Best Odds in Casino: 12 Games Ranked by House Edge

In the fast-moving environment of a casino, the odds are never left to chance. Each game carries a carefully calculated house edge, the mathematical advantage that ensures the casino will turn a profit over time.

For players, understanding which casino games offer the best odds in casino settings is essential for managing risk and stretching bankrolls further.

This ranking of 12 casino titles highlights where the lowest house edge games can be found, what rules or paytables alter outcomes most and which bets carry the highest risk. From table classics to modern slot machines, the landscape of casino payout percentages can vary widely.

Blackjack: How Rule Variations Change the Blackjack House Edge

Blackjack is one of the few casino games where skill directly affects results.

Basic strategy—hitting, standing, doubling or splitting based on math rather than instinct—keeps the edge as low as possible. Gambling mathematicians, including those at Utah State University, note that dealer behavior and table rules can swing the advantage.

If the dealer hits on soft 17 instead of standing, the edge increases by roughly 0.2 percent. Allowing double after split lowers the edge, while restricting doubles raises it. Surrender blackjack rules, where a hand may be forfeited for half the stake, reduce the edge even further. Fewer decks also favor the player.

The key takeaway is that the blackjack house edge is not fixed. Selecting tables with surrender, double after split and a dealer standing on soft 17 gives players the lowest edge, while mistakes at the table increase the casino’s long-term advantage.

Note: These observations also apply when considering the best online casinos, especially live dealer casinos.

Baccarat: Understanding Baccarat Banker Odds, Player and Tie Bets

The strongest option in baccarat is the banker wager.

Known for its relatively low house edge of about 1.06 percent, banker is statistically stronger than the player bet, which sits closer to 1.24 percent. Both rank among the lowest house edge games on the floor. By contrast, the tie bet carries a house edge well above 14 percent, making it one of the worst-odds bets in a casino.

Regulators and gaming analysts like the Nevada Gaming Control Board have carefully studied baccarat banker odds, and their consistency explains why this game attracts high rollers. It is a low-variance option that pays predictably and rewards steady bankroll management.

The takeaway is clear: baccarat is a contender for the best casino game to win when wagers stick to the banker or, secondarily, the player.

Craps: Comparing Craps Best Bets and House Edge

The pass line and don’t pass bets are the strongest starting points. With odds taken behind either wager, the house edge falls to nearly zero because the odds bet itself carries no built-in advantage. Without odds, the pass line sits at about 1.41 percent, while the don’t pass is slightly stronger at 1.36 percent.

According to the UNLV Center for Gaming Research, placing bets on numbers like 6 or 8 is reasonable, but less efficient than pass line plus odds. Hardways and proposition bets, including one-roll wagers, are among the worst-odds bets in a casino, with house edges stretching past 10 percent.

These high-risk options contribute to why craps can feel streaky: long cold rolls create frustration, while hot shooters fuel dramatic swings.

Craps’ best bets remain tied to the pass line vs. don’t pass decisions, especially when paired with maximum odds. For disciplined players, these wagers deliver some of the best odds at casino tables.

European Roulette (Single Zero): Roulette Odds Single Zero vs Rule Variations

The key appeal of European roulette lies in its relatively low edge compared with American versions. Even-money wagers—red or black, odd or even, high or low—deliver consistent results under this structure.

Some casinos apply special rules such as en prison or la partage, both of which cut the house edge on even-money bets nearly in half by refunding or holding wagers when zero hits.

Roulette odds single zero vs. double zero is one of the starkest contrasts in casino gaming. Choosing the single-zero format keeps the casino payout percentages more favorable (including payouts from online cryptocurrency casinos).

For players focusing on the lowest house edge games, this version of roulette ranks far ahead of its American counterpart.

American Roulette (Double Zero): Understanding Odds and Risky Bets

The increased edge means that even-money bets in American roulette carry less favorable odds compared with European roulette. Among all available wagers, the five-number bet on 0, 00, 1, 2 and 3 is one of the worst-odds bets in a casino, with a house edge of 7.89 percent.

The comparison of roulette odds, single zero vs. double zero, illustrates why game selection matters.

American roulette remains popular in the United States, yet players aiming for the lowest house edge games benefit more from single-zero tables. The math demonstrates how an extra pocket can significantly alter casino payout percentages over time.

Video Poker (Jacks or Better): Paytables and Return Percentages

The strength of video poker depends on the paytable.

