Our top 10 list of casino games with best odds. Ultimate guide to why these are the highest payout casino games with house edge explained.
Last Updated: March 9, 2024
- Video Poker – House Edge from 0.46%
- Blackjack – House Edge from 1%
- Baccarat – House Edge from 1.09%
- Craps – House Edge from 1.41%
- Roulette – House Edge from 2.7%
- Slots – House Edge from 2.5% – 15%
- Pai Gow Poker – House Edge from 2.84%
- Three Card Poker – House Edge from 3.37%
- Caribbean Stud Poker – House Edge from 5.2%
- Keno – House Edge from 5%
Our Top 10 Casino Games with the Highest Payouts for 2024
Learn the house edge, odds, and winning strategies for each game, ensuring you make informed choices in the pursuit of thrilling jackpots. Whether you’re a seasoned player or a beginner, find the game that aligns with your comfort level and promises an enjoyable time. Let’s dive into the realm of high-stakes excitement!
So, what Casino Games offer the Best Odds?
1) Video Poker – House Edge from 0.46%
Video Poker is very popular, both online and offline. It is easy to play and requires no specific skills to win. Anyone who enjoys it always waits for that specific card that will complete a straight flush. While the frequency of hitting various jackpots will vary, there are benchmarks that you can use when playing video poker. There are many variations of video poker games, so the odds can vary depending on the game of choice. Generally, the odds of Video Poker are as follows:
| Jackpot | Odds |
|---|---|
| Royal Flush dealt | 650,000:1 |
| Royal Flush ending hand | 40,000:1 |
| Four Aces with a kicker | 16,236:1 |
| Straight Flush | 9,150:1 |
| 2’s – 4’s with a kicker | 6,984:1 |
| Four Aces | 5,761:1 |
| Four Deuces | 4,909:1 |
| 2’s – 4’s | 2,601:1 |
| Four of a kind | 423:1 |
| Full House | 90:1 |
| Flush | 85:1 |
| Straight | 80:1 |
| Pair of Jacks, Queens, Kings or Aces | 7:1 |
| Any Pair | 2:1 |
As you can gather from the table above, video poker offers significantly better odds of a return, and even winning the jackpot, than most online games. Moreover, since the game is easy to play, and it follows a simple strategy, most beginners and seasoned players find it fun and enticing.
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2) Blackjack – House Edge from 1%
To many gamblers, Blackjack is the best game to play at casino to win money, especially if you apply a basic winning blackjack strategy. This table game has a house edge, or advantage, of an average 1%, which gives the player a winning advantage of 99%. Without a strategy, an average player will face a house edge of 2% to 3%.
When using the basic playing strategy below, you must not alter based on any hunch that you have concerning the game’s outcome.
The only exception is if you are counting the cards. IBM’s Julian Braun was the first to put the basic strategy of card counting to test using computer simulations. This blackjack strategy predicts a particular outcome after millions of hand play.
Blackjack Basic Strategy
| Your Hand | Advice based on Dealer’s Up-card |
|---|---|
| 8 | Double on 5 to 6, else hit. |
| 9 | Double on 2 to 6, else hit. |
| 10 | Double on 2 to 9, else hit. |
| 11 | Double. |
| 12 | Stand on 4 to 6, else hit. |
| 13 to 16 | Stand on 2 to 6, else hit. |
| 17 to 21 | Stand. |
| A, 2 to A, 5 | Double on 4 to 6, else hit. |
| A, 6 | Double on 2 to 6, else hit. |
| A, 7 | Stand on 2, 7, 8, or A, and Double on 3 to 6, but hit on 9 or 10. |
| A, 8 | Double on 6, else, stand. |
| A, 9 | Stand. |
| A, A | Split. |
| 2, 2 | Split on 3 to 7, else hit. |
| 3, 3 | Split on 4 to 7, else hit. |
| 4,4 | Double on 5 to 6, else hit. |
| 5, 5 | Double on 2 to 9, else hit. |
| 6, 6 | Split on 2 to 6, else hit. |
| 7, 7 | Split on 2 to 7, stand on 10, else hit. |
| 8, 8 | Split. |
| 9, 9 | Split on 2 to 9, but for 7, 10, or A, stand. |
| 10, 10 | Stand. |
Blackjack is by far the most commonly played games among the high rollers and VIP casino players, due to what can be achieved with a basic strategy. Overall, blackjack is the best casino game to win money if you feel you have mastered some basic gaming skills.
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3) Baccarat – House Edge from 1.09%
Baccarat is among the most popular table casino games and one of the highest payout casino games. Moreover, as you may expect from games with high payouts, the amount wagered is substantial as well. You therefore stand to lose a lot if you do not win, just as you would win a lot if you won. With that in mind, you want to make sure that you only wager when the odds of winning favor you more.
