Everyone gambles for different reasons. One of the main things that drives us to have a flutter is the thrill of winning money. De-stressing, having fun and socialising with friends are all well and good – but nothing beats that buzz of seeing your bet pay off.
Consistently winning money on casino games takes a combination of skill and luck. However, some are more profitable than others. Certain games, with smaller house edges, give you a better chance of seeing your lucky card, number or symbol come in time and time again.
Do a little research beforehand and play the right games, and you can give yourself the best chance of turning a profit.
Understanding the house edge and return to player
Casino games are effectively a battle between you and the casino. Every single game they offer has a different house edge, which is the mathematical advantage that the casino has over you, the player.
Fortunately, house edges are relatively small – usually in single digits. This still gives players a chance to win, but ensures that the casino doesn’t lose out in the long-run and keep offering their services to customers. Not all house edges are the same, making some casino games more profitable than others.
If you’re playing video poker or online slot machines, instead of using a house edge to measure the profitability of these games, casinos use return to player (RTP). For example, if a slot machine has an RTP of 95%, it could be expected that for every $100 spent by a player they would lose $5 on average.
Knowing this means you can choose to play games that are more likely to present you with greater returns in the long-term – increasing your chances of turning a profit. Here are just some of them.
Casino games that are the most profitable
The following casino games traditionally offer the best returns to players. For each of these games it helps to get a little practice at the game before playing for real. You can do this online, where various tables are open for you to play anytime, anywhere, and on any device – whether you’re in the comfort of your own home, or on the move. So before you head into a land-based casino to try your luck, make sure you check out the sheer range of exciting online casino games here, as you won’t find them anywhere else. They’re just as immersive as they are in the physical world.
Baccarat: This well-known card game is your best bet to make money in a casino. The rules are simple, it’s easy to play and it has a low house edge – at just 1.06%. This gives baccarat the lowest house edge of any of the main casino games.
Even though there’s no skill involved per say, as it’s purely a game of luck, baccarat has become one of the most popular games worldwide, as minimum bets are high. This gives players a chance to make huge gains against a weakened house.
Besides profits, baccarat can’t be beaten for a fun, relaxing and entertaining game.
Blackjack: Like baccarat, blackjack is another game that does rely heavily on chance, but also provides rewards for those who are lucky enough to win.
The object of the game is simple, hit blackjack (21) or as close to that number as possible, whilst ensuring you beat the dealer’s hand. The number of cards in the deck and the way that they are dealt means there’s a house edge of 1.5%.
In comparison to other casino games, that’s a relatively low figure. Combine that with the fast-paced nature of the game and it makes for one of the most profitable and popular choices for punters.
Slot machines: These whizzing, whirring, shiny machines are one of the most glamourous games offered and are a staple of casinos worldwide.
Slots rely on RTP percentages to turn profits. These vary by machine to machine, which means that in order for you to make money from them, you need to conduct a little research before you play.
The absolute minimum you should be looking for is 96%. If you can combine this figure with added bonuses, such as a progressive jackpot, then the chances of you making a profit are dramatically increased.
Video poker: First seen in the 1970s, these machines appealed to those who would normally have been put off sitting down and playing physical poker with other players at the table.
It’s similar to slots, as the house has an edge and the RTP of most machines is around 98%. Where video poker differs, is that unlike slot machines, it works by attracting players by offering frequent winning combinations.
The hit frequency of video poker is usually around 50%, meaning one in two of every hand played will see the player win. Be mindful that these wins are often the same – if not smaller – than the original stake.
Casino games to avoid
Roulette: There are many different variations of roulette, although the basic premise remains the same. There are a range of numbers available to bet on and the player wins if the ball lands on the number they have placed a stake on.
In this example, the house edge for roulette works out at 2.7% on average. Some roulette enthusiasts argue that this percentage falls if you employ a clever strategy. In American roulette, for instance, a certain bet (00, 0, 1, 2, and 3) can result in a house edge of 7.89%.
Overall, however, you have a high chance of losing money when you’re playing roulette. Although you can mitigate this with strategies, it isn’t going to be a financially rewarding game in the long-run.
Craps: Bank craps is the most common version of craps played in casinos, but there are plenty of other variations on offer. The house edge for bank craps is estimated to be 1.41% which represents greater value than roulette and several other games.
The edge jumps up to 16% in certain variations and almost always grows if you don’t happen to play the game perfectly. Craps is an incredibly exciting game, though. Winning big always seems like a distinct possibility and that’s why so many people play it.
Check the variation of craps that is on offer before you play and research a couple of strategies to mitigate the enormous house edge that can be seen in this game.
Summary
Some games offer more chances to win than others. While all are designed to profit the casino, you can be savvy about which ones to play if you want to maximise your winnings in the long-term.
Do you research beforehand and take the time to understand the odds that are for and against you when you play. That way you have a full picture about what chance you have of turning a profit.
