Everyone hopes to enter a casino or play online and walk away a winner.
But this is easier said than done because of the house edge the casino always has in most cases.
Some of these odds can be really stacked against players, but there are some games that don’t feature such big edges.
Knowing the games that have the best odds and are the easiest to win when heading to online casinos like the Caesars Palace, BetMGM, and DraftKings platforms can go a long way toward a more rewarding experience.
With that in mind, here’s a look at some of the easiest casino games to give players a real chance to win.
Blackjack
This is a classic game with a thin house edge.
Players receive two cards and are hoping to get as close to 21 and beat the dealer’s hand, without going over –which is known as “busting.”
In blackjack, each numbered card counts that same value, face cards are valued at 10, and aces can count as 1 or 11.
Here are the simple decisions a player can make when playing blackjack.
- Hit – Taking another card.
- Stand –Not taking any more cards.
- Doubling down –Doubling the amount bet on your hand when dealt two favorable cards, such as 9, 10, or 11. Since there are a large number of 10-value cards, players have a chance to draw winning hands with these.
- Splitting – When dealt two of the same cards, such as two aces, players can split these cards into two hands.
- Insurance –This is a wager for half your bet to protect your hand against a dealer blackjack when the dealer has an ace upcard. This is generally a bad bet and not recommended.
While there are some strategic considerations, when playing online this is much easier than in a live casino.
There are numerous basic strategy charts online allowing players to easily know the correct move to make based on their first two cards and the dealer’s upcard.
Simply review the chart to determine the correct move based on the mathematics of the game rather than guessing.
This is a real advantage over playing in a live casino, where using a chart is frowned upon. Players also may feel more comfortable learning at home rather than a busy casino.
Lower stakes and more favorable rules may also be available online.
One of these includes 3 to 2 payouts on blackjack rather than the 6 to 5 more commonly seen in many brick and mortar casinos today.
Surrender may also be an option, meaning a player can surrender the hand while only losing half the bet, which is favorable in certain situations.
Playing online can make blackjack an easier game to play and understand.
Craps
The craps table often seems to be the place where players are having the most fun when in a casino.
Players are usually shouting, giving each other high fives, and sometimes moaning if those dice don’t land the way they want them to.
However, someone walking up to the table may not have any idea of what is going on or even how to read the table.
There is so much going on and so many bets seemingly available that it’s easy to become intimidated.
Playing online allows players to get in the action and learn how to play without these feelings of intimidation. There are also other advantages;
- The chance to play at lower odds.
- Slower learning curve than one might find in a live casino.
- Chance to read up on strategy while playing.
- Ability to play from anywhere whenever you want.
And while the table may look confusing, there are really only a few bets that have some of the lowest house edges.
The pass line (betting with the shooter) and don’t pass (betting against the shooter) are some of the most popular bets and are very simple to make. The pass line runs on the outside of the table and players simply slide their chips on this line.
The action starts with the “come out roll.” On this roll, players win even money on 7 or 11 and lose with 2, 3, or 12.
A roll of 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10 becomes the point number and the dealer will place a puck on that number. The shooter is then trying to roll that again, before “crapping out” by rolling a 7. This means the house wins all bets except those betting against the shooter.
The pass line has a slim house edge of only about 1.4%. Players also have the option of backing up their bets with odds, which pays out the true odds of rolling that number.
For example, a player betting $5 on the pass line can place twice as much as the pass line bet behind that wager as an “odds bet”.
These bets will earn the true odds of rolling that number without a house edge.
If that point number were 4, the odds payout is 2 to 1. So if the point is rolled the player would receive event money of $5 on the pass line bet and then $20 for the $10 bet on the odds bet.
There are only a few other bets on the craps table that come with similar low odds.
Beyond the come bar, which functions as a pass line bet while a point number has already been established, and placing the 6 or 8, most other bets should be avoided.
Baccarat
Some players may be intimidated by this game that many associate with high-stakes gambling, but it’s really rather easy.
Many casinos will feature baccarat in the high-limit area but there has been a trend over the last decade to bring the game to the main casino floor for lower stakes as well, often termed “mini baccarat.”
