Which casino games have the best odds for players?

Casino veteran here: The games that give players the best odds are blackjack and craps. If you master basic strategy, your overall advantage over the house in blackjack is just under 0. 5%.

Craps may be crazy, but you can kill it if you make smart wagers like pass line with odds. Baccarat is also great: Betting on the banker gives you just a 1.06% disadvantage. Roulette? Only play French/European variety, which has a single zero.

have had some fortunate turns at video poker (payback: 95-98% when you know what you’re doing). Slots? Don’t even bother trying to beat them – too high a house edge, too much luck involved.

But remember: “the house always wins” in the end, and with these games you have your best chance of staying alive just a bit longer.

For more favorable opportunities, consider playing blackjack: with proper strategy, you can reduce the house advantage to about 1%. At craps, the best bets are the Pass Line with Odds. Video poker (or its “jackpot” version) also gives players a chance. And for roulette, always choose the French or European wheel – the house advantage is only half that of the American version. As for the slot machines? Well, that’s just gambling! But if you have to play, they are at least less unfavorable than the others.

Blackjack offers a low house advantage (as low as 0.5%). So does craps, particularly on the pass line. With expert play, video poker can result in a “break-even” game (or even beat the house). Avoid slot machines, which are designed to make a profit for house operators. And if you are a skilled player, poker is one of the few games that can give you an advantage against another person, rather than the house. But keep in mind that over time, the odds will turn back in the casino’s favor.