• Casino & Gaming

Which Casino Games Have the Lowest House Edge?

Most people head to an online casino hoping for a win, but the math is always stacked in the house’s favor. Fortunately, that doesn’t mean you’re doomed from the start. If you pick the right games, you can keep the house edge as low as possible and give yourself the best shot at walking away ahead.

The “house edge” is just a percentage that shows how much the casino expects to keep from every bet over the long run. A slot with a 5% house edge, for example, pays back 95 cents for every dollar wagered. Some games sit closer to 1% or even lower, and that’s where sharp players like to live.

Let’s take a look at which online casino games give you the best bang for your buck.

Quick Reference: Lowest House Edge Casino Games

Game	Typical House Edge	Notes
Blackjack	~0.5% (with basic strategy)	Best odds online if you play correctly. Rule variations matter.
Baccarat (Banker)	~1.06%	Simple game, just bet Banker and avoid the Tie.
Craps (Pass Line)	~1.41%	Drops to 0% when adding true odds bets.
Video Poker (Jacks or Better)	~0.46% (full-pay)	Only if you play perfect strategy. Many online versions are worse.
European Roulette	2.7%	Stick to European wheels; avoid American with 5.26% edge.
Pai Gow Poker	~1.5%	Slow game, lots of pushes, house edge stays low.
Online Slots	Varies (2–8%+)	Look for high-RTP titles (97%+). Most online slots are much higher.

Blackjack – The King of Low House Edge

Blackjack has earned its reputation as the sharpest choice in the casino. With the right rules and perfect play, the house edge drops to around 0.5%. That means the casino expects to keep just 50 cents for every $100 you wager, which is about as good as it gets online.

The catch is that the rules matter a lot. Games that pay 3:2 on blackjack are far stronger than those sneaky 6:5 versions. The number of decks, surrender options, and whether the dealer hits or stands on soft 17 all swing the edge by fractions of a percent. It doesn’t sound like much, but over thousands of hands, those little tweaks add up.

Basic strategy is also non-negotiable. Every decision – hit, stand, split, or double – has a correct answer depending on the dealer’s card. Online casinos deal hands quickly, so mistakes stack up fast. If you’re serious about keeping the edge low, keep a strategy chart open or practice with a trainer before you play for real money.

Baccarat – Keep It Simple

Baccarat doesn’t require much thought, and that’s part of its charm. There are only three betting options: Player, Banker, and Tie. The Banker bet carries a house edge of 1.06%, making it one of the best bets in any online casino.

The Player bet isn’t bad either at around 1.24%, but the Tie is a bankroll killer. The payout looks tempting, but the house edge rockets to more than 14%. If your goal is to stretch your money, ignore the Tie completely. Just ride with Banker, accept the small commission, and you’ll be in good shape.

Online baccarat comes in two main formats: RNG-based games and live dealer tables. Both run quickly, but live dealer versions add a social feel and slower pace, which can help your bankroll last longer. Since you don’t make decisions mid-hand, baccarat is one of the safest low-edge options for casual online players.

Craps – The Pass Line Advantage

Craps looks overwhelming at first glance, with dozens of betting boxes and fast dice action. But the truth is, you only need a couple of bets to get the house edge down to near rock-bottom levels. The Pass Line sits at 1.41%, while the Don’t Pass trims it slightly to 1.36%.

The real gem is the odds bet. Once a point is set, you can place odds behind your Pass or Don’t Pass bet. These bets pay at true odds, meaning they carry a 0% house edge. Combining Pass Line with full odds is one of the best moves you can make in an online casino.

Most online craps games cut out the distractions like prop bets and stick with the basics. That actually helps players, since many of those side bets are terrible mathematically. If you keep things simple—Pass, Don’t Pass, and odds—you’ll be playing craps at the sharpest level.

Video Poker – Only the Right Machines

Video poker bridges the gap between skill and luck. Unlike slots, you can make decisions that directly affect your return. A full-pay Jacks or Better machine has a razor-thin house edge of just 0.46% if you play every hand with correct strategy.

The tricky part is finding the right pay tables online. Many casinos tweak payouts to push the edge back in their favor, so the difference between a full-pay machine and a short-pay version can be huge. For example, a 9/6 Jacks or Better machine (9 coins for a full house, 6 for a flush) is the gold standard. Drop that to 8/5, and the edge jumps dramatically.

Smart play is also essential. Every draw has an optimal choice, and guessing wrong shifts the math against you. If you want to get serious, strategy charts are widely available, and plenty of practice tools exist online. Video poker is one of the few online casino games where skill really pays off.

Roulette – Pick the Right Wheel

Roulette is simple, but the wheel you pick makes all the difference. European roulette uses a single zero, keeping the house edge at 2.7%. American roulette adds a double zero, which bumps the edge to 5.26%, nearly double.

Some online casinos offer French roulette, which includes rules like La Partage or En Prison. These cut the edge in half on even-money bets by giving you back part of your wager when the ball lands on zero. That small twist makes French roulette one of the best versions you can play.

For casual players, roulette is a great time because you can spread your bets across dozens of numbers or stick with red/black. If you care about bankroll longevity, though, always seek out single-zero wheels. That small choice makes a huge difference over the long run.

Pai Gow Poker – Lots of Pushes, Low Risk

Pai Gow Poker doesn’t move as fast as blackjack or roulette, but that works in your favor. The house edge sits around 1.5%, and the game has a high percentage of pushes, meaning you break even on a lot of hands. That slow pace stretches your bankroll much further.

The main house advantage comes from the casino acting as the “banker” in most versions. Commissions are usually 5% on winning Banker hands, which is how the house earns its cut. Some online variations remove the commission, which shifts the numbers slightly but usually adds a different edge elsewhere.

For online players, Pai Gow is a grinder’s game. You won’t get massive swings, but you also won’t see your balance disappear quickly. If you like poker-style games without the pressure of fast decisions, Pai Gow is a solid low-edge pick.

Online Slots – Look for High RTP

Slots are always the most popular choice online, but they’re rarely the best bet. Most online slots come with a house edge between 4% and 8%, which is way higher than table games. That’s how casinos make their money—the flashing reels keep you hooked while the math grinds you down.

That doesn’t mean all slots are terrible. Some titles list RTP (return to player) percentages of 97% or higher. That translates to a 3% house edge, which is still worse than blackjack but much better than the average slot. High-RTP slots are your best bet if you want to spin the reels without giving up too much value.

The trick is knowing where to look. Avoid branded games and progressives if you’re chasing low edge, since those usually sit on the worst end of the scale. Stick with classic titles from trusted providers, and you’ll at least give yourself a fighting chance.

Strategy Matters

Picking the right game is only half the battle. You also need to play smart to get those low house edges. Blackjack and video poker only work in your favor if you follow the correct strategy charts. Craps only pays off if you stick to the main bets and add odds.

Bankroll management is another big piece. Even with a 1% house edge, you can still lose fast if you overbet. Treat the casino as entertainment, bet small relative to your roll, and you’ll stretch your playtime while keeping losses in check.

Final Thoughts

Online casinos are built to win, but you don’t have to make it easy for them. Games like blackjack, baccarat, and video poker can cut the house edge down to fractions of a percent if you play them right. Craps and Pai Gow are also strong picks, while European roulette is a better spin than American.

Slots will always be popular, but they usually come with much higher house edges. If you want to keep the odds as fair as possible, focus on the low-edge games and stick to smart bets. That’s how you get the most value out of your time at an online casino.