Every game on the casino floor has a built-in house edge. This is the casino’s advantage that ensures it generates profit from the games.
The house edge guarantees a certain profit margin over time. There will be highs and lows, but in the long run, casinos expect to earn a set amount from every game.
However, the house edge isn’t absolute. Anything can happen in the short term, so it won’t affect every session the same way.
🏠 What Is House Edge?
It’s helpful for players to understand how the house edge works. It’s equally important to know which games carry a low or high house edge.
The higher the house edge, the more money the casino will make from a game. That means players can expect to lose more.
With lower house edge games, players’ money tends to last longer. More time at the tables is not only fun, but it also gives players a chance to catch a hot streak and walk away winners for the session.
The easiest example of how a house edge works is roulette. Most roulette tables have 36 numbers plus two zeros for a total of 38 slots.
The true odds should pay 38-to-1, but casinos only pay 35-to-1 when a player hits the right number. That three-number difference creates a 5.26% house edge.
Single-zero roulette has a 2.67% house edge since there are only 37 numbers in play. Mathematically, the odds are better for the player at a single-zero table than at any other version.
Roulette is a great example because it shows how the same game can have one version with a decent return to the player and another that’s far less favorable.
⬇️ Keeping the House Edge Low
Finding a game with a low house edge is great, but the work isn’t done.
The key to keeping the house edge low is learning and using the correct strategy. For games that involve skill, the lowest house edge is based on perfect play.
Straying from perfect strategy in games like blackjack and video poker increases the casino’s advantage, which cancels much of the benefit of choosing a low-edge game.
Additionally, anyone who wants to play a game with a low house edge should avoid the side bets. They usually come with a much higher house edge and will wipe out the advantages of playing a game where the casino has a small advantage.
The two main bets in baccarat have a house edge just above 1%. Players should skip the tie bet, which has a 9% house edge, as well as side bets, which tilt even more heavily in the casino’s favor.
Finally, since casinos offer multiple versions of games like blackjack and roulette, players should learn the differences in house edge based on the rules. Tables near the action in a casino often have the worst rules, while those tucked away are more player-friendly.
⬇️ Casino Games With the Lowest House
When searching for the games with the lowest house edge, skip the bright and noisy slots and head for the tables. It’s worth repeating that some, but not all, require perfect strategy to achieve the lowest house edge.
Even though most of the casino games with the lowest house edge are at the tables, there’s one exception in most casinos. Even the worst video poker paytables have a lower house edge than slots.
♠️ Blackjack
Regardless of the rules, blackjack has one of the lowest house edges in the casino. It ranges from 0.36% to 2.48%.
The biggest difference is in the payout when a player is dealt a natural blackjack.
A traditional 3:2 game has a house edge as low as 0.36% and pays $15 for a $10 wager on a blackjack.
A 6:5 game with the worst rules has a house edge of 2.48% and pays only $12 for the same hand.
Blackjack is a game of skill, and the house edge assumes perfect basic strategy. Every mistake increases the edge for the casino. The good news is that players are allowed to reference a paper (not online) strategy card at the table.
The larger the casino, the more blackjack variations you’ll find. The biggest Las Vegas casinos often have multiple pits, and sometimes each has different rules. In addition to the payout on blackjack, look for the following player-friendly rules:
- The house edge drops with fewer decks in play.
- A dealer standing on 17 is rare but preferable.
- The option to surrender benefits the player.
- Players should be able to double down on any two cards dealt.
- Doubling down more than once should be allowed.
- Doubling after splitting should be permitted.
Homework: Find a basic strategy card and perfect this skill. It’s not too difficult and will go a long way to maximizing time and money in a casino. Additionally, find a blackjack house edge calculator online to plug in rules to learn the advantage the casino has over the player.
You can also play blackjack online and get some practice in before visiting a physical casino. Be sure to find all the casino bonuses available when visiting an online site like BetMGM casino.
♦️ Baccarat
Baccarat has long been the preferred game by high rollers because of the low house edge. This is still the case, but high rollers aren’t alone in their love for the game.
Baccarat has a house edge of 1.36% to 16.67%.
There are more baccarat tables on the main casino floor than ever for gamblers who may not fall into the high roller category. The games are slightly different, but players with any size budget can now enjoy this game with a low house edge.
There are three main wagers in baccarat, but only two are worth making.
- A bet on the banker has a 1.06% house edge.
- A bet on the player has a 1.24% house edge.
Anyone seeking the lowest house edge should avoid the tie bet and newer side bets. While they add variety, they’re heavily tilted in the casino’s favor.
Another appeal of baccarat is its simplicity. Players simply bet on whether their hand or the dealer’s hand will come closest to nine. That’s it — that’s the game.
Las Vegas table game guidesPlanning a trip to Las Vegas and want to make the most of your time in Sin City? It's a good idea to do your research before you arrive, so we've created a series of guides to help maximize your bankroll:
🎲 Craps
Craps offers more betting options than any other casino game. Stick to the basics to keep the house edge low. The house edge in craps ranges from 1.36% to 16.67%.
The pass line bet has a 1.41% house edge. Casinos also allow players to add “odds” behind the pass line, which carry no house edge (0%) and pay true odds. The odds available are different at all casinos, with 3x-4x-5x being the most popular offering.
Come bets work the same way and share the same 1.41% edge. Don’t Pass and Don’t Come bets are the opposite wagers and have a slightly lower 1.36% edge.
Beyond those, there are dozens of other wagers. Unfortunately, many have double-digit house edges. Stick to the core bets for the best odds.
♣️ Face Up Pai Gow
Pai Gow Poker has long appealed to gamblers who want to stretch their bankroll. The Face Up Pai Gow variant is the most common version in casinos today.
This slow-paced game has two big benefits: a 1.81% house edge and a high percentage of pushes. Nearly half of all hands end in a push, which keeps players in action longer.
The game may seem complicated at first, but it becomes intuitive after a few hands. If unsure, players can ask the dealer to set their hand the “house way.” This is the same method the dealer uses.
Players need basic poker knowledge to form one five-card hand and one two-card hand.
The main difference in Face Up Pai Gow from the original card game is that the hand is a push if the dealer’s hand is an Ace high. This happens about 8% of the time. About 40% of all hands end in a tie.
New players nervous about playing for the first time can find plenty of free online games to learn how to set hands.
♥️ Video Poker
Video poker often offers the lowest house edge of any machine game, but like blackjack, players must use perfect strategy.
A full-pay 9/6 Jacks or Better machine (paying 9 credits for a full house and 6 for a flush) has a house edge of just 0.46% when played correctly. It also has relatively low variance, meaning swings are smaller than in other video poker games.
Casinos can alter paytables to increase their advantage. A poor version of Jacks or Better can carry a 5% house edge. While not optimal, this is still lower than slots.
In rare cases, some Deuces Wild paytables actually give a slight edge to skilled players. Other strong games with less than a 2% edge include:
- 8/5 Bonus Poker
- 9/6 Bonus Poker Deluxe
- 9/7 Double Bonus
- 9/6 Double Double Bonus
Every misplayed hand increases the casino’s edge. Using a video poker trainer or app is crucial for learning proper strategy. Many free resources are available online and in app stores.
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