Not all casino games are created equal when it comes to winning probabilities. While each contains an element of luck, some offer better odds, lower house edges, and strategic opportunities that can tip the scales in your favor.
For example, blackjack players who master basic strategy can push the house edge below 1%, roulette odds change depending on whether you’re playing American or European variants, and online slots come with varying RTP rates and volatility levels that impact how often you can win.
Understanding the mechanics of each game is key to making the most of your bankroll. Let’s cycle through some of the best casino games to win money on, explaining how they work and the theoretical returns you can expect.
How do online casino games work?
Before we dive into the details, you should understand that even when you’re playing the best online casino games to win money, the math always works in favor of the house. This is essentially how online casinos make money over the long term.
Most online casino games work using an RNG (random number generator), which ensures that every spin, card draw, or dice roll is entirely random. RNGs are sophisticated algorithms that generate thousands of random outcomes per second, making it impossible to predict or manipulate the results.
There are no RNGs in most live dealer titles. These games are run by professional dealers and croupiers instead of software. Nevertheless, they are also designed to favor the house due to the probability and payout structures. While strategy can influence the likes of blackjack or poker, pure chance dictates the outcomes of slots, roulette, and other luck-based games.
A casino title’s favorability is determined by its Return to Player (RTP) and house edge, which are basically two opposing measures of the same concept. RTP represents the percentage of total wagers a game is expected to pay back to players over time, while house edge indicates the casino’s built-in advantage.
For example, a game with a 96% RTP means players, on average, retrieve $96 for every $100 wagered in the long run, while the casino retains the remaining 4% as profit. The higher the RTP (or the lower the house edge), the better the odds for the player.
Casino games with the highest odds
Your best shot at winning money at online casinos comes from choosing titles with the lowest house edge and those that enable tactical play to improve your odds. Based on probability and skill-based strategies, here are some of the best casino games to win money on consistently.
Blackjack
Blackjack is often labeled as the most player-friendly casino game thanks to basic blackjack strategy, as it can bring the house edge down to 0.5%. Without it, the house edge can jump to 2% or more. Each situation calls for the optimal move — hit, stand, split, double down, or surrender — so basic strategy can be of great help all the way.
Card counting can further reduce the house edge, but most online casino blackjack games use eight decks and shuffle frequently to counteract this. Although not illegal, being caught using card counting in a land-based casino can lead to you being thrown out of the establishment.
| Best and Worst Bets in Blackjack | ||
| Bet Type | House Edge | Note |
| Basic strategy | 0.5% | Following a strategy chart will tell you the optimal move in every scenario. |
| Double down on 11 | 0.5% | This move can increase your payout potential when you encounter favorable odds. |
| Splitting aces and eights | 0.5% | This approach maximizes winning potential in favorable hands. |
| Insurance | 8.5% | Avoid this bet, as it heavily favors the house. |
Baccarat
Baccarat is an ideal casino game to make money, especially for beginners, owing to its simple gameplay, fast-paced nature, and limited betting options. Although there are a few baccarat strategies to consider, there isn’t much you can do to influence results.
A useful trinket to remember is that Banker bets offer the lowest house edge of all bets (1.06%) due to third card drawing rules that slightly favor the Banker’s side across extensive hands.
| Best and Worst Bets in Baccarat | ||
| Bet Type | House Edge | Note |
| Banker | 1.06% | Putting your chips on the Banker is the most favorable move in baccarat. |
| Player | 1.24% | This approach is slightly worse over extensive play. |
| Tie | ~14% | Avoid this bet. Even though it comes with a higher payout (8:1), it features extremely unfavorable odds. |
Video Poker
Video poker is a single-player version of poker where the goal is to make the best five-card hand based on Texas Hold’em rankings. The house edge varies based on the variant and the paytable, so it’s wise to pick out versions with more favorable odds and consider video poker strategy.
Jacks or Better is the most popular option, with a house edge of just 0.46%. However, Deuces Wild and Double Bonus Poker can even come with a negative house edge with perfect play, making them a good choice if you’re looking for the best odds game at casino sites.
Take notice of paytables, too, as they significantly affect the RTP. Always opt for full-pay machines. For instance, the Jacks or Better full-pay version contains a so-called 9/6 paytable, meaning that a full house pays nine times the bet, and the payoff for a flush is six times your stake.
| Best and Worst Bets in Video Poker | ||
| Game Variant | House Edge | Note |
| Jacks or Better (9/6) | 0.46% | This popular type of video poker is easy to learn and play. |
| Deuces Wild (Full Pay) | -0.76% | If you use a perfect strategy, this version can provide a positive expected value. |
| Double Bonus Poker | -0.17% | This variant boasts a negative house edge, but its volatility is high. |
Roulette
Just like with video poker, roulette is fully based on luck, but choosing the right variant can significantly improve your odds. We explain more in our roulette strategy guide.
With a single zero slot, European Roulette is built with a 2.70% house edge. This is much better compared to American Roulette’s 5.26% due to its additional double zero pocket. Moreover, the French variant comes with the La Partage rule, which reduces the house edge even further to just 1.35%.
