Picking Casino Games That Give You a Fighting Chance
When you walk into a casino, flashing lights and exciting sounds assault your senses. Slot machines chime while cards flip across felted tables. It’s easy to get caught up in the spectacle. But savvy gamblers know that not all casino games are created equal. Some offer much better odds than others. If you want to stretch your gambling bankroll and stand the best chance of beating the house on such platforms as Spin Rollz casino, choose these casino games strategically.
Understanding House Edge
Before discussing specific casino game recommendations, it’s important to cover the concept of house edge. Also known as the house advantage, the house edge represents how much the casino expects to profit long-term from bets placed on a game. It’s stated as a percentage, with popular games ranging from a 0.5% house advantage up to 25% or more. The higher the house edge, the more likely you’ll lose money over time. Our goal is to stick to casino games with the lowest house edges.
Table Games with Good Odds
Most table games give reasonable odds if you learn the proper playing strategy. Here are some of the best options when playing against the house:
Blackjack
- House Edge: 0.5% or less
- Payout: 1 to 1
If you master basic blackjack strategy, you can reduce the house edge to less than half a percent. That makes blackjack one of the most player-friendly casino games. Just beware of variant rule changes that boost the casino’s advantage.
Baccarat
- House Edge: 1.06% on banker bets
- Payout: 1 to 1
Baccarat features one of the lowest house edges in the casino. Bet consistently on the banker and enjoy odds rarely seen in table games. While the dealer may get commissions on banker wins, it’s still the best bet.
Craps
- House Edge: 1.41% on pass/come bets
- Payout: 1 to 1
Craps looks intimidating with its plethora of betting options, but luckily the simple pass line bet cuts the house edge down to 1.41%. If you stick to basic pass/come bets and odds, craps gives you great odds of winning.
Pai Gow Poker
- House Edge: 2.84%
- Payout: 1 to 1 on main bet
Pai gow poker combines strategic elements of poker with the addition of dominoes-style tiles. This unique hybrid game has a reasonable house edge even on novice bets. Just know that you must pay a commission on each hand won.
Roulette
- House Edge: 2.7% on European or 5.26% on American
- Payout: 35 to 1
Roulette requires no playing skill, but the odds differ dramatically between variations. The European wheel has just one zero, while the American version adds a 00 slot. That extra pocket doubles the house edge, so always play European if given the choice.
Slot Machines to Avoid
Slippery cleopatra slot game machines set the stage for how casinos earn their “house always wins” reputation. Standard video slots typically carry a house edge between 6-15%, while modern penny slots may approach 25%. For players, three tips help identify which slots to avoid:
- Avoid progressives – Progressive jackpots seem alluring, but they come with a big premium. The base game pays back less to fund those flashy prizes.
- Avoid slots with more reels/paylines – More reels and paylines create more ways to lose. Games with stacked symbols and 1024 paylines carry big house edge penalties.
- Avoid slots with movie or TV tie-ins – Branded slot machines must pay hefty licensing fees, leading to worse overall payback percentages.
In the end, all slot machines are designed to extract maximum profits for the casino. While big jackpot wins grab headlines, they only serve to promote the casino’s edge. Savvy gamblers steer clear of slots, focusing their play on table games with better odds instead.
Other Games
While casino table games and slots make up the bulk of the gambling floor, you can find additional betting options too:
- Sports Betting – When wagering against gaming oddsmakers, the house edge runs between 2-5% depending on the sport and bet type. Football point spreads offer the lowest margins.
- Poker – You battle other players instead of the house in poker, meaning there’s no built-in house edge. But the casino generates income by taking a portion of each pot, known as the rake. It ranges from 5-10% of the money wagered.
- Bingo – Popular with casual gamblers, bingo features better odds than playing slots. The house edge generally runs 5-10% per card. But frequent promotions and prizes help offset losses.
The house advantage varies widely across casino games. By sticking to options like blackjack, baccarat, craps and pai gow poker, you can reduce the built-in edge down to around 1-3%. That won’t guarantee you profits each trip. But it provides a fighting chance to occasionally beat the house at their own game. Choose wisely and increase your odds!