- For the overall experience, I pick baccarat as the top casino game to play.
- Craps and roulette offer huge payouts but have long odds of winning.
- Blackjack is great for newbies because it has simple rules and high RTP.
Casinos offer a wide range of games. Some are easy to play and understand while others are more complex. The same goes for digital platforms, too—the offer over 200 different titles!
best 2 by 2 gaming slotsNeedless to say, you’ll be spending your time and hard-earned money on the games you play. So, it’s in your best interest to choose wisely and focus on the best casino games.
I’ve played a ton of casino games over the years. Some were fun, while others put me to sleep. And I’d much rather win money while having a good time than sit through a boring game just to make a quick buck.
So, in this post, I will go over the top casino games that are worth playing. I’ll also cover some that you should avoid at all costs.
Best Casino Games to Play
There are countless options when it comes to casino games. You can play them online or at brick-and-mortar casinos.
In either case, you should know which ones are the most entertaining. So, let’s get right into it.
1. Baccarat
My list of the best casino games starts with baccarat. It’s an exciting card game that can be very profitable if you play it right.
The goal of baccarat is to get as close to eight points as possible. This happens by adding up the values of two or three cards.
paid some initial poker chipsSpeaking of values, cards from two to nine are worth their number, while face cards and tens are zero, and aces are one point. If the total exceeds ten, you need to carry over; meaning, you subtract 10 for every digit in the left column.
For example, a seven and a six would be thirteen points, but after carrying over, the hand would be three.
You can place wagers in three ways in baccarat. Predicting your own hand is called a “Player” bet. Predicting the banker’s hand is unsurprisingly called a “Banker” bet. Lastly, you can bet on a Tie.
Out of these three, the “Banker” bet is slightly more favorable due to the 5% commission that gets deducted if you win. In fact, the “Banker” bet has the lowest house edge (1.06%) in .
That being said, “Banker” bets don’t pay out odds. Instead, you receive your stake back along with the profits. To place odds bets, you must enable it in the settings.
Another thing I like about baccarat is that watching other people play doesn’t bore me to death. At the same time, it tells me a lot of information based on the bets and cards dealt.
Additionally, playing online makes everything even faster since there’s no need to wait for other players. You can play at one table after another without breaking a sweat.
Another great about baccarat is that it originated in Italy during the Renaissance. Widely believed to be the favorite game of the Medici family, baccarat was a high-stakes game only the wealthy could play. Today, everyone can enjoy this sophisticated game at the or anywhere else.
No Deposit Bonus Casinos in the USA (2023) - Online Casino ReviewsWhile there are no guaranteed outcomes in a , the lowest house edge makes baccarat a great option for those who want to maximize their chances of winning.
2. Craps
Even if you’ve never played craps before, you’ve probably seen the chaos that ensues when someone throws snakes eyes and yells, “Seven!”
Or maybe that was just me in college.
Either way, craps is one of the best casino table games. It’s thrilling, fast-paced, and can be extremely lucrative.
Here’s how it works.
You start by placing one or several bets on the passage. Then, the player (also known as the shooter) rolls the dice. If you bet on the pass line and the shooter gets a seven or eleven, you win.
On the other hand, getting a two, three, or twelve results in a loss. Any other number starts a series of rolls where you can win or lose depending on the passage bet.
Free Caesars Palace Slot Machines to Play Online for FunWhat makes craps so interesting is the amount of action you can add on top of the passage. These are called “the field,” don’t pass, and “come” or “don’t come” bets.
The “field” is a one-roll wager that pays out if the shooter lands a double (twelve), triple (thirteen), or twelve. Meanwhile, the “don’t pass” bet is the opposite of the pass-line. You win if the initial roll results in a two or three, and a seven or eleven loses.
As for “come” and “don’t come” bets, they are like “pass line” but happen after the initial roll. If the shooter lands a seven or eleven, you win unless you bet against it. On the other hand, a two, three, or twelve result in a push.
