Which Casino Game Has the Best Odds? A Short Guide
Casinos can be both rewarding and daunting places for many. The flashing lights, sounds of the slots, and intense focus of those with their best poker faces on round tables can dazzle those who don’t know what they are doing. The overly stimulating environment can distract some, but if you are looking to walk away with winnings, and not let the glitz or glamour sidetrack you, then a smart thing to do is learn which games offer the best odds to ensure you maximize profit returns.
It may come as a surprise to rookies in casinos that not all games are created equal. Indeed, some are heavily tilted in favor of the house, others offer a fair shot. Some require luck, others depend on skill. So, which games offer the best odds?
Blackjack
Boasting a house edge of around 0.5% for those using basic strategies, blackjack has the best odds on offer for punters in the casino.
It consistently has and continues to top the list regarding best odds in the casino. The 0.5% house edge reflects the nature of blackjack in of itself, whereby it is one of the few games in casinos where skill truly does matter and can change things significantly for those who know what they are doing. Combining knowledge, good odds on blackjack, and having a look at some of the best online casinos list compiled by Card Player is sure to offer you a great chance at taking home the winnings.
Getting to grips with the basic blackjack strategy and knowing when to stick, twist, double down, or split significantly improves your chances of walking out those doors with winnings. Having a grasp of the game is important, but when playing the game more, experienced players can start to predict and manage their dealt cards much more easily, which in turn offers better chances of beating the dealer.
Craps
If you know where to bet, there is a low house edge on Craps. This makes this game offer up some of the best odds in the entire casino, which can ensure players get a lot of bang for their buck.
Sticking to the right bets is the most important thing in Craps and comes down to a 50% win chance. If you stick money on the pass line, the house edge falls at 1.41%, which far outweighs most other house edges in casino games. The Pass Line bet, a simple and basic wager, has a low house edge. Following this, if you are to make an Odds Bet (only applicable after a pass line bet), there is no house edge at all.
Combining these two bets is likely to see some of the best returns in the entire casino. However, there is a slight drawback. Not many people understand or know the rules of the game. Understanding Craps layout and ignoring all the flashy and tempting prop bets is key when using this tactic. Focusing on your tactics and steering clear of ‘Any Seven’ or ‘Hardways’ bets is key here, as they tend to have awful odds.
Baccarat
Yes, this game can appear elite and intimidating, but in reality, it is a simple game to play and has truly excellent odds on offer for the punters willing to learn the ways of the Baccarat gameplay. Perhaps this is one of the reasons an increasing number of people are visiting Las Vegas to play it.
You don’t need any special skills, and instead, bet on who you think will win: the player or the banker – whoever is closest to 9 wins. The stats don’t lie, and the house edge on banker bets in Baccarat is just 1.06%, making it one of the best bets in the casino.
The thing to avoid when betting on this game is the trap of betting on a Tie. The payout can often be tempting, with high returns offered to players at odds such as 9:1. However, when betting on a tie in this game, the house edge increases to a whopping 14% – is it worth the gamble?
What to avoid
Whilst several casino games offer fantastic odds, there are also a few that are simply just not worth it if you care about odds whatsoever. Games that rely on luck from the house are ones to avoid. The likes of roulette and Big Six Wheel might seem like flashy, attractive games to throw some money down on, but both have high house edges ranging from 2% to 24%! Other games that can be fun to play but that offer unfavourable odds for the punter are slot machines and Keno. Keno is fun to play, but it has truly terrible odds.
To conclude
Sticking with the right games at the casino is likely to give you your best shot at winning and taking cash home. Minimalilzing your losses and playing games with low house edges such as blackjack and craps is much more sensible when you are considering the odds and combining these with opportunities for skillful play.
The house will always have the edge, but if you play smart and pick the right games, you can stretch your chances, enjoy the experience, and have a much better chance of leaving the casino with some dosh in your pocket.