On average, casinos offer Baccarat with an average house edge of 1.09%, which is moderately low. In most online casinos, the players win about 49.32% of the total outcomes, while the banker win about 50.68% of the total outcomes. In order to get the house edge that applies to a “player bet” placed by an individual player, we subtract the probability of the house winning from that of the player winning.
House edge: 49.32%-50.68%=-1.36%.
When playing Baccarat, you need to be aware of the three options available when placing your chips on the table. The three types of wagers you can place are “Banker,” “Player,” or “tie.” In that regard, if you place a bet on the “player” section, the house edge will be about 1.36%. Placing your bet on the “banker” section will lower the house edge to 1.06%, and but if you choose to a “tie” bet, the house edge will rise to an average of 14.4%. Therefore, the tie bet has the worst odds compared to others, while the banker bet has the best odds.
If you are learning how to play Baccarat online, it is wise to keep this page open for the needed info while you play. Best of all though, read and learn all the outcomes before gambling real money.
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4) Craps – House Edge from 1.41%
Generally, Crap games have a wide house edge that can be as low as 0.0% and as high as 10%. To be more specific, the Odds bets will have zero house edge, while the Pass Line bet will have a house edge of 1.41%. A Proposition 2 and 12 bet will have a house edge of 10%. As you may expect, where the house edge is zero, there is usually a catch. It could be you need to have made a Don’t Pass Line or a Pass Line in order to qualify to make the bet.
At the Craps table, the average house edge is determined by the total amount you are willing wager. Most online casinos offer 3X odds that brings the average house total to 0.34% for Don’t Pass, and 0.47% for Pass Line Odds. To lower the house edge further, you will need to bet with higher multiples. For a house edge of 0.02%, you will need to bet with 100X odds.
Overall, Craps is well known among gamblers to be one of the casino games with best odds, online and offline. According to many, this is the best game to play at the casino to win real money. Our beginners guide to craps will help you understand the bet types and outcomes.
Recommended Casinos for Craps
5) Roulette – House Edge from 2.7%
Roulette offers varying odds although they ultimately lead to the same house edge on average. For the purposes of our discussion, we are going to use the American Roulette version first, but the calculations will be adapted to get the odds or house edge for European Roulette as well.
For those that are unaware of the differences between American and European Roulette, they are practically identical in every way. Both versions have numbers ranging from 1-36, with each one in either red or black positions. Both wheels are the same in this respect, albeit in different positions on the wheel.
The only real difference that separates them in terms of odds, is that European Roulette has one green zero (0), whereas the American counterpart has the green zero (0) and also a green double zero (00). The American version adds to the House Edge due to the extra position on the roulette wheel.
American Roulette
Let us say you place an even red/black money bet. You will win if the ball comes to a stop on any of the 18 pockets that share the red/black color on the roulette wheel. Your chance of winning is therefore 18/38 or about 47.37%. Since your chance of losing the bet is 52.63%, the house edge will be 52.63% – 47.37% = 5.26%.
On the other hand, lets say the bet is on a single number, then the house edge changes. In that case, the bet will pay 35-1, if the exact number hits. The odds of winning the game will be 1/38, or 2.63%. Moreover, while a win will give you 35 units profit, a lost bet will only cost you one unit. The odds of losing the bet are 97.37%. Therefore, the casinos house edge for a single number bet is 97.37% – 2.63% = 94.74%.
European Roulette
With European Roulette, because it has only the single zero (0), your odds change like so: Betting one chip on red/black or odd/even gives you a chance of 18/37, about 48.65%. Your chances of losing are 51.35%, this makes the house edge only 2.7%. Therefore, there is a 2.56% better chance of winning playing European Roulette over the American counterpart. This in turn, leads to better odds for a payout.
What does this mean for casino players?
Fortunately, the majority of online casinos offer both versions of roulette quite freely. Many also have their live dealer version of roulette which make the experience even better. The same applies to many land based casinos, depending on the casino of course. Some do offer both American and European Versions, however the majority of casino players in the United States do have to settle for American Roulette only.
Overall, the biggest advantage of playing Roulette is you do not have to use any special strategy to enjoy the best odds; you simply have to place your bet. If you were looking for gambling games with best odds, and without the need for any special knowledge or strategy, then go for Roulette.
Recommended Casinos for Roulette
6) Slots – House Edge from 2% – 15%
Slots are the most popular casino games thanks to their huge progressive jackpots and captivating designs. The huge jackpots combined with a lower house edge when you wager larger denominations mean you stand a better chance of winning the jackpot. Moreover, you can minimize the risk by choosing reliable slots and casinos whether you are offline or online.
For slot machines, the house edge is often referred to as the Return to Player (RTP) percentage, which is the flip side of the house edge. The RTP is the percentage of total bets that is expected to be paid back to players over time, and the house edge is essentially 100% minus the RTP.
