Top 5 Table Games That Offer the Best Odds – A Bettor’s Perspective
If you want to go to a casino, either online or in person, and play well, you need to focus on one thing: the odds.
While colorful slots offer big prizes, your chances of winning often are low. Your best approach is to play smart and learn which casino table games have the best odds. Knowing how to take advantage of them can help you succeed.
✅ Want a full breakdown of house edge and RTP? Our Casino Games With the Best Odds guide has you covered.
Note: You might be curious why games like European Roulette (2.7% house edge) are not on this list. While it is better than several games (including the American version), it still does not compare to the best odds offered by the top 5 choices below—especially when played the right way.
1. Blackjack – A Great High-Odds Game (When Played Right)
Get the best odds, but play wisely. Blackjack’s house edge can go below 0.5%, but you need to follow basic strategy. Avoid side bets and know how house rules change the game.
✅ Blackjack Strategy Chart
This strategy assumes:
- 8 decks
- The dealer stands on a soft 17
- You can double on any two cards
- Doubling after a split is allowed
- No surrender option
Hard Hands (No Ace in Hand)
| Your Hand | Dealer’s Upcard | Action |
|---|---|---|
| 5-8 | Any | Hit |
| 9 | 3-6 | Double (otherwise Hit) |
| 10 | 2-9 | Double (otherwise Hit) |
| 11 | 2-10 | Double (always) |
| 12 | 4-6 | Stand (otherwise Hit) |
| 13-16 | 2-6 | Stand (otherwise Hit) |
| 17+ | Any | Stand |
Soft Hands (Ace + X)
| Your Hand | Dealer’s Upcard | Action |
|---|---|---|
| A-2, A-3 | 5-6 | Double (otherwise Hit) |
| A-4, A-5 | 4-6 | Double (otherwise Hit) |
| A-6 | 3-6 | Double (otherwise Hit) |
| A-7 | 2, 7, 8 | Stand |
| A-7 | 3-6 | Double (otherwise Stand) |
| A-7 | 9-A | Hit |
| A-8, A-9 | Any | Stand |
Pairs
| Your Pair | Dealer’s Upcard | Action |
|---|---|---|
| 2-2, 3-3 | 2-7 | Split (otherwise Hit) |
| 4-4 | 5-6 | Split (otherwise Hit) |
| 5-5 | 2-9 | Double (otherwise Hit) |
| 6-6 | 2-6 | Split (otherwise Hit) |
| 7-7 | 2-7 | Split (otherwise Hit) |
| 8-8 | Any | Always Split |
| 9-9 | 2-6, 8-9 | Split (otherwise Stand) |
| 10-10 | Any | Stand |
Important Rule Variations to Know
- Dealer Hits on Soft 17 (H17): It raises the house edge by about 0.2%.
- No Double After Split: It adds roughly 0.14% to the house edge.
- Fewer Decks: It slightly lowers the