When playing games of chance at an online casino, the odds are usually stacked in favor of the house. However, some games offer much better odds for players than others. By choosing your games selectively and using the right strategies, you can tilt the odds closer to even or sometimes even tip them slightly in your favor. Here are tips for finding and playing the games that give you the best chance to walk away from Loki Online Casino a winner.
Evaluate Games by Their House Edge
The house edge represents the mathematical advantage the casino holds over players in a game. It measures how much of each bet the house expects to keep over time. The lower the house edge, the better the odds for players.
Blackjack offers among the best odds, with house edges as low as 0.5% when using optimal basic strategy. Other games with relatively good odds include craps (1.4% house edge on pass/come bets with odds), baccarat (1.06%), and full-pay video poker (under 1% with expert play). Compare those to slots at 5-15% or keno at a massive 25% house edge.
House Edges of Common Casino Games
| Game | House Edge |
| Blackjack | 0.5% to 2% |
| Craps (pass/come with odds) | 1.4% |
| Baccarat | 1.06% |
| Video Poker (full pay) | <1% |
| Roulette | 2.7% (single 0 wheel) to 5.26% (double 0 wheel) |
| Slots | 5% to 15% |
| Keno | Around 25% |
So by choosing table games like blackjack and craps, you can significantly cut down the built-in edge working against you.
Look for Full-Pay Video Poker Machines
When playing video poker, which machine you choose makes a huge difference. Pay schedules can vary widely between machines, even among those offering the same game.
Full-pay machines offer payout rates and return-to-player (RTP) percentages matching the original video poker games. For Jacks or Better, that means a pay table paying 9:1 on a full house and 6:1 on a flush. Anything less is a reduced pay machine with worse odds.
Learn the Optimal Strategy for Each Game
Simply choosing favorable games is not enough—you need to know how to play them properly to access their best odds. There are mathematically optimal strategies for blackjack, video poker, craps bets with odds, and other skill-based games that can greatly minimize the house edge when used correctly.
For example, following a basic strategy in blackjack based on your hand and the dealer’s upcard can reduce the house edge to around 0.5%. But if you make random playing decisions, that edge can jump to 5% or more. Taking the time to learn game-specific strategies pays off substantially.
Set Loss Limits and Walk Away
Even the best odds cannot overcome bad luck in the short term. You will still experience losing sessions. Setting a loss limit before you start playing allows you to mitigate your losses when things are not going your way.
Make smaller bets to extend your play. When you reach your predetermined limit, walk away and live to fight another day. This protects your bankroll and allows you to regroup and return fresh to face those favorable odds anew.
Find an Online Casino with Frequent Testing
To ensure fair odds that match published figures, online casinos should have their game RNGs (random number generators) tested regularly by independent auditors. Results should show all games are truly random, and payout rates match expected averages.
Audits also verify game integrity, ensuring the odds have not been secretly changed. Avoid sites without frequent third-party testing. Reputable sites like Bovada and Ignition publish new audit reports monthly.
Odds Can Shift Over Time
Do not assume even games renowned for good odds remain unchanged forever. As profits fluctuate, casinos may lower payouts on newer machines to increase their edge.
They often reduce video poker pay tables, for example, leaving fewer full-pay options. What was a good gamble a few years ago may no longer offer favorable odds today.
Conclusion
Games with inherently better odds give you the best chance of winning money at an online casino. By focusing your play on blackjack, craps, baccarat, and full-pay video poker, you can significantly reduce the house edge compared to slots and other games. Combine that with optimal strategy, loss limits, and frequent casino audits, and you put yourself in the best position to potentially walk away a winner.
