We’ve all dreamed of besting the house and walking away with a fortune. While the odds always favor the casino, certain games offer better odds for players than others. By sticking to games with a low house edge, thoughtful players can minimize losses and maximize enjoyment of their online gaming experience. This article reveals the top 5 online platform games at Just Casino which give players the best statistical chance of padding their bankroll. Read on to discover which titles belong on your next gaming shortlist.
5 Online Casino Games with the Lowest House Edge
- Blackjack (0.5%)
- Craps (1.41%)
- Baccarat (1.06%)
- Three Card Poker (2-3%)
- Video Poker (0.46%)
#1. Blackjack
House Edge: 0.5%
Of all the casino mainstays, blackjack offers players the best odds. Also known as twenty-one, this popular card game sees participants attempt to reach 21 or get as close as possible without going over.
If players learn and utilize basic blackjack strategy correctly, they face just a 0.5% house edge. This means that for every $100 waged, the house expects to retain just 50 cents. With the right circumstances and perfect play, the house edge can even dip below 0.5%.
However, take note that certain rule changes like allowing the dealer to hit soft 17 can raise the house edge back up near 1% or higher. So make sure to find tables with favorable guidelines before taking a seat.
#2. Craps
House Edge: 1.41%
This dice game may look intimidating initially, with its plethora of betting options and rowdy crowds hovering around the iconic craps table. But by sticking to simple wagers with low house edges, new players can ease into enjoying one of the most social and lively casino offerings around.
The basic pass/come bet in craps gives the house just a 1.41% edge, making it one of the most favorable wagers not just in the game but across all casino games. The pass line sees players wagering that the shooter will win by getting either a natural 7 or 11 on the come-out roll or hitting their “point” number before rolling a 7.
With such promising odds on primary wagers and opportunities for camaraderie abounding, craps deserve a spot on any savvy player’s shortlist. Just beware of the more complex bets like Big 6/8 and Hard 4/10, which carry house edges ranging from 9-11%.
#3. Baccarat
House Edge: 1.06%
James Bond’s casino game of choice, baccarat, has emerged as a go-to for high rollers looking to put down big money. Fortunately, the game also appeals to penny players as well thanks to its low house edge on the primary wagers.
The banker and player bets both give the house just over a 1% edge at 1.06% and 1.24%, respectively. Combined with straightforward rules and gripping gameplay centered around just three possible outcomes, baccarat offers an enticing casino experience across all bankrolls.
The only caution when playing baccarat is to avoid tie bets which carry hefty house edges up to 14%. By adhering to the standard banker/player wagers, players get exposure to some of the lowest house edges across all table games.
#4. Three Card Poker
House Edge: 2-3%
A newcomer to the table game scene, three-card poker burst onto the gambling landscape in the 1990s and provides an excellent card-based alternative to classic poker variations. The streamlined gameplay centered solely around three cards led to its rapid rise in popularity in land-based and online casinos.
Players face house edges ranging between 2-3% on the primary ante and play wagers in three-card poker. Combined with opportunities for handsome payouts on hit premium hands like straights and suited three-of-a-kind, three-card poker offers a nice blend of player-friendly house edges and winning potential.
As with other tabletop games, just steer clear of the ancillary side bets like Pair Plus and 6 Card Bonus, which generally have house edges hovering north of 3-5%. Stick to just ante/play, however, and you’ll have odds similar to blackjack.
#5. Video Poker (Jacks or Better)
House Edge: 0.46%
Coming full circle, video poker combines elements of poker strategy and slot machine gameplay for a dynamic hybrid experience of sorts with just a sub 1% house edge. The most common variant played online is Jacks or Better thanks to its low 0.46% house edge when utilizing optimum play.
Despite the computerized gameplay, Jacks or Better actually promotes skill-based play that is more akin to traditional poker than slots, given the decision-making on which cards to hold/discard. Players who properly identify the best cards to retain can whittle the house edge down significantly.
Combined with a fast pace of play and significant potential payouts for four-of-a-kind hands, Jacks or Better video poker truly epitomizes player-friendly gameplay. Just be sure to study up on optimal strategies for this and other popular variations like Deuces Wild and Double Bonus to truly leverage the thin house edges in play.
Take Your Shot Beating Lady Luck
While all casino games favor the house in the long run, clever players can still find plenty of opportunities to emerge ahead by focusing their play on low-house edge offerings. Games of skill and strategy like blackjack and video poker combined with dice and card games centered around simple wagers like craps and baccarat offer savvy gamblers their best statistical chance of padding their bankrolls.
So consider adding some or all of the top 5 low house edge games above into your next online casino session. Who knows? You might just walk away as a winner when all is said and done. Here’s wishing you the very best of luck!