Top 5 Casino Games with the Best Odds in 2025

By -Derek
Posted on 15 October 202515 October 2025
Posted in Casino Games

In casino games, the house edge (or conversely, Return-to-Player, RTP) tells you how much advantage the casino has over the player in the long run. The lower the house edge, or the higher the RTP, the better chance you have of coming out ahead (or at least minimizing losses). Games that combine skill + favorable rules give you the best odds.

Blackjack

Blackjack consistently ranks among the best odds for players. With the right strategy, you can reduce the house edge to about 0.5% or even lower.

Why it’s strong: Decision-making matters (hit, stand, double, split). Good variants (single- or double-deck, favorable payout rules like 3:2 for blackjack) improve your chances sharply.
Best when using “basic strategy,” avoiding poor payout tables (e.g., 6:5 blackjack, which are worse) and playing versions with fewer decks.

Video Poker

Video poker is another top pick. Some variants – especially “Jacks or Better” – can offer RTPs above 99% if played with perfect strategy.

Why it helps: Skill in choosing which cards to hold/discard matters. If you play with an optimal strategy and good pay tables, your odds improve significantly.
Caveats: The pay tables vary a lot between machines; some versions may not offer such favorable RTPs.

Baccarat (Banker Bet)

Baccarat, especially betting on the banker, is very favorable. The banker bet has a house edge of about 1.06%, making it one of the lowest among table games.

Why the banker bet is good: Because the rules for drawing cards give the banker a slight statistical advantage. Even after accounting for the commission on banker wins, it’s still among the best bets you can make.
Note: Avoid side bets like the “tie” in baccarat because they carry much worse odds.

Craps (Pass Line + Odds Bets)

Certain bets in craps offer excellent odds. The Pass Line bet combined with free odds can push the house edge down to around 1.4% or even less in some setups.

Why it’s good: Many of the simpler bets in craps (Pass Line, Don’t Pass, taking odds) are among the safest bets you can make.
What to avoid: Exotic bets in craps (Hardways, Horn bets, etc.) have much worse odds.

European Roulette

If you’re going to play roulette, the European version (single zero) is much better than American roulette (which has a double zero). European roulette has a house edge of about 2.7% whereas American roulette is much worse.

Why it’s safer: Only one zero on the wheel reduces the casino’s advantage.
Bet types matter: Even-money bets (red/black, even/odd) reduce variance, though they don’t change house edge.

Benefits of Choosing Games with Good Odds

Longer play: You get more “bang for your buck” because you lose slower.
Higher chance of small wins: Frequent smaller wins help with bankroll management.
Lower risk: Less volatility means fewer dramatic swings.
Better value on strategy: In skill-based games, knowing the strategies gives you a real edge.

Challenges & Things to Watch Out For

Skill requirement: For games like blackjack and video poker, you must learn strategy to unlock the best odds.
Variants & rule changes: Casinos may offer versions that reduce your odds (e.g. many decks in blackjack, poor payout ratios, commission changes).
House edge & commission fees: Even good bets like the banker in baccarat come with commissions.
Volatility: Games with favorable odds often pay smaller amounts more frequently, rather than big jackpots. If you want big risk, different games might appeal more—but with much worse odds.

Tips to Maximize Your Odds

Learn basic strategy for games like blackjack.
Choose favorable variants (single-deck, good pay tables, etc.).
Avoid side bets and sucker bets.
Stick to simple bets in craps and roulette.
Manage bankroll well—don’t chase losses.
Check RTPs and house edge before you play (especially in online casinos).
Play games where skill impacts outcome (so your decisions matter).

Conclusion

If you aim to stretch your money and improve your odds in 2025, the top picks are blackjack, video poker, baccarat (banker bet), craps with smart bets, and European roulette. While no game is guaranteed to win every time, playing one of these with the right rules and strategy gives you the best chance of coming out ahead—or at least minimizing losses.