What Are the Casino Games with the Lowest House Edge?
By
Jane Shaw
Senior Editor Updated: 12/08/2023
We count on Jane to inform our readers about the latest slot games in the US market. With her passion for video games and a degree in engineering, she’s our gambling tech expert. Jane’s also active in our blog section, where she tackles the curiosities and changes in the industry.
Casino Games with the Lowest House Edge
- Lowest House Edge Casino Games
- Finding the Lowest House Edge Games
- Blackjack’s Winning Odds
- Craps: Low Edge Thrills
- Baccarat’s Favorable Odds
- Three-Card Poker Edge
- Video Poker’s Best Odds
- Frequently Asked Questions
In the thrilling world of casino gaming, smart players always keep an eye on the house edge. It’s the key factor that can swing the odds in your favor or leave you wishing you’d played a game with a lower house edge. In today’s blog, you’ll discover why some games offer better odds than others – and we’ll also look at how to maximize your chances of winning on these games.
From the strategic depths of blackjack to the dice-rolling excitement of craps, we’ve got you covered. So, buckle up and get ready to learn about the lowest house edge casino games!
Lowest House Edge Casino Games
When you step into a casino, whether virtual or physical, knowing the casino games with the lowest house edge can significantly boost your chances of winning. Games with a low house edge give you more favorable odds, meaning the casino has a smaller advantage over you. This blog focuses on such games, highlighting why they’re your best bet for potentially profitable play. Blackjack, for instance, is renowned for its player-friendly odds, especially when you apply basic strategy. Craps, with its variety of bets, also offers opportunities to keep the house edge low.
Understanding these games isn’t just about knowing the rules; it’s about recognizing the bets and strategies that reduce the casino’s advantage, giving you a better chance of coming out on top.
Once you’ve finished reading, you can then head away and play the best US online slots and other casino games with low house edges, such as blackjack and baccarat.
Finding the Lowest House Edge Games
When playing at a casino, one of the most important factors that impacts your chances of winning is the house edge – the built-in advantage the casino has over players. The lower the house edge, the better your odds of winning money.
So how do you find the casino games with the lowest house edge? The first step is understanding which broad categories of games tend to be better or worse for players in terms of their built-in edge. Slots and keno are on the high end, with house edges ranging from 5% to over 10%. Roulette and craps are in the middle, at around 2%-5%. The games with the lowest edges are blackjack, baccarat, and video poker, typically under 1% house edge when playing with optimal strategy.
When researching individual games look for rule variations and side bets that affect the house edge. For example, in blackjack, using more decks increases the house edge, while options like surrender or doubling after splits reduce it. Checking published house edge data for each specific game you intend to play can help identify ones with small house edges.
While very low house edge games exist, keep in mind that variance and luck impact short term results. Managing your bankroll wisely is important even when playing the games that offer the best statistical odds over many hands. But knowing which casino choices shift the odds closest to even provides a significant long-term advantage.
Blackjack’s Winning Odds
Blackjack, one of the most famous online casino games, is renowned for its low house edge, which can be influenced significantly by player skill and game rules. The house edge in standard blackjack can vary, typically ranging from 0.5% to 2%, depending on factors like the number of decks used, the rules for splitting and doubling down, and whether the dealer stands on soft 17 or not.
One key strategy to minimize the house edge in blackjack is the use of basic strategy, which outlines the optimal play for every hand combination. Following this strategy can reduce the house edge to the lower end of its range. Additionally, the rules of the specific blackjack variant you’re playing can impact the house edge. For example, games where the dealer stands on soft 17 have a lower house edge compared to those where the dealer hits.
Side bets in blackjack offer additional betting opportunities but typically come with a higher house edge. Here’s a table showing some common side bets and their associated house edges:
| Side Bet | House Edge |
|---|---|
| Insurance | 7.40% |
| Perfect Pairs | 6.00% |
| 21+3 | 3.70% |
| Royal Match | 3.70% |
| Lucky Ladies | 24.70% |
While many top blackjack websites offer these side bets – and while they often add to the excitement of the game – you should be aware that their higher house edges mean they decrease your odds of winning in the long run.
Still, blackjack offers some of the best odds for players in a casino, especially when played with proper strategy. Understanding the nuances of the game, including the rules and the impact of side bets, can help you minimize the house edge and maximize your chances of winning!
