When playing casino games online or offline, it’s reasonable to want to know what the odds are of converting on a bet. After all, different games have different odds and probabilities, and you’ll also find that all casinos have a house edge. This means that the casino will always make a little back from each bet, even though there are chances for players to claim prizes.
With that in mind, which casino game has the best odds? There are a few card and table games that actually carry better odds for prizes than others, and in this guide, we’ll take you through the best-loved casino staples and the probabilities you can expect when you start playing. Be sure to check out these statistics below before you start placing bets at Tonybet, where you can find all of these games and more!
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Blackjack: strategy meets the best odds
Blackjack odds can vary because you never know what’s going to be drawn, both in your hand and the dealer’s. In fact, seasoned bettors even use blackjack betting tables to try to decide which plays carry the lowest risk, and which offer the highest prize potential.
Your average odds in blackjack overall sit at just over 42%. This means that the game is usually weighted against you. Therefore, using playing strategies is frequently the best way to optimise bets in this game. However, you need to focus on the house edge of 0.5%, which also takes into account losses and pushes.
Depending on the cards you draw, your odds will change. The aim of blackjack is, of course, to get closer to a total of 21 than the dealer and to avoid going bust – i.e., exceeding a total of 21 with your cards.
Therefore, consider the difference in odds when you ‘hit’ or take another card on a 14, versus when you ‘hit’ on a 19. As you can imagine, the odds are shorter on the larger number, and by a lot more! It’s estimated that if you choose to hit on a hand total of 14, you have a 56% chance of going bust. On a total of 19, that’s an 85% chance of going bust.
So, the odds of your bets converting or you avoiding going bust will evolve rapidly in blackjack as the game progresses. This constantly evolving strategy-based gameplay is part of what makes blackjack so popular the world over. However, if you’re looking for straight, simple odds and just want to know your basic chances, keep in mind that the game is weighted slightly against you. However, with strategy, you can reduce long-term losses.
You may want to consider using a blackjack calculator, for example, if you want a clear idea of the odds based on your current hand and game position. Otherwise, it is absolutely a game of luck – and side bets, such as Perfect Pairs, also carry their own odds! Be sure to look carefully at your blackjack table to check out potential returns before you start betting on side markets or even start drawing cards.
Baccarat: low house edge table game
Baccarat is a much simpler game than blackjack in practice, and to that end, it also carries a low house edge and less of a learning curve. That said, blackjack’s house edge is frequently lower, reaching as little as 0.5%, while baccarat’s is still very low at around 1%, depending on the hand you choose.
In this game, you bet on either your hand or the dealer’s hand being the closest to a total of 9. In that regard, baccarat shares some similarities with blackjack, but there are a maximum of three cards dealt and the target total is much smaller. Plus, you don’t have to rely on your own hand if you think that the dealer has a better chance!
So, let’s consider the difference in odds between the player’s bet and the dealer’s bet. You’ll typically find that dealer hands carry odds of around 45.8%. Player bets are a little lower with odds of 44.6%. That said, dealer bets frequently pay commission to balance this out.
And then, of course, there is always the chance of a tie game, which sits at much slimmer odds of around 9.6%, based on typical tables and gameplays. You can expect a payout of around 8:1 on tie games.
This means that there is actually only a slight difference between the two main outcomes in this game, making it a tricky one to call. As with all casino games, baccarat is absolutely rooted in chance, meaning that the odds will, of course, shift depending on the cards that you and the dealer will draw mid-play.
That said, for some bettors, there will always be the presence of a tie possibility looming in the background. Thankfully, if a tie arises and you’ve bet on the player or dealer hands, this will be considered a push if no one has bet on that outcome – so, everyone gets their money back.
A word of warning if you want to bet on a tie, however! The house edge on a tie is much higher than you might think, sitting at around 14.36%.
Craps: top odds when you bet smart
Craps, like blackjack, has odds that may work in your favour if you are smart about how you bet. Payouts in this game will always vary depending on the table, the casino or the game developer, but what doesn’t usually change is the fact that different bets carry varying levels of odds, risk and conversions.
For example, the pass line and don’t pass line bets available in the game carry very low house edges, at around 1.41% and 1.36%, respectively – however, they will only pay 1:1, making them evens markets with regard to what you might get back.
After you make a pass line bet, however, you will usually be able to ‘take the odds’ on a further bet that carries zero house edge. While wagers will be limited on taking the odds to an extent, you can expect varying odds of conversion depending on what you roll – ranging from 2/1 (33.33%). It’s worth remembering, however, that there is still a house edge on the pass line.
‘Place bets’ also prove to be popular thanks to their relative simplicity in a complex game, and the fact that the house edge is as low as 1.52% when you bet on 6 and 8.
Craps is one of the most complex casino games, meaning that it will take time for even the best players to work out a strategy that minimises the house edge. Our advice is to get to know the game gradually, and, as always, to play responsibly!
Roulette: best versions for players
Roulette is much simpler to understand from an odds perspective compared to craps, because the number of pockets on the wheel dictates your chances. There are three main versions of roulette you will find at Tonybet and other casinos: European, French and American. And, the odds will vary depending on the type of roulette you play. For the most part, the French version is similar to the European, though it carries some betting differences.
Here are the main differences between European and American roulette:
- European roulette: Carries 37 numbered pockets (including one zero), house edge of 2.7%, 35:1 payout on straight-up bets.
- American roulette: Carries 38 numbered pockets (including two zeroes), house edge of 5.26%, 35:1 payout on straight-up bets.
As you can see, the American house edge is slightly higher than the European, though straight-up bet payouts remain the same. This is also despite the fact that you have a one in 37 chance of converting that bet in the European game, compared to one in 38 in the American version.
These differences are largely due to the double zero, an extra pocket in American roulette that pushes the house edge further. This also leads to American roulette carrying a unique bet covering 0, 00, 1, 2, and 3.
Generally, you can expect the following odds based on different bet types:
- Straight-ups: 70% in European, 2.63% in American.
- Evens (Red/Black or Odd/Even): 65% in European, 47.37% in American.
- Dozens: 43% in European, 31.58% in American.
So, the roulette game with the best odds is typically the European version, but this also depends on the types of bets you place!
Video poker & other games with good odds
To close our guide, let’s explore a few other games with good odds you may wish to consider:
- Video poker: Varies, but jackpots may start from one in 80 (1.25%) – RTP (Return to Player) values determine how frequently they pay out.
- Slot games: Varies wildly depending on the RTP ratio, may be as low as one in 5,000 (0.02%) for jackpot prizes (in progressive games, this is much higher).
- Keno: You can generally expect to get a number from one in four (25%).
- Bingo: Varies depending on how many tickets and players are in the game – smaller rooms have shorter odds.
So, which casino game has the best odds? Here are the top three:
- Blackjack (house edge goes as low as 0.5%, but basic strategy matters).
- Craps (house edge of around 0.8% when you bring in taking the odds).
- Baccarat (specifically the banker bet, with a house edge of 1.06% and commission).
Of course, playing responsibly and strategically is vital regardless of the casino games you choose! Be sure to set time and play limits, and reach out to Tonybet at any time if you need help.
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