if you feel lucky, play just one number. It's hard to win, but if you do it pays out 36 to 1.
Your worst odds? The casinos, understandably, did not want to talk about games with poor odds.
So we turned to forbes magazine, which in a report about best bets at the casino, said two popular games -- the wheel of fortune and the ever-popular slot machines -- have the lowest odds of winning, with a house edge of 10 percent or more.
Professor of analytics michael magazine has crunched the numbers, and agreed that blackjack is the best way to go home with money in your pockets. He said if you take a little time to learn the game, you have the best odds of winning.
"you are somewhere between 44 percent to 48 percent in every single hand of winning," he said, noting that no other casino game gives you odds that good.
But magazine cautioned that he's not promoting gambling, because he said even games with the best odds still favor the house.
"play it long enough and you will lose. In the long term the house doesn't lose," magazine said.
Finally, if you really enjoy playing the slots, here is some good information to know, from state casino reports we examined.
With slots, the more money you put in per bet, the higher your chance of winning. If you put the max in a penny machine, which is usually around 50 cents, you have much better odds than if you put in 2 cents.
In addition, penny slots have the lowest odds, with $1 and $5 slots paying much better.
Always gamble responsibly, and don't waste your money.
__________________________
You can learn more about specific odds of slots machines in each state that has casino gambling by visiting the american casino guide.
Don't waste your money is a registered trademark of the EW scripps co.
Gambling in vegas? The games with the best (and worst) odds
Roulette wheel | photo by christopher furlong/getty images
Spending a weekend gambling in vegas may be fun, though you’ll probably have an even better time if you win big at the tables. If you’re hoping to beat the odds at the casino, the game you choose to play matters. You’re more likely to come home a little bit richer if you sit down at the blackjack table rather than settling in with the gray-haired set at the slots.
It all comes down to math. Amateur gamblers may hope luck is on their side when they walk through the doors of the bellagio or caesars palace, but what they really need to think about are the odds of winning at different games. While the house always has an edge, it’s much bigger in some situations than in others. That’s why you never see smart gamblers wasting their time playing keno or wheel of fortune – games where you’re almost guaranteed to lose money.
Casino games with the best odds
Savvy gamblers are going to cluster around the blackjack tables, where the casino’s edge is usually between 0.5% to 1%, though the number varies depending on the number of decks and other rule variations. You can calculate the house edge on a particular game of blackjack using the wizard of odds online calculator. Those numbers also assume you’re playing with what’s known as basic strategy, or making the best possible decision based on the cards you’ve been dealt. For the average player who’s going to make some mistakes, the house’s edge increases to 2%, according to the university of nevada’s center for gaming research.
Blackjack table | photo by christopher furlong/getty images
“blackjack is one of our easiest games to play,” jay bean, a floor manager at caesar’s, told cleveland’s newsnet5. “you’re just looking for a number that beats the dealer’s number without going over 21.”
“you are somewhere between 44% to 48% in every single hand of winning,” michael magazine, a professor of analytics at the university of cincinnati, said of blackjack.
After blackjack, the games with the best odds are baccarat and craps. In baccarat, which is a game of chance rather than skill, the odds are close to 50/50, though your chances are slightly better if you bet on the banker rather than the player. At the craps table, the house edge on a pass line bet is 1.4%.
Roulette is one of the easiest casino games to play, and the odds are also fairly good. If you only bet on red or black or evens or odds (as opposed to a specific number) the house edge is 5.26%, assuming you’re playing in an american casino with double zeros on the wheel. Your odds of winning are better in a european casino with a single-zero wheel.
Video poker is another game with fairly good odds for players. “for video poker the statistical advantage varies depending on the particular machine, but generally this game can be very player friendly — house edge less than 3% is not uncommon and some are less than 1% — if played with expert strategy,” per the center for gaming research.
Casino games with the worst odds
Slot machines | PHILIPPE LOPEZ/AFP/getty images
Slots may be less intimidating to novice gamblers than table games like blackjack, but the house is more likely to take you for a ride. Each slot machine is different, but the wizard of odds estimates the house edge for penny slots at between 6% and 15%. If you can’t resist the slots, chose a higher-denomination machine, since these tend to have a higher payout percentage than lower-denomination slots.
“the average slot machine is probably two, three times more costly to players than the table games,” bill zender, a former professional gambler, told mental floss.
Even worse than slots are “sucker games” like wheel of fortune and keno. The house advantage on keno averages 27%, according to the center for gaming. For wheel of fortune games (which also go by names like “big six” and “lucky wheel”), the house edge ranges from 11% to 24%, depending on your bet.
Whether you choose to take a chance on the wheel of fortune or are a high-roller playing baccarat, understanding how the game is played will put you ahead of most other players.
“ninety percent of the people who walk into a casino have no idea of the odds stacked against them,” zender said.
Also keep this in mind: the more you gamble, the likelier you are to lose. An analysis of online gamblers found that those who bet the least also had the highest winning percentage. But even then, the numbers weren’t great. Seventeen percent of the lightest gamblers ended up in the black over a two-year period. Only 5.4% of the heaviest gamblers came out ahead.
