Best Odds Casino Games: A Comprehensive Guide & FAQs

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August 12, 2025

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I wrote this guide to help you pick smart play, not follow the loudest lights. I mix Nevada’s 2023 win percentages with on-table experience so you can see what the house actually kept.

Quick note: “odds” and “house numbers” often get confused. I translate them into what matters for the player—how often you win and the expected loss per round.

We’ll compare slot denominations and table play side by side, use clear metrics, and flag when a pass line or a side wager is worth the risk. Expect a compact graph idea, real stats sources, and a tools section with simple strategy choices you can use tonight.

Key Takeaways

• Data-first: Nevada 2023 figures anchor recommendations.
• Short, actionable strategy tips to reduce your house loss.
• Which machine denominations and table bets tend to favor the player more.
• Tools included: trainers, bankroll rules, and a quick rules checklist.
• FAQs woven through the guide to answer common practice questions.

How We Rank “Best Odds” and What It Really Means

I rank options by combining long-run math with how a session actually feels at the table. That means I look at textbook numbers and then adjust for real play: wager escalation, pushes, and common mistakes.

House Edge vs. Chance to Win: Why both metrics matter

House edge is the long-run take per initial wager. It answers expected loss over many bets. Chance to win tells you how often an individual bet resolves in your favor.

Learn both. A low edge game can still lose many hands in a row. That disconnect matters when you pick a table and set your bankroll.

Element of Risk and Volatility: Interpreting session swings

Element of risk measures loss divided by all bets made. It corrects for games where wagers grow mid-hand, like Ultimate Texas Hold’em.

Volatility is measured by standard deviation. Two games with the same edge can feel very different because of variance.

• Rules change edge — S17 vs H17 or single-zero vs double-zero matters.
• Practical house numbers include player error and typical bets made per hour.

The best odds casino games (data-backed listicle)

Below I run through the floor staples and machine types, giving the key house numbers and the practical moves I use at each table.

• Blackjack (with basic strategy)

  With proper basic strategy and friendly rules, the house edge can fall to ~0.28%–2%. I avoid side bets and hunt S17 tables with double after split allowed.

• Craps Pass Line (with odds)

  The pass line sits at 1.41% house edge; backing it with true odds (0% take) lowers your overall risk. I take full odds where allowed.

• Baccarat — Banker

  Banker bets carry ~1.06% house edge. Skip the Tie—its return is punishing compared to the banker bet.

• European vs American Roulette

  Single-zero european roulette is 2.70% on even bets; american roulette jumps to 5.26%. Wheel type wins here, not strategy.

• Video poker & others

  Full-pay video poker (Jacks or Better) can reach ~0.46% with perfect play. Pai Gow (~1.46%) and Ultimate Texas Hold’em (~2.19% ante) reward patient play and correct decisions. Three Card Poker Ante/Play runs about 3.37%—avoid Pair Plus if you want a lower edge.

• Slots and denominations

  Nevada 2023 data show penny slots pay worst; $5–$25 denominations often return closer to the floor average. Seek higher RTP machines when possible.

Graph & Statistics: Visualizing edges, win rates, and real-world results

I like to pair the theoretical house edge with Nevada’s real take to show the gap between math and practice.

Comparative house edge (illustrative)

Sketch a bar chart with these values: blackjack ~0.28%, video poker (9/6 JoB) ~0.46%, baccarat banker 1.06%, pai gow poker 1.46%, craps pass line 1.41% (0% on full odds), ultimate texas hold ante 2.19%, three card poker 3.37%, european roulette 2.70% and american roulette 5.26%.

Nevada 2023 floor results and pace

Below I match the house numbers to 2023 win percentages to show what players actually lost across different machines and tables.

Denominations — real wallet impact: Nevada data show penny machines kept 9.67% while $25 machines kept 5.03%. That spread is the clearest, immediate advantage you can act on when picking a machine.

Hands per hour matters. Faster play raises the number of bets made and speeds up your expected loss. Multiply hands per hour, your average bet, and the edge to estimate hourly loss.

Tools & Strategy Guide for better odds

A few simple tools—apps, calculators, and a tight checklist—turn vague strategy into repeatable gains. Use them to train decisions, size your bets, and pick the right tables.

