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Lottoland 23 October 2025

Casino Odds

What Casino Games Have The Best Odds?

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

Navigating casino odds, online or in person, can be a discombobulating experience. Shiny slots, kitschy keno, dynamic dice and the captivating card games are all vying for your attention – and your hard-earned money! To wager with confidence it's vital that you understand online casino games and, importantly, what live casino games have the best odds.

Understanding Casino Lingo

For those aspiring casino aficionados who are novices on the casino floor, some of the terminology used in these games may sound almost foreign. However, it is essential that you get to know the most important casino terms before you get started. Understanding these casino terms will help ensure that nothing gets lost in translation, and you can maximise your enjoyment with as little confusion as possible.

With that in mind, here is a quick summary of some of the casino lingo you may not already be familiar with.

Ante Bet: This is the initial, and mandatory, bet that poker players make at the start of the hand. Each player’s ‘ante’ builds the initial pot which the winner of the hand will claim.

House Edge: This is the statistical advantage that the casino holds over the player across its various games. Generally illustrated as a percentage, this conveys the average amount of a player's stake the casino could expect to keep as profit. For example, if the house edge is 2%, this means the casino would expect to retain R2 per every R100 staked on that game.

Payout Table: This table represents the potential winnings or payouts for different combinations or outcomes in both casino games and slots. This is important to read before making an initial bet as it will highlight the amounts that can be won based on specific bets and results.

Return To Player (RTP): Given as a percentage, RTP illustrates the amount of money a player could expect to receive back from their stake over a long period of time. Understanding a game RTP will help to assess the odds and potential profitability of a given game.

Which Casino Table Game Has the Best Odds?

As the table below shows, the casino game that has the best odds is undoubtedly blackjack. Your odds of winning will vary depending on certain rules and your own skill, but overall, you can expect to have a 49-51% chance of winning your hand!

Let’s look at these casino odds in more detail.

What Casino Games Have The Best Odds?
Game House Edge Odds of Winning
Blackjack 0.5-1% 49-51%
Craps 1.36% 49.3%
Roulette 2.7-5.26% 47.37-47.4%
Baccarat 1.06-1.24% 44.62-45.86%
Three Card Poker 3.37% 44.91%
Caribbean Stud Poker 5.22% 42.78%

6. Caribbean Stud Poker | Odds of Winning 42.78%

Coming in sixth in our list of the casino table games with the best odds is Caribbean Stud Poker. The house edge can vary from casino to casino, but more often than not it will be around 5.22%. This edge comes firstly from the pay table where lower amounts may be paid for common hands like pairs, but significantly higher than usual for rarer hands like a Royal Flush.

The second factor influencing the house edge is that the dealer must hold a hand that is at least as strong as Ace-King to continue. If the dealer’s hand does not qualify then players receive even money return on their ante bet – no matter what hand they hold.

Despite this, Caribbean Stud Poker still gives the player a decent 42.78% chance of winning. It is just paramount that you inspect the payout table before playing to manage those expectations if you get dealt a winner!

5. Three Card Poker | Odds of Winning 44.91%

Three card poker offers significantly better casino odds than its Caribbean cousin for two main reasons. First, the dealer’s qualifying hand is slightly weaker. In Three Card Poker, the dealer’s hand will qualify with just a Queen-High. This results in more hands being played, giving the player more opportunity to win.

The second, and perhaps more significant, difference is that players have much more control over their game. After the first ante, players can decide to raise, or fold based on the strength of their cards, options that simply aren’t available in Caribbean Stud.

Generally, Three Card Poker offers players a 44.91% chance of winning, although this can again vary depending on how the pay table is structured. Whilst these are better odds than Caribbean Stud, stepping away from poker will lead us to the very best casino game odds…

4. Baccarat | Odds of Winning 44.62 - 45.86%

Baccarat is a simple game that offers simple returns – and some of the best odds on the casino floor. A house edge of between 1.06-1.24% compares very favourably to the previous games mentioned on this list, and it affords the player odds of winning of around 44.62-45.86%. The reason for the variation in the odds is due to different return rates on whether you are backing the banker or the player to win.

Another factor that will influence the house edge is the number of decks being used to play. If you want to improve your odds of winning baccarat, then look for the games that use the least number of decks.

3. Roulette | Odds of Winning 47.37 – 47.4%

When playing roulette, it is important that you take note of which type of roulette is being offered as this has a dramatic impact on the house edge and, in turn, your odds of winning.

With European Roulette the house edge is just 2.7%. This is thanks to there being just one ‘0’ pocket on the wheel. The zero pocket is what gives the house its edge, and the more zeros there are, the bigger the advantage the casino has.

The impact of the zero pocket can be clearly seen in American Roulette. Here there is a Double zero, but everything else remains the same. Just this one small addition allows the house edge to almost double from 2.7% to 5.26%.

2. Craps | Odds of Winning 49.3%

The Craps table is one of the most popular games on the casino floor, and with good reason! This fast-paced game gives the house an edge of only 1.36% for its popular “Pass Line” bets. This bet will give you odds of winning of around 49% making it the casino game with the third-best odds.

However, there are some other bets on the Craps table that can give you significantly worse odds. For example, if you take the “Any 7” bet and back the next dice roll to produce a 7 you will be handing the house a 16% edge and reduce your chances of winning from 49% to just 16%!

1. Blackjack | Odds of Winning 49-51%

Blackjack is the casino game with the best odds of winning, with a house edge that can be as low as 0.5%. It is important to note that Blackjack relies on skill as well as luck, so a poor strategy can lead to the house edge more than doubling and your chances of winning will fall dramatically.

