The allure of the online casino tables is undeniable, with each game offering its own unique excitement and let’s be honest, big wins. But for those keen on increasing their chances, the question remains: among Blackjack, Craps, Roulette, and Poker, where do the odds best favour the player?
Getting to grips with the underlying probabilities can make your time at the tables not only more exciting but also more profitable! But knowing where to start and examining each is boring and time consuming.
Fortunately, we did the work for you by looking at the most popular card table games, explaining the dreaded house edge of each game and their little tricks to gaining more edge over the house! Speaking of which.
Decoding the House Edge
Before we examine specific games, it’s really important to understand house edge. Simply put, this is the built-in statistical advantage the casino possesses in each game. We’re sure you heard the term, “the house always wins” and that is basically what house edge is. It represents the percentage of each bet the casino expects to retain in the long run.
Knowing these figures for different games can really guide your choices when deciding where to place your bets, so let’s just jump right in into the table games.
Blackjack
Blackjack often enjoys a reputation for offering some of the most accommodating odds for players.
Unlike many games rooted purely in luck, the decisions you make during the game have a direct impact on the outcome. By employing a smart approach, you can genuinely reduce the casino’s advantage.
With expert play, the house edge in Blackjack can be remarkably low, sometimes dipping below 0.5% depending on the specific rules in play.
To put that in perspective, for every ₱100 you might wager, the casino, over a long period, would expect to keep less than half a peso.
Typically, with a good basic strategy, you’re looking at a house edge ranging from around 0.5% to 1%, influenced by factors like the number of decks used and the rules around doubling down or splitting pairs.
However, it’s really important to remember that straying from this optimal strategy can significantly inflate the casino’s edge.
Some advanced players even explore techniques like card counting to try and gain a temporary advantage by tracking the types of cards remaining, though this requires considerable skill.
Craps
The Craps table, with its lively atmosphere and a multitude of betting possibilities, might seem a bit overwhelming initially. The truth is, the odds in Craps are heavily dependent on the particular wager you decide to make.
Some bets on the Craps layout offer surprisingly favourable odds for the player, while others come with a much more significant house advantage. In this game, knowing which bets to favour and which to avoid is absolutely important.
Consider these betting options:
- Pass Line & Come Bets: These are fundamental bets with a house edge of approximately 1.41%. For every ₱100 wagered, the casino anticipates keeping around ₱1.41 in the long run. The payout for these is even money (1 to 1).
- Don’t Pass Line & Don’t Come Bets: These offer a slightly better house edge at around 1.36% with the same even-money payout. However, they involve betting against the “shooter”.
- Odds Bets: Once a point has been established, you often have the option to place “odds” bets alongside your Pass/Don’t Pass or Come/Don’t Come bets. Remarkably, these bets have a 0% house edge. The payout odds here reflect the true probability of the point being made (2 to 1 on a point of 4 or 10). The catch is that the amount you can bet on the odds is usually capped.
- Proposition Bets (like Any Seven or Any Craps): These are generally best avoided as they carry a much higher house edge, often ranging from 9% to over 16%. For example, betting on “Any Seven” (rolling a total of 7 on the next dice roll) gives the house an edge of over 16%.
Roulette
Roulette, with its spinning wheel and numbered pockets, is primarily a game of pure chance. The odds in this game are directly tied to the layout of the wheel itself.
A key factor influencing your odds in Roulette is whether you’re playing the European or the American version. The small addition of an extra zero on the American wheel has a considerable impact on the house advantage.
Let’s break it down:
|
Wheel Type |
Number of Zeros |
Total Pockets |
House Edge (most bets) |
|
European Roulette |
One (0) |
37 |
Approximately 2.70% |
|
American Roulette |
Two (0, 00) |
38 |
Approximately 5.26% |
As you can see, the European Roulette wheel, with its single zero, offers a significantly lower house edge compared to the American version.
This is because the single zero represents one losing outcome out of 37 pockets, while the two zeros in American Roulette represent two losing outcomes out of 38. Interestingly, French Roulette, which uses a single-zero wheel, sometimes features special rules like “La Partage” and “En Prison” on even-money bets.
If the ball lands on zero, you might get half your bet back (“La Partage”) or have it held over for the next spin (“En Prison”), effectively reducing the house edge on these specific bets to around 1.35%.
It’s worth noting that while various betting systems are popular in Roulette, they cannot overcome the house edge of the game.
Read more: What Makes Fachai Gaming So Popular in Philippines?
Poker
When talking about poker, we’re usually referring to variations like Casino Hold’em, Three Card Poker, or Pai Gow Poker, where your opponent is the dealer (representing the house), rather than other players. Since there are so many different types and variants, we will go deep into each individual one.
In these casino poker formats, the house edge is integrated into the game’s rules, often through stipulations like the dealer needing a qualifying hand or by taking a commission on winning bets.
Casino Hold’em
- House Edge on the Ante Bet: The primary house edge in online Casino Hold’em, typically around 2% to 3%, applies to the initial “ante” bet. This means that over many hands, the casino expects to retain this small percentage of all ante wagers.
