10 Casino Games with the Lowest House Edge
Kia ora Kiwi punters! We're here to win right? I mean casino games are all about having a bit of fun, but at the end of the day, a bit of extra dosh wouldn't go astray, right?
Shangri La Casino lives up to its name with a multitude of games and a great casino experience. Go ahead and try your hand at winning today!
Check Out: we've reviewed all of the best online poker sites available in New Zealand
Well, the bad news is, on average, the house wins every time. You can hide behind sunglasses or try that strategy you read on the back of a Weetbix box, but nothing beats the house. Okay, some casino strategies can reduce the house edge, but our point remains.
So what's the good news? All casino games have a house edge, and some games have a lower house edge than others. The lower the casino's house edge, the better the odds for you!
If you can find a casino game that you like, and also has a low house edge, your chances of having a win go up by quite a bit. So don't worry about fancy tactics, or trying to crack the code, just check out these top 10 casino games with the lowest house edge!
How to Calculate House Edge
The house edge is represented as a percentage. So if a casino game has a house edge of 5%, then that means for every $100 bet, the casino/house on average, will earn/keep $5 of that 100.
Another way to look at it is the opposite of Return to Player (RTP). So if the house edge is 5%, then the RTP is 95%.
The lower the house edge, the better it is for you!
10. Backgammon
House Edge from 6.39% to 4.82%
Some people see Backgammon as that game you play at the bach with Nana, but others see it as a pretty fun game to play at the online casino. Either way, Backgammon has a pretty favourable house edge for players.
In online backgammon, you play with either the black or white pieces. The opponent, in this case, is the computer. You'll start off by making a bet, and then the name of the game is to get the first two pieces over the jump bar by moving as you roll your two dice.
9. Caribbean Stud Poker
House Edge from 5%
The good thing about Caribbean Stud Poker is that you don't need to have James Bond levels of cool to win because there is no bluffing required. This is because you play against the house, and not other players. You'll start by placing a bet, and then the dealer will give you three cards.
You need to judge whether your hand is better than that of the dealer's and if it is, you're on to a winner! However, if it's worse than the dealer's hand, you have the option of folding or doubling down.
8. European Roulette
House Edge from 2.5%
European Roulette is a classic casino game that has been around for ages. It's fairly simple and easy to understand and seems to attract more than its fair share of punters either looking for a quick spin, or having their own basic strategies to win.
The idea of roulette is pretty straightforward - you place your bet on which coloured or numbered pocket you think the ball will land in. Oh, and if you were wondering, American Roulette has a slightly higher house edge, because there are two zeroes on the wheel, instead of just one.
7. Pai Gow Poker
House Edge from 2.5%
Pai Gow Poker probably sounds super-exotic, but in reality, it's kinda just like a mix between poker and dominos. The idea is that you can win by forming two winning hands out of the seven cards that are dealt to you. You can form your hands with either the five cards you are dealt or the two that the dealer provides.
The game has a pretty low house edge, and there's no bluffing involved, so it's pretty simple to understand too. It also doesn't need any special skills like poker does - there is no need to "read" your opponent.
6. Video Poker
House Edge from 5% to 0.5%
We love a bit of video poker - you get all of the excitement of regular table poker, but you don't have the bum-clenching stress of playing at a real table with real players that might be total sharks.
Video poker is also said to be free of the house edge, thanks to the fact that it's a game where you are playing against other players' hands rather than against the casino. But, c'mon, online casinos are out to make a profit, so we kind of doubt that!
Either way, because it's a game of skill that has the stress taken out of it, we reckon it's a pretty good option to reduce the house edge.
5. Online Pokies
House Edge From 2% to 10%
Hey, if this is a list for Kiwi casino games, we'd be pretty bummed if we couldn't include the pokies! it's true that the house edge for pokies will vary quite a bit, but that also means there are heaps of options to choose from. If you choose a pokies game with a low house edge, you can putter away for ages just making small bets and small wins.
Pokies are great because they also include all sorts of bonuses in terms of free spins, bonus rounds, and if you're lucky, big jackpots. Pokies are huge business, which means with a bit of hunting, you'll find a game that suits you to a tee.
4. Three Card Poker
House Edge from 1.5%
Three Card Poker is another great poker game for those who can't bluff to save themselves, as you play against the dealer, not the other players. And like other no-bluff poker games, it's got a pretty low house edge as well.
It's a pretty simple concept - you're dealt three cards, and from there, it's your job to beat the dealer. The dealer will only play if they have a Queen high or better. The best possible hand is a straight flush.
3. Baccarat
House Edge from 1.5%
Let's face it - Baccarat is an old-fashioned casino game. It's usually played at high stakes and is favoured by rich businessmen and the super-rich who like to gamble big money on a regular basis. But y'know, there's nothing stopping you from playing online while you're in your dressing gown - that's the beauty of the internet.
There's no room for bluffing or tricky strategies here, as there are only three possible outcomes: player, banker, and draw. We recommend going for the player bet, as the banker bet has a fee on it.
2. Craps
House Edge from 5% to 1.4%
Next to roulette, we're not sure there is a more iconic casino game on the planet. Whether it's in the high-roller's room in a Las Vegas Casino, or down a New York alleyway, craps is everywhere. And now you can play it online from the comfort of your own home!
The game is played with two dice, and the person rolling the dice is called the shooter. Every game starts with a pass line bet, where you guess whether the dice will land to add up to 7 or 11 to pass the line. A 2, 3, or 12 loses. It can take a bit to get used to, but it's a super-rewarding game with a potentially very low house edge.
