Which game has the lowest house edge for long-term play?

If I were a player, blackjack would be my choice, as it offers the lowest house edge (typically about 0.5% under optimal conditions), and relies on a good deal of skill. As an amateur, I like its pace – slow enough to allow for strategic decision-making, yet quick enough to produce results in a reasonable amount of time.

For bang for your buck, I’d say Blackjack is the way to go. I’m a sucker for skill combined with luck. But yes, I’ve lost more than I’d like to admit. However, if you play well, it’s simply a much better long-term proposition than slots/craps. Always use basic strategy charts! Slots can be a blast, but the house edge is typically much higher (especially with “progressive” jackpots).

I’m a card geek, so I know each game’s probabilities, from the single-digit house edge on blackjack (1% when you follow optimal “basic strategy”) to the 5.26% on roulette. Blackjack is great because players have choices that can reduce the house edge; roulette is enjoyable for its simplicity. But stay away from the five-number bet – yuck!