“[T]he average person doesn’t understand the math” of the multiplier effect, jim kilby, who has written books on casino management, told the wall street journal. “casino games are nibbling machines, and the more nibbles you have, the bigger your losses.”
Which slot machines have the best odds?
Have you ever wondered which slot machines have the best odds? If you’ve ever played at a land based or online casino before, then you probably know that there is a huge amount of machines to choose from, and this can be a bit daunting and confusing for a lot of people. Sure, some people just pick the games they are most attracted, however there are others who are in it to win it, and could really care less about the machine’s appearance or any of its other unique qualities. For those whose only objective is to win, it’s important for them to understand that there isn’t any magic winning machine out there that will guarantee wins all the time. If that were the case, everyone would be playing them, and the casinos would be out of business in a heartbeat.
Regardless if there isn’t any so called “always win machine”, there are some out there that have better odds than others. If that’s the case, which ones are they? As simple as it may sound, it’s actually quite the opposite. Keep in mind, slot machines from regulated casinos use a sophisticated software called a random number generator (or RNG). The purpose of the RNG is to make sure all the spins occur randomly. Because of this software, it’s impossible to be able to detect the outcome of each spin. Even with the RNG in place, you still get a payout percentage. In fact, in this article we’ll be discussing which slot machines have the best odds and pay the best.
Types of slot machines
Before we start discussing which slot machines have the best odds, it’s important to know what types of slot machines exist, especially since there are so many different kinds. For example, some machines feature personal jackpots, whereas others are equipped with progressive bonus rounds. Aside from the that, you also have machines with different styles, such as classic and video slots. With that said, let’s go ahead and take a look at some of the most popular machine types.
Video slots are the modern day slot machine. They are equipped with virtual reels that are powered by electronic computer technology. Many of the themes are inspired by famous television shows, movies, bands, etc.
Are the original machines that use physical reels as opposed to the virtual reels we just mentioned previously.
The most basic type of slot machine because it only uses one single payline. Nowadays it’s becoming more difficult to spot these machines, especially with the growing popularity in the video slots that offer more than one payline.
Whenever certain symbols land on specific reels, a bonus round can be triggered and they can range anywhere from free spins to games you play and receive a reward from.
- Multi-denomination
Are simply slot machines that offer a wide range of betting options. These can be anywhere from a single penny to a hundred dollars.
Machines that offer more than one payline. They typically have 30 lines, however there are some that have more.
When a percentage of your bet goes towards a jackpot each time you make a bet and spin. The jackpot continues to grow until one person is lucky enough to win. This means that there is more than one machine connected to the jackpot, and that everyone playing on them is contributing.
Which slot machines pay the best
As we discussed earlier, there are no slot machines out there that can guarantee wins, however there are some tips on how to discover which slot machines pay the best. Below are 6 tips on what you should consider when trying to find the right machine for you.
It is said that casinos like to put their tight machines that offer large payouts in a central location. The reason they like to do this is so that people will be able to spot and notice their jackpots more easily while they are walking by. True, they are very popular to play on, however they are difficult to win on.
- High denominations
Usually the chances for payouts are greater on machines where you can make higher bets, as opposed to those where the maximum bet allowance is low. For example, some penny slots have a payback percentage at about 85%, whereas you can sometimes find slots that have a higher betting denomination with a payback percentage at around 95%.
- Small jackpots
In general, the bigger a potential jackpot is, the harder it is to be able to win. That means it’s usually easier to win jackpots that have a lower value.
- Learn the paytable
First and foremost, before you start playing a machine, make sure you fully understand all the rules to the paytable. This will help you understand what the symbols represent as well as the combinations you need to have in order to win.
- Appealing slots
Find slot machines you enjoy playing on. Win or lose, it’s important to make sure you’re having fun. Keep in mind, luck has a lot do with being able to win. In that case, if you’re not having a lucky day, at least you can enjoy playing.
Perform your own research online. From there you will be able to locate some websites that are able to point out the payout percentages for various slot machines.
If you’re not into playing for real money and just like to have fun spinning the reels and experiencing big wins, then you should definitely check out all our games here at caesars casino. All our slot machines are designed for entertainment purposes only, and are all 100% free. We offer many different types and they’re all available 24/7. You can play them on the go from your ios and android device, or enjoy them from your PC. Simply register or download the application for unlimited access of fun!
Which casino games have the best (and worst) odds?
Of all the ways to lose money in life, gambling is probably the most enjoyable (at least up to a certain point).
When you walk through the doors of a casino, you do so knowing your net worth is probably going to be lower by the time you emerge back into the blinding sunlight, but at least you can get a few free drinks for your troubles.
However, if you want to maximize the number of watered down adult beverages you receive while gambling, it’s important to know which games to play in order to ensure you don’t burn through your funds any quicker than necessary.
In order to do that, you need the answer to one simple question: which casino games have the best odds?
Here’s everything you need to know.
Games of chance vs. Games of skill
Casino games are a lot like cryptocurrencies: you have plenty of options when it comes to taking a risk with your money but there are certain ways to gain an edge if you actually know what you’re doing.
