If you’ve done any gambling you’ll already know that losing is part of the experience. Casino games have a house edge, after all, which means that you’re inevitably going to lose. But just because casino games have a house edge, it doesn’t mean you can’t still increase your chances of winning. How? Simply by choosing games that have the lowest house edge, thereby giving you better odds of winning. Yes, it’s as simple as that. Know the inner workings of the games, choose accordingly, and you’ll almost certainly do better overall.
Having a low edge doesn’t automatically mean you’ll win, though. Even with a low house edge, you’ll still need to play smart, bet wisely, and keep careful track of your money. With that being said, here are the casino games with the lowest house edge.
Video Poker
Many gambling enthusiasts are blissfully unaware that Video Poker happens to be the best choice when it comes to the house edge. Many immediately go straight to Poker or Blackjack, but Video Poker actually beats out all of these options by a pretty big margin. But let’s just be clear; not every Video Poker game is the same, and some offer dramatically better odds than others. So don’t jump on any Video Poker game and expect to be getting great odds. You’ll need to research each game individually, check out the specs, then make up your own mind.
With that being said, there are Video Poker games with an astoundingly low house edge of just 0.05%. It’s a number so low that it beggars belief, but happens to be true. On the other hand, there are some Video Poker games with a house edge as high as 2%. Remember; do your research.
Blackjack
Now we get to the favourite; Blackjack. Again, there are many versions of Blackjack, so the numbers we’re going to give don’t apply to every Blackjack game you’ll encounter. The big factors here are how many decks are being put in play, if the dealer must or mustn’t stand on 17, and how much a Blackjack pays out. Look into the facts, understand how each factor changes the house edge, and choose wisely. In a nutshell, however, fewer decks are better, and the dealer standing on 17 is important. Also, Blackjack should pay out well, or you’ll be left hamstrung on one of the most important parts of the game.
With the right rules in place, Blackjack has an astoundingly low house edge of just 0.43%. The house edge can also go as high as 2% though, depending on the rules. Just be sure to keep in mind that Blackjack is about far more than just the house edge. You’ll want to look up a good strategy guide before you start playing, no matter the rules.
Baccarat
Baccarat is the often overlooked gem of the casino world. Similar in rules to Blackjack, but with a dramatically different style, you really can make good money playing. Assuming you understand the gist. Unlike Blackjack, Baccarat plays out according to a predetermined set of rules. You don’t have to call for cards and don’t even have to stand. You simply bet on if the house will win, the player, or if the hand will end in a tie. It’s as easy as that. What makes it so special?
The biggest draw is that you’re essentially just choosing slightly better odds with a lower payout, or lower odds with a better payout. But, as far as odds go, each of the options still offers an exceptionally good chance of winning. The house edge ranges between 1.06% and 1.24%, depending on which betting option you prefer. Yes, look at those numbers again and realise that the odds are better than many forms of Blackjack. The reason you might overlook Baccarat is due to the hands-off nature, but even so, you can’t ignore how good the odds are. Chances are you’ve never given Baccarat a shot, so head over to Jupiter Club casino and try it out for yourself.
Craps
Next up is a global classic; Craps. The problem with Craps is that most newcomers don’t understand how the game actually works. The truth is that for all its bombastic popularity, Craps really is a very accessible game. You might be put off by how it’s shown in movies, often depicting a person on a crazy lucky streak with cheering crowds. But really, Craps doesn’t require you to hit mad winning streaks to make some money. More to the point, the most common betting options have an impressively low house edge. Depending on which betting option you fancy, the house edge sits at just 1.36%. There are other betting options with much worse odds, but simply don’t choose those options. Try out Craps now if you haven’t already.
European Roulette
Please note that we are talking specifically about European Roulette, and for very good reason. The American version has an extra zero pocket, pushing the house edge far higher. The European version has only a single zero pocket. The maths speaks for itself. With that being said, Roulette does have a comparatively high house edge, coming in at 2.7%. But the beauty of Roulette is that you can do a lot to avoid that house edge, assuming you understand what you’re doing. Betting strategies go a long way, helping you mitigate losses and still walk away a winner. Strictly speaking, many pros avoid Roulette, saying that 2.7% is far too high. But in our experience, if you approach betting smartly you can win in the long run.
Pai Gow Poker
Last On Our List Is Pai Gow Poker. We don’t have much experience with the game, so can’t speak on the experience itself. But with a house edge of 2.84% Pai Gow is at least worth a look. Again, it’s high in comparison, especially when looking at Video Poker. But according to our research, there are many regular players that insist that this form of Poker is also viable. We’ll let you decide for yourself.