Feeling like the odds are always against you? Perhaps you just play the wrong games. Today, I share the top six low-house edge games where you’ll have better chances to come out on top. Read on to learn how to cut the casino advantage and shift the scales in your favor.
House Edge Concept
The house edge is the percentage of your bets that gambling sites like Lukki online casino can take. Say the game you choose has a casino’s winning margin of 2%. From every $100 you wager, the gambling site will keep $2. The lower the casino advantage, the more chances you have of succeeding.
Here’s a quick breakdown of figures for popular casino games:
- Video poker – 0.46%
- Blackjack – 0.5%
- Baccarat – 1.06%-1.24%
- Craps – 1.41%
- Pai Gow Poker – 1.46%
- European Roulette – 2.70%
- American Roulette – 5.40%
- Slots – 2%-10%
Not all casinos display their advantage over players in the game descriptions as it is. Sometimes, you’ll see the Return to Player (RTP) figure, which is the opposite value. Playing the game with a 96% RTP means winning back $96 from every $100 wagered over time. The casino will keep $4 or 4% — the house edge.
6 Leading Low-House Edge Games
Blackjack
Blackjack is a staple in any casino, known for its straightforward rules and the opportunity for skillful play. A basic strategy can offer a casino advantage as low as 0.5%.
Tips for success:
- Master the basic strategy and learn the optimal moves for every possible hand combination.
- Avoid side bets — they often come with a much higher casino’s winning margin.
- Card Counting: If you’re playing in a live casino and can do it subtly, card counting can shift the odds in your favor.
You can get more tips on mastering blackjack and other games on reputable feedback platforms like Theoverviewscasino.
Baccarat
Baccarat is a high-stakes game that is surprisingly simple to play. Betting on the banker gives you a casino advantage of just 1.06% while betting on the player has a house edge of 1.24%.
Tips for success:
- Always bet on the banker — this bet has the lowest casino advantage.
- Avoid tie bets, as they come with a house edge of over 14%.
- Stick to a betting strategy that suits your bankroll size.
Craps
In craps, several bets in craps have a relatively low house edge, and the game’s social nature adds to the fun. The pass line bet has a casino’s winning margin of 1.41%.
Tips for success:
- Pass line and come bets are your best options.
- Use odds bets as they have no casino advantage and can significantly improve your odds.
- Understanding the different bets and their odds can help you make smarter choices.
Video Poker
Video poker combines slot machines with poker. With perfect strategy, games like Jacks or Better can have a casino advantage as low as 0.46%.
Tips for success:
- Not all video poker games offer the same odds, so choose strategically.
- Each game has a strategy that can lower the casino’s winning margin — take time to learn it.
- Look for full-pay machines as they offer the best payouts.
Roulette (European)
European roulette is favored over its American counterpart due to its single zero. The house edge is 2.70%.
Tips for success:
- For better odds, stick to even-money bets, such as red/black or odd/even.
- Avoid American roulette — the extra zero almost doubles the casino’s winning margin.
- In live casinos, slight biases in the wheel can sometimes be found — watch for them.
Pai Gow Poker
Pai Gow Poker is a slower-paced game with plenty of chances to push (tie). The casino advantage is around 1.46%.
Tips for success:
- Split your cards into a strong high hand and a strong low hand.
- Avoid side bets, as they usually have a higher advantage over players.
- Grasp the rules and mechanics, as they might vary across casinos.
Tips for Smarter Play to Cut the Casino Advantage
The smart play pays off in whichever game you prefer. To stay profitable in the long run, here are some universal tips to follow:
- Use casino tools and apps to help you make calculated moves. For example, you can get an edge in poker with tools to count cards or track patterns.
- Take some time to study game theory. Concepts like Nash equilibrium can help you make informed decisions.
- In live casino games, pay attention to what the dealer tells. Reading these tells can help you understand a dealer’s hands.
- Watch the pros playing. Spot their strategies and techniques and adapt them to your gameplay.
- Once you’ve picked the strategy, practice it in the demo mode first. Once you get comfortable with it, apply it in real money games.
Play Smart, Win Big
I’ve shared the best low casino edge games and strategies for smarter play. Now you know what to do to succeed. Go ahead, hit the virtual casino floor, and start winning!