Which Casino Game Has the Best Odds of Winning?

Casino games are known to favor the house, but it’s also a fact that some games give you much better odds of winning than others. If you want to find which casino game has the best odds, you’ll first need to understand what impacts your odds of winning. Doing so can make the difference between stretching your bankroll for hours or losing it in minutes.

Some games give you nearly even chances, where a smart choice can keep you in the action for hours. Others are heavily stacked against you, offering entertainment but little realistic chance of steady wins.

In this guide, we’ll break down the numbers and explain how the house edge and RTP work. We’ll also compare popular gambling games like blackjack, roulette, craps, and slot machines to find which game has the best odds in a casino.

Understanding Casino Odds and House Edge

Before you can figure out which casino game has the best odds, you need to understand how casinos tilt the math in their favor. That advantage comes down to two key ideas: odds and house edge.

Every bet you make has two numbers attached to it: the payout you’re offered, and the actual probability of winning. The difference between the two is where the casino makes its money.

This built-in edge guarantees that, over time, the house always comes out on top. That doesn’t mean you can’t beat or ever make a profit, but it does mean the longer you play, the more likely the odds will catch up to you.

What Does House Edge Mean?

The house edge is the built-in advantage the casino has on every bet. It’s shown as a percentage, representing how much of each wager the casino expects to keep over the long run.

For example, blackjack played with basic strategy can have a house edge of around 0.5%. That means, on average, you’ll lose just 50 cents for every $100 you bet, making it one of the lowest edges in any casino. If we compare that to keno, where the house edge can climb as high as 40%, you’d expect to lose $40 for every $100 wagered. Comparing the odds for blackjack and keno, it’s easy to see how making the right game choice can dramatically impact your odds.

In other words, the higher the house edge, the faster your bankroll disappears. Knowing these numbers doesn’t guarantee a win, but it does help you spot games where your money lasts longer and gives you the best shot at walking away ahead.

How Return to Player (RTP) Works

Return to Player, or RTP, is another way of showing the odds. While house edge tells you how much the casino expects to keep, RTP tells you how much a game is designed to pay back to players over time.

For example, a slot with a 97% RTP means that for every $100 wagered, the game is expected to return $97 to players in the long run. The missing 3% represents the house edge. RTP doesn’t guarantee short-term results, so it’s important not to understand it literally. However, it does give you a clear picture of how rewarding a game can be.

The RTP is especially useful in online casinos, where RTP values are often published for online slots and video poker. As a general rule, look for games with RTP above 96%. The higher the number, the better your chances of making your money last and finding which online casino game has the best odds. Remember, even the most minor difference in the RTP rate can significantly impact your odds.

Odds vs Probability – What Players Should Know

Odds and probability are often confused, but they’re not the same. Probability is the chance of something happening, while odds are the ratio of favorable outcomes to unfavorable ones.

Let’s take roulette as an example. A bet on red or black has odds of 1:1, which looks like a 50/50 probability. In reality, the green zero (and double zero in American roulette) means the probability of winning is slightly less than half.

Understanding this distinction is important because it shows how casinos can offer payouts that look fair while still keeping the advantage. Once you grasp the difference between odds and probability, you can better evaluate which bets are worth your money.

Casino Games With the Best Odds of Winning

Now that you understand house edge, RTP, and how odds work, the next step is finding out which games give you the strongest chance at success.

In this section, we’ll break down the top contenders, explain why their odds are better, and share tips to help you make the most of them.

Blackjack – Best Odds With Skill and Strategy

Blackjack is proven to be the most favorable casino game, as long as you’re playing with the right strategy and making the right moves with your cards.

Unlike many games that rely purely on luck, blackjack rewards players who use strategy. With correct decisions, the house edge can be as low as 0.5%, making it one of the fairest games you can play.

The key is understanding basic strategy. Every hand in blackjack has an optimal move based on the dealer’s upcard. Sometimes that means hitting for another card, standing, and in other cases doubling down or splitting pairs. Following these rules consistently reduces the house’s advantage and gives you the best chance to win.