If you don’t want to rely on a computer algorithm, a rolling ball, or a random person tumbling dice, there are a few other places where you might feel right at home.
For the purpose of this article, I’m going to assume you aren’t rain man or someone who enjoys the adrenaline rush that comes with knowing you could be hauled into a backroom at any minute if you get caught counting cards.
If either of those labels apply to you, then I doubt you need much advice in the first place.
Which games have the worst odds?
Before we address the best casino games to win money we should also examine the ones that rip you off the most.
Odds can vary from casino to casino and many of them actually have guides that can tell you which games will give you the best return on your investment. However, they’re a bit less likely to advertise which games are designed to screw you over more than others.
I’m more than happy to take on that burden.
I know it can be tough to resist the urge of the flashing lights and the alluring gaze of carrie bradshaw radiating from the sex and the city slot machine but you’re doing yourself a severe disservice if you don’t have the self-control required to not sit down.
Slot machines are great because you can sit there for hours on end while establishing a camaraderie with the person bringing you drinks, which the casino is more than happy to provide you with because you’re basically printing money for them.
Odds vary from machine to machine, but one analysis says the house edge can be upwards of 15%. That number will shrink as you play machines with larger betting amounts, but if you’re a penny slots diehard, you might want to rethink your fandom.
2. The wheel of fortune
There’s a pretty small chance you’re ever going to find yourself standing next to pat sajak on a set in los angeles, so for most people, this game is the closest they’ll ever get to actually playing wheel of fortune.
However, unlike actual wheel of fortune contestants, you don’t get to walk away with a food dehydrator or a new set of flatware if you lose— and there’s a very good chance you’re going to.
If you’re brave enough to bet on higher amounts, you should do so knowing the casino has up to a 25% house edge. You’ll honestly probably have better luck if you just audition for the show.
I’m not sure why anyone would play keno at a casino when you can just go to a sketchy bar or a bowling alley— not to mention that it’s just an objectively boring (and entirely random) game.
You can spice things up a bit if you want to play glorified bingo surrounded by AARP members instead of staring at a screen but you’re not doing yourself any favors either way. Opting for the former comes with a house advantage of up to 16% but that number can balloon to 30% when it comes to the virtual version.
Thankfully, there are more than a few other games you can hit up for the best odds in the casino.
Which casino games have the best odds?
When you consider roulette gives players the chance to basically bet on a coin flip, you’d think it would be one of the best games on the casino floor.
However, the inclusion of the green 0 and 00 actually gives the house a bigger advantage than you’d think. Unlike some other games, the odds never change, which means a casino will statistically have a 5.26% house edge.
There are a variety of different betting strategies that can theoretically increase your odds but there’s still a very good chance you’ll end up losing money in the long run even if you use them.
There are a million different ways to bet on craps but if you’re new to the game you’re probably just going to want to bet on the pass line and yell “seven!” a lot.
If you choose to adopt that strategy then the casino is looking at a house edge of 1.41%. Sadly, there’s no solid data on whether or not blowing on the dice before a roll impacts that number.
2. Blackjack
You may not have perfected the art of card counting at MIT but blackjack is still one of the best bets you can make at a casino.
Even if you’ve never played a single game of blackjack in your life you still have a pretty good chance of coming away with a winning hand as long as you know how to do simple addition.
If you did, in fact, go to elementary school, the house only has a .5% edge whenever the cards are dealt.
1. Video poker
Sure, video poker might not be as exciting as facing off against a guy rocking sunglasses inside with a pair of beats over a pulled-up hoodie, but at least you don’t have to deal with the blow to your psyche if you end up losing to him.
If you can track down a jacks or better machine, you’re in a position to rake in more money than anywhere else in the casino.
Technically speaking, an inexperienced video poker player has the same shot at winning as a blackjack player does but there are a number of proven strategies that (if applied correctly) result in the house only having an advantage of .46%.
However, an expert at deuces or wild can theoretically gain a .7% edge on the casino, so if you happen to have some time on your hands, you might want to start studying up.
Best payout video poker games
Video poker can be easily deemed one of the most popular games in online casinos. Its popularity can be attributed to the fact the game is more simplified in comparison to its traditional casino counterpart, not to mention video poker is among the few casino games where the house hardly has any edge or advantage over the players.
The game has plenty of advantages to offer. To begin with, video poker is a suitable option for players who like games of skill, but lack the experience, knowledge and composure to attempt a win in a game of actual casino poker. Then again, most video poker variations boast an exceptionally low house edge, pay out well and provide players with multiple possibilities of scooping satisfactory prizes. The game's simplicity itself is the greatest merit, less experienced players can take advantage of.
Top rated video poker online casinos for the united kingdom
Video poker is based on the traditional five-card draw poker so it follows closely its rules and objective. However, unlike the classic casino game, video poker is not played against other players or a dealer. In fact, the game resembles video slots to a certain extent. There is one major difference between the two, however – in video poker players' decisions can influence the outcome of the game, which is not the case when one spins the reels.
