Not all gambling activity is created equally. While all casino games have a large degree of chance associated with them, often equated to ‘luck’ by gamblers, there are games with better odds of winning than others if you know how to play well. This balance of ‘the luck of the draw’ with the ability to manipulate the results through skill is part of the thrill for many hobby gamblers, in fact! From slot machines with nearly 0 chance of manipulating the outcome, to games like blackjack that have a high degree of skill, it all comes down to your ‘odds’. Today we take a quick look at the games whose odds are in your favour!

What are Odds, Anyway?

The odds in a casino game refer to the likelihood of a certain outcome occurring. So the ‘odds’ could refer to how likely you are to win or lose. Knowing the house edge is a critical part of calculating those odds.

The house edge is the common name for the built-in advantage that the casino has in a particular game. This is calculated by subtracting the payout percentage from 100%. For example, if a game has a payout percentage of 95%, the house edge would be 5%. This 5% is the amount that the casino expects to make on average over time from each player who plays the game. Typically, the house is always favoured, especially at professional casinos. It’s just a matter of how much that favour affects each individual’s wins over time.

The payout percentage you receive will always be determined by the rules of the game and the paytable the casino uses. 

What Casino Games have the Best Odds?

Some games, like blackjack and video poker, have a lower house edge because they involve skill and strategy. Others, like slot machines and keno, have a higher house edge because they are based almost purely on luck and there is little you can do to influence the outcome. In general, if you have to use any kind of skill to compete in the game, the odds will be more in your favour than if it’s a matter of luck alone. Because different casino games have different odds, it’s always good to research and compare the game types and casinos you choose before playing on a site like Profit Squad!

As the house edge is a measure of how much the casino expects to win over time on a particular game, a lower house edge means better odds for the player. Additionally, games that require skill, such as poker and blackjack, may offer you even better odds if you have extensive knowledge and experience with the game, and less if you are a raw beginner learning their way. This is, of course, while people with the skill to ‘count cards’ are often not welcome at skill-based casino tables! The house sees it as an unfair advantage. It’s important to keep in mind that no casino game has an edge of zero, so the house will always have an advantage over you.

What casino games you enjoy is a matter of personal taste, but if you’re looking to boost your odds, opt for table games that require skill over automated games (like slots) or luck-based table games (like roulette) to maximise your chances.