- Dealer Qualification Rule: A significant factor contributing to this house edge is the rule that the dealer must have a qualifying hand (usually a pair of fours or better) to proceed. If the dealer doesn’t qualify, the player’s ante bet is pushed, but any winnings on the “call” bet are still paid out if the player’s hand is better than the dealer’s non-qualifying hand. This rule creates scenarios where the player can win even if their hand isn’t particularly strong.
- Payout Structure for Strong Hands: The payout structure for very strong player hands (like a Royal Flush) is often less than the true odds of hitting such a hand. This slight reduction in payout for rare hands also contributes to the overall house advantage in the long run.
Three Card Poker
- Separate House Edges for Different Bets: Online Three Card Poker typically features two main bets: the “Ante” bet and the “Pair Plus” bet. Each of these has a distinct house edge. The ante bet’s house edge is around 3.37%, while the Pair Plus side bet carries a higher house edge of approximately 7.28%.
- Pair Plus is Pure Luck: The Pair Plus bet pays out based solely on the player’s three-card hand, regardless of the dealer’s hand. The higher house edge reflects the lower probability of hitting the qualifying hands for this bet (a pair or better) compared to the payouts offered.
- Dealer Qualification Impacts Ante Bet Outcomes: Similar to Casino Hold’em, the dealer in Three Card Poker needs a qualifying hand (Queen high or better) to play against the player’s ante bet. If the dealer doesn’t qualify, the player’s ante bet is pushed, and only the raise bet (if made) is compared against the dealer’s hand (if the dealer had qualified). This rule influences the overall house edge on the ante bet.
Pai Gow Poker
- “Dealer Wins Ties” Rule: A primary contributor to the house edge in online Pai Gow Poker, typically around 2.5%, is the standard rule that if the player and the dealer have hands of equal rank (both the five-card and two-card hands), the dealer wins. This small advantage in tie situations adds up over a large number of hands.
- Commission on Winning Hands: Many online Pai Gow Poker variations charge a commission, often 5%, on the player’s winning hands. This commission directly reduces the player’s payout when they win, effectively increasing the house’s take over time so be careful.
- Strategic Hand Setting: While the house edge is inherent in the rules, the player’s skill in setting their two hands (the five-card “high” hand and the two-card “low” hand) can influence their frequency of winning and thus their overall return. Yet failure to use your hand correctly does also increase the house edge.
The Verdict: Weighing the Odds for Your Play
|
Game |
Best Potential House Edge |
Key to Achieving Best Odds |
Notes |
|
Blackjack |
Below 1% |
Consistent use of optimal basic strategy. |
Requires learning and applying strategy. House edge increases significantly with incorrect play. |
|
Craps |
Around 1.36% – 1.41% , 0% on Odds Bets |
Sticking to Pass/Don’t Pass, Come/Don’t Come bets and taking full Odds. |
Many other bets have a higher house edge. |
|
Roulette |
Around 2.70% (European), Around 1.35% (French on even money bets) |
Playing European or French Roulette. |
American Roulette has a much higher house edge (around 5.26%). |
|
Poker |
Around 2% – 3% (Casino Hold’em Ante), Around 3.37% (Three Card Poker Ante), Around 2.5% (Pai Gow Poker) |
Understanding game rules and optimal decision-making. |
House edge is built into the rules. Player skill has some influence but less direct than Blackjack strategy. |
Blackjack, with skilled play, often presents the slimmest house advantage. While craps offers pockets of excellent odds if you stick to specific bets.
Roulette varies significantly depending on the wheel, with European and French versions being kinder than their American counterparts. And the casino versions of Poker provide their own unique balance of odds and strategy, depending on what you play.
At FC Fachai, we understand the importance of informed play. We aim to provide a platform where you can enjoy the excitement of these classic table games with a good understanding of your chances.
Remember that while the house always has a statistical edge in the long run, understanding these odds can empower you to make smarter choices and ultimately enhance your online casino experience with us.
So, why not try your hand at Blackjack, Craps, Roulette and Poker, all available for you to enjoy right here at Fachai?
Frequently Asked Questions About Best Odds in Table Games
Can Betting Systems Improve My Odds in Roulette?
No. Betting systems like Martingale or Fibonacci cannot overcome the inherent house edge in Roulette. While they might influence the timing or size of your wins and losses, the long-term expected value remains the same.
Is Card Counting Effective in Online Blackjack?
Generally, no. Online casinos use random number generators (RNGs) for card dealing, effectively shuffling the deck after each hand, making card counting impractical.
Which Craps Bets Should Beginners Absolutely Avoid?
Beginners should typically avoid proposition bets in the center of the table, as these often come with a significantly higher house edge compared to the pass line or come bets.
Are the Odds the Same in Live Dealer vs. RNG Table Games?
Yes, the underlying mathematical odds of the table games themselves are the same whether played with a live dealer or using a random number generator. The format of dealing doesn’t change the probabilities.
Are There Any Table Games with a Negative House Edge for the Player?
No legitimate casino table games have a consistent negative house edge. However, with perfect strategy and sometimes specific promotions or bonuses, players might gain a temporary edge in certain situations.
What is the “Rule of 45” in Pai Gow Poker?
The “Rule of 45” is a common guideline for setting your hands in Pai Gow Poker, suggesting that if the seven cards contain no pairs higher than sixes and no Ace, the best strategy is often to split the highest card (if 7 or higher) to the high hand and the next two highest to the low hand.