The house edge in casino games varies greatly and can range from as low as 0.02% all the way up to 30%+.
The casino world offers a wide variety of games, but also a wide variety of house edge. House edge is simply what the casino is expected to get back in the long term expressed as a percentage %. We have a slot article that explains the concept of RTP and House edge here if you’re interested in more information.
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1- All Aces Poker by Microgaming – House Edge: 0.02%* (with Optimal Play)
All Aces Poker is a video poker game with a possible RTP of 99.98%. The game does have an indicator system that assists you in playing optimally, and therefore it is easy to achieve optimal play.
I have personally played this game and hit the jackpot back in the day. Not every online casino carries it these days, as it is a bit of an old game. The game was released back in August 2001 and just passed its 25-year birthday mark as of the time of this article. Nevertheless, a true legend it is, and a testament to pushing the boundaries of player value.
2 – Video Poker (Jacks or Better) – House Edge: 0.46% (with Optimal Play)
Video Poker plays like a slot machine but thinks like a poker game. Your decisions on which cards to hold or draw directly affect your odds.
The most common and player-friendly version is “Jacks or Better.” On a full-pay “9/6” machine, the house edge is a razor-thin at 0.46%. That’s better than most Blackjack tables and lightyears ahead of almost every slot on the floor. The catch? That 0.46% assumes you play perfect strategy on every hand. Make a few mistakes, and the house edge climbs fast.
The pay table matters too. A “9/6” machine is the gold standard, but you’ll often find “8/5” or “7/5” variants that have a house edge of 2-3% or more.
3 – Black Jack – House edge 0.5% – 1.0%
Blackjack is believed to originate from the 17th century and is one of the most well-known games in the gambling industry. As a classic, it is well loved by players too. The house edge itself is affected by variations of rules, how many decks of cards are used, and player strategy.
Play perfect basic strategy, and the house edge sits at roughly 0.5% with optimal rules (single deck, dealer stands on soft 17). We have a Blackjack guide and chart here which you can use if you want to practise your skills.
Remember that the house edge can quickly jump 2-5% by bad play, those “free drinks” aren’t as free anymore are they?
4 – Baccarat (Banker Bet) – House Edge: ~1.06%
Baccarat is pretty easy to pick up and there are three bets you can make: Banker, Player, or Tie. The Banker bet is the smart play with a house edge of roughly 1.06%. The Player bet sits slightly higher at 1.24%. Both are solid options compared to most casino games.
The Tie bet? The house edge on a Tie bet can soar to over 14.36%. It pays 8:1, which looks tempting, but the math is brutal. Obviously avoid this bet as the odds are horrendous.
Baccarat has earned its reputation as a high-roller favorite. Who doesn’t want to flip a coin with style.
5 – Craps (Pass/Don’t Pass Line) – House Edge: ~1.36%
Craps is a simple game with great odds if you stick to the right bets.
The Pass Line bet is the most common starting bet. It pays even money and carries a house edge of roughly 1.41%. The Don’t Pass Line is slightly better at 1.36%.
But here’s the real value: Once a point is set, you can take “Odds” behind your Pass Line bet. This is the only bet in the casino that pays at true odds—meaning the house edge is 0%. It reduces your combined house edge significantly.
The trap? The middle of the table. Those flashy proposition bets like “Any 7” or “Hardways” look exciting, but the house edge can jump to 9% or even 16%+. The casino loves when you toss chips into the center because they know the math is heavily in their favor.
6 – Roulette – House Edge: 1.35% to 5.26%
Roulette looks simple. Pick a number, color, or section, and watch the wheel spin. But that single zero vs. double zero difference is massive.
European Roulette with one zero on the wheel sits at 2.70%.
American Roulette is the trap. Double zero pushes the house edge to 5.26%. Avoid it if you can.
French Roulette is the hidden gem. Same single zero wheel as the European, but it adds the La Partage rule. When zero hits, you get half your even-money bet back. That drops the house edge to 1.35% on Red/Black, Odd/Even, and High/Low bets.
7 – Slots – House Edge: 1% to 25%+
I love slots, but they’re not the best house edge-wise. However, there have been new online slot additions with respectively 98-99% RTP (Book of 99 by Relax Gaming sits at just 1% house edge). RTP is the term often used with slots, and it’s simply the opposite of House Edge. Most online slots have an RTP between 94-97% (6-3% house edge).
You can definitely find lower RTP online slots, so make it a habit to check if you want the best odds. Land-based casinos usually have a higher house edge due to higher operating costs. You can find slots ranging from 75% to 99% RTP.
Contrary to popular belief, the high-denomination slot machines often have the lower house edge. Low-denomination machines (penny slots) typically range from 85-90% RTP. Mid-denomination ($1+) are more likely around 90-96%. High-denomination ($5+) can reach 94-98%.
These are rough estimates—always check the machine or game info to be sure.
8 – Bingo, Keno & Carnival Games – House Edge: 5% to 30%+
Games like Keno, Bingo, and carnival wheels can have house edges ranging from 5% to 30%+, but the numbers vary so wildly that they’re hardly worth ranking. Just know they’re usually worse than slots.
They make up for this with good entertainment value, and someone’s going to win even with the house edge stacked against them. But if you’re playing for the math, these aren’t your games.
Play Smart, But Play for Fun
So there you have it—every major casino game ranked by your actual chance of winning. The numbers don’t lie. If you want the best odds, stick to Video Poker, Blackjack, and Baccarat. If you want to chase jackpots, play slots—but know what you’re paying for.
But here’s the thing I want you to remember: House edge doesn’t matter if you’re not having fun.
Choose the experience that fits you best, and you’ll never lose.
Good luck🍀
