Playing casino games is a popular form of entertainment that many people enjoy. However, not all casino games are created equal when it comes to your odds of winning. Some games heavily favor the Uni Bet house, while others give you a fighting chance to walk away with more money than you started with.
Understanding the odds is key to managing your bankroll wisely across gaming sessions. While nothing can guarantee you will finish ahead, making smart choices based on math can stretch your entertainment budget.
Blackjack
Blackjack, when played properly, gives you some of the best odds out of all casino table games. The house edge can be as low as 0.5% if you learn the correct blackjack strategy. However, the catch is you must make the mathematically optimal decisions on every hand to keep the house edge this low. Fortunately, basic blackjack strategy can be learned fairly easily from a chart.
Here are a few key tips to boost your odds when playing blackjack:
- Stick to the basic blackjack strategy chart for every decision
- Play blackjack variants with favorable rules like European Blackjack which pays 3:2 on blackjacks
- Avoid side bets like 21+3 as they have very high house edges
By sticking to optimal blackjack strategy combined with favorable rules, your odds of winning in the long run are very good compared to alternatives like slots.
Baccarat
Baccarat is a classic casino card game adored by high rollers. When comparing the banker bet to the player bet, the banker bet actually gives the house a lower edge at roughly 1.06% versus 1.24% for the player. Ties pay out 8:1 but have a much higher house advantage around 14% so they are not recommended. Even on the banker bet which favors the house, the edge is still low enough that with some luck, baccarat can be a profitable game.
Key baccarat tips:
- Always bet banker over player to get best odds
- Avoid tie bets as they heavily favor the house
- Manage your bankroll properly, baccarat swings can be dramatic
So while baccarat may look intimidating, learning proper strategy in this game can give you reasonable odds compared to alternatives.
Craps
Craps delivers some of the best odds out of all casino games, assuming you stick to betting pass/don’t pass along with come/don’t come bets with full odds. This means when you bet point numbers like 4, 5, 6 or 8, you can take odds which pay out at true mathematical odds. For example, the 6 and 8 offer 6:5 true odds in craps.
Key craps tips:
- Stick to simple pass, don’t pass, come and don’t come bets
- Always take full odds when offered to lower house edge dramatically
- Avoid proposition bets like the “hards” (e.g. hard 6, hard 8)
By keeping your bets simple and taking full odds, you can reduce the house edge down to less than 1% putting craps on par with blackjack.
Video Poker
When played with perfect strategy, certain video poker variants like 9/6 Jacks or Better can offer a house edge under 1%. The key is sticking to full pay games, learning proper strategy and wagering the maximum coins to be eligible for the royal flush bonus which tilts the odds in your favor.
Video poker tips:
- Find full pay machines (9/6 Jacks or Better)
- Use perfect video poker strategy charts
- Max out your bets if bankroll allows to unlock best pay tables
In addition to the low house edge, video poker offers better odds than slots along with the interactive element of choosing discards and draws.
Pai Gow Poker
Pai Gow is an unusual casino game that melds elements of poker with a dominoes-like format. While complicated at first, Pai Gow offers reasonable odds if you learn proper strategy. By pushing when holding strong hands and making mathematically optimal decisions, the house edge can be 2.5% or even a bit lower. While not as good as craps or blackjack, Pai Gow still beats popular games like roulette (5.26% edge) and offers a fun twist for poker fans.
Key Pai Gow tips:
- Learn optimal strategy when setting hands
- Consider the “house way” as a backup option when unsure
- Go for flushes/straights over pairs as they play better
Pai Gow won’t make you rich overnight but provides a fun, social game that you can slowly learn to optimize your performance.
Final Thoughts
While all casino games involve luck, making smart bets where you have a fighting chance against the house is key to stretching your entertainment budget. Games like blackjack, craps, baccarat, video poker and Pai Gow poker reward players who learn proper strategy. Next time you visit the casino, keep these options in mind. Knowing the best games to play gives you a long-term mathematical edge over the less informed casino-goer.