The house edge for slot machines can vary significantly, typically ranging from 2% to 15% or more, depending on the machine and the casino. For example, a slot machine with a 97% RTP has a 3% house edge. This means that, on average, for every $100 wagered on the machine, the casino expects to keep $3 as profit and return $97 to players in winnings.
It’s important to note that the RTP is calculated over the long term and across many players, so individual session outcomes can vary widely. Some players may experience better than average returns, while others may not be as lucky. The RTP is a useful metric for comparing the relative generosity of different slot machines, but it’s not a guarantee of personal winning odds.
Casinos do not always publicize the exact RTP of each slot machine, but some jurisdictions require that this information be made available to players. Additionally, many online casinos and game developers voluntarily publish the RTP of their slots.
Another aspect of slot machines is the variance or volatility that the specific game provides. Some slots have a very low volatility which cater for players looking for regular but smaller wins. Whereas the games with higher volatility are for players looking for less frequent but bigger wins. Therefore, understanding slot game volatility is important to determine the right game for you.
Overall, they are a best category of casino game to win big money for small stakes. Their massive jackpots make them worth playing every time as long as you do it responsibly.
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7) Pai Gow Poker – House Edge from 2.84%
This game has a house edge of 2.84% when the player does not bank, that is, the player is playing against house rules and not acting as a banker for other players to play against. Most of the edge comes from the player’s lose of a tie to a bank. The rest of the edge comes from the 5% commission deducted from winning hands.
In the event that a player chooses to bank in Pai Gow Poker, they lower the house edge further. For example, if the casinos allow them to bank half of their hands, the house edge drops to 1.42% from 2.84%. Moreover, if the casino allows them to bank more hands, the house edge drops further.
Generally, the 7 Card Straight Flush hand has the least Odds at 5,000,000-1 and a huge bonus payout of 8,000:1, while the Straight hand has the best odds at 14-1, but a small bonus of just 2:1.
| Hand | Odds |
|---|---|
| 7 Card Straight Flush | 5,000,000:1 |
| Royal Flush plus two 2’s | 2,000:1 |
| 7-Card Straight Flush with joker | 1,000:1 |
| Five aces | 400:1 |
| Royal flush | 150:1 |
| Straight flush | 50:1 |
| Four of a kind | 25:1 |
| Full house | 5:1 |
| Flush | 4:1 |
| Three of a kind | 3:1 |
| Straight hand | 14:1 |
Overall, the more you risk when playing Pai Gow Poker, the greater the payout. It is therefore the best highest payout casino games.
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8) Three Card Poker – House Edge from 3.37%
Three Card Poker is a popular casino table game that is easy to learn and offers players a chance to win big. It’s played with a standard 52-card deck and pits the player’s three-card hand against the dealer’s hand. Here’s how it generally works:
Game Play:
- Ante Bet: The game starts with the players placing an ante bet.
- Deal: Each player and the dealer receive three cards dealt face down. Players can then look at their cards.
- Play or Fold: After seeing their cards, players must decide whether to place a play bet, matching their ante, to go head-to-head with the dealer’s hand, or fold and forfeit their ante bet.
- Dealer’s Hand Qualification: The dealer’s hand must have a queen high or better to qualify. If the dealer’s hand does not qualify, players win even money on their ante bet, and the play bet pushes (i.e., is returned to the player).
- Hand Comparison: If the dealer qualifies, the player’s and dealer’s hands are compared. The higher poker hand wins. If the player wins, they receive even money on both the ante and play bets. If the dealer wins, the player loses both bets.
In Three Card Poker, the house edge can vary based on the specific rules of the game and the strategies used by the player. There are two primary bets to consider:
- Ante Bet: The house edge on the ante bet is typically around 3.37% assuming optimal player strategy. This edge accounts for the dealer’s qualifying hand and the payouts for various winning player hands.
- Pair Plus Bet: The house edge on the Pair Plus bet varies significantly based on the paytable used but is typically higher than the ante bet, often around 7.28%. This bet is based solely on the player’s hand and pays out for hands of a pair or better according to a specified paytable.
The “Play” bet, when made, is made at even money, meaning it does not inherently carry a house edge since it’s a bet made after viewing one’s cards, and it wins or loses under the same conditions as the ante bet. Overall, if you need a game that will break the monotony of traditional casinos games, the Three Card Poker is worth a try.
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9) Caribbean Stud Poker – House Edge from 5.2%
Most beginners find Caribbean Stud easy to play and the best Caribbean Stud Poker strategies easy to grasp. Moreover, some online casinos offer you free game-plays, which allow you to learn what you need to know to enjoy the game. The general strategy is you raise with a pair or higher, or you fold if you have less than the dealer’s qualifying hand. The dealer’s qualifying hand can be a King or an Ace.
