Casino games that don't suck your money away like slots do

There are many types of games in a , but they can be classified into four main categories: slot games, table games, dice games, and skill games. Within each category there might (or might not) be further subcategories, depending on how you choose to classify them.

Generally speaking, casino players can be also put into one of those four groups. For example, slot games are usually favored by older ladies — no offense meant here; we only state a fact. However, most players that visit land-based or online casinos are men, which usually opt for table games like blackjack, baccarat, or roulette.

However, whatever your choice may be, always keep in mind that all casino games are designed to yield a positive bottom line for the house. In other words, everything you lose is pure gain for the casino; that’s the very nature of a casino business model.

House Edge vs RTP: Why You Cannot Win in Casinos

Casino games come with predetermined odds.

In theory, every smart gambler knows that winning in a casino is as easy as losing water. Still, our adrenalin starts racing whenever we start playing any of the favourite casino games, be it in a brick-and-mortar establishment or from the cozy chair in our living room. The reason is simple: we are human beings and we like taking risks. Furthermore, our brains are wired to secrete dopamine when we play games of chance, so we feel good while playing them.

Anyhow, the question is this: why some casino games seem more beneficial for players than others?

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The answer lies in something called house edge. All casino games come with built-in odds which determine your chances of winning compared to other bettors. In other words, everything you win is someone else’s loss and vice versa. To illustrate this point let’s take a classic Las Vegas blackjack table with seven players and the dealer. Assuming that each player puts down $100 bets during an hour-long session, the total amount of money placed on the table would be $7,000 (100 x 7 X 60). If to add the dealer’s share, we get the total bet amount of $7,700. At the end of the session, assuming that maybe two or three players have won something (probably less than $20 each), the house would collect approximately $6,350 which would become instant profit with zero risk involved.

This is where the term "house" comes from: it refers to the casino itself as the house of the game. 

Okay, but how does the casino know how much money it will make (or lose) at the end of the day?

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The answer is the house edge. Every casino game comes with certain odds defined by the rules of the game. For example, the house edge for roulette is 2.70%, while for craps it is just 1.4%. Blackjack offers the best odds for the player (only 0.5%) whereas Keno has the highest house edge of all casino games (over 28%!) making it one of the worst game to play if you want to stay a winner.

Of course, this doesn’t mean you cannot win (or even hit a jackpot) while playing Keno; however, the odds are stacked against you in such a way that the casino will take most of your money before paying out the smallest possible portion to a handful "winners." Incidentally, the same applies to slots which enjoy a house edge ranging between 5% and 10%, on average. Being relatively complex games, depend on a large number of variables, known as RNGs (Random Number Generators.) These algorithms generate thousands of numbers per second which determine the outcome of a game.

Unlike slots and similar electronic games, traditional table games offer clear conditions and transparent rules, based on a fixed number of decks of cards, a roulette wheel, or whatever equipment is used during the game. Of course, even these games work against you thanks to the house edge, but at least you know your odds.

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Another important parameter used in the gambling industry is return to player ratio or simply RTP. While house edge shows how much the casino earns, RTP tells you how much the player can expect to win back (theoretically, over a long period of time.)

For instance, a game with 98% RTP means that for every $100 wagered, the players win $98 while the house takes the remaining $2. It’s just the opposite of house edge, but the principle remains the same: money flows toward the house.

What Is a Good RTP?

Depending on the house edge and RTP parameters, here's a list of the most common casino games arranged according to your winning chances:

As you can see, the best odds are offered by Atlantic City-rules blackjack and French Deuces Wild, both having the house edge of just 0.39%. The worst games in terms of the negative house edge are scratch cards, lotto, keno, and slingo with the house edge of over 30%!

Top 5 Casino Games to Play (If You Have to Play at All)

OK, now you know what kinds of games a typical casino offers, as well as their basic principles and odds. Depending on your experience and skills, you can opt for one type of gaming over another, although we have to repeat: every game you choose plays against you. The only question is how much of your money the house is going to keep at the end.

With this in mind, here are five (relatively) good games to play next time you decide to visit a land-based or online casino:

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1. Blackjack

Blackjack is perhaps the most intellectually challenging casino game. Although the house has an edge (albeit small) over the player, it's a game where you can apply various strategies in order to improve your odds. For example, card counting enables skilled players to predict whether the deck(s) has/have an abundance of high or low cards.

Some online casinos allow experienced players to engage in countings, but most of them will ban you from the tables once they notice you are using this tactic (e.g. by playing multiple hands at the same time). However, card counting is illegal in online casinos because the system uses Random Number Generators that shuffle the deck after each round.