Craps: Low Edge Thrills
Craps is a dynamic and exciting game that, with the right bets, can make it one of the lowest house edge games. The house edge in craps varies widely depending on the bet type. The ‘pass’ and ‘don’t pass’ bets, which are among the most commonly placed bets, offer a low house edge of 1.41% and 1.36%, respectively. This makes them some of the most favorable bets for the player.
Other bets in craps, however, come with significantly higher house edges. Proposition bets, like single-roll bets on specific numbers, can have house edges as high as 17%. These high-risk bets can offer large payouts, but their high house edges make them less favorable over time.
One of the unique aspects of craps is the option to take or lay odds. This is an additional bet that can be made after a point is established. These odds bets have no house edge, making them some of the best bets in the casino. When combined with a pass or don’t pass bet, they can significantly reduce the overall house edge on your total wager.
Another strategy to consider in craps is the ‘come’ and ‘don’t come’ bets, which are similar to the pass and don’t pass bets but can be made any time after the point is established. Like the pass line bets, these also have a low house edge, around 1.41% for ‘come’ bets and 1.36% for ‘don’t come’ bets. Today, online craps sites are a lot more common than before, too – which means you can easily find craps tables at your favorite online casinos!
Baccarat’s Favorable Odds
Baccarat isn’t as popular as blackjack, but, in terms of house edge, it does just about as good of a job – even better, in some situations. The game’s straightforward nature makes it a favorite among both new and seasoned players, too.
In baccarat, you have three betting options: the ‘Banker’, the ‘Player’, and the ‘Tie’. The house edge for the ‘Banker’ bet is approximately 1.06%, making it one of the best bets in the casino. The ‘Player’ bet follows closely with a house edge of about 1.24%. The ‘Tie’ bet, while offering higher payouts, also comes with a significantly higher house edge, often around 14.36%, making it a less favorable option for those concerned with odds.
The game’s low house edge is partly due to the fixed rules governing the drawing of additional cards. Unlike blackjack, players and the banker are not free to make decisions regarding their hands. This rule setup ensures a consistent house edge regardless of player skill, making baccarat a game of chance rather than skill.
For players looking to maximize their odds, sticking to the ‘Banker’ bet is a pretty solid strategy. Although this bet comes with a small commission, it still offers the lowest house edge. The ‘Player’ bet, while slightly less favorable, is also a good option due to its low house edge. You should, generally, avoid the ‘Tie’ bet due to its significantly higher house edge, even though the potential payouts are tempting.
If you’re looking for PayNearMe casino sites where you can play this popular game make sure to check out our list of recommended casinos, each one of which has been carefully researched according to our rating guidelines.
Three-Card Poker Edge
Three-Card Poker combines the excitement of poker games with favorable odds, offering a refreshing twist to the classic game. This poker variant stands out for its low house edge and potential for big payouts, making it a favorite among casino-goers. The game involves playing against the dealer rather than other players, simplifying the strategy and focusing on quick decision-making.
The main bet in Three-Card Poker is the ‘Ante’ bet, with a house edge that can be as low as 1.5%! This low house edge, however, is only found when playing with optimal strategy, which involves making the ‘Play’ bet with Queen-6-4 or better. The simplicity of this strategy makes it accessible to new players while still offering depth for seasoned gamblers.
Another aspect of Three-Card Poker that appeals to players is the ‘Pair Plus’ side bet. This bet offers higher payouts for achieving a pair or better, but it also comes with a higher house edge, often around 2.3% to 7.28%, depending on the paytable. While this bet adds excitement with the potential for high payouts, it’s important for players to understand the increased risk associated with it; generally speaking, it’s a bet you’ll usually want to avoid.
Video Poker’s Best Odds
Video Poker offers some of the lowest house edges you can find in land-based and online casinos. Unlike many other casino games, video poker involves a small level of skill, and with the right strategy, the house edge can be reduced significantly, sometimes even turning the odds in the player’s favor! This means they can be the lowest house advantage casino games.
The house edge in video poker varies significantly based on the game variant and your ability to play with optimal strategy. For example, Jacks or Better, a popular video poker variant, can have a house edge of less than 0.5% when played with the best strategy. Other variants like Deuces Wild and Double Bonus Poker can offer similarly low edges under optimal playing conditions.
What sets video poker apart is the impact of player decisions; unlike many casino games, you can actually influence the result – and the odds – by playing with an optimal strategy. Subsequently, understanding the game’s paytable, recognizing the best hands to aim for, and knowing the correct cards to hold and discard are crucial to minimizing the house edge.
