When you’re deciding which casino games to play, the house edge is an important factor to consider. This is a percentage that reflects the casino’s statistical advantage over you. Games with a lower house edge improve your chances of winning.
Blackjack
Blackjack, or 21, is one of the most popular games for players seeking a low-house edge. When you use the perfect strategy, you can take this percentage down to just 0.5%. Blackjack is a great option because it affords you a measure of control. You have a hand in the outcome because you’re making decisions throughout the game, like when to hit, stand, double down, or split.
Make a point of choosing tables with favorable rules, like 3:2 payouts for a blackjack instead of 6:5, and where the dealer has to stand on soft 17 (an ace and a six). With a mix of skill and strategy, blackjack consistently delivers some of the best odds in the casino.
Baccarat
Baccarat offers very player-friendly odds. If you bet on the Banker’s hand, you’re looking at just 1.06%, but the Player bet takes this up to 1.24%. Try to avoid the tie bet, however, since this wager has a very high house edge of 14.36%. Of course, you’re looking at payouts of 8:1 or 9:1, but statistically, it only comes up in roughly one in 50 hands, so you’ll be taking a big chance.
Craps
The complex table layout at the craps table can be a little overwhelming, but it stands as one of the most rewarding games in terms of house edge.
The Pass Line bet has an edge of 1.41%, but if you place an Odds bet after the point has been established, this goes down to zero! Odds bets pay out at true odds, so the casino has absolutely no advantage.
Video Poker
Full versions of popular video poker games like Deuces Wild or Jack or Better can have a house edge as low as 0.46% when you play with optimal strategy. The trick is in choosing machines with favorable paytables and mastering the strategy specific to the variation you’re playing.
Video poker manages to blend the simplicity of slots with the strategy know-how of poker, so it’s a great choice when you feel like a straightforward game but don’t want to leave it all up to Lady Luck!
Roulette
The roulette games you can play at top online casinos like Black Lotus offer varying house edges depending on the version you play. European Roulette, with just one 0 on the wheel, has a house edge of 2.70%, while French Roulette can lower this further to 1.35% on even-money bets, thanks to the La Partage rule. This rule refunds half your bet if the ball lands on zero, effectively halving the edge for certain wagers.
In contrast, American Roulette features an additional 00 slot, raising the house edge to 5.26%. Opting for European or French Roulette and sticking to even-money bets, such as red/black or odd/even, can significantly improve your odds. You have a 48.6% chance of winning.
Pai Gow Poker
Pai Gow Poker is a slower-paced game that’s ideal if you want low-risk gameplay and a manageable house edge. At around 1.46%, it offers decent odds while allowing you to enjoy a more relaxed casino experience.
The game involves creating two poker hands—a five-card hand and a two-card hand—that must beat the dealer’s equivalent hands.
Three-Card Poker
Three Card Poker offers a mix of fast gameplay and competitive odds, with a house edge of 3.37% on the Ante and Play bets. This modern casino favorite is straightforward, making it accessible for beginners. Success in Three Card Poker depends on recognizing when to play or fold. Generally, you should continue with hands that include a Queen-six-four or higher.
While the Pair Plus side bet can seem tempting, it carries a much higher house edge of 7.28% and is best avoided if you want to maximize your chances of winning.
Let It Ride
Let It Ride is another poker-based casino game with a relatively low house edge of 3.51% when played with optimal strategy. The game involves forming a five-card poker hand using three of your own cards and two community cards dealt by the dealer. The goal is to create a pair of tens or better, with payouts increasing for stronger hands like straights, flushes, or full houses.
What makes Let It Ride appealing is the opportunity to reduce your bets during the game. You can pull back up to two-thirds of your initial wager if your hand isn’t shaping up. You can control the house edge by determining when to let your bets ride or withdraw them.
Casino War
Casino War, one of the simplest casino games, has a low house edge of 2.88% on standard bets.
The game is straightforward: both you and the dealer draw a card, and the higher card wins. If there’s a tie, you can choose to go to war, or surrender. Opting to go to war slightly reduces the house edge, making it the smarter choice.
Casino War’s simplicity and quick pace make it a fun option, especially for beginners looking for a low-edge game with minimal decisions to make.
Sic Bo
Sic Bo is a popular dice game offering various betting options, some with a low house edge. The Small and Big bets are the most favorable, with a house edge of just 2.78%. These bets win when the total of the three dice is either between four and 10 (Small) or 11 and 17 (Big), excluding triples.
While other bets on the Sic Bo table may seem enticing, such as specific triples or combinations, they carry significantly higher house edges.
Maximise Casino Fun with Low House Edge Games
By focusing on low-edge games, managing your bankroll wisely, and avoiding risky bets, you’ll enjoy longer play sessions and better value for your money. Whether you’re a casual player or a seasoned gambler, these games provide the best balance of entertainment and opportunity at the casino.
