If you like to mix and match your casino games, you might be wondering which are best to keep in the mix and which need to be kicked to the curb. Some games make you feel better with the occasional big hit, but others are actually much better in terms of the house edge. If you’ve always wondered which of the games has the best return, you’re in luck.
Come check out this information on the house edge and remember to always bet responsibly.
Casino Games With the Lowest House Edge: What the Numbers Say
What is the House Edge?
A house edge is the mathematical percentage advantage that a casino has over the player. These edges exist in every game and are the means by which a casino turns a profit. What’s important to understand about it is that each game has a different level of rake. Table games, online games, video poker – they all have their house edges and can be largely different. Regardless as to the numbers, each game brings its own risks and rewards – and profit or loss are never guaranteed.
The Lowest Edge
Blackjack
Blackjack typically sports one of the lowest averages in any casino. The reason is two-fold. Firstly, the game itself lends itself to player profit more than most. Additionally, because the strategies to blackjack have been so refined, we have a solid understanding of the optimal choices. Still, there are some facets of the game that can change the number that you should be aware of. Some of those include how many decks are being shuffled, the blackjack payout, and the splitting/doubling rules. With the right ones in place, the house edge can be under 1% for some tables.
Baccarat
Baccarat is another game that is easier to calculate out the odds for thanks to concrete rules and strategy that has been run down many times throughout history. If you’re playing bets on the banker side of the table, the edge comes in at 1.06% (generally and depending on specific table rules). The player side is a bit higher with 1.24% and the tie bet is a whopping 14.36%. While many players like to mix and match different types of bets throughout a session, the highest probability sticks with the banker, which is just below the number you typically get with blackjack.
Craps
One game that is difficult to calculate out odds for is craps. While the initial setting of a point has numbers, there is generally no house edge after that point is in place. As a result, the more bets placed after that point, the lower the overall edge. However, the edge to begin is right around 1.41% on pass line bets.
Roulette
There are two major types of roulette that exist in a casino. The first is American roulette, which carries a much higher 5.26% house edge. When compared to its European counterpart, it is the much less appealing option. European roulette has a 2.70% edge thanks to a couple of factors. The first is having just a single ‘0’ space and no space with ’00’. They also have rules such as la partage or en prison that help the player to mitigate some of that edge.
Video Poker
Some versions of video poker have less than a 0% edge when you play with the optimal strategy. Some casinos allow this to exist because they expect players to play with their hearts more than their heads. This number depends heavily on the build of the pay table, which can vary wildly from machine to machine. When playing any video poker game, it is most important to check said table as well as to play with a strategy.
Conclusion
Each of these games hover around the same numbers when it comes to the house edge. While this edge is typically why people say “the house always wins”, that may not be the case. There is always a chance to win, and by making some of the smart choices above, you can maximize those chances.
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If you’d like even more info on virtual sports games, be sure to check out the Sports Gambling Podcast and all of the casino articles over on SGPN.