The average house edge is about 5.2%, but the progressive jackpots make up for the risk you take. Both the Royal Flush and the Straight Flush have the same odds, 50:1. The dealer always pays players from right to left. Therefore, if two players get a royal flush, the player closer to the dealer’s right gets the full jackpot, and the player with the right flush will get just 10% of the reseeded amount.
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10) Keno – House Edge from 5%
When it comes to playing Keno, it is all about numbers, and there is no real strategy to lower the house edge. However, knowing the odds can help you not risk too much if you are not able to lose that much.
In Keno, there are 80 numbers, and 20 get drawn per round of betting. However, the player must first choose at least 1 number. With each additional number chosen, the paytable on the screen will alter the payouts based on how many correct numbers you might hit. The player is then paid depending on the numbers they correctly picked out of the 20 that were drawn.
The house edge in Keno varies widely depending on the specifics of the game and the choices made by the player. Generally, the house edge in Keno can be quite high compared to other casino games, often ranging from about 5% to 30% or even higher. This means that, on average, the casino expects to keep $5 to $30 of every $100 wagered on Keno.
The specific house edge can depend on several factors, including:
- The paytable: Different casinos and different Keno games offer different paytables, which detail the payouts for hitting a certain number of spots. Games with more generous payouts will have a lower house edge, and vice versa.
- The number of spots chosen: The player’s choice of how many numbers (spots) to pick can affect the odds and, consequently, the house edge. Generally, there’s an optimal number of spots to pick that minimizes the house edge, though this can vary depending on the paytable.
- Bonuses and special features: Some Keno games include bonuses or special features that can affect the house edge. For example, a bonus for hitting a certain combination of numbers might reduce the overall house edge.
Because of these variables, it’s essential to look at the specific rules and paytables of the Keno game you’re playing to determine the exact house edge.
As the player picks more numbers, the odds of getting all the numbers correct become astronomical. It can happen or course, with one Las Vegas native winning over $108k on a 20 cent bet.
Overall though, it is best to wager on picking only a few numbers.
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Conclusion – Casino Games with Best Odds and Payouts
Overall, the best games to play at a casino are those that have better odds to favor you. Or that allow you to use a simple strategy to win. A good example of such a game is blackjack; such games give you an opportunity to use your gaming skills to enjoy more wins.
On the other hand, if you are a beginner go for games such as Keno. This allows you to lower or raise your odds depending on how much you are willing to risk. They do not need you to have any specific gaming strategy. All you need to know is that picking more numbers lowers your chances of getting a win, and picking few numbers increases your chances of getting a win.
When it comes to playing on the internet and winning money with casinos online, the same applies. Overall though, always go for one of the games that make you feel most comfortable and allow you to have an enjoyable time.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Best Casino Game to Win Money Online?
Blackjack. When applying a strategy and playing with discipline, Blackjack can be a very fruitful casino game to play. We suggest that you try playing at one of our recommended casinos in free play mode to familiarize yourself with the game. Use a basic strategy as we outlined above and you will notice that you can tilt the odds in your favor.
What Casino Game has the Best Odds for a Payout?
We will again say Blackjack. When sticking to a disciplined strategy, you can put the odds in your favor. Video Poker can provide good odds too. Depending on the video poker game, the house edge can be as little as 0.46%. We would also say Craps, but usually the brick and mortar version outdoes the online version.
Are there any Casino Games with 50/50 odds?
No, there are no casino games where the player and the casino have an equal chance of winning. The closest you can come to these odds is by playing European Roulette, and betting on the outside even money bets. This means betting on Red/Black, Odd/Even, or 1-18/19-36. However, with the zero on the wheel, this give the casino a slight edge. This adjusts the odds to 48.65/51.35 in the casinos favor. American Roulette gives the casino an even higher edge with the double zero on the wheel.
What Casino Game has the Worst Odds?
Keno. Although extremely popular due to the fun nature and ease of play, with no special skills required, Keno can be one of the worst odds in casino games. Think of Keno as a lottery, where you pick numbers hoping to be drawn. We suggest playing Keno with small stakes and picking only a few numbers to increase your chances of winning.
The Best Game in a Casino is _?
A good question. Regardless of what others may like you to believe, we would say the best game in a casino in the one that you enjoy playing the most. If you are not having fun playing it, then it is not the best game for you. If you are unsure of this, then perhaps Slots would be best suited. With their enticing graphics and bonuses, the potential to hit a progressive jackpot, slot games are a universally popular genre of casino game.
About the Author
Dave is a gambling enthusiast who boasts 25+ years of experience. His writings not only unravel the intricacies of online casino games but also explore the psychology behind betting. Dave's commitment to responsible gambling shines through, making every wager a mindful choice for players seeking a thrilling yet balanced gaming experience.
