Almost every game in a casino includes some type of built-in advantage, ensuring that the establishment will always come out on top against the player in the long term. This advantage is known as the “house edge”, and it means that the casino has an advantage in the odds for each game. It is the difference between the actual odds of something happening and the odds that the casino pays out for that event.
However, the house’s edge over you varies greatly according to the game you play. Players who are astute and utilise the best strategy available, or who make the most informed betting decisions, can reduce the house’s advantage and increase their chances of winning. For example, if you play roulette on a European table rather than an American table, you can cut the house’s edge in half. We look at six of the most popular casino games that have a minimal house advantage:
Video Poker
Although it is not always the most thrilling option at the casino, video poker frequently has a house edge of less than 1% for the majority of games. And, if the game is played precisely, at least three of the variations provide the player with a negligible competitive advantage. If you employ the best approach when playing Deuces Wild, you have a 0.71% advantage over the house. In the same vein, when played to their maximum capacity, both Joker Poker and Double Bonus Poker provide a positive return to the player (RTP).
If you want to be successful, you will need to research the best strategy, memorise it, and start with a solid bankroll. You should always spend the utmost amount allowed because this allows for further payouts that, in the long run, lessen the house’s advantage over the player. Discipline is required!
Blackjack
The house’s slight advantage over players in blackjack contributes to the game’s enduring appeal. If the player uses the best strategy available, they have a 0.5% chance of beating the house. There are a few caveats, the most notable of which being that you play blackjack with a single deck and that you receive odds of 3/2 for a ‘natural’ (which can be difficult to locate online).
When bonuses are factored in, the house edge at some casinos may be as low as 0.28%, which is barely a considerable advantage for the casino. It’s time to brush up on your blackjack skills!
Slots
The number of people who play slot machines online is increasing, and the best casinos now offer thousands of various varieties of games. Slot machines, on the other hand, have the unfair reputation of being casino games that require the least amount of effort from the player — all the player needs to do is spin the wheels and cross their fingers that they win.
The house edge in online slot games, on the other hand, is substantially lower than in other forms of games. Before you play a slot machine, always check the RTP. This is a sophisticated calculation that shows how much money the game will return to the player on average for every hundred units wagered.
For example, if a game has an RTP of 97.5%, it will pay out R97.50 for every R100 gambled (giving the house a 2.5% advantage). Even while lower RTPs are more common, a few slots have RTPs that exceed 98%. Unfortunately, land-based slot machines in places like Vegas have poor RTPs, with only about 80% of wagers refunded to players at times. Stay away from these!
Craps
It is one of the most popular games in land-based casinos due to the social aspect of the game, and it is a tough game to comprehend because of the vast number of possible bets. A savvy gambler who carefully selects his bets, on the other hand, can play on “odds” bets without the casino has an advantage over them if they play at a suitable table. Even though casinos typically put limits on how much money can be wagered on them throughout each round, these will pay out according to the true odds.
The popular Pass Line bet has a house edge of 1.41%, which is fairly low for a casino, and the Don’t Pass bet has a house margin of 1.36%. However, be cautious because the house has an approximately 17% edge on some craps wagers. Choose your investments carefully.
Baccarat
Despite being a long-time favourite of high-rollers in Las Vegas and Macau, baccarat is one of the simplest casino games to play, and it also has one of the highest stakes. If you bet on the Player or the Banker, the house has a 1.24% and a 1.06% advantage over you, respectively. The Banker bet is always the preferable alternative for players to choose over the Player bet.
When casinos are having a horrible run of luck, they have been known to lose millions of rands in a single night to this game. This is owing to the game’s low house edge and the fact that it attracts consumers who stake large sums. The current odds of 8/1 on the tie may intrigue new bettors, but this is a bad wager to place. The house has a little advantage of just over 14% on this bet.
Roulette
There is no complete casino guide that does not include a description of roulette, the well-known wheel that has enthralled gamblers for centuries. Is it feasible to fool the wheel? Is there a way that ensures a particular level of profit every time? Regrettably, the answer is no.
Roulette is the Most Basic Type of Gambling
This is not to say that there are no tactics that may be used to boost one’s chances of success. At any online casino, there are numerous roulette varieties to choose from.
At first glance, the tables appear to be similar; however, American roulette has two zeros, whilst European roulette has just one zero. When it comes to the former, the casino’s average edge is a substantial 5.26%. In terms of the latter, the rate is 2.7%.
A wager on red or black looks to have an equal chance of winning when playing roulette; nevertheless, the arrival of a green zero (or zeros) alters the odds in favor of the casino. The odds are now 48.7% rather than 50%, a considerable decrease. When you play the American version, your chances of winning drop to 47.4%.
Keno is the Game With the Greatest House Advantage
Keno is the one game you should avoid at all costs, whether you are gambling online or visiting a real-life casino. The lottery-style game requires players to choose up to 20 numbers from a pool of 1 to 80. The player’s earnings are decided by the number of numbers they have selected, commonly known as having “caught.” Keno is available in both live and video modes, providing players with the option. Keno games normally have a house edge of 25%, but some games have a house edge as high as 35%! As a result, it is the most expensive casino game to play regularly.