The game starts after the player bets from one to five coins in their preferred denomination. The player is then dealt five virtual cards by the machine and should choose which ones to hold and which ones to discard in order to form a better hand. The aim is to collect a hand containing as many cards of the same suit or rank as possible. Players are allowed to discard all five cards or keep all of them if they so choose. When some (or all) of the cards have been discarded, the player is dealt more cards to replace the discarded ones. At the end, payouts are determined in accordance with the player's hand value. Naturally, stronger hands have better payouts.
The two strongest hands a player can collect are royal and straight flush. A royal flush consists of five high-value cards of the same suit in a successive order – ace, king, queen, jack and a ten. To form a straight flush hand, players are again expected to collect five suited cards in a successive order but the cards, in this case, are of lower value – 8, 7, 6, 5 and 4. The pair consisting of two cards of the same value has the lowest payout which in most cases is even, meaning that players' winnings are equal to the amount of their initial stake.
There are numerous video poker variants players can choose from in online casinos. While each one has its own advantages and peculiarities, they all revolve around the same principle. Some variations of the popular game allow fans to play up to one hundred hands simultaneously. While most variants have lower or no house edge, players are recommended to choose wisely and carefully, if they want to generate proper profits. Typically, the payout schedule is displayed on the main screen when the game loads.
Video poker odds
Many players who have never tried out video poker share the common misconception that the game is a money-eating machine because it reminds them of slots. This couldn't be further from the truth. In reality, some video poker variations offer long-term payouts that exceed 100% – a phenomenon that is rarely seen when engaging in other casino games.
While video poker has the potential of huge payouts, some variants of the game offer better odds than others. Of course, if players wish to increase their long-term profits, it would be best if they play video poker with a proper strategy in mind.
Before joining any video poker game, players are advised to first look at the pay-tables of the different variants and look for full-pay video poker games, like the ones mentioned above. Naturally, payouts vary from one video poker variation to another. One of the most popular variants, jacks or better, when combined with a good strategy can have a player return of up to 99,54%, sometimes even more. Even if the game is played by less experienced players, who know nothing about strategies and make mistakes in the course of their gaming session, its average player return will still be about 99,52% and correspondingly, the house edge will be almost non-existent at 0,48%.
The best option is to go for jacks or better variants with odds of 9/6 as this means players can win $9 with a stake of $1 for a full house hand. As we have already mentioned above, payouts depend on the players' hand and are displayed on the main screen. So how can one find a video poker variant with 9/6 payouts? Once the game loads, players are advised to check its paytable and more specifically to look for the payouts of the full house and the flush hands. If the full house pays 9 to 1 and the flush pays 6 to 1, this serves as an indicator the video poker variant in question is a full-pay game and has a payout of 9/6.
Players, who decide to opt for a video poker variation with bonus rounds are recommended to look for variants with minimum 8/5 payouts. Once more, the full house and the flush' payouts can serve as a clue. If the full house hand pays out 8 to 1 and the flush' return is 5 to 1, you might consider opting out for this bonus poker variation. The average theoretical return of games with 8/5 odds is estimated to be about 99,2%.
Some players find it hard to believe that there are casino games with an average return that exceeds 100%. As weird as this may sound, it is true – some video poker variants boast a potential return of 100,2% or above, which is a great deal for the players. To find these variants, players need to look for games with odds of 10/7/5. The full house should pay 10 times the amount you've wagered, the flush should pay 7 to 1 and the straight hand's payout is required to be 5 to1.
Some video poker variations offer double bonuses and have an average return of about 100,01%, meaning the house practically has no edge and the game's odds are tilted in players' favor. Please note, this percentage is valid only when a given player applies a proper strategy and makes no mistakes in the course of their gaming session. To detect such video poker games, players are recommended to look for odds of 10/6 with the full house paying 10 to 1. Payouts for the flush hands should be no less than 6 to 1.
Deuces wild is, without question, one of the most preferred variations of video poker. If you are willing to give it a try, look for deuces wild variants with odds of at least 15/9. Only this time the odds are determined by the payouts for the five of a kind and the straight flush hands, which should be respectively 15 to 1 and 9 to 1. The average return for these odds is typically about 99,7%.
Aces or eights is yet another all-time favorite of video poker fans. However, before you put your money at stake, it would be best to find a variant with odds of 25/8. Look at the game's payout schedule and if it pays 25 to 1 for a four of a kind and 8 to 1 for a full house, this is the game you need to go for. However, such odds are difficult, though not impossible to find in both land-based and online casinos, so you might have to settle for games with odds of 20/8 or 25/7. The average theoretical return for video poker with odds of 25/8 is estimated at 99,7%.
Let us finish with the odds you should be looking for if you decide to play a full-pay game of aces and faces, which is another favorite of video poker fans. In this case, players are advised to look for aces and faces games that pay out 8 to 1 for a full house hand and 5 to 1 for a flush, which makes for odds of 8/5 and an average return of 99,7%. In the worst case scenario, you should opt out for aces and faces variants with 7/6 or 7/5 odds.
