6 Popular Casino Games Ranked From Easiest to Most Challenging

Deciding which casino table games to play is something that gives new gamblers fits. First, you have to understand which games have decent odds. Then, you have to factor in how much they pay out. Finally, you have to understand how to play the game. Sometimes, it seems like it would be easier to sit at the bar instead of trying your hand at a game.

Casino games vary in their levels of difficulty. Some take years to master, while others are as simple as betting on one of two colors. The people who run casinos are in the business of making money. If all of the most popular table games were overly complicated, they’d limit their money-making abilities.

If you’re still undecided about which direction to go at the casino, there are several options for you. Here are seven of the most popular casino games ranked from least difficult to most difficult for beginners.

1 ‒ Roulette

Roulette is known to be the least complicated game in the casino. Regardless of your experience level when it comes to gambling, there’s a place at the roulette table for you. Not only is the game painfully easy, but the odds also aren’t half bad.

The game features a wheel with slots for numbers between 0 and 36. These numbers alternate in color between red and black. The dealer spins the wheel in one direction and a small ball in the opposite direction. Eventually, the ball will fall into one of the slots. As a gambler, it’s your job to either bet on the number or the color the ball will land on. If you guess correctly, you win.

When I converse with new gamblers, I commonly refer them to roulette over other games in the casino. Not only is it incredibly easy to learn, but it can be thrilling and profitable. To assure some early wins, consider betting on either red or black instead of a number. You will have nearly a 50% chance of winning and can get comfortable with how the game progresses.

2 ‒ Keno

The second easiest game at casinos, in my opinion, is keno. If you’ve ever played the lottery, you are already qualified to test your luck at keno. To play, all you have to do is select numbers between 1 and 80. Usually, gamblers select up to 10 potential numbers, but that can vary.

Once you’ve selected numbers, 20 random numbers are drawn. If your number is drawn, you win. The more numbers you correctly pick, the more money you win. The game is based purely on luck and requires absolutely zero skill. Keno, together with roulette, are two of the more preferable games for casino-goers with no gambling experience.

While roulette and keno are often mentioned in the same conversation, I advise starting at roulette. Roulette is more fast-paced and exciting. Keno, on the other hand, is comparable to a game of bingo at a church function or a retirement home. There’s a time and place for everything, and if you’re trying to have fun, then there are better options than keno.

3 ‒ Slots

Rounding out the top three easiest casino games is arguably the most popular casino game. In terms of floor space, slot machines occupy a majority of casinos. Odds are a slot machine will be the first thing you notice when you walk through casino doors. However, the quantity of slot machines does not assure the quality of gameplay.

If you have gambling experience, you might think nothing is more straightforward than playing slots. The only thing slot machines require from its players is pressing buttons and pulling levers. This may be true, but some variables can impact the return on investment. Additionally, the “strategy” involved makes it more complicated for beginners.

I am not a fan of slot machines. I think they’re boring and a giant time suck, especially when you consider beginners’ better options. My least favorite thing about slots, though, is the slot machines community. For whatever reason, slots have avid supporters convinced they can swing the odds in their favor.

Let it be known that slots are entirely random. They aren’t cyclical, and certain machines aren’t “due” for a jackpot. While slots might be simple for beginners, there are better, more exciting games to be played elsewhere around the casino.

4 ‒ Craps

Now that the simple games are out of the way, it’s time to move on to the games that require gamblers to be engaged. Like roulette, craps can be incredibly exciting and entertaining for anyone at the casino. Unlike roulette, the rules are more challenging to understand. Once you have a basic understanding of the game, you’ll find it less obscure than you initially thought.

Craps involves rolling two dice and wagering on the outcome of the roll. On the surface, it might seem eerily similar to roulette, but there is a wider variety of outcomes and variables to bet on. New gamblers might find the craps table to look foreign and complicated, but after a few hands, you’ll undoubtedly settle in.

Most casinos, especially in cities like Reno and Vegas, offer craps classes to new gamblers. These classes usually occur in the morning and are an excellent way to figure out how to play the game. While it’s always a good idea to read up on games at the casino, there’s nothing more valuable than gaining hands-on experience. The game might be more complicated than the previous ones listed, but it’s worth your time to understand how to play the game.

5 ‒ Blackjack

Real money blackjack is the most popular casino game in the United States. In my opinion, it’s the perfect casino game for aspiring gamblers, but it’s also much more challenging than other games on this list. What makes blackjack so special is my mind is its degree of difficulty. Learning blackjack is more challenging than slots or keno. But the game itself is more entertaining, and winning a round or two is much more rewarding.

The game starts when each player is dealt two cards, face-up, and the dealer deals themselves one card face up and another face down. It’s your goal to get your hand’s value as close to 21 without going over. If you go over, you bust and lose.

Gamblers make decisions based on their cards in comparison to the dealer’s up card. Each player is competing against the dealer, instead of each other.

The rules and strategies associated with blackjack are somewhat complicated and could take an entire post. Learning basic strategy can be challenging at first, but it’s simple to become a competent blackjack player after some practice. As I said, the game is the perfect card game and is worth learning to play.

6 ‒ Poker

Instead of listing a particular variety of poker, I opted to be all-encompassing. Every serious gambler has their preferred type of poker, whether it’s Texas Hold’em, Seven-Card Stud, Omaha, or some other version. The rules of each version vary but can share some common characteristics. The reason poker is rounding out the list is because gamblers compete against other players.

Every other game on this list involves players competing against the casino, or the house. The house must play by a set of guidelines. When it comes to poker, as long as players practice sound etiquette and play by the rules, all bets are off.

For this reason, poker is among the worst games for beginners. Older, wiser gamblers will easily be able to spot new gamblers and pick them apart hand after hand. Poker is one of the most entertaining card games, but it also requires gamblers to display gamesmanship and skill. One false move can result in severe losses.

Conclusion

There are a number of preferable starting points for new gamblers around casinos. If you consider yourself to be wet behind the ears but are eager to gamble, don’t talk yourself out of it. Every single gambler got their start somewhere, so don’t let reservations and self-doubt keep you on the sidelines.

Several games require minimal skill, making them perfect options for first-time gamblers. Roulette and keno are purely luck based and can be an exciting way to start out gambling. On the same note, slot machines are popular with beginners, but can become redundant and boring after a while.

As you advance through your gambling career, you might find it’s time for a challenge. Games like craps and blackjack are more complicated and involved. However, don’t let that scare you off. They are also two of the most popular types of casino games. Rounding out the list as one of the more challenging games is poker. If you’ve never gambled before, consider avoiding the poker room until you have some experience under your belt.