A 9/6 Jacks or Better machine, paying nine coins for a full house and six for a flush, offers a return-to-player percentage near 99.5 percent with perfect play. Lesser paytables, such as 8/5, reduce the return considerably and shift the advantage back to the house.

Skill is critical here; unlike slots, the best casino game to win in this category rewards knowledge of optimal strategy. Variance is moderate, as long runs without strong hands are balanced by occasional payouts from four of a kind or higher.

Video poker paytables clearly show how small changes alter casino payout percentages, underscoring the need to choose machines wisely.

Slot Machine: Odds and Casino Payout Percentages

UNLV Gaming Research found that most slot titles fall in a return range of 85 to 97 percent, meaning house edges between 3 and 15 percent. Unlike blackjack or video poker, there is no skill factor, and random number generators determine outcomes.

While some machines advertise higher payout percentages, the long-term math ensures casinos retain their advantage.

High volatility creates the perception of streaks, where long losing sessions are occasionally interrupted by significant wins. This variance makes slots, including the highest-paying RTP slots, exciting but also riskier for sustained play.

While they rarely qualify as the lowest house edge games, slot machine odds appeal to those who prioritize entertainment value and potential jackpots.

Keno: Odds and House Edge Explained

In most casinos, the house edge in keno ranges from 25 to 35 percent. This means that for every dollar wagered, the expected return is significantly lower than that of table games or even slots. The variance is also extreme; small payouts are infrequent, and big wins are rare.

Because outcomes depend entirely on random draws, no strategy improves results. Unlike blackjack house edge or video poker paytables, keno odds cannot be reduced with skill. The math makes Keno one of the least favorable games for preserving a bankroll.

Big Six Wheel (Wheel of Fortune): House Edge and Payout Segments

Depending on which segment is chosen, the house edge can range from about 11 percent to more than 24 percent. The lower-paying slots, like $1 or $2, deliver smaller wins, but still carry a double-digit edge. Higher-paying spaces, such as the Joker or logo segments, look enticing, but come with the steepest disadvantage.

The Big Six is designed for entertainment rather than value. While it draws attention with its spectacle, the underlying numbers show it belongs in the same category as keno when it comes to worst-odds bets in a casino.

Pai Gow Poker: House Edge and Strategy

The house edge averages about 1.5 percent, though this depends on whether players act as the banker when allowed. Taking the banking role alternates the edge slightly in favor of the player, which makes it one of the few titles where position can influence results.

Because each hand involves setting a five-card high hand and a two-card low hand, strategy determines how consistently returns align with optimal play. The slower pace also stretches bankrolls further, as fewer wagers are made per hour compared with faster table games.

These qualities explain why Pai Gow Poker remains attractive to those seeking steady casino payout percentages with less variance.

Three Card Poker: Evaluating Ante, Play and Pair Plus Bets

The primary wager, Ante plus Play, carries a house edge of about 3.4 percent when the optimal strategy is used. That strategy calls for raising with Queen-6-4 or better. By contrast, the Pair Plus side bet is less favorable, with edges often exceeding 7 percent.

Because hands resolve quickly, variance feels high, yet the straightforward nature of the rules keeps the game approachable. For those seeking casino games with best odds outside of traditional classics, Three Card Poker is respectable when limited to the Ante and Play wagers.

Let It Ride: Strategy and House Edge

The overall edge is around 3.5 percent when the correct strategy is applied. Players start with three equal wagers and have the option to withdraw one or two bets as cards are revealed. Decisions to pull back or let wagers ride make strategy critical, though it is simpler than video poker paytables or blackjack house edge calculations.

The game tends to produce long stretches of more minor losses with occasional larger wins, a profile that reflects moderate variance. While not among the lowest house edge games, Let It Ride remains a steady choice for those who prefer a slower pace and structured decisions.

For bettors interested in playing online, there are a number of real-money gambling sites that are available.

The Best Odds in Casino

Across the spectrum of casino titles, house edge explained reveals where players have the most favorable chances and where risk is steepest.

Understanding odds enables smarter decisions and more effective bankroll management. While the house always retains its edge, selecting casino games with best odds and avoiding worst-odds bets can make gambling more sustainable and enjoyable.

For safer play, remember that gambling should be treated as entertainment. In the United States, support is available through the National Council on Problem Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700.