Applying a proper strategy
Finding and playing only the full-pay video poker variants is a strategy by itself. However, several other tactics might also prove to be helpful and will increase your long-term profits. As was mentioned above, applying a proper strategy is of crucial importance as payout percentages, no matter how high they are, will fail to make a difference if a given player loses repeatedly in a game of video poker. In addition, the strategy might cause the house edge to drop down even more which will further increase players' profits.
While video poker is relatively easy to play, especially when compared to the traditional card game, inexperienced players should probably opt for sticking to the most basic strategy, at least in the beginning, until they get a hang of the game. Even more so, when one considers the fact there is a separate strategy for each variation – jacks or better, deuces wild etc.
In accordance with the basic strategy, players should never discard cards if they are holding a royal flush, a straight flush, full house or four of a kind. Provided that the player has three of a kind, they should discard the remaining two cards. In case you are one hand away from forming a royal flush, you should consider increasing your chances of a better hand by discarding the lowest-value card which might provide you with the opportunity to form a flush or a straight hand.
The following tips might also be of some help for inexperienced players. As said in the beginning of the current article, most video poker machines allow players to use up to five coins. The wisest thing to do is to bet all five coins but with smaller denominations. Betting five coins of $1 will surely bring you more substantial profits as the machine simply multiples the amount of the bet by a given number. Besides, playing with several coins will increase your overall chances of winning. That is why it would be a better idea to place five $1 bets than a single $5 one.
The most important thing to consider is proper bankroll management. Set a specific sum aside for your gaming session, it would be best if the sum is one you are comfortable with losing as no matter how high the payouts for video poker are, a certain probability of parting with your entire bankroll always exists.
Once you have accumulated satisfactory profits, it is recommendable to walk away. If you wish to extend your gaming session a little more, it is advisable to put aside half of your profits instead of risking the entire sum you have won. Walk away from the casino or quit your online gaming session provided that you lose your entire bankroll without turning a profit. Chasing one's losses is always a bad idea, especially when one is in a state of frustration to cloud their better judgement. And finally, if you are left with absolutely no money to play with, quit, instead of wasting the sum you have allocated for paying your utility bills for example.
Video poker games with the highest payouts
If you wish to turn more satisfactory profits, making a little research is a nice way to start. Besides, it is always better to do your homework instead of opting for the first video poker variation within eye-shot. We have already explained how to determine which video poker games offer the best odds and the most generous returns in the “video poker odds” section. Finding them will hardly be a problem as a staggering number of web-based casinos have extensive video poker collections to choose from. Do your research and find the game with the best payouts by checking the pay-tables of as many variants as possible.
Below, we have compiled a short list of five of the most popular video poker games with the highest payout percentages.
Full-pay deuces wild
One of the most popular video poker variations, full-pay deuces wild attracts players with impressive return rates of 100.76%, which practically indicates the house has no edge in this game. As the name of the game itself suggests, this video poker version features four deuces which function as “wild” cards. The latter are of special interest to players as they enable them to complete their winning hands. The deuce can be used to replace one of the player's other cards increasing their chances of putting together a winning combination.
Deuces wild uses a standard deck containing 52 cards. The game pays out 5 to 1 for four of a kind combinations, while the payout for five of a kind is 15 coins per each 1-coin winning bet. Without question, the greatest payout awaits those who bet all five coins and collect a royal flush, in which case they will be rewarded with a prize of 4000 coins. Full house and flush hands pay out 9/6 for 1-coin bets and 45/30 for 5-coin bets.
Full-pay deuces wild | |
---|---|
coin payout | expected return |
1 coin: 1-2-3-4-6-9-25-50-250 | 100.76% |
5 coins: 5-10-15-20-30-45-125-250-4000 |
Double bonus poker
Similarly to the first suggestion on our list, double bonus poker uses one standard deck of cards. For best results, players are recommended to look for the version which offers 10/7 odds for full house and flush hands as in this case their theoretical return is estimated to be 100.17%. Players are required to collect at least a pair of jacks in order to generate a profit, but in this case, winnings will be far from impressive.
While there are no “wild” cards in this video poker variant, players who collect certain winning hands will be paid out more generously. In the interest of fair gaming, the cards are shuffled after each hand. Auto-play is also an option, but players must switch to expert mode in order to activate it. This will enable them to automatically place the same bet as many times as they choose. Other useful features of the game include the auto-rebet, the play hints, and the game analyzer functionalities.
“doubling” is also an option – once a player has completed a winning hand, they are given the opportunity to double their winnings. Five cards are dealt, but only one of them is exposed. The player is expected to choose one of the remaining four face-down cards and if it's with a higher rank than the other face-up card, the player wins a double amount.
The double bonus poker offers very appealing payouts for four of a kind combinations but these vary depending on what rank the combination is. The maximum amount of 4000 coins is to be won with 5 coins and a royal flush.
