People play casino games to relax, have fun, and win a little money. But did you know that each game has its own house edge? There is sometimes a massive difference in the likely returns you’ll see from one game to another, and you need to know which ones are best before you put any money down! Casino game payout rates help you determine the house edge, which can be defined as the statistical advantage the casino holds in any game.
Casino advantage exists on every slot, table game, lottery, or instant pay game at brick-and-mortar and online casinos. It tells you how much every game pays out, on average, over the longer term and which ones offer you the best returns on your bets.
Remember, the house edge is a product of the games themselves. Individual casinos do not set it up. So, no matter where you’re playing, if you’re betting on a particular casino game, you’re going to have to deal with a specific house edge.
Blackjack: 0.5% to 2%
21 offers players the lowest house edge of most casino games, and single-deck games are better than multi-deck ones. Notwithstanding, there is a skill requirement for Blackjack as well, something that will significantly impact the house edge. While the uninitiated will be playing with a house edge of close to 2%, experienced players who understand perfect blackjack strategy can bring it right down to just 0.5%.
Baccarat: 1.5%
Essentially, Baccarat is a simple card game with three possible outcomes:
- The player wins
- The banker wins
- A tie occurs
You bet on which result is going to happen, bearing in mind that betting on the banker costs a little extra because this outcome occurs most frequently. So, to keep the house-edge as low as possible, the player is the bet to make.
Caribbean Stud Poker
Caribbean Stud Poker is just like regular stud Poker, but you don’t need to bluff, so there’s no Poker face you need to worry about. There are also many times that you’ll actually have the same hand as the other players at the table, but it doesn’t matter because you only have to beat the house. And it’s just 5% in this game, so you’ve got more than a chance if you know your rules.
After you place your ante bet, the dealer hands out five cards to everyone involved in the game, with one of its own cards placed facing up. You then check your cards and the dealer’s face-up card and choose whether to raise the stakes or forfeit the ante. There’s also the option of a progressive side bet, which can pay out a vast amount of money if you get it right.
Craps: 1% to 16%
You’ve almost certainly seen a movie featuring a glamorous casino setting with a game unfolding with a group of excited spectators. If it’s not Blackjack or Roulette, the game you’re looking at is certainly Craps, with dice rolling down the table as people anxiously await the result.
Many people are put off by the large number of rules in Craps, and you need to know them in order to take advantage of the low house edge. It all comes down to the bets you’re making, with the best option being Pass/Don’t Pass bets, which have a house-edge of 0%. The catch is that you have to have also placed Pass/Don’t Pass line bets, which have edges of 1.41% and 1.36%, respectively. Combining these bets is what brings the house advantage down so low.
Should you opt for a seven bet instead, you’re looking at a house-edge that shoots up to almost 17%!
Keno: 1.25% to 29%
In Keno, you’re going to have to choose which title you play carefully because the house-edge varies so widely, ranging from just over 1% to almost 30%. Determine what you’re dealing with by investigating the Return to Player rate of the casino game you’re considering playing and steering as close to 99% as you can.
Pai Gow Poker: 1.46%
Pai Gow Poker is a popular Asian variant of the classic card game that uses 52 cards plus one joker. Your objective is to create a five-card Poker hand and a two-card Poker hand from the seven cards available that beat both of the banker’s hands.
The house edge on Pai Gow Poker is less than 1.5% and, like its counterparts, is definitely a game of skill. Learn your strategy and up the ante the next time you run into it at an online casino!
Roulette: 2.7% to 5.26%
The only real difference between European and American Roulette is the extra 0 on the board. It may seem like just a tiny addition—one more segment on a board full of them—but it nearly doubles the house edge. Many thrill-seekers still love American Roulette, possibly because it has fewer rules and is thus easier to play, but it’s still not as good as the European and French variants in terms of house-edge.
Slots: 0.5% to 15%
Slots are a major drawcard at trusted sites like Jackpot Wheel casino because, while they may not always have the lowest house edge, there are so many to choose from that you’ll be able to find one that offers you the best possible return on your investment. They’re also full of exciting bonus games and extra symbols like wilds and scatters that can really boost your bankroll if luck is on your side.
Just be sure to investigate the RTP percentage rate for each game before you play it and aim for games that offer you at least 96%.
Video Poker: Up to 5%
Video Poker combines the thrilling instant wins of slots with the requirement for skill and strategy that the card game it’s named after does. Despite the fact that it’s computerised, including its house edge, knowing how the mathematics of Poker work will increase your skill level and, thus, the likelihood of seeing a return.