Blackjack trainers and decision apps

I carry a blackjack basic strategy app and run drills at home. Practice the exact local rules: S17 vs H17, DAS, RSA, and late surrender.

One rule flip can add tenths of a percent to the house edge fast. Train until your responses are automatic.

Bankroll and risk-of-ruin tools

Use a risk-of-ruin calculator to match bet size with variance. That keeps a single bad string from ending a session.

Log average bet, bets per hour, and session outcomes. Over a few trips you’ll see what reduces your edge.

Game selection checklist

• Seek S17, 3:2 blackjack payouts, and single-zero roulette when available.
• Prefer full-pay video poker (9/6 JoB) — train to optimal strategy.
• Take the craps pass line with max odds and use the banker bet only in baccarat.
• Set hard side-bet rules: they often carry much larger house edge.

Practice and pace

Practice decision trees for dealer-facing moments: when to double, split, or stand. Move deliberately; fewer pauses mean fewer mistakes.

Slow your pace when possible—fewer hands per hour reduces hourly loss even with the same theoretical edge.

Predictions & Trends to watch now

The floor changes slowly; watching pay tables and rule shifts tells you what’s coming next.

Slots: RTP and denomination mix in 2025 — penny machines will likely stay tight. Nevada’s 2023 split showed pennies at a 9.67% take while higher-denom machines sat near 5%. Operators earn from volume and flash; there is little incentive to raise payouts for the lowest denom.

Table play and rule drift — expect more side bets and subtle rule tightening. From 6:5 blackjack pushes to fewer liberal splits, floors are nudging the house percentage up a notch. I treat new large-payoff wagers as novelty bets, not staples.

American roulette remains common; without single-zero zones, plan around a higher house tax. Comp models and marketing will spotlight jackpots and promos, but the math under the marquee rarely changes.

• Short action: scout pay tables, hunt single-zero when possible, and prefer pass line with max odds over flashy table props.

Evidence & Sources for this guide

I base the practical numbers here on two pillars: Michael Shackleford’s Wizard of Odds for technical definitions, and the Nevada Gaming Control Board 2023 results for real-world floor outcomes. Both matter: one gives clean house edge and element-of-risk figures; the other shows what casinos actually kept last year.

Citations & methodology notes

Key reference figures used throughout the guide come from Wizard of Odds: Baccarat Banker 1.06%, Player 1.24%, Tie 14.36%; Craps Pass/Come 1.41% (odds 0%); Blackjack (liberal rules) ~0.28%; European roulette 2.70% vs American 5.26%; Video poker 9/6 Jacks or Better ~0.46%; Pai Gow Poker ~1.46%; Three Card Poker Ante/Play 3.37%; Ultimate Texas Hold’em Ante 2.19% (element of risk ≈0.53%).

Nevada GCB 2023 win rates (as reported in Review-Journal) anchor the floor view: penny slots ~9.67%, $5 ~5.11%, $25 ~5.03%; table-category tallies include blackjack ~14.82%, roulette ~19.6%, UTH ~22.06%, and mini-baccarat ~12.43%.

Method notes: I start with WoO theoretical edges, include ties where relevant, then compare to Nevada’s kept percentages. Where numbers diverge I flag likely causes—player error, side bets, or bet sizing. For reproducibility, use: expected loss = average bet × hands per hour × practical house number. Layer variance (SD) to model session swings.

Conclusion

To close, focus on decisions you control: table selection, bet size, and the pace you keep.

Quick recap: full-pay video poker and liberal-rule blackjack give the highest chance of a favorable return with disciplined play. Baccarat’s banker bet and the craps pass line (with full odds) remain strong low-edge choices. European roulette (2.70%) beats American roulette (5.26%) by design; if you face double-zero, shrink your bet and treat spins as entertainment.

Slots and machines vary by denomination—Nevada 2023 shows pennies pay far worse than $5–$25 machines. Ultimate Texas Hold’em pays off for players who study decision points; three-card and other card poker variants are fine for variety but carry higher built-in costs.

Final note: pick rules that cut the house edge, use basic strategy where it applies, and keep bets sized to your bankroll. The house sets the stage; your choices set the outcome.