The rules of the particular variant you chose can also make a difference. If the dealer must hit on a soft 17, the house edge goes up slightly. If doubling after a split is allowed, the edge goes down. Online casinos often publish the rules for each table, so check before you start playing.

Blackjack is unique because the element of skill levels the playing field. If you ignore strategy and guess, the house edge can climb to 2% or higher. On the other hand, if you take the time to learn the right moves, blackjack stands out as one of the best opportunities to stretch your bankroll and come out ahead.

Baccarat – Simple Rules and a Low House Edge

Baccarat is one of the simplest table games you can play, yet it consistently offers some of the most favorable odds.

This game has only three main bets: Banker, Player, and Tie. The Banker bet carries a house edge of about 1.06%, making it the best choice in the game. The Player bet is nearly as good, with a house edge of about 1.2%. These options rank among the lowest house edges in any casino. The Tie bet, however, is much less attractive. It may pay 8:1 or 9:1, but the house edge is closer to 14%, which makes it a poor long-term choice.

Baccarat games don’t require strategy in the way blackjack does. Once you place your bet, the outcome is determined entirely by the cards. This lack of decision-making makes baccarat approachable and efficient, while still giving players excellent odds compared to most casino games.

Craps – Strong Odds With the Right Bets

Craps can look overwhelming at first glance, with a large table covered in different betting areas and players shouting out their wagers. Despite the complexity, craps offers some of the strongest odds in the casino when you focus on the right bets.

The foundation of the game is the Pass Line and Don’t Pass Line bets. These wagers carry a house edge of about 1.41% and 1.36% respectively. The Come and Don’t Come bets work the same way once a point has been established and maintain low house edges. These options give you close to even chances and are the smartest bets on the table.

Online Craps also allows players to make “odds bets” once a point is set. These bets have no house edge at all, which means they pay out at true odds. Combining a Pass Line bet with odds is one of the fairest opportunities in the entire casino.

By contrast, many of the proposition bets in the center of the table look exciting but carry house edges well above 10%. Sticking to the simple line bets and taking odds keeps craps firmly in the category of games with some of the best odds available.

Roulette – Good Odds on European Roulette Wheels

Roulette is one of the most iconic casino games, and it appeals to players because of its straightforward betting options. At first glance, it may seem like a fair 50/50 game when you place bets on red or black, odd or even, or high or low. In reality, the presence of the green zero tilts the balance in the casino’s favor.

On a European roulette wheel, there are 37 pockets in total. One of those is the single zero, which creates a house edge of about 2.7 percent. On an American roulette wheel, there are 38 pockets because of the additional double zero. This increases the house edge to 5.26 percent, which makes European roulette the far better choice whenever it is available.

Some versions of French roulette add special rules such as “la partage” or “en prison.” These rules reduce the impact of the zero and can bring the house edge on even-money bets down to about 1.35 percent, among the best odds you will find in roulette.

By choosing the right wheel and sticking to outside bets, players can enjoy roulette as a simple and strategically favorable option.

Video Poker – Solid Returns With the Right Variants

Video poker is often overlooked in favor of slots, yet it can provide some of the best odds in both land-based and online casinos. What sets it apart is that the payouts depend on the specific paytable, and with the right version and optimal play, the return can be very high.

A classic example is Jacks or Better with a “9/6” paytable, which refers to the payouts for a full house (9) and a flush (6). When played with perfect strategy, this version offers an RTP of about 99.5 percent, meaning the house edge is just 0.5 percent. That places it among the most favorable casino games available.

Not all versions are equally rewarding. Paytables with lower payouts for key hands reduce the RTP significantly, sometimes below 95 percent. For this reason, it’s essential to check the paytable before playing and use a basic strategy chart to guide your decisions.

Video poker combines elements of luck and skill. While the cards you receive are random, your choices about which cards to hold and which to discard directly impact your results.

