Casino Table Games Comparison Which Game Pays Best
Blackjack offers the best player odds among casino table games with 0.5-1% house edge, while keno and wheel of fortune feature 25-40% house edges that eliminate any realistic winning potential. House edge represents the primary mathematical factor determining long-term payout potential, making game selection the fundamental decision separating profitable from losing outcomes.
House Edge and Return-to-Player Mathematics
Various casinos display house edge percentages for every table game, representing the mathematical advantage casinos maintain across extended play. House edge at Lucky Ones Casino and at similar sites converts directly to return-to-player (RTP) percentage, which calculates expected player returns. A 0.5% house edge equals 99.5% RTP, meaning players receive approximately $99.50 for every $100 wagered across millions of hands. A 25% house edge equals 75% RTP, meaning players receive only $75 per $100 wagered. This mathematical relationship determines whether games generate long-term profitability or inevitable losses.
Selecting low house edge games directly improves real money winning potential through reduced mathematical disadvantage. By choosing blackjack at 0.5% house edge instead of keno at 25% house edge, players reduce losses by 24.5 percentage points across total wagering. Over $10,000 in bets, this difference represents approximately $2,450 in expected losses reduction. However, this advantage only manifests across hundreds of hands. Individual sessions remain heavily influenced by luck regardless of house edge advantages. The trade-off is that mathematical superiority requires extended playing time to materialize, demanding substantial bankroll protection.
House Edge Rankings for Major Casino Table Games
Different table games maintain distinct mathematical structures directly determining profitability potential. Understanding these variations helps identify which games offer superior returns:
| Game | House Edge | RTP Percentage | Skill Factor | Volatility | Payout Rating |
| Blackjack | 0.5-1% | 99-99.5% | Very High | Low | Excellent |
| Baccarat | 1.06-1.24% | 98.76-98.94% | None | Low | Excellent |
| Craps | 1.4% | 98.6% | Medium | Medium | Excellent |
| European Roulette | 2.7% | 97.3% | None | High | Good |
| American Roulette | 5.26% | 94.74% | None | High | Fair |
| Video Poker | 0.5-2% | 98-99.5% | Very High | Low-Medium | Excellent |
| Keno | 25-40% | 60-75% | None | Very High | Poor |
Blackjack as the Highest Paying Table Game
Blackjack achieves 99.5% RTP through basic strategy, a mathematically optimal approach to every possible hand combination. Strategy decisions depend on player total (hard 12-16, hard 17-20, soft totals, pairs), dealer upcard (2-11), and specific rules variations. For example, hitting 12 against dealer 4-6 represents optimal play despite 46% bust probability because dealer bust probability exceeds player improvement probability. Following basic strategy reduces house edge to 0.5%, while deviating increases house advantage to 2-4%, eliminating any profitability across extended play.
Blackjack’s superior payout potential comes through strategy execution rather than luck alone. By learning and consistently applying basic strategy, players achieve mathematically optimal decisions maximizing winning probability. However, mastering basic strategy requires memorizing hundreds of specific decisions and maintaining discipline during pressure situations at live tables. Most casual players cannot maintain perfect strategy consistency, particularly during losing streaks. The compromise is that blackjack’s superior payouts require substantial knowledge investment and unwavering disciplined execution.
Baccarat and Simple Banker Bet Strategy
Baccarat features two primary bets with distinct payouts: banker bet at 1.06% house edge and player bet at 1.24% house edge. Banker hand wins statistically more frequently due to drawing rules favoring banker position. Casinos compensate through 5% commission on banker wins, reducing payout but maintaining superior mathematics compared to player bets. Consistently selecting banker bets instead of player bets saves approximately 0.18 percentage points across extended play, representing approximately $36 per $20,000 wagered.
Baccarat simplicity enables competitive payout potential without strategy complexity. By consistently choosing banker bets, players reduce expected losses measurably over thousands of hands while avoiding complex decision-making. However, banker bet payouts require commission deduction, creating smaller individual wins compared to player bet payouts. The trade-off is that superior mathematics require accepting frequent smaller payouts rather than less-frequent larger individual wins.
Craps Profitability Through Optimal Bet Selection
Craps offers numerous bet types with dramatically different payouts. Pass line and don’t pass bets maintain 1.4% house edge, making them mathematically superior selections. Come and don’t come bets feature identical 1.4% advantage. Taking odds on these bets (placing additional wagers at true odds) reduces effective house edge further. Proposition bets in the table center carry 11-16% house edges, eliminating any profitability despite attractive payout offers. Field bets feature 2.78% house edge with variable payouts creating confusion about true profitability.
Craps payout optimization depends entirely on bet selection discipline. By restricting play to pass/don’t pass and come/don’t come bets while taking maximum odds, players achieve competitive mathematics approaching 1% house edge. However, this strategy requires resisting the psychological appeal of large proposition bet payouts. The fundamental trade-off is that superior mathematics require accepting lower individual payout excitement from exotic bets.
Best Paying Bets Across Popular Table Games
Understanding which specific bets offer best payouts helps optimize casino table game selection:
- Blackjack – Hit/stand decisions with basic strategy for 0.5% house edge on all bets
- Baccarat – Banker bets exclusively at 1.06% house edge, avoid player bets at 1.24%
- Craps – Pass/don’t pass lines at 1.4% house edge, avoid proposition bets exceeding 10%
- European Roulette – Even-money bets (red/black, odd/even) at 2.7% house edge
- American Roulette – Avoid entirely due to 5.26% double-zero house edge on all bets
- Video Poker – Optimal machine selection with perfect strategy approaching 99%+ RTP