Roulette offers a variety of bets, although it’s advisable to stick to even-money selections (Red/Black, Odd/Even, High/Low) for lower risk. The La Partage rule comes into play here, where half your stake is returned when the ball lands on zero. Straight-up bets (ones placed on the exact number) promise high payouts but terrible odds.
| Best and Worst Bets in Roulette | ||
| Bets / Game Variant | House Edge | Note |
| Even-money bets in French Roulette | 1.35% | Whenever possible, play the French variant with the La Partage rule. |
| Even-money bets in European Roulette | 2.70% | Go for this alternative if French Roulette with La Partage isn’t available. |
| American Roulette | 5.26% | The double-zero slot in American Roulette increases the house edge significantly. |
Best live casino games to make money
Live dealer games have given a new dimension to online gambling, offering real-time gameplay with professional dealers and interactive features.
Modern installments from top-tier live casino providers like Evolution and Pragmatic Play have introduced new mechanics, such as boosted multipliers. However, these versions come with adjusted base game payouts to compensate for a higher payout potential, which subtly increases the house edge.
For instance, Lightning Roulette (Evolution) adds boosted multipliers of up to 500x on straight-up bets but lowers the standard payout for non-multiplier wins from 35:1 to 29:1. Another example is No Commission Baccarat, which removes the standard 5% commission on Banker bets, but the payout drops by half if the Banker wins with a value of 6.
If you’re looking for the best casino games to win money in the live dealer lobby, it’s essential to understand the rule changes and figure out how they impact your odds. While these releases offer enticing multipliers, traditional versions with standard payouts may provide a more consistent return over time.
Best casino slot games to win money
The unpredictability of slots makes them far from being the best online casino games to consistently win money on. Although their house edge (typically around 4%) seems respectable, it is derived from millions of spins and only represents the long-term average return, not a predictable payout in a single session.
Still, they’re the most popular casino game for a reason. They offer quickfire, exciting gameplay with the highest payout potential, especially in the case of progressive jackpots with life-changing rewards.
Nevertheless, playing games with higher RTP percentages is still advantageous for extended play, at least in theory. That said, here are some video slots with a much higher RTP than the industry average:
| Video Slot | Provider | RTP |
| Goblin’s Cave | Playtech | 99.32% (available with the maximum wager) |
| Ugga Bugga | Playtech | 99.07% |
| Mega Joker | NetEnt | 99% |
| Blood Suckers | NetEnt | 98% |
| Starmania | NextGen | 97.87% |
Another factor to consider is volatility, sometimes known as variance, which dictates how much and how often a slot pays out. Low-volatility games deliver frequent but smaller wins and are ideal for longer play sessions with less risk.
In contrast, high-volatility slots offer larger but less frequent payouts. Bankroll swings can be dramatic while playing these games, so they’re more suited to risk-takers seeking substantial wins within a limited number of spins.
| There’s limited opportunity for strategic play in slot games. While some players have experimented with different tactics over time — such as adjusting bet sizes or timing their spins — others believe that there is a best time of day to play slots to guarantee profits. |
Low RTP casino games to avoid
With a little bit of luck, any casino title can win you money. However, if you’re focused on maximizing your long-term returns, some games are better avoided due to their higher house edges and unfavorable odds, such as:
Low RTP slots:
Slots with an RTP below 94% simply offer worse long-term payout potential. You may have to endure long periods of losing spins to see a return.
Jackpot slots:
Video slots with progressive jackpots usually feature low RTPs to offset the massive potential payout that will inevitably land at some point.
Bingo and keno:
The house edge in bingo and keno varies depending on the variant and can be anywhere from 11% to 35%, making them the least favorable games for players in terms of odds.
Scratchcards:
Most virtual scratchcards offer a respectable RTP on the surface, but this is only carried by the game’s top-tier prizes, which are very rarely won.
Live gameshows:
Although live gameshows promise good entertainment value, the same can’t be said for their odds, which are typically much lower than those in traditional table games.
Conclusion
While luck is always a deciding factor in a casino, the best casino games to win money on are those that offer better odds over consistent play, lower house edges, and opportunities for strategic play.
Blackjack and video poker are the highest-odds casino games, but you must learn strategies to benefit from them. Meanwhile, baccarat and roulette are easier to master, and all you need to do is find the right variants and stick to specific bets.
While slots and live dealer titles offer excitement and high payout potential, they typically come with a higher house edge, making them less ideal for long-term wins.
Understanding these games and their key elements can help you make informed choices and maximize your bankroll potential.
FAQs
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References
- How Slot Game Algorithms Work: Understanding Random Number Generators (Sdlccorp)
- Learn Blackjack Strategy (Blackjack Apprenticeship)
- Blackjack House Edge (Betandbeat)
- Best Baccarat Strategy: How to Win at Baccarat (Pokernews)
- Roulette -- The Basics (The Wizard of Odds)
- Non-Commission Baccarat With Super Six — Game Rules (GRA)
- Video Poker Odds and Strategies (Pinnacle)
- Blood Suckers Slot Review - 98% RTP, Wilds & Free Spins (Pokernews)
- Mega Joker Demo & Slot Review (SlotCatalog)
- Goblins Cave Slot Review (Slotshawk)