Full-pay double bonus poker | |
---|---|
coin payout | expected return |
1 coin: 1-1-3-5-7-10-50-80-160-50-250 | 100.17% |
5 coins: 5-5-15-25-35-50-250-400-800-250-4000 |
Pick 'em poker
Another video poker variation, suitable for players who aim at generating more substantial profits is pick 'em poker. Though it is more difficult to find at online casinos, the game still made it on some gambling providers' lists and offers quite a satisfactory player return amounting to 99.95%. Please have in mind, this percentage corresponds to the game's full-pay variant which is not available everywhere. The game's popularity among video poker fans can be ascribed to the fact its volatility is relatively low in comparison with some of the other video poker variants. This will allow players to enjoy a longer gaming session as their bankroll will not be reduced to zero as quickly.
The lowest rank of winning hand is a pair of nines with a payout of 2 coins per each winning 1 coin bet. The maximum amount players can scoop is with a royal flush, which will earn them the impressive amount of 6,000 coins.
Pick'em poker, too, is played with a standard deck containing 52 cards. This is how it goes – first, the player places their bet and is dealt a total of eight cards. Two of those will be exposed and positioned on the left side of the screen while the remaining six cards are divided into two stacks of three cards each. These are positioned to the right of the screen and their first cards are facing up.
Judging by the two exposed cards to the right, players are required to choose between the two stacks containing three cards. Once the players have selected one of the two stacks, the cards facing down will be revealed and thus, a five-card hand will be formed – three cards on the right side, plus the two exposed cards to the left. Players will then be paid out on the basis of this five-card hand's rank. The impressive payouts are not the only reason why this video poker variant enjoys such great popularity – add its simplicity to the 99.95% return rate and you get the picture.
Full-pay pick’em poker | |
---|---|
coin payout | expected return |
1 coin: 1-2-3-4-6-9-25-50-250 | 99.95% |
5 coins: 5-10-15-20-30-45-125-250-4000 |
Full-pay jacks or better
The last suggestion on the list might have a less impressive player return of 99.54%, but nevertheless, jack or better is an absolute must if you are a fan of video poker. Besides, many video poker variations are based precisely on this game. Players are advised to look for odds of 9/6, if interested in playing the game and turning a profit. The 9/6 variant pays out 800 to 1 for a royal flush and 50 to 1 for a straight flush. Bet 5 coins and a royal flush will earn you a grand prize of 4000 coins. These are the top prizes, but players are expected to collect at least a pair jacks (or better) to be paid at even odds.
Jacks or better is just as easy to play as the rest of the video poker variants on this list. The game utilizes a standard deck and no “wild” cards are available. The “double” feature is available for most variants of jacks or better, allowing fans of the game to double their profits provided they collect a winning hand. Another option is to “double half” after a winning hand, meaning you will double only half of the amount you have won, while the remaining half is deposited into your balance. Players can choose between auto-play and manual play. If you wish to generate more substantial profits, it would be best to give the paytable a glance prior to placing your bet.
Full-pay jacks or better | |
---|---|
coin payout | expected return |
1 coin: 1-2-3-4-6-9-25-50-250 | 99.54% |
5 coins: 5-10-15-20-30-45-125-250-4000 |
Double double bonus poker
Double double bonus poker makes the cut on our list thanks to its full-pay of 98.98%. The game is among the most popular variations based on jacks or better and is courtesy of software leader microgaming. In double double bonus poker a standard deck containing 52 cards is used. Bet limits range between 0.25 and 25 coins and players are provided with the option to adjust the game's speed.
While there are no “wild” cards in this game, double double bonus has other advantages to offer to video poker fans. Microgaming's crisp graphics are pleasing to the eye, but without question, the greatest benefit the game has to offer are the impressive payouts. All types of four of a kind go hand in hand with large prizes, but the amount depends on the cards' rank. Thus, if a player collects four of a kind aces along with a 2 through 4 kicker, their hand's payout will be 400 to 1, which is far more impressive than what the standard jacks or better variant offers. Those, who manage to put together a royal flush will collect the highest prize of 4000 coins. But if you wish to scoop the top prize, you will have to bet all five coins. Players, who place a four-coin bet will be paid out only 1000 coins for a royal flush.
Another peculiarity of the game is the bonus round, giving players the chance to double their winnings. When the bonus round is activated, five cards are dealt but only one of them is facing up. Then players are required to select one of the remaining four cards. If the player has selected a card with a higher rank, their winnings will be automatically doubled.
Full-pay double double bonus poker | |
---|---|
coin payout | expected return |
1 coin: 1-2-3-4-6-9-25-50-250 | 98.98% |
5 coins: 5-10-15-20-30-45-125-250-4000 |
Conclusion
Millions of players have already discerned video poker is an exceptionally profitable casino game to play, especially if you consider the fact there is hardly any house edge attached to it. Occasionally, as is the case with the full-pay deuces wild and the double bonus poker variants, the advantage is actually on players' side for a change. The game's simplicity also makes it extremely appealing, especially to poker rookies, who lack the experience and skill, required to win in a game of classic casino poker. What's important to remember is that if you wish to turn some more impressive profit, you will have to do a little research and find the video poker variations that offer the most advantageous payouts as the latter might differ from one casino to other.
Gambling in vegas? The games with the best (and worst) odds
Roulette wheel | photo by christopher furlong/getty images
Spending a weekend gambling in vegas may be fun, though you’ll probably have an even better time if you win big at the tables. If you’re hoping to beat the odds at the casino, the game you choose to play matters. You’re more likely to come home a little bit richer if you sit down at the blackjack table rather than settling in with the gray-haired set at the slots.