Any other number establishes your point quad, just like in pass line bets. After establishing the point, you can take the bet to “on” Quad by rolling the point again before a seven comes up.
All of these factors make craps pretty complicated. But that’s what makes it so thrilling.
Furthermore, certain bets have a very high payout. For instance, the 3000x payout on a US craps bet.
Of course, the downside is that the house edge for the passage and don’t pass bets hover around 1.4%. Things get even worse for more advanced bets – some of them can have a house edge of 16.8%.
Still, the versatility and upside of craps make up for it. Just make sure you know what you’re doing or follow a proven strategy.
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3. Roulette
Roulette is one of the most iconic casino games. There are many reasons why it’s enjoyed by players around the world.
First off, roulette features simple rules. All you need to do is predict which pocket the ball will land after spinning a wheel that contains numbers.
Moreover, roulette offers tons of flexibility in terms of betting. Not only can you wager on specific numbers, but also ranges, colors, odd/even, and more.
This dynamic makes roulette one of the most exciting games I have ever played. It’s also great for high rollers looking to place massive wagers.
As far as payouts go, it’s not unheard of to win hundreds or even thousands of times your stake. Of course, hitting a single number correctly is difficult, which is why most bets in roulette have long odds.
There are two main versions of the game: European and American roulette.
European roulette takes the traditional version of the game and removes the double zero pocket found in its American counterpart. As a result, European roulette has a lower house edge of 2.7%, making it the superior version.
Truthfully, any list of the best casino table games would be incomplete without roulette. I highly recommend giving it a shot next time you’re at the casino.
If you want to try it out for free first, you can also find many demo versions available online.
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4. Blackjack
Blackjack is another staple in casinos around the globe. It is one of the best paying casino games for multiple reasons.
Live Online Casinos That Are Better Than Land-Based OnesFirst things first, blackjack has easy-to-understand rules. You take on the banker, and both of you start with two cards. The objective is to get closer to 21 without going over.
If you beat the dealer in this regard, you win. Also, you will get a automatic winner if the dealers draw beyond 21.
Additionally, blackjack offers excellent odds, with a basic RTP of 99.4%. It goes even higher if you use the right .
I consider blackjack one of the best casino games for beginners. Experienced players might find it too simple, but that’s not the case for everybody.
Similar Games to Casino Vegas World That You Can Play Online For FreeIt’s also important to note that the house does have an edge in blackjack. However, unlike other games such as slots and keno, it’s possible to reduce it to less than 1%.
Another reason why I like blackjack is because it allows you to “push.” This means that sometimes you neither win nor lose, resulting in getting your original wager back.
Lastly, blackjack side bets can increase the excitement and payout of an otherwise simple game. Popular examples include Perfect Pairs and 21 +3.
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5. Video Poker
Video poker machines can be found in almost every casino across America. It combines elements of slot machines and poker to bring you one of the best casino slot games.
Like slots, video poker titles are usually self-contained, allowing you to play at your own pace without the need for a dealer. It also uses a random number generator to ensure that the outcome is fair.
Unlike slots, video poker offers better odds and involves skill. The ultimate goal is to build the best possible hand. If it measures up to a pair of jack, you win.
Depending on the combination of cards, you can earn significant rewards. For instance, a full house or flush brings even greater rewards. A straight flush or royal flush results in massive payouts that vary between versions.
One of the biggest reasons why video poker deserves a spot among the top casino games is its return to player (RTP). When you , you will notice that many variants have a 99.5%+ RTP.
Free Casino Games You Can Play Online Right NowThis means that you stand to win more with video poker compared to many other casino games. It’s particularly true if you use an optimal strategy and develop your skills over time.
Speaking of skills, here are a few video poker tips to help improve your profitability:
- Learn the hand rankings and the paytable of the particular variant you are playing.
- Always aim to keep possible royal flushes, as well as strong hands that are close to a winner.
