The bright lights and exciting energy of a casino like JustCasino can mesmerize anyone who walks through its doors. With so many games to choose from, it can be difficult to know which table to approach first. However, not all casino games are created equal when it comes to odds and house edge. Understanding the statistical probability of winning in different games can help strategize your bankroll. This guide breaks down the numbers behind some of the most popular casino table games to reveal which ones offer the best odds for players.
Blackjack: A Game of Skill Against the Dealer
Of all casino table games, blackjack arguably offers the best odds for players who take the time to master basic strategy. Blackjack is a game of skill in which players try to build a hand value closer to 21 than the dealer without going over. The house edge in blackjack can range from around 0.5% to over 2% depending on factors like the number of decks used and specific rules around dealer hits and doubles.
A major factor impacting blackjack odds is that players make decisions on their hands after seeing one of the dealer’s upcards. Strategic hitting, standing, splitting, and doubling down based on what the dealer is showing can significantly cut into the inherent house edge. Those willing to memorize basic blackjack strategy charts can whittle the house edge down towards that 0.5% mark under ideal rules.
Craps: Bet Big and Win Big?
With its exciting pace and communal atmosphere, craps looks like the life of the casino party. Betting on the roll of two dice seems to offer tons of betting variety with promising potential payouts. However, most craps bets have less than desirable odds for players. The house edge on craps bets ranges from around 1.4% up to over 16% depending on which wagers you place.
The pass/don’t pass and come/don’t come bet combinations offer some of the lowest house edges, hovering around 1.4%. Laying odds behind pass and come bets further drops the house edge on those initial wagers. One-roll proposition bets in the middle of the table notoriously favor the house, with edges from 9% up to 16.67%. With so many long-shot bets available, craps players can find themselves behind the eight ball if they aren’t careful where they put their money.
Baccarat: Low House Edge With No Strategy Needed
Looking for a low house edge A Journey Through Wealth and Extravagant Bonuses game but don’t have the time or interest to memorize complex strategy? Baccarat may be perfect for you. Players simply bet on either the player or banker hand to be dealt closest to a point value of 9 from two dealt cards. With the common “tie” bet excluded, baccarat offers house edges around 1.06% on the banker bet and 1.24% on the player bet.
Unlike blackjack or video poker, there are no strategic decisions for baccarat players to make outside of choosing which of the two main bets to place. Whether the player or banker hand wins appears to be as random as a coin flip. The set rules for drawing a third card takes all strategy out of the players’ hands. Just sit back and watch the cards fall!
Roulette: It’s All About Luck of the Spin
A roulette wheel may only have 38 numbered slots for the ball to potentially land in, but not all of those slots are created equal. The alternating red/black and odd/even bets pay out at even money but carry house edges ranging from 2.7% (European wheel with single 0 ) up to 5.26% (American wheel with 0 and 00). Wagers on specific numbers payout handsomely at 35:1 but carry much longer house edges of 2.7% (European) or 5.26% (American) as well.
The results of every roulette spin are purely random, with no player decisions or strategies that can impact the outcome. The only factor within players’ control is choosing which bets to place out of the myriad of inside, outside, column, dozen, and number options across the felt. In the long run, the effect of that pesky green 0 or 00 pocket gives the house an inevitable mathematical edge to bank on.
The Takeaway: Know the Numbers
While no casino game has zero house edge, blackjack and baccarat objectively offer the best odds by the numbers, especially for those willing to learn basic blackjack strategy. Craps and roulette are more about luck than skill, with a couple bets in craps offering decent odds but most carrying quite high house edges. There’s a reason casinos give more freebies to table game players than slots.
No matter what games you approach, responsible bankroll management and betting within your means improves the chances of walking away ahead. Temper expectations, avoid sucker bets, quit while you’re ahead, and remember the axiom that holds true at any casino: the house always wins in the end.
