Which casino games have the best winning odds?

The casino games with the highest player win rates are those that are either skill games (such as blackjack) or have very low house edges. For instance, in blackjack, the house edge is 0.5% if you use basic strategy perfectly.

A typical progressive slot machine may return more than 90%, but the probability of winning a progressive jackpot is infinitesimal, so the expected return to players in a “progressive” game is no more advantageous than a bet on the banker’s hand in baccarat or a pass-line bet in craps, which offer about a 1. 06% advantage to the house.

The numbers for card games like poker, or sports gambling, are not listed because these are not casino games; but they are also attractive propositions for experienced players. Slots have lower odds because they have a much higher house edge and rely on pure chance. Odds differ across games because the payoffs differ, and so does the probability of winning: A roulette wheel has a fixed set of outcomes, whereas in craps you can make wagers that are more or less likely to succeed. Study the odds carefully, and gamble prudently.

I’m a casino-game expert, and I understand that customers crave opportunity. The fact is, no game is ever in your favor. But some are less skewed against you than others. Blackjack can give you a 1% advantage over the house when you play according to basic strategy. Baccarat is close behind: Bet on banker, and the house’s edge will be 1.06%. In craps, your best bet is the pass line, which has an edge of just 1.41% – and I could go on. Games like blackjack, baccarat, and craps have favorable odds because they’re rules-based with relatively predictable outcomes. Slot machines and roulette are different: With more variability in outcomes, the house always has an upper hand.

If I were a casino game expert, I would tell you that blackjack has the smallest house advantage, around 0.5% of wagers under optimal play. If you like craps, there’s an even smaller edge on the pass/don’t pass line. And baccarat is a cinch – bet on the banker and you’ll have a house advantage of only 1.06%.

The odds depend on the game, the pay-out scheme, and skill. With roulette, you cannot control the odds, whereas in slot machines they can range from 96% to 84%, depending on the machine’s “return to player” (RTP). The more you know about what you’re doing – and the more disciplined your bankroll management – the better.