Casino Games With the Worst Odds

While some titles offer relatively fair chances, others are built primarily for entertainment and the excitement of chasing large payouts. These games often feature a much higher house edge, which means your bankroll disappears faster and your long-term chances of winning are very low.

Slot Machines – Fun But High House Edge

Slot machines are the most popular casino games, both at land-based casinos and real money gambling sites. They attract players with bright visuals, engaging themes, and the possibility of huge jackpots, but slots are among the least favorable choices when it comes to odds.

The house edge on slot machines varies widely depending on the game, but it usually ranges from 2%to 15%. The edge can be even higher in some cases, especially with progressive jackpot slots. For every $100 you wager, the expected long-term return could be anywhere from $85 to $98. Compared to games like blackjack or baccarat, this is a significant disadvantage.

The appeal of slots lies in their entertainment value and the chance for a big payout from a small bet, but if you maximize odds, they’re not the best choice.

Keno – Exciting but Very Low Odds

Keno is often compared to a lottery, and for good reason. Players select numbers from a large pool, and if enough of those numbers match the ones drawn, payouts can be significant. The simplicity and the possibility of big wins make keno appealing.

However, the odds of winning in keno are among the worst in the casino. The house edge typically falls between 20% and 40%, which means expected returns are far lower than in most other games. For every $100 wagered, players might see long-term returns of only $60 to $80.

Tips for Maximizing Your Chances at the Casino

Knowing which casino game has the best odds is only part of the picture. How you approach the games and manage your play matters as much as choosing the right table or machine. While you cannot change the randomness of cards, dice, or spins, you can make decisions that extend your bankroll, reduce losses, and improve your overall experience.

In this section, you will find practical advice you can apply immediately. Use them alongside your knowledge of house edge and RTP to play smarter and more strategically.

Pick Games With a Low House Edge

If your goal is to improve your chances, the smartest step is to focus on games with the lowest house edge. Blackjack, baccarat, craps, and specific versions of video poker consistently rank among the best options. These games keep the casino’s advantage small, which means your money lasts longer and your odds of walking away with a profit are higher.

Learn the Rules Before You Bet

Even the best casino games lose their advantage if you do not understand how they work. Blackjack is a prime example. With basic strategy, the house edge is less than 1%, but it can rise several times higher if you make random decisions. Craps is another case where knowing the core bets matters.

Before risking money, take time to study the rules and practice. Many online casinos offer free demo versions where you can learn without pressure. By understanding the rules first, you protect your bankroll and give yourself the best chance of success.

Take Advantage of Bonuses and Promotions

Casino bonuses and promotions can add value to your sessions if you play at online casinos. Welcome bonuses, deposit matches, free spins, and cashback offers give you extra funds to work with or soften the blow of significant losses. While they won’t change the house edge, they extend your bankroll and allow you to play more rounds without spending more.

It’s important to read the terms carefully, paying close attention to the wagering requirements, eligible games, and other conditions.

Manage Your Bankroll Wisely

One of the most effective ways to improve your casino experience is to manage your bankroll carefully. Set a budget before you begin, and decide how much you are comfortable losing. Once you reach that limit, walk away. This prevents you from chasing losses, which often leads to even bigger setbacks.

Break your bankroll into smaller sessions rather than spending it all at once. For example, if you bring $100 to the casino, divide it into five $20 sessions or 10 $10 sessions. This approach keeps you in the game longer and reduces the impact of bad luck.

Playing for Fun vs Playing to Win

Even if you choose which casino game has the best odds, the house always holds an edge. This means that while you can win in the short term, consistent long-term profits are unlikely. The best mindset is to treat gambling as entertainment.

Consider your wagers the cost of fun, and see any winnings as a bonus. By focusing on enjoyment rather than chasing profits, you set healthy expectations and keep your gameplay under control.

FAQs About Which Casino Game Has the Best Odds