1. Blackjack (Single Deck)
House Edge from 1.5%
Blackjack can have varying house edges, but it all depends on how many decks are in play. So you'll want to look for an online blackjack game with just one deck because that means the house edge could be as low as 1.5%.
Blackjack is a super-easy game to play, because it's all about knowing when to hit. Just follow some basic blackjack strategy, and you'll be up to speed in no time. With a bit of good luck and good management, you could be walking away with a nice little payout at casino nz site.
Recommended Casino Sites
- Our Top Pick18+ New Customers opt in, deposit min $10. We Match 100% of your first 3 deposits up to a total of $500 each in Casino Bonus Funds, 3 day expiry. Also get 150 Free Spins with each deposit, 7 days expiry. Geo Restrictions. T&Cs Apply See Below. begambleaware.org | Please Gamble ResponsiblyDual Casino & Sportsbook PlatformExcellent Trust Pilot scoreLive Chat Support Available 24/7not requiredBonus CodeThe code required to claim this sign-up bonus (if any)Bonus WageringThe number of times you have to play through your bonus before you are able to withdraw any winnings35xPayout TimeThe average withdrawal processing time1-3 Business DaysOur RatingGambling.com's rating of this online casino out of 10098Casino GamesThe total number of all casino games available1700Live Casino GamesThe total number of Live Dealer casino games available139BetVictor were one of the pioneers of the online gambling industry and their online casino, launched in the UK back in 2000, is now fully licensed in New Zealand.
- 18+. New customers only. Min Deposit $10. (35x) wagering req. T&C's apply.
- 18+. T&C Apply
- 418+. T&C Apply
- 18+. T&C Apply
- 18+. T&C Apply
- 18+. T&C Apply
- Wagering requirement is x50 on bonus money credited - Wagering requirement on deposit bonus must be completed within 21 Days - Minimum deposit to claim Welcome Bonus is $10
- 18+ | New Customers Only | Opt in & get a 100% Match on your deposit up to $2,000 + 100 Free Spins on Big Bass Bonanza | Bonus funds subject to wagering requirements | Click here for T&C's | begambleaware.org | Please Gamble Responsibly
- 18+. New players ONLY. Min deposit NZ$20 Max bonus bet NZ$5 Offer is 1st deposit - 100% match up to NZ$300 & 50 Bonus Spins on any Play'n Go game, 2nd deposit - 50% match up to NZ$500 & 50 Bonus Spins on any Play'n Go game, 3rd deposit - 25% match up to NZ$700 & 50 Bonus Spins on any Play'n Go game. Winnings from bonus spins are credited in form of bonus funds and capped at NZ$10 Wagering requirements of 35x applies (deposit + bonus). Bonus funds expire after 30 days, bonus spins after 10 days.
- 18+. T&C Apply
- 18+. T&C Apply
- 1318+, New Customers Only, Play Responsibly, T&C Apply. Casinovibes reserves the right to amend, suspend or cancel the promotion at any time. This offer is not available for players using cryptocurrencies.
- 18+. T&C Apply - Full Terms Apply
- 18+, New Customers Only, Play Responsibly, T&C Apply.
- 1618+ T&C's Apply
- 1718+. T&C Apply
- 1818+. T&C Apply
- 1918+. T&C Apply
- 2018+. T&C Apply
- 18+. T&C's Apply
- 18+. T&C Apply
- 18+ T&C's Apply
- 18+. T&C Apply - Full Terms Apply
- 2518+ T&C's Apply
- 18+. T&C Apply
- 2718+. T&C Apply
- 2818+, New Customers Only, Play Responsibly, T&C Apply.
- 19+ T&C Apply.
- 18+. T&C Apply
- 3118+ | T&Cs Apply | Gamble Responsibly
- 18+, New Customers Only, Play Responsibly, T&C Apply.
- 18+ LeoSafePlay.com, Promotional T&Cs apply. Please play responsibly.
- 18+. Terms apply. Please gamble responsibly. www.Gamblingtherapy.org
- 3518+ T&C's Apply
- 18+. T&C Apply
- 3718+, New Customers Only, Play Responsibly, T&C Apply.
- 18+. New Players Only. Terms apply. Please gamble responsibly. www.gamblingtherapy.org
- 18+. T&C Apply
- 4018+ T&C's Apply
- 18+. Please Play Responsibly. T&C Apply
- 18+. T&C Apply
- 4318+. T&C Apply
- 18+. T&C Apply
- 18+. T's & C's Apply.
- 18+. T&C Apply
- 18+. T&C Apply
- 4818+ New players only. Min deposit NZ$10 1st deposit: 100% up to NZ$400 & 50 bonus spins. 2nd deposit: 125% up to NZ$200 & 20 spins. 3rd deposit: 200% up to NZ$400 & 30 bonus spins. All spins valid on Legacy of Dead. Winnings from bonus spins are credited as bonus funds and capped at an amount 1 times the number of spins assigned (e.g. 100 bonus spins on first deposit have a max. win cap of NZ$100). Bonus funds expire after 30 days, Spins after 10 days. Max bonus bet NZ$5 Bonus funds are separate to Cash funds and are subject to 35x wagering req. (dep+bonus+spins). Terms Apply. Please Play Responsibly.
- 18+. T&C Apply
- 5018+. T&C Apply
Stay In The Loop With New Casino Sites & Offers!
Free Spins. Exclusive Bonuses. Sent Weekly.