Pick the Best & Avoid the Worst Casino Games Based on RTPs
2023 was a BIG year for Nevada – the Silver State – with gaming revenues of $15.5 billion. Such is the success of Las Vegas and its surrounds that the state continues to rack up $1 billion + per month in revenues over 34 months.
Year-on-year, Nevada's GGR increased by 4.6% (from 2022), thanks largely to a massive influx of gamblers into Nevada casinos. This, according to the NGCB (Nevada Gaming Control Board). The bumper year is the third such year of consecutive growth for Nevada, setting the stage for another massive year in 2024
Given the huge inflows, high room occupancy rates, and significant gambling spend, casinos indeed hold the trump card, a.k.a. the upper hand. Analysts examined and ranked the most popular casino games according to their return to player percentages (RTPs).
This presents a strategic framework within which players can structure their gambling budgets. From best to worst, this is how the top casino games rank – in terms of player favourability.
Casino games with a low house edge have a corresponding high return to player percentage. While theoretical, this means that players can expect a higher payback over time than games with a high house edge. The list of casino games from best to worst odds follows:
Blackjack
Blackjack routinely ranks as the most player-friendly casino game in Las Vegas and online. Classic blackjack is ideal since it features a single deck of cards.
However, blackjack is a strategy-based casino game which relies on intelligent play (basic, intermediate, or advanced blackjack strategy), bankroll management, and good fortune.
Naturally, players are encouraged to seek out blackjack games with the 3:2 payout as opposed to the 6:5 payout on blackjack.
Certain bets, such as insurance bets, should always be avoided in blackjack, particularly those with a high house edge. Generally speaking, a proficient blackjack player can whittle away the house edge to as little as 0.5%, up to 2%, depending on skill level.
The objective of blackjack is not a two-card 21; it's simply to beat the dealer's hand total without busting.
A natural blackjack – a 2-card blackjack – pays 3:2, meaning that a £100 bet would pay £150 on blackjack, whereas a 6:5 blackjack table pays £120. Details matter. Always pick a blackjack variant with player-friendly odds.
Baccarat
Baccarat goes by many names, including Chemin De Fur, Punto Banco, Mini Baccarat, and Baccarat Banque
Contrary to popular opinion, it isn't expressly reserved for high rollers or mathematically inclined players. By its nature, Baccarat is a game of pure chance, but some strategies can be employed when betting on player, banker, or tie selections.
The objective is to pick the hand likely to win. It is impossible to bust in Baccarat, given that hand totals reset after ten values are attained. In other words, the preferred total is 8 or 9 – deemed a natural in Baccarat.
Typically, the winning selection is paid double the wager. The house edge on baccarat games ranges between 1.06% and 1.24%, depending on the player or banker's hand.
Tie bets should always be avoided, given that there is an inherent 14.36% house edge.
Rather, gambling experts recommend players wager on the banker hand at 1.06%, or the player hand at 1.24%. The same odds hold true in online baccarat games.
Video Poker Games
Video poker is loosely considered a combination of slot machines and poker games in a video poker terminal. This five-card draw poker game allows players to hold or discard cards while forming the strongest possible hand combination.
Video poker machines test players' skills against machines, not other players. The house edge on video poker games is relatively low at 0.5% but can be as high as 5%, depending on your chosen game.
Popular examples of video poker games include Aces and Faces Video Poker, Jacks or Better Video Poker, Tens or Better Video Poker, Bonus Poker, Double Double Bonus Poker, and dozens others.
Online video poker games feature identical rules and gameplay in a typical five-card draw format.
Craps
Crapaud, or Craps as it is simply known, is the ranking casino dice game. Craps involves a shooter who rolls the dice and bettors around the table. There are also a stickman, assistants, and managers overseeing all the activity at the craps tables.
The house edge in a standard craps game can be incredibly low – 0% up to 5.5 per cent. Seemingly simple, Craps is laden with rules and complex odds that require a deep understanding of the game.
However, it is one of the preferred casino games with a relatively low house edge.
Roulette
Roulette is French for little wheel. This casino game was stumbled upon by Blaise Pascal, who was trying to invent a perpetual motion machine.
Roulette comes in many forms, notably French Roulette, European Roulette, American Roulette, and other variations. Each game has a unique table layout, design, and house edge based on specific rules.
The most player-friendly roulette game is French Roulette, with a house edge as low as 1.35% when La Partage and En Prison are in effect. Next in line is European Roulette, with a house edge of 2.70%.
Note: These single-zero roulette games are inherently better suited to players. The American Roulette variant features a 00 and a 0, which reduces the return to the player from 2.70% to 5.26%. Play accordingly.
Many people believe that 1:1 bets on roulette have a 50% probability of success – that's not true. The green 0 or 00 in roulette variants reduces the 50-50 to favour the house every time. That's why red or black selections are never 50-50 odds.
Classic slots, Video slots, Jackpot slots
Slot machine games are notorious for their low payout percentages to players. All the razzle-dazzle, jingling jangling, bright lights and frenetic activity get players' attention.
However, beneath the veil, the return to player on slot machine games can be unfavourable. Expect a house edge anywhere from 1% – 15% +. 60% + of all casino games on the floor are slots, and they are money spinners for the casino.
The best games to play are the simple ones – classic slots with three reels and limited lines. The worst slot games are the video slots or the progressive jackpot slots, given that the RTP is lower to accommodate jackpots and features.
With more players competing, the likelihood of winning a jackpot is reduced. There is no strategy involved in slot games, save sound bankroll management.
Keno Games
Keno is a simple numbers game – a lottery-style attraction with players who can select up to 20 numbers – randomly or manually from a card with numbers 1 through 80.
Simple enough? However, the odds of correctly calling numbers on a keno game are much like playing Powerball, Mega Millions, or a major national lottery.
There are no strategies to pick winning numbers – there are simply differing mathematical formulae to pick numbers according to random patterns. The house edge on keno games can be as high as 40% – a definite no-go for players.
With all forms of gambling activity, the objective should be reassessed and qualified accordingly: responsible gambling is about having fun, not winning. Set a budget and stick to it; if you win, that's a bonus.
Selecting games with high RTPs is preferable, given the propensity to pay out more over the long term. However, most casino players are short term players – so even games with a high house edge can pay out substantially in the short term!
*Credit for all of the photos in this article belongs to Alamy*