10 Casino Games with the Lowest House Edge

Not all real-money casino games are equal. There is a major difference in the likely payout percentage from one game to the next. 

Knowing that information is critical before you even begin playing games at the best online casinos. The casino payout rate helps determine the casino’s “house edge," which is the statistical advantage a casino holds in any given game. 

Top 10 Casino Games with the Lowest House Edge

A casino's house edge can be reduced using an effective strategy, but it's also helpful to find the games with the lowest house edge to begin with. Playing these games will give you the best chance to walk away with some extra money in your account. 

Let's take a closer look at the top 10 casino games with the lowest house edge:

10. Backgammon

House Edge from 4.82% to 6.39%

One of the oldest table games, Backgammon starts with players having two pieces called "point 1." There are three kinds of bets: Jump, Out, and Doubles. 

After players make wagers, the dice are thrown by a designated “shooter.”

The first objective is to get the first two pieces over the jump bar in one roll of the two dice. If the shooter is successful, whoever placed the “Jump” bet will win. The shooter then rolls again, and if both pieces can be moved off the board, the “Out” bet wins. 

Winning Jump bets and Out bets will payout according to the start point. If the shooter rolls doubles, then “Double” wagers pay according to the number of doubles per point. Jump and Out bets are more favorable for players.

9. Caribbean Stud Poker

House Edge from 5% 

Think stud poker—minus the bluffing and poker faces—and you get Caribbean stud poker. Although you might have the same hand as other players, that doesn’t matter. The house is the one to beat here.

To play, first place an ante bet. Each player and the dealer get five cards. All are face down except one of the dealer’s cards. Check out your cards and the dealer’s visible card and decide if you want to fold—and forfeit your ante—or raise. 

Caribbean stud poker also has a nice extra feature: the progressive side bet. Place a chip on the progressive box to stand the chance of winning big if you hit a royal flush. 

Payouts are based on the actual poker value of your five cards. 

8. Pai Gow Poker

House Edge from 2.5%

What would you get if you mixed an antique Chinese domino game and poker? Something along the lines of Pai Gow poker. 

This Frankenstein of a card game is fun and gives you a double chance to win, in that it allows players to form two winning hands out of the seven cards dealt to the player.

7. Roulette (Single Zero)

House Edge from 2.5%

Roulette has a higher player edge when played on the single-zero version of the wheel, so seek out that version of the game.

The math behind it is quite simple: The game pays 35-1 on straight bets, but there are 37 numbers on the wheel. You don’t need a calculator to realize that the casino edge on the double-zero roulette rises (38 numbers against the same 35-1 payout).

For a real casino-style thrill online, pick your favorite number and head over to a top live casino site in your state.

6. Slots

House Edge From 2% to 10%

Despite the payouts not being as good as table games, slots are the undisputed kings of online casinos. The competition to produce the best slot games means that software suppliers are constantly adding extra features such as free spins, interactive bonus rounds, and jackpots. 

To reduce the house advantage, we suggest seeking out those features, as they often make the difference between a winning and losing session.

Explore our most popular online slot games and then use our online slot reviews to find the best places to play.

5. Video Poker

House Edge from 0.5% to 5%

Much has been said about video poker possibly having a 0% house edge when the right strategy is used. We are quite skeptical, since casinos are in the business of making money.

Contrary to what some might say, this is a game of skill. Of the many video poker games available, simple versions such as Jacks or Better and Deuces Wild can be quite rewarding, even for novices.

Find online poker sites in your state, work on your strategy, and see how close you come to wiping out the house edge.

4. Three-Card Poker

House Edge from 1.5% 

Three-card poker, a fun and quick variant, has gained popularity in casinos for its speed. Each player and the house are dealt three cards. Payouts vary depending on the dealer's cards.

King-high qualifies the dealer and pays the highest returns, but basic poker strategy also applies. 

We recommend you always play Queen high to have a chance of getting your bet money back (and then some).

3. Baccarat

House Edge from 1.5%

If you want a slower, no-frills game that uses basic strategy, try baccarat. Bettors can only choose to bet on Player, Banker, or a Tie. That’s it.

The game follows rigid rules on card distribution. Your best bet here is the Player, since the Banker bet incurs a fee. 

2. Craps

House Edge from 1.4% to 5%

Simply put, craps is one of the most exciting games going in any brick-and-mortar casino. While the game's rules often put players off, craps offers one of the lowest house edges among casino games. 

The don’t pass/don’t come bets have a house edge of only around 1.4% and are a great way for beginners to bet.

1. Blackjack (Single Deck)

House Edge from 1.5% 

When it comes to variants of online blackjack, the difference is in the cards, or rather, how many there are. 

Find a single-deck game, and your chances of winning are greatly improved. The house advantage is significantly lowered on single-deck games of blackjack.