The world of online casino gaming has exploded in the last five years. The concept of running a digital casino platform, something that used to be considered a fringe operation, has become mainstream.
Without question, there’s a ton of money to be made in the business. Unfortunately, most of it isn’t going to the players, but rather the house.
Being a profitable gambler begins with selecting the right games that have reasonably good odds, known as a low house edge.
In this article, I’ll explain which 5 games to avoid and suggest alternatives that give you a better shot of winning.
1 – Keno
From gas stations to casinos, both physical and online, keno is one of the most popular gambling options out there. It makes sense, too, given the massive house edge.
Whereas the games with the most favorable odds have a house edge of around 1-2%, keno has a house edge that ranges from 25% to an astounding 40%. This means that on average, the house collects a huge percentage of bettors’ money at a rate that is exponentially higher than any other game you’ll find online or on the casino floor.
Now, you could argue that Keno has its place in the gaming world. If you’re looking for a quick betting fix while you sit at a bar or restaurant, the entertainment value might be worth the money…just don’t go into it expecting to get a return.
The bottom line is that if you have any other choices in terms of gambling options, they’re probably going to give you a better chance at winning than keno. Not to mention, the slow pace of play makes it such that losing can be a long and somewhat painful experience as you watch the wrong numbers pop up again and again.
2 – Most Slot Machines
To put all slot machines in the same basket just wouldn’t be fair. Yes, there are undoubtedly plenty out there that don’t give players much of a chance to win, aside from hitting a major jackpot.
So how do you avoid falling into these money pits? It’s all about proper selection.
You’ve probably noticed it walking around the casino floor, but in the digital space it’s even more important to take into considerations: the huge number of options means you need to find out which game is best for what your goals are as a gambler.
Most slot machines you’d find in a physical casino will have a RTP (return-to-player) that hovers around 93-97%. That means for every dollar you insert into the machine, you can expect to get back 93 to 97 cents on average. Not bad, right?
The reality is slot machines are as high-volume as you’re going to get in terms of “trials” played. If you’re sitting at machine for an hour, you’re probably going to complete hundreds of spins. That means even a few cents in RTP difference can add up to a significant number over time.
When you’re at a physical casino, you’re limited to the games on the floor. With an online casino, that’s not the case.
All across the internet there are endless gaming websites that specializes in virtual slot machines. This vast number of choices means that there aren’t any excuses for choosing machines with low odds. Taking the time to find a higher-paying digital casino means more money in your pocket in the long-run, and less stress on your bankroll now.
Don’t settle for anything less than a 97% RTP when it comes to real money online casinos and you’ll be putting yourself in a position to be profitable.
3 – Roulette (at Least Some Versions)
Generally speaking, roulette provides players with pretty good odds. Unfortunately for Americans (unless you have a stake in an American casino), the U.S. version of this popular casino game is none too favorable in terms of the chances of winning.
Keep in Mind:
Again, the theme of this article is that when you’re gambling online you have much more opportunities to seek out games that will help your bottom line. When you’re at the physical casino, there’s a reasonable excuse for not looking for a better option – it probably doesn’t exist. Online, however, there aren’t any excuses for playing anything less than the most optimal version of roulette.
American roulette might look like all the others, but the addition of 00 number on the reel and the table has a significant impact on the overall odds. It might seem like a relatively small difference, but it actually doubles the house’s edge when compared to some other versions, most notably European roulette.
Whereas American roulette has a 5.26% house edge, which is still good, European roulette has a roughly 2.6% house edge which is twice as good for players. The reason for the lower edge is the absence of the 00 spot.
While European roulette is better than its American counterpart in term of odds for players, the best of all the options is a no-zero roulette game. You won’t find this at a casino, but if you specifically search for it online there will be plenty of available options.
The reason online casinos are so popular is because they can give you odds you just won’t find in a physical casino. Take advantage of this by avoiding a game that isn’t putting you in the absolute best position to be profitable.
4 – Big Six
Whether you’re playing in the physical casino or online, there’s no debating that Big Six offers some of the worst odds you’ll find just about anywhere.
Though this game might be sporting the “Wheel of Fortune,” I suspect most players would argue that Wheel of Misfortune would be a more appropriate title.
Although there a few different house edge statistics based on the types of bets you’re making, none of them look particularly favorable. At best you’re going to have to deal with a roughly 22% house edge, and at worst it’s going to be around 25%. Yes, there’s a small chance of hitting it big, but that’s a long shot probably not worth taking.
In fact, the Big Six wheel has been shown to be so unprofitable for players that many casinos have phased them out and removed them from the gaming floor. When you have the entire world at your fingertips in the online gaming space, this should be one of the last games you consider playing.
5 – Casino War
You probably remember the card game “War” from your childhood. The rules are simple enough: each player flips a card and whoever’s is of higher value gets the win.
Casinos Have Adopted It as a Gambling Offering but the Rules Have Stayed the Same
Except with one important distinction – when a tie occurs the player can give up half of the initial bet or decide to go to war. If you decide to go to war, you’re forced to place another bet. If you win, you only get back your “war” bet, but if you lose, the house takes both your initial play and your war play.
Aside from this rule, there are other factors baked into casino war that make it especially difficult to win. Most notably, the pace of the game.
You can play war just about as quickly as you can flip over a card off the top of a deck. This means that you’re likely to play a high volume of hands in a short amount of time. Because the house has a slight edge, each hand you play gives the casino a higher chance of taking your money – statistically speaking.
What it provides with its lower barrier to entry (anyone could learn it in under a minute), it takes away with its low odds. When it comes to the card game War, it’s better off remaining a game for kids.
Conclusion
Being a winning gambler is always going to be a challenge. With that being said, it’s much easier to walk away with money in your pocket if you’re choosing the games that give you the best chance to be successful.
The next time you login to your online casino platform of choice, make sure you aren’t setting yourself up for failure by playing one of these games with unfavorable odds. If the internet has shown us anything, it’s that there’s always a better option if you take the time to look hard for it.
Michael Stevens
Michael Stevens has been researching and writing topics involving the gambling industry for well over a decade now and is considered an expert on all things casino and sports betting. Michael has been writing for GamblingSites.org since early 2016. …
