The best odds in casino games belong to blackjack with basic strategy, at about a 0.5% house edge, with 9/6 Jacks or Better video poker and the Banker bet in baccarat close behind. At the other end, keno and the baccarat Tie bet keep 14% to 25% of everything staked. The free calculator above puts any two bets side by side and turns the edge into money per hour, which is where the real difference shows.
Best odds in casino games, ranked by house edge
| Game and bet | House edge |
|---|---|
| Video poker, 9/6 Jacks or Better (perfect play) | 0.46% |
| Blackjack, basic strategy, good rules | about 0.5% |
| Baccarat: Banker | 1.06% |
| Baccarat: Player | 1.24% |
| Craps: Don’t Pass / Pass Line | 1.36% / 1.41% |
| French roulette, even money with La Partage | 1.35% |
| Ultimate Texas Hold’em (per ante) | 2.19% |
| European roulette | 2.70% |
| Sic Bo: Big or Small | 2.78% |
| Three Card Poker: Ante and Play (per ante) | 3.37% |
| Online slot at 96% RTP | 4% |
| American roulette | 5.26% |
| Caribbean Stud (per ante) | 5.22% |
| Three Card Poker: Pair Plus | 7.28% |
| Baccarat: Tie at 8:1 | 14.36% |
| Craps: Any 7 | 16.67% |
| Keno (typical) | 25% or more |
Blackjack depends heavily on the rules: a 6:5 payout on blackjack adds about 1.4% on its own. Video poker figures need perfect strategy; casual play gives back a lot more.
Speed matters as much as the edge
£10 a hand on Banker at 70 hands an hour costs £7.42 on average. The same £10 on European roulette at 40 spins costs £10.80. A £1 slot at 96% looks cheaper, but at 500 spins an hour it’s £20. The edge is what you lose per bet; the pace decides how many bets you make. Set “Typical pace” in the calculator to see this, or the same number of rounds to compare edge only.
No bet here has positive odds for the player in the long run. The best you can do is pick bets that cost less, play slower, and stop at a budget. The RTP and house edge calculator works out a single game in more detail, and the expected loss calculator turns a session plan into a cost before you start.
Every Sic Bo bet, not just Big and Small, is priced in the Sic Bo calculator.
Play for fun with money you won’t miss. If you’re spending more than you planned, BeGambleAware.org is free and confidential.