It all comes down to math. Amateur gamblers may hope luck is on their side when they walk through the doors of the bellagio or caesars palace, but what they really need to think about are the odds of winning at different games. While the house always has an edge, it’s much bigger in some situations than in others. That’s why you never see smart gamblers wasting their time playing keno or wheel of fortune – games where you’re almost guaranteed to lose money.
Casino games with the best odds
Savvy gamblers are going to cluster around the blackjack tables, where the casino’s edge is usually between 0.5% to 1%, though the number varies depending on the number of decks and other rule variations. You can calculate the house edge on a particular game of blackjack using the wizard of odds online calculator. Those numbers also assume you’re playing with what’s known as basic strategy, or making the best possible decision based on the cards you’ve been dealt. For the average player who’s going to make some mistakes, the house’s edge increases to 2%, according to the university of nevada’s center for gaming research.
Blackjack table | photo by christopher furlong/getty images
“blackjack is one of our easiest games to play,” jay bean, a floor manager at caesar’s, told cleveland’s newsnet5. “you’re just looking for a number that beats the dealer’s number without going over 21.”
“you are somewhere between 44% to 48% in every single hand of winning,” michael magazine, a professor of analytics at the university of cincinnati, said of blackjack.
After blackjack, the games with the best odds are baccarat and craps. In baccarat, which is a game of chance rather than skill, the odds are close to 50/50, though your chances are slightly better if you bet on the banker rather than the player. At the craps table, the house edge on a pass line bet is 1.4%.
Roulette is one of the easiest casino games to play, and the odds are also fairly good. If you only bet on red or black or evens or odds (as opposed to a specific number) the house edge is 5.26%, assuming you’re playing in an american casino with double zeros on the wheel. Your odds of winning are better in a european casino with a single-zero wheel.
Video poker is another game with fairly good odds for players. “for video poker the statistical advantage varies depending on the particular machine, but generally this game can be very player friendly — house edge less than 3% is not uncommon and some are less than 1% — if played with expert strategy,” per the center for gaming research.
Casino games with the worst odds
Slot machines | PHILIPPE LOPEZ/AFP/getty images
Slots may be less intimidating to novice gamblers than table games like blackjack, but the house is more likely to take you for a ride. Each slot machine is different, but the wizard of odds estimates the house edge for penny slots at between 6% and 15%. If you can’t resist the slots, chose a higher-denomination machine, since these tend to have a higher payout percentage than lower-denomination slots.
“the average slot machine is probably two, three times more costly to players than the table games,” bill zender, a former professional gambler, told mental floss.
Even worse than slots are “sucker games” like wheel of fortune and keno. The house advantage on keno averages 27%, according to the center for gaming. For wheel of fortune games (which also go by names like “big six” and “lucky wheel”), the house edge ranges from 11% to 24%, depending on your bet.
Whether you choose to take a chance on the wheel of fortune or are a high-roller playing baccarat, understanding how the game is played will put you ahead of most other players.
“ninety percent of the people who walk into a casino have no idea of the odds stacked against them,” zender said.
Also keep this in mind: the more you gamble, the likelier you are to lose. An analysis of online gamblers found that those who bet the least also had the highest winning percentage. But even then, the numbers weren’t great. Seventeen percent of the lightest gamblers ended up in the black over a two-year period. Only 5.4% of the heaviest gamblers came out ahead.
“[T]he average person doesn’t understand the math” of the multiplier effect, jim kilby, who has written books on casino management, told the wall street journal. “casino games are nibbling machines, and the more nibbles you have, the bigger your losses.”
Casino card games: which one has the best odds?
Card games have always been favorites among casino players, and blackjack has led the way as the most popular table game for more than 50 years.
Which turn of the cards gives you the best odds to win? Let’s take a look at half a dozen games from two standpoints: the house edge and how much opportunity the games give players to improve their chances of beating the house.
BLACKJACK ODDS
The house edge: the house had an edge because you have a chance to bust and lose before the dealer plays his hand. Both dealer and player bust on about 8% of hands, and if there were no other factors, the house would have about an 8% edge.
The rules give part of that back to players by paying 3-2 on blackjacks in the best games or 6-5 in games that are worse for you.
Opportunity to improve: blackjack gives you the biggest chance to improve your shot to win of any casino card game. You don’t have mimic the dealer. You can find the optimal plays for hitting, standing, splitting pairs and doubling down on basic strategy charts.
With basic strategy, the house edge can be reduced to less than 1%, the precise edge depending on house rules such as how many decks are in use and whether the dealer hits or stands on soft 17. For example, in a six-deck game in which the dealer hits soft 17 and you are allowed to double down on any first two cards, including after splitting pairs, basic strategy players face a house edge of about 0.6%. With favorable rules, some blackjack games have house edges of less that 0.2%.
Skilled card counters can go a step farther and get an edge over the house, but counting cards usually is not possible online where it is common for every deal to come from a freshly shuffled deck.
