Which casino game has the highest odds of winning?

When visiting a casino or online-casino, fun should be the top priority. Nevertheless, with all these colorful games, the question often arises: which game actually has the best chances of winning? Here we explain the most important information about winning odds in a casino and also show you how you can influence your chances of winning, and in which games.

How do you define the odds of winning in a casino?

Odds of winning are the probability that you will make a profit on a game. The term «return to player» (RTP for short) is often used for casino games.

What is the return to player (RTP)?

The return to player (RTP) measures the expected percentage of bets that a game will pay back to players over a long period of time. For example, if a slot machine has an RTP of 96%, this means that it pays back an average of 96% of the bets to players over many rounds, while 4% remains with the casino. However, the RTP value does not indicate how much a player will actually win in a round, as the results of individual rounds vary greatly and can of course be very different. Among other things, the volatility of the game plays a role here.

Examples of RTP values for popular casino games:

• Blackjack: with the perfect blackjack strategy, the RTP is often 99% or higher, depending on the game rules. However, if the perfect strategy is not followed, the RTP and thus the odds of winning decrease.
• Roulette: the RTP for European roulette is around 97.3%, while American roulette has an RTP of only 94.7%. This is due to the extra zero on the board.
• Slot machines: the RTP values of slot machines vary greatly, but many modern slot machines have an RTP between 92% and 98%.

How does your own strategy influence your odds of winning?

Luck plays an important role in all casino games. However, there are games in which your strategic decisions can influence your chances of winning. In blackjack or poker, for example, you can certainly influence the game through skillful play and mathematical knowledge. With slots, on the other hand, you can’t influence the course of the game with your decisions – the result is purely based on chance.

In which games can your own strategy influence your odds of winning?

• Blackjack: Blackjack is one of the casino games where strategy plays a big role and can significantly influence your chances of winning. For example, there is an optimal blackjack strategy in which the ideal move is determined for every card combination. By drawing, standing or doubling down at the right moment, you can reduce the casino’s house edge to less than 1% and maximize your chances of winning.
• Poker against other players: Unlike most other casino games, in this case you’re not playing directly against the casino, but against other players. Strategic and psychological skills are required to achieve long-term profits. The house advantage only arises from the fee that the casino charges for a game.
• Video poker and poker variants against a dealer: Video poker and poker variants such as Ultimate Texas Hold’em combine luck and strategy. The rules are similar to poker, but it’s played against a computer or a dealer instead of other players. The chances of winning usually depend heavily on the strategy chosen.
• Roulette: Although roulette is purely a game of chance, there are variants that can slightly improve the probability of winning by choosing certain betting strategies and the right game variant – such as European roulette. The European variant has only one zero and therefore a lower house edge than American roulette, which has a double zero. However, your strategic decisions have far less influence in roulette than in blackjack, for example.

Conclusion: games with the best odds of winning

The choice of casino game can have a big impact on your odds of winning. For players who want good odds and are willing to learn a strategy, blackjack and poker are the best options. Experienced players can reduce the house advantage to a minimum and increase their odds.

If you prefer to rely on luck without strategic considerations, roulette (preferably European roulette) can be a good choice, as the house edge here is lower than in many other games of chance.

There are also certain slot machines that pay out more than others. It’s worth taking a look at the RTPs of the different games to find a slot machine with the highest possible payouts.

Play cautiously anyway!

Although a good strategy increases your chances of winning at the casino, even the best strategy is no guarantee of profit! Always play carefully and make sure you don’t exceed your limits. After all, every casino game is also based on luck, and not everything can be influenced by your strategy. You can find more information on responsible gambling on our responsible gambling page.