Whichever version you choose, the game is basically the same and players are simply tasked with betting on the “player” or the “banker.”
Both players will initially receive two cards and the goal is to get as close to 9 as possible.
What makes the game easy as those are the only real options for players (beyond a tie, which is a terrible bet with a high house edge).
The odds on the player are 1.24% and 1.06% on the banker. Those are great for the player and finding a nice streak can mean a player walks away with some winnings.
Slots
This may be a surprising game to see on a list of the easiest casino games to win.
There is certainly no skill involved in playing these games, but in a live casino slots come with extremely high house edges.
However, this can be greatly reduced when playing online.
The concept of “return to player” (RTP) is calculation of the total money gambled on a slot or group of slots is returned back to players in the form of winnings.
A game with a 92% RTP returns 92 cents out of every dollar back to players. Many live casinos feature an RTP of only 85-90%, but at online casinos this can actually be much higher.
Some high RTP slots boast a percentage of 98 –meaning 98 cent of every dollar is coming back to players. That at least gives players a chance to come out ahead at times.
Roulette
This is an easy game to play and figure out. Players can bet on colors, numbers, multiple numbers, and other combinations before a ball is spun around the wheel to determine winners.
While many of the game’s bets come with high house edges, there are a few easy bets that give players a decent chance to win.
Focus on the red/black and odd/even wagers for the best bets on the table. These are only slightly less than 50/50 (remember the 0 and 00) and give you a chance at collecting some chips if you can get on a nice streak.
These bets are simple to make and may be rewarding when playing online.
Video Poker
This game has a low house edge, but also requires a player to learn basic strategy.
When playing online this can be much easier by simply having an online chart available when playing. This will give you the best chance to win.
However, there are numerous types of video poker games available.
To make things easier, focus on only one game and get a feel for that. This makes learning the strategy easier and you can give another game a try after learning the ins and outs of how to play.
Those who use basic strategies can reduce the house edge to 1% or lower. Playing online also offers players to find the most favorable games with the best payout tables.
There may be some strategy considerations, but video poker can offer an easy game to learn and hopefully win.
Poker
Any game where you’re not playing against the house gives players a better chance of winning.
Online poker, available at platforms like BetMGM, has players pitted against each other with the casino only collecting a fee (known as the “rake”) for running the game or tournament.
Poker is a skill-base game with some luck involved, so those who practice and play soundly have a real chance to win. The great advantage to playing online is that you can play at much lower stakes to learn how to play and work on strategy.
Cash games may be available for pennies and tournament buy-ins can be as low as $1 or less.
There are also free play options to learn the game without even wagering a dime. There may be a bit of a learning curve to playing poker, but there are some real possibilities for finding some winnings.
Sharpen those skills and get in the game.
Important Note
While these games are easy and come with some great odds for players, it’s important to remember that this doesn’t mean that you’ll always win.
There is still a house edge (except for poker) and the casino always wins in the long run. But there is at least a better chance than some games and bets with really poor odds.
Here are a few things to remember to make you bankroll last longer:
- Set a bankroll or session amount and don’t go over it.
- Don’t get in a hurry. Playing quickly can drain your bankroll.
- Only play at stakes you can afford.
- Play for free online first so that you grasp the game mechanics and most favorable bets.
Practice Responsible Gaming
Anytime you’re gambling, it’s important to remember to play responsibly.
Don’t wager money that you can’t afford to lose and any gambling funds should be seen as being used for entertainment.
Don’t expect to win and only bet with money that isn’t needed for other critical needs.
Here are a few signs to look for that might mean you have a problem:
- “Chasing” losses to try and catch up.
- Borrowing or stealing money to gamble.
- Always thinking of gambling or looking to wager more and higher stakes.
- Feeling as if you can’t stop.
- Fractured relationships with friends and family because of your gambling.
Those who feel they have a problem have some options. Many state gaming regulatory agencies offer free counseling services and players can also self-exclude themselves from live casinos and online platforms.
The National Council on Problem Gambling offers numerous resources and treatment options. Visit the group online or call 1-800-GAMBLER for help.
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) also offers services to help as well. Visit the federal government agency’s website to learn more or call 1-800-662-HELP.