Top Casino Games With The Best Odds To Win Big

Understanding the House Edge

Let’s strip it down. The house edge is how the casino stays in business. It’s the built in advantage that ensures, over time, the house wins more than it loses. It’s not about rigging the game it’s just math. If a game has a 5% house edge, that’s what you’ll statistically lose over the long haul for every $100 bet. Doesn’t mean you can’t win. Just means the odds aren’t in your favor.

But not all games stack the deck equally. Some give you more control. Blackjack is one of them. Play smart, and the house edge can drop to under 1%. Craps, baccarat, and video poker also offer solid odds if you know what you’re doing. On the flip side, games like slots or American roulette lean heavily toward the house. You’re mostly at the mercy of chance.

Quick way to look at it: skill based games let you bend the odds a bit. Pure chance games don’t. If you want better chances, lean into games where strategy counts. The more control you have, the closer you get to flipping the edge even if just slightly in your favor.

Blackjack: Still the Smartest Bet

If you’re looking for the best odds in the casino, blackjack is tough to beat. The house edge can dip as low as 0.5% but only if you’re playing with solid strategy. It’s not about luck. It’s about making the right move at the right time: when to hit, stand, split, or double. Follow basic strategy, and you’re already doing better than most people at the table.

This isn’t a slot machine you spin and hope. Blackjack rewards players who pay attention. Strategy matters more than most casino games because you’re not completely at the mercy of the deck. Over time, small decisions stack up and that’s what tips the odds closer to your favor.

Then there’s card counting. It’s not some Hollywood magic trick; it’s a real method some skilled players use to track ratios of high to low cards. It’s legal, but not welcome in every casino, and honestly, it takes practice, discipline, and some serious focus. Not everyone needs to count cards to win, but understanding the basics can give you an edge.

Looking to sharpen your game? Get the full breakdown here: Blackjack winning strategies.

Craps: Betting Smart Pays Off

Craps may look chaotic from the outside, but it’s one of the best games in terms of odds if you know where to place your bets. The key is understanding which bets offer the lowest house edge and avoiding unnecessary risks.

Get to Know the Smart Bets

Two of the most beginner friendly (and statistically smart) wagers in craps are:
Pass Line Bet
Made before the come out roll
Wins if the shooter rolls a 7 or 11 (natural)
Loses on a 2, 3, or 12 (craps)
If a point is set, the bet wins if that point is rolled again before a 7
House edge: around 1.41%
Don’t Pass Bet
Essentially the opposite of the Pass Line
Wins on a 2 or 3, and loses on a 7 or 11
12 is a push (neither win nor lose)
If a point is set, wins if a 7 is rolled before the point
House edge: slightly better at around 1.36%

Why Craps Trips Up Beginners

Despite the strong odds on the Don’t Pass and Pass Line bets, many first time players get caught up in the excitement and make riskier bets with poor returns, such as the Big 6, Big 8, or hardways bets.

Common beginner mistakes include:
Choosing high risk bets for higher payouts without understanding the odds
Getting overwhelmed by the fast pace and complex layout
Mimicking the crowd instead of making informed decisions

How to Win More at Craps

Stick to the Pass Line, Don’t Pass, and Come/Don’t Come bets
Avoid flashy side bets with high house advantages
Take advantage of Odds Bets (free odds) once a point is established they have no house edge
Slow down, observe, and learn the flow of the game before betting big

Craps rewards discipline. By focusing on low house edge plays and avoiding the distractions of riskier wagers, you’re giving yourself one of the best chances to walk away a winner.

Baccarat: Simple Game, Strong Payout Potential

Baccarat is a no fuss table game that tends to fly under the radar except with high rollers who know its edge. The big draw? The Banker bet. With a house edge around 1.06%, it’s one of the smartest plays in the casino. That means more of your money stays in play, especially if you’re sticking to that single, statistically strongest move.

It’s fast paced hands fly by in under a minute but it’s not chaotic. You don’t need a PhD in game theory to bet here. Three options: Player, Banker, or Tie. That’s it. No card counting. No wild strategy trees. Just pick your lane and play.

High rollers love it for another reason: volume. Because games move quickly and the rules are simple, you can run more hands per hour than, say, blackjack or poker. More activity, more action and with the right bets, better odds. Baccarat doesn’t shout for attention, but it consistently delivers for players who understand the math and like their games straight to the point.

Video Poker: Know Your Variants

If you’re looking for a casino game with strong odds and a skill component, Jacks or Better is where you want to be. Among the video poker variants, it’s the most beginner friendly and comes with some of the best returns if you play your cards right. With perfect strategy, the house edge can drop below 0.5%, turning the tables in your favor more than most games on the casino floor.

But here’s the catch: not all machines are created equal. Pay tables matter. A 9/6 Jacks or Better (that’s 9 coins for a full house and 6 for a flush) is the gold standard and offers the highest theoretical return. Anything less like 8/5 or 7/5 tilts the odds back to the house fast. So, knowing what machine you’re sitting down at isn’t optional. It’s the difference between steady plays and slowly bleeding chips.

Then there’s the strategy. Unlike slots, you’re not just pressing buttons and waiting. You’re making choices on every hand: what to hold, what to toss, how to play cautiously when the odds say to wait, or go bold when the math backs it. Luck still plays a role, but solid decision making can carry you across weak hands and stretch your bankroll.

Bottom line: Jacks or Better rewards players who respect the math, read the tables, and make smart moves. It’s not flashy, but it’s effective.

Roulette: Choose Wisely

If you’re spinning the wheel, make sure you know what kind of table you’re sitting at. European roulette has 37 pockets. American has 38. That extra double zero on the American wheel doesn’t seem like much, but it jumps the house edge from 2.7% to 5.26%. That’s a significant shift and it takes a big chunk out of your long term odds.

Beyond the layout, your bet selection changes everything. Even money bets (like red/black or odd/even) offer the steadiest returns with the lowest variance. Inside bets like straight numbers or corners might pay big, but they rarely hit. If you’re here for slow, consistent play, stick to outside bets and avoid sucker moves like five number bets (0, 00, 1, 2, 3) on American wheels they carry one of the worst house edges in the casino.

Roulette feels random, and it is. But smart players still tilt the odds in their favor by picking the right table and making disciplined bets. It’s not about chasing a fortune in one spin. It’s about making solid choices, again and again.

Final Word: Pick Games That Reward Skill

If you want to play smarter, forget chasing jackpots. That kind of mindset drains wallets fast. The real edge? It’s found in understanding where the numbers lean in your favor and sticking to those plays.

Games with low house edges and simple rules are worth your time. Blackjack gives the best shot if you actually learn the strategy. But even then, it’s not about one lucky hand. It’s about repeating small gains over time and avoiding high risk distractions. Same goes for Craps or Video Poker players who stay consistent win more than those trying to hit it big fast.

Luck will always be part of the game. But it’s knowledge that separates casual players from winners. Learn the rules, know the math, and play like you mean it. To sharpen your edge, hit up this guide on Blackjack winning strategies.