BACCARAT ODDS
The house edge: two hands are dealt, and you have three options: bet on the banker hand, bet on the player hand, or bet the hand will be a tie.
If you bet on banker or player, ties are pushes. Rules are set so banker wins more than player, but it’s close. Banker wins 45.9% of hands, player wins 44.6%, and 9.5% are ties.
Because banker wins more than it loses in baccarat, the house charges a 5% commission on winning banker bets. That gives the house edge a 1.06% edge. There is no commission on player bets, where there is a 1.24% edge.
Both of those are among the better bets in the house, but don’t bet on ties. The house edge there is 14.4%.
Opportunity to improve: all decisions on whether to draw a third card to the two-card starting hands are automatic under set rules. You make no hit/stand decisions and can’t change the odds. Your impact on your own chance to win comes from deciding whether to bet banker or player, while ignoring the tie bet.
CASINO HOLD’EM ODDS
The house edge: as in many poker-based table games, in casino hold'em you start with an ante and later make an additional bet if you like your cards. But if the dealer doesn’t have a qualifying and of at least a pair of 4s, and the bet is a push.
Players who either fold too often instead of following their ante with a bet face or who are too aggressive and make that bet even with weak cards might face a house edge of 3 to 4%, but you can improve that.
Opportunity to improve: there are so many variables in seven-card poker games that no one has yet devised a strategy chart for casino hold’em. There is a strategy calculator in which you can choose individual hands around the web.
In general, you should follow your ante with a bet and stay in action on all but the worst 18% of hands. If your first two cards are low and unpaired – meaning the dealer probably has stronger hole cards – then you’d fold. Exception: even with low hole cards, you’d stay in action if they mesh with the community cards for a strong chance at a straight or flush.
With optimal strategy for staying in the hand, you can reduce the house edge to about 2.2%.
3 CARD POKER ODDS
The house edge: as in casino hold’em, there is a dealer qualifying hand. In three card poker, it’s a queen or better – if the dealer doesn’t have at least a queen, you’re paid only on your ante and not on your bet.
If you followed your ante with a bet and stayed in every hand, you could face a house edge in excess of 5% the ante. Both your ante and bet are at risk against the dealer’s best hands, but when the dealer hand is weak and doesn’t qualify, only your ante is paid.
There is another three card poker option, pair plus, in which you are paid according to a pay table without having to beat the dealer. At the most common pay table, the pair plus house edge is 7.28%.
Opportunity to improve: you can’t improve your odds in pair plus, but there is a basic strategy for three card poker that helps in the ante-bet portion of the game.
If you make the bet only with queen-6-4 or better, you reduce the house edge to 3.37% of your ante, or 2.01% of total action once ante and bet are both taken into account.
VIDEO POKER ODDS
The house edge: video poker is based on five-card draw poker. You don’t have to beat a dealer. Your hand just has to fall on a pay table that usually starts with getting your money back on a pair of jacks or better and rises to a 4,000-coin bonanza for a five-coin bet when you get a royal flush.
The house edge is dependent on both your strategy for drawing cards and on the pay table of the game you’re playing. Even on a favorable game such as 9-6 jacks or better, an average player can face a house edge of 3% or more if they don’t know proper strategy.
Opportunity to improve: seek out the games with the best pay tables. Usually, that means checking the payouts on full houses and flushes. There are many video poker themes, each with its own pay tables and strategies, but let’s use jacks or better as an example. If you can find 9-6 jacks or better games where full houses pay 9-for-1 and flushes 6-for-1, you’re playing a higher-paying game than jacks or better with an 8-5 or 7-5 pay table.
With optimal play, 9-6 jacks or better pays 99.5%, compared to 97.3 for the 7-5 version or 96.2 on 6-5. That’s equivalent to a 0.5% house edge on the 9-6 jacks version.
MISSISSIPPI STUD ODDS
The house edge: there is no dealer hand to beat in mississippi stud, a five-card game in which you ante, see your own two cards, then may bet one-to-three times your ante after your cards, and again after seeing the first and second of the three community cards. If you don’t bet at any of those points, you must fold and lose your bets up to that point.
Payoffs are made according to a pay table that starts at a push for a pair of 6s through 10s and advances up to 500-1 on a royal flush.
The house edge derives from the pay table, and is highly variable according to your bet patterns, but can reach 10% or more of your ante if you make poor decisions.
Opportunity to improve: with multiple opportunities to bet, basic strategy is more involved than in three card poker but not as complex as casino hold’em.
With that strategy, the house edge is 4.91% of the ante or 1.37% of total action, including both analysis and bets.
SUMMARY
The most popular table game is still the best opportunity for players who put in the time to learn basic strategy. Video poker also is a game where those in the know can reduce the house edge to less than 1%, but the pay tables that make that possible are becoming less and less common.
But the other card games here have reasonable house edges and all but baccarat have elements of skill. And for a game requiring no skill and no learning curve, baccarat has about as low a house edge as you’ll find.
So, let's see, what we have: we took a look at the data to figure out which casino games have the best odds and the worst odds. At which casino game has the best odds reddit
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