Of course, not all games are created equal. Some have a lower built-in house advantage. And others? Well…they advertise return-to-player (RTP) percentages that look particularly inviting. The catch is that these figures don’t guarantee wins, and a game that pays out more frequently isn’t necessarily one that offers better odds overall.
I’ve worked in this industry for a while, and I know very well that it helps you understand how these numbers work before comparing individual games.
So, below, we’ll look at the options, the rules that influence the games’ odds, and a few common misconceptions that are worth clearing up before you start any games.
Which Games Have the Best Odds & What Does It Actually Mean?
House edge and RTP are related. Yet, they don’t mean exactly the same thing.
House Edge
House edge is the casino’s mathematical advantage over the long run, often expressed as a percentage of the amount wagered. Having a lower house edge typically means a smaller expected loss relative to the total amount you wager.
Return to Player
Return to player (RTP) is a percentage of all wagers a game is designed to return to you after a very large number of plays.
For example, if a slot has an RTP of 96%, it’s designed to return an average of CAD $96 for every CAD $100 you wager over time. The remaining CAD $4 represents the theoretical house advantage.
Oh! And by the way, the house edge doesn’t equate to the probability of winning a particular round. A game might produce several small wins and still return less money overall than another game.
With the distinction out of the way, here’s how some popular casino games compare.
1. Blackjack
Blackjack is where you need to look if you’re looking for the absolute best odds in a casino. The game’s aim is straightforward: get a hand closer to 21 than the dealer without going over.
When using a proper basic strategy, meaning you know where to hit, stand, double down, or split a pair based on your cards and the dealer’s upcard, the house edge can drop as low as 0.5%. That puts the RTP at a staggering 99.5%, which is about as good as it gets in the online casino world.
However, keep in mind that no single figure applies to every online blackjack game. Payouts for a natural blackjack, the number of decks used and the rules that govern the dealer’s hand can all influence the outcome.
Check whether a blackjack game pays 3:2 or 6:5 for a natural blackjack. The 3:2 payout is generally more favourable. Also, as always, learn the basic strategy before you risk money, since making decisions based on pure gut feeling can increase the house edge. In the long run, strategy improves the mathematical position; it doesn’t remove the casino’s advantage.
2. Baccarat
Many people assume that baccarat is a high-society game reserved for tuxedo-clad high rollers in James Bond films. Yet it’s one of the most straightforward card games available. The standard version involves betting on the Player hand, Banker hand, or a Tie. The goal? To predict which hand finishes closest to a total of nine, with tens and face cards counting as zero.
The odds for the bets reveal a clear winner when looking for the best value:
Banker Bet - Often the most favourable standard bet, with an approximate house edge of just 1.06% even after factoring in the standard 5% commission on winning banker bets.
Player Bet - Relatively competitive, with a house edge of about 1.24%.
Tie Bet - Attractive payout but considerably less favourable because of a house edge of 14% or more.
Don’t assume a Tie bet is a clever shortcut because it pays more when it wins. The larger payout reflects the lower probability of that outcome, and the house edge matters more when you compare the bets in the long run.
3. Roulette
Roulette looks simple on the surface. You pick a number, colour, or group of numbers, spin the wheel and wait for the outcome. But you must pay attention to the type of roulette game you’re playing because the wheel’s layout changes everything.
European Roulette and French Roulette have 37 pockets, numbered 0 to 36, and only feature a single zero (0). That gives it a significantly lower house edge of 2.70%. Some French roulette games can lower the house edge further if specific rules like La Partage on even-money bets are in play.
American Roulette has 38 pockets because it includes both a single zero (0) and a double zero (00). The extra pocket pushes the house edge to 5.26%.
Always look beyond the table layout when comparing roulette games. That means that you also check the rules attached to the zero pocket. So, if you see a double zero, close the game and find a European roulette instead. Your bankroll will thank you later. Even so, neither guarantees a positive result.
4. Online Slots
Online slots exist in many variations categorized into themes, mechanics, number of reels, etc. That makes them different from table games in many ways, including that their theoretical returns vary from one title to another and sometimes between different configurations of the same game.
So, you may find a slot advertising an RTP as high as 96% to 99% or as low as 90% to 95%. The higher the RTP, the lower the house edge. That makes the return-to-player a useful starting point when comparing slots.
It’s not the only factor worth considering, though. Volatility, sometimes called variance, also influences the payout frequency of online slots. Those with low volatility generally tend to produce smaller wins more frequently. High-volatility ones can have longer stretches without a win but offer larger payouts.
Always confirm the official RTP from the game’s information or help section as opposed to relying on a promotional description. It’s also important to note that progressive jackpots and attractive bonus rounds don’t necessarily make a slot better.
5. Craps
Craps may look complicated at first, especially when you come across the different betting options on a crowded table. But a few basic bets have relatively low house edges.
The Pass Line bet, for instance, has a house edge of about 1.41% under standard rules. The Don’t Pass bet has an even lower house edge of about 1.36%, even though it works against the shooter and has a few rule-specific exceptions.
Other bets can have much higher house edges. So, it matters that you consider your options wisely as opposed to choosing craps as a whole.
Craps embodies the same principle as blackjack, baccarat, and roulette when it comes to house edge. Learn the difference between the basic line bets and the additional proposition bets before you can compare their odds. A bet that has a larger advertised payout may carry a bigger house edge than the standard options.
Can You Improve Your Odds at an Online Casino?
Of course, you can’t control random outcomes. But making yourself familiar with the games’ mathematics can help you avoid some common mistakes and make for a more entertaining session.
Consider the following when comparing casino games:
Understand the rules first: I have seen time and time again that two games of the same type can differ in payouts. Even small rule changes can affect the house edge.
Don’t confuse winning frequency with value: A game with frequent small wins can still have a higher house edge than the one with less frequent wins, so always check both.
Be cautious with betting systems: Don’t double your bet after every loss. It doesn’t change the underlying probabilities and can deplete your funds quickly.
Treat RTP as a long-run statistic: A higher RTP doesn’t mean you’ll necessarily win. Sorry to say!
Set limits before playing: Decide how much money and time you’re comfortable spending, and stick to it. Don’t increase your limits to chase losses.
Our advice is to focus on first understanding the game rules and mathematical structure as opposed to looking for a trick to supposedly beat the casino.
If a strategy claims to guarantee wins or profits, you should walk away from it.
What Canadian Players Should Know
Just know that even those games that have a lower house edge carry significant financial risk. Also, if gambling stops feeling like entertainment and you find yourself chasing losses, take a break and, if necessary, seek support instead of trying another game.
Gambling rules and the availability of online gaming vary across Canada. It’s always important to first go over the regulations that apply in your province or territory.
For instance, Ontario has a regulated online gaming market overseen by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO), and this now includes self-exclusion help tools like BetGuard. Meanwhile, iGaming Ontario manages agreements with eligible private operators. Other provinces also have individual arrangements for providing regulated gambling services.
Before you use an online gambling service, confirm that it’s authorized to operate where you live and review the applicable age requirements. The Government of Canada’s gambling information also explains the legal framework that governs gambling in the country.
So, Which Online Casino Games Have the Best Odds?
If you’re comparing theoretical house edges, playing blackjack with favourable rules and correct basic strategy is often one of the best options at online casinos. Baccarat’s Banker bet and certain craps bets also have significantly low house edges. On the other hand, European roulette generally has better standard odds than American roulette.
As for slots, they require a slightly different approach. That’s because their RTP changes by title and game configuration. So, for these, make sure you check the published return-to-player when comparing titles, while also taking into consideration volatility, payouts, and the randomness of individual results.
Keep in mind that there’s no casino game with guaranteed profits, meaning a lower house edge doesn’t make gambling risk-free. But it’s good to understand the numbers for a clearer picture of what you’re playing, even if it doesn’t remove the uncertainty of every wager’s outcome.
Issy Lewis
Senior Casino Reviewer
Issy Lewis is a Senior Casino Reviewer at Can-Do Casino who writes accurate reviews and guides for the Canadian audience. With over a decade of experience writing about and reviewing online casinos, she knows how to get straight to the point so you can see all the facts.
