Casino Game Comparison Tool

Not all casino games are created equal. This tool lets you compare every major casino game side-by-side based on house edge, variance, skill factor, and expected hourly loss. See which games give you the best mathematical chance and make informed choices about where to play.

Understanding Casino Game Metrics

When comparing casino games, several key metrics determine how much you're likely to lose and how your experience will feel. According to the American Gaming Association, understanding these fundamentals is essential for responsible gambling education.

House Edge Explained

The house edge is the mathematical advantage the casino has over players, expressed as a percentage of each wager. A 2% house edge means the casino expects to keep $2 of every $100 wagered over time. The UNLV Center for Gaming Research maintains extensive databases on casino game mathematics.

• Under 1%: Excellent - games like blackjack with basic strategy offer some of the best odds in the casino
• 1-3%: Good - games like baccarat and craps pass line give reasonable value
• 3-7%: Moderate - roulette and some side bets fall in this range
• Over 7%: Poor - keno, many slot machines, and proposition bets take large chunks of each wager

Variance and Volatility

Variance describes how much your results will swing above and below the expected value. High variance games have bigger swings - you might win big or lose big quickly. Low variance games produce more consistent (but still losing) results over time.

• Low Variance: Blackjack, baccarat - smaller swings, more predictable sessions
• Medium Variance: Roulette, video poker - moderate swings
• High Variance: Slots, progressive jackpots - wild swings, rare big wins

The mathematics of variance is explained in detail by Encyclopedia Britannica's statistics section. Our Variance Calculator lets you see how this affects your gambling sessions.

Skill Factor

Some games allow skilled players to reduce the house edge through correct strategy decisions. Blackjack basic strategy, for example, can reduce the house edge from 2-3% to under 0.5%. Games with no skill component (like slots or keno) have fixed house edges regardless of how you play.

The Blackjack Hall of Fame honors players who mastered advantage play techniques, as we cover in our Blackjack Hall of Fame article.

Decisions Per Hour

The speed of play dramatically affects how much you'll lose per hour. Slot machines can cycle 400-600 spins per hour, while a crowded blackjack table might see only 60 hands. Even with a higher house edge, slower games often cost less per hour.

Best and Worst Casino Games by House Edge

Best Odds in the Casino

1. Blackjack (Basic Strategy): 0.5% or less - requires learning basic strategy
2. Craps (Don't Pass/Don't Come): 1.36% - simple bet, great odds
3. Craps (Pass Line/Come): 1.41% - equally good with free odds
4. Baccarat (Banker): 1.06% - best simple bet, no strategy needed
5. Video Poker (Jacks or Better): 0.46% with perfect play

Worst Odds in the Casino

1. Keno: 25-40% house edge - essentially a lottery
2. Big Six Wheel: 11-24% depending on bet
3. Sic Bo (Most bets): 10-30% on most wagers
4. Slots (Tight): 10-15% on lower-denomination machines
5. Caribbean Stud (Ante): 5.22% before considering progressive

How Casinos Design Their Game Mix

Casino floors aren't arranged randomly. As explored in our Casino Design Psychology article, the placement and availability of games is carefully engineered to maximize casino revenue while keeping players engaged.

Slot machines dominate casino floors because they generate the most revenue per square foot despite (or because of) their high house edge. Table games require dealers, pit bosses, and more floor space, but attract players who might otherwise not visit. According to the Nevada Gaming Control Board, slot machines generate roughly 65-70% of casino gaming revenue in Nevada.

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