While all casino games give players the chance to have some fun and win a little, or a lot, of extra cash, they were not all created equal. There are huge differences when it comes to payout percentages, and knowing a little more about this will ensure you start off on the right foot before the dice have been rolled, the cards shuffled and dealt, or the wheel set to turn.
Caribbean Stud Poker, House Edge from 5%
Think of Stud Poker without the bluffing and you’ll have a good idea of what playing this variation requires. While you may have the same hand as the players around you, it doesn’t matter a jot since the only one you have to beat is the one belonging to the house.
Play will begin with your placing an Ante bet, after which everyone at the table will receive 5 cards. They’ll all be facedown except 1 of the Dealer’s. Then you’ll check your cards and the Dealer’s face up card and Fold, forfeiting your Ante, or Raise. This game also features a potentially very lucrative Progressive side-wager that will pay out if you have it active and create a Royal Flush.
Payouts for Caribbean Stud will depend on the Poker value of your 5 cards.
Single-Zero Roulette, House Edge from 2.7%
Roulette evokes images of decadence and grandeur from the romantic past and has become the first game to spring to mind when one hears the word casino thanks to its depiction in books, films, and television shows alike. Its house edge is hugely impacted by the amount of 0 pockets its wheel features, so always play the Single-Zero version if it’s available.
The mathematics behind this is simple. Roulette pays out at 35:1 on Straight stakes, but the wheel features 37 numbers. You don’t need a calculator to tell you that the casino’s edge on the Double-Zero Roulette variant rises.
Slots, House Edge from 2% to 10%
While Australian slots may not have payouts as good as the top table games do, they remain the undisputed kings when it comes to casinos, either land-based or online. The enormous competition in this market means that developers are always adding extra features to attract players, including Free Spins, interactive Bonus Rounds, and huge Jackpots. The good news is that these kinds of additional items reduce the house-advantage, too, so be sure and keep an eye out for titles featuring them.
Video Poker, House Edge from 0.5% to 5%
Although rumours are floating about regarding Video Poker games possibly having a 0% edge for the house, if the right strategy is applied, this is highly doubtful. Casinos are in the business of making money, and creating a title that utterly evens out the playing field would not help them do this!
But thanks to it being a game of skill, some variations can be more rewarding than others. Try sticking to the simpler versions like Deuces Wild and Jacks or Better and see if you notice an improvement in your takings.