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Instead of card counting, you can use position advantage. Simply put, you observe how other players behave and act right behind them. For example, most amateurs stick to hard 12 and 13, so you can peak at the dealer’s face-up card if your total is higher. This strategy requires focus, patience, and quick decisions.

Another useful tactic is to play slower in order to study the dealt cards and observe the playing style of other bettors plus the dealer’s approach to the game.

Finally, you should only play blackjack with one or two decks, while running away from games that use eight-deck shoes. Also, avoid stupid side bets such as Perfect Pairs or 21 +3 because the house edge on such bets ranges between 4% and 9%. Instead, use insurance and double down opportunities properly.

2. Baccarat

Baccarat has been James Bond’s favorite casino game, but lately, it has also become popular among young players thanks to streamed games without any dealers around to speed up the action. You don’t need any special skills to play baccarat; still, you should know the rules and stick to the banker bet.

Although the player bet has a lower house edge (1.06% versus 1.17% ), you should avoid it due to banker bet pays 95.% while player bet receives only 94%. The tie bet is the worst option with a 14.36% house edge, so don’t even think about it.

Another helpful advice is to avoid baccarat games with more than eight decks because they offer worse odds.

3. Craps

Craps look complicated with all those bets written in French and requiring one or more linemen to place them on the table. But, in fact, craps is extremely simple because it consists of only two major bets: pass line and don’t pass line. If you are a religious person, you can place pass line because it starts with the letter “p” just like “Praise the Lord.” Joking aside, both bets have the same house edge of 1.41% making craps one of the most favorable games for players.

Of course, you can observe other players and try some of the more sophisticated bets, but only if you learn their definitions first. For example, field bets pay 1:1 on 2 and 3, 12; 2:1 on 12;

11; and negatory numbers for all other cases. Or how about a 5-cent bet that covers nearly half of the craps table and wins only if the shooter rolls a 15? And what the heck are "any seven" and "eleven"?:

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But, hey, if lady luck is shining upon you, you can earn a fortune in craps. Just don't forget that everything you win is someone else’s loss…

4. Video Poker

Video poker combines elements of slots and poker games, but its odds are closer to those of table games. Some video poker variants can even surpass jet jameson lesbian 99.54% RTP of slots; for instance, full pay version of Jacks or Better has exactly that RTP percentage.

The game is quite simple: you want a pair of jacks or better to get your bet back; anything smaller is a loss. On the other hand, more than a pair of jacks opens the door to various payouts, including a jackpot (royal flush).

The secret to winning in video poker lays in utilizing . Different situations require different actions (e.g. keeping or exchanging cards), but the general rule is this: you should try to keep cards that could help you get a payout or at least break even.

On the other hand, you should discard all other cards if if their withdrawal opens the possibility of obtaining a higher combination. Of course, you shouldn’t exchange a pair of jacks for three fives just because the machine shows a possible flush; such a move would break you even though it brings you closer to the jackpot.

5. Roulette

We saved the worst for the last: roulette. This seemingly innocent game is probably the biggest money sucker out there. As you already know, it features almost 30 pockets (numbers) on the wheel plus the zero (or double zero) pocket on the layout and the wheel itself. This tiny detail boosts the house edge to 5.26% on American roulette and 2.70% on the European version (which lacks the double zero pocket).

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Despite this setback, roulette is very popular among players, especially old ladies who seem to spend hours playing it in land-based casinos.

What is the trick to winning in roulette? Well, there isn’t any. Yes, you can bet on even numbers, red color of the pockets, or some other ridiculous thing that has nothing to do with pockets with the number 0 or 00. Betting on single digits or specific rows would also give the house a wide edge.

Roulette can be fun but never engage in so-called Progressive Roulettes offering huge jackpots. The price of hitting that 7-figure amount has to be enormous, and it really is: the house edge for this kind of roulette is no less than 35%!

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Final Thoughts

So, what's the verdict: should you play casino games or not?

Well, if you have self-control and a desire to win (but not to take too much risk), then you could try your luck. Bear in mind that all casino games are designed to be entertaining as much as profitable for the house. Gambling should never be viewed as a source of income; instead, it's a form of recreation. So, go ahead and find your perfect match within a wide range of and have fun. Just remember: all casinos are optional.

Jerry Summer is a US-based freelance writer working in the direction of PHP development company - Mobzway. His core competencies lie in developing mobile app strategies, creating wireframes & prototypes, and designing visuals. He loves to write about the latest trends in mobile technology, startups, entrepreneurship, and AI & Machine Learning.