- Be prepared to hold the second-highest pair if the machine pays well for a pair of aces.
- Don’t hold a low pair if you have a straight draw or a flush draw. Always chase four-card straights and flies if the machine pays 800x or more for a royal flush.
- Use the gamble or double-up feature sparingly, if at all. These features are not present in all video poker machines, but when they are, they give you a chance to double (or even quarter, half, or even triple) your winnings.
Not convinced yet? Well, video poker also offers a unique bonus: the ability to play with a wild card.
Aces and Eights, Deuces Wild, and Jokers Wild are just a few examples. In these variants, a certain card or suite functions as a wild symbol, letting it substitute for anything. It can turn the tide of a hand and lead to big rewards.
combined with the potential to turn a losing hand around. These dynamics make video poker one of the best casino slot games.
I’d also like to mention that the portable nature of video poker makes it perfect for on the go. For instances when you cannot visit a physical casino, you can always fire up your phone and play the best real money mobile casino games.
This completes my list of the top casino games to play. Now that we know what they are, the next question is: which casino games should you avoid?
6. Slot Machines
Don’t get me wrong; slot machines are not bad per se. They are just less rewarding than other casino games.
The biggest problem with is the low return to player. The average RTP hovers around 95%, which does not seem too bad at first glance.
Best NJ Casino Promos You Can Claim Right Now OnlineHowever, you should consider that slot machines have random results. This means that you will endure long periods of losses before a modest win. Some people never hit a big prize and walk away with less money than they came in with.
In other words, slot machines are volatile. They provide thrills thanks to near misses, false wins, and other psychological tricks.
But, these tend to encourage people to keep throwing their money until they finally hit a bonus round or a multiplier.
Another factor to consider is the bet size. Unlike blackjack, where you can reduce the house edge to less than 1% with the right strategy, it doesn’t work the same for slots. This is because the bet size directly affects the volume of spins you can do with a certain amount of money.
Someone that plays at $10 per spin will endure fewer rounds than a person betting 25 cents. Therefore, it’s common to see high rollers using to see instant results.
Of course, the upside to slots is the massive prizes. Progressive jackpot slots can easily reach millions of dollars. In fact, these games contribute the most revenue to the .
Nevertheless, the likelihood of winning a life-changing sum of money is very slim. Most people take home small prizes that do not cover their losses.
While there are many types of slots out there (e.g., 3D, video, classic, etc.), I cannot say that any of them are significantly better than the rest. They all share the problems explained above.
That’s why I believe slot machines belong in the section of casino games to avoid.
By the way, did you know that slot machines were originally designed for women? Learn more about that and other fun facts .
7. Keno
Keno is a popular casino game that shares similarities with the lottery. A caller randomly picks numbers, and you check them against your ticket.
Matching numbers result in payouts based on the quantity and quality of the picks.
At first glance, keno looks promising. Some tickets feature 80 numbers, which means the max odds are 1 in 802,010. Those are the odds of hitting all numbers.
Those sound terrible, but it could be worse. Fortunately, you can select as few as one number on the ticket, which cuts down the odds dramatically.
The issue is that you also lower the payout. In fact, hitting a single number often delivers a meager return of 30x your wager.
Some tickets offer more payouts and bonuses. The gambles even let you double your rewards or wagers.
Despite that, it’s challenging to consider keno one of the best casino games. The volatility is very high, requiring deep pockets to overcome the long streaks of losses.
Besides that, it’s a boring game that doesn’t require any decisions. It’s just you, a ticket, and some randomly generated numbers.
Maybe that’s appealing to some people. But it’s not enough to make me forget about the terrible odds. Therefore, I will not recommend keno, unless you really like the lottery.
If you’re interested in lottery betting, try our guide on state lottery winners in 2022.
8. Wheel of Fortune
Wheel of Fortune is a casino game inspired by the TV show. It consists of a large vertical wheel divided into 52 slices containing numbers and dollar amounts.
There are also blank spaces and bankruptcy sections. Players (or the host) spin the wheel and receive the value above or below the pointer when it stops.
You can also land on “double” or “triple,” which multiply the result. The objective is to land good prizes and avoid bankruptcy.
From there, players can opt to play bonus rounds that involve spinning smaller wheels horizontally.
Each one contains combinations of cars, vacations, and cash prizes. Completing certain combinations results in winning the corresponding reward.
In theory, Wheel of Fortune seems as exciting as it is to watch on television. Unfortunately, the house edge hovers around 10%, making it one of the worst games in the casino.
Casinos with Fast Payouts - Get Your Money in 3 Hours or LessSure, you can land a massive prize that offsets previous losses and then some. But those moments are few and far between. Most people will suffer substantial setbacks that they may not be able to recover from.
The dynamics of Wheel of Fortune also make it easy for the dealer (or luck, in this case). Spinning a wheel is a completely random event outside the control of the player.
This makes it similar to keno and slot machines, except that there is a tiny bit of skill involved during the bonus rounds. Even so, it’s not enough to reduce the house edge or shorten the streaks of losses that you will face.
Personally, I prefer avoiding games with horrible odds. That’s why the Wheel of Fortune belongs in my list of casino games to avoid.
I’d much rather play any of the recommended by professional card counters.
9. Pariano (The Virus)
Pariano – also known as The Virus – is a board game where players roll the dice to infect others with diseases. The objective is to spread 20 viruses across the board before a cure is developed.
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Apparently, it does for some people. This is why Mattel sold more than 2 million copies of Pariano during the ’90s.
But the game changed after September 11, 2001. but the name of the game made people uncomfortable. Thus, Mattel stopped its distribution until 2010, when it was relaunched under the name “Pandemic”.
It’s now considered one of the best cooperative board games. Players work together to treat diseases and discover cures before they overwhelm the population.
In any case, the original version of Pariano (The Virus) ranks among the worst casino games. Who wants to spend time trying to kill people?
Aside from the immoral theme, the gameplay is not that great either. Your only decision is how to distribute the virus across the board. Other than that, you just roll the dice and hope for good numbers.
According to some sources, the house edge hovers around 10%, which is comparable to Wheel of Fortune. Considering how boring that game is, it’s not worth risking your money.
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Which Casino Game Should You Play First?
As you have seen, not all casino games are worth your time and money. Some of them have horrible odds, lack decision-making, or feature terrible themes.
That’s why I provided an list, ranking baccarat as the best game you can play at the casino. It features simple rules, a wide range of bets, high upside, and one of the lowest house edges in any casino game.
Other titles in the top 5 include craps, roulette, blackjack, and video poker. They all offer a fantastic experience.
That said, you may have a fondness for other games. Maybe you love pulling a lever, watching people get sick, or betting on your lucky numbers. Whatever floats your boat.
The important thing is that you understand the mechanics, rules, odds, and dynamics of a casino game before playing for real money. Take the time to learn, practice for free, and then claim a welcome bonus to experiment at the casino.
Awesome Live! Casino & Hotel Perks That Aren't RewardsNow, there is a chance that nerves and adrenaline can cloud your judgment. Perhaps you will feel tempted to keep throwing money after missing great bonuses in slots or keno. Or maybe you will feel inclined to bet maximum credits to win the progressive jackpot in slots.
It’s human nature to pursue gains and avoid losses. But emotions are the enemy of any gambler. You can avoid these issues by developing a gaming strategy that fits your personality and budget.
Remember, the goal is to have fun. Any money you lose is simply the price of entertainment. Keep your head cool, enjoy the game, and maybe you’ll get lucky.
Footnotes:
- provided tips for picking the best video poker machine.
- contributed tips for picking the best video poker machine.
Annie is a writer for GamblingSites.com covering the latest sports, stars, and strategies. She is a former professional dancer and is now a dance fitness instructor.
