The Online Casino Games That Give You The Best Chance of Winning
When you think of casinos, you probably think of colourful slots, flashing lights – and maybe even a virtual croupier dealing a poker hand. And while the thrill of each and every game is real, any smart player knows that not all casino games are created equal… especially when it comes to your chances of walking away with a win.
Whether you’re setting out on your first online casino experience or you’re just scouting for games with better odds, knowing where you should be focusing your time (and money) can make all the difference.
Understanding House Edge and Player Odds
First things first. When you play at any online casino, you’re playing against the house – the casino itself. And there’s a phrase you shouldn’t forget… ‘the house always wins’. That’s because of the house edge, which is essentially a percentage that tells you how much the casino expects to win from players in the long run. The lower the house edge, the better your chances of winning.
Some games rely on luck, while with others, there’s some skill and strategy involved as well as luck. And knowing which is which is half the battle.
Blackjack – For Player-Friendly Odds
If you’re looking for a game where using the right strategy can really tilt the odds in your favour, blackjack should be your game. The classic table game is popular for good reason, because when you play it with basic strategy, the house edge can be as low as 0.5% which means you’re almost playing at evens with the house.
However, you need to learn the basic strategy charts, which tell you exactly when to hit, stand, double down, or split. You can even have a strategy chart open while you play when you’re playing at an online casino, which you can’t at a land-based casino.
Baccarat – Simple Rules with Solid Odds
Baccarat, with its high-end reputation, can feel a bit intimidating, but it’s actually really simple. You just need to bet on whether you think the Player or the Banker hand will win… or if there will be a tie.
A good strategy is to bet on the Banker, which comes with a house edge of around 1.06% – one of the best bets you can make in any game. Just watch out for the commission (usually 5%) on Banker wins bets.
Craps – Don’t Fear the Dice!
Some beginners avoid craps because the table looks scary… with all sorts of confusing bets. But the good news? It does come with some of the best odds if you’re prepared to give it a go.
The simplest bet, the Pass Line, comes with a house edge of about 1.41%. You should also take the time to learn about odds bets, which are extra bets you can make after the come-out roll, and they have zero house edge. Combining the Pass Line with the odds bet is one of the best moves to make in a casino game.
European Roulette
Roulette is an iconic game, but it comes in all different shapes and sizes… and you need to be choosy about which version you play. European Roulette has a single zero, while American Roulette has a single zero and adds a double zero. And it’s that extra pocket that virtually doubles the house edge.
In European Roulette, the house edge is around 2.7%, compared to 5.26% for the American version – so choose the wheel with the single zero to give yourself a better chance.
What To Avoid These If You Want Better Odds
You might not want to hear this, but that shiny row of slot machines usually offers some of the worst odds in the casino. They might look amazing, come in all sorts of themes and promise lots of entertainment, but lots of slot games have a house edge upwards of 5% to 10%. And there’s nothing you can do about it… strategy and skill have nothing to do with it. Winning or losing is just a matter of luck.
Also, if you do go for a game of baccarat, steer clear of betting on Tie. It might have a decent payout (8:1 or 9:1), but the house edge can be over 14%, so it’s really not worth it.
So remember, next time you’re logging into your favourite online casino, forget all about those flashy slots (for a while) and give blackjack, baccarat, craps or European Roulette a go. You might just give yourself the best chance of walking away a winner!