The rules being utilised will also have a significant impact on both the possibility of your strategy working and the overall edge that you are giving to the casino. Before playing you should find out – amongst other things – how many decks are being used and when you may be allowed to double-down on specific cards. Each may have a significant impact on the strategy you wish to employ.

Which Casino Game Has The Highest Odds?

The casino game with the highest odds is Keno, which has a mighty house edge of around 2–35%. This results in a typical Return to Player of around 70-80%. It’s important to note that casino odds for keno can vary dramatically from provider to provider, so it’s important that you examine the keno game you are playing before making that first bet!

Given that keno has the highest odds out of casino games, its everlasting appeal may be surprising. However, sometimes there is an attraction to simplicity – and keno is nothing if not simple! All you need to do is select six numbers from 1-80 and wait for the draw!

Test Your Knowledge!

Interested in putting your newly gained knowledge to the test? Well, fortunately for you the Lottoland Casino is well stocked with all of these casino games and plenty more!

Casino Odds & House Edge FAQ

WHAT DOES "HOUSE EDGE" MEAN IN CASINO GAMES?

The house edge is the built-in advantage that the casino has over players in any game. It’s expressed as a percentage and reflects how much the casino expects to win from each bet over the long term. For example, if a game has a house edge of 5%, it means the casino expects to earn R5 for every R100 wagered. It doesn’t mean you’ll lose every time you play, but over time, the odds favour the house.

HOW DOES THE HOUSE EDGE DIFFER BETWEEN EUROPEAN AND AMERICAN ROULETTE?

The key difference lies in the number of zeros on the wheel. European Roulette has a single zero (0), while American Roulette has both a single zero (0) and a double zero (00). That extra zero in the American version increases the house edge—around 2.7% for European Roulette versus roughly 5.26% for American Roulette. South African players looking for better odds should stick to European Roulette whenever possible.

HOW CAN I IMPROVE MY ODDS WHEN PLAYING BLACKJACK?

Blackjack is one of the few casino games where skill and strategy can make a real difference. To improve your odds, learn basic blackjack strategy—which tells you the best decisions to make based on your hand and the dealer’s visible card. Also, try to play tables that pay 3:2 for a natural blackjack instead of 6:5. Avoid insurance bets, and if you can find single-deck games, your odds improve slightly.

IS IT BETTER TO PLAY BACCARAT WITH FEWER DECKS?

Yes, the number of decks used can slightly affect your odds in baccarat. Fewer decks usually give players a slightly better chance, especially on the banker bet—which already has the lowest house edge of any standard casino wager (around 1.06%). That said, the difference is quite small, and for most casual South African players, it won't dramatically change your outcomes. Still, if you’re choosing between games, go with the one using fewer decks.

WHY ARE THE ODDS LOWER FOR CARIBBEAN STUD POKER?

Caribbean Stud Poker has a relatively high house edge—often around 5% or more—because of its fixed payouts and the fact that players don’t have much opportunity to influence the game through skill. You’re playing against the dealer, and once you make your bet and look at your cards, your only decision is whether to fold or raise. That limited decision-making reduces your ability to improve your odds, which is why the house edge is steeper compared to other poker-style games.

WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THREE CARD POKER AND CARIBBEAN STUD POKER?

Both are casino table games based on poker, but they differ in structure and strategy. In Three Card Poker, you’re dealt three cards and must decide whether to play or fold based on that hand. It’s fast-paced and has simpler betting options. In Caribbean Stud Poker, you get five cards and face off against the dealer’s hand, with the option to raise or fold. Caribbean Stud often has higher payouts for strong hands but also a higher house edge. For South African players looking for a quicker, more accessible game, Three Card Poker is generally the better choice.

WHICH CRAPS BETS OFFER THE BEST RETURN?

In craps, the Pass Line and Don't Pass Line bets offer some of the best odds in the casino, with a house edge around 1.41% and 1.36% respectively. Even better are odds bets, which can be placed after the point is established—these have zero house edge because they pay true odds. For South African players learning craps, stick with the basic bets first, and add odds bets as you become more confident.

HOW MUCH DOES SKILL AFFECT YOUR CHANCES IN CASINO TABLE GAMES?

Skill plays a significant role in games like blackjack and poker, where your decisions directly impact your odds. In blackjack, using basic strategy can cut the house edge to under 1%. In poker variants, understanding the odds and reading situations can help you make smarter bets. On the other hand, games like roulette or baccarat are mostly luck-based, with little room for skill. If you’re a South African player looking to use skill to your advantage, blackjack is a great place to start.

HOW DO I READ A CASINO PAYOUT TABLE CORRECTLY?

A payout table shows how much you can win for different outcomes in a game. For example, in video poker or slots, the table will list the number of coins you win for each hand or combination. Always look for the full pay version of a game—this means it offers the best return based on its payout structure. Be sure to check if higher bets unlock bigger payouts (like in some slots or bonus poker variants). Understanding the table helps you make better betting decisions, especially when playing online from South Africa.

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by Tom
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Tom
What I Cover: I am always intrigued to discover how lotteries from around the world can seem so different. Thanks to this interest, you will find me writing about the histories, traditions and records of lotteries from every corner of the world!

I am also an avid sports fan, so from time to time I will also cover in-depth guides to help you understand how sports betting works.

My Background: I have been working in the industry since 2020. In that time I have written countless articles related to lotteries, sports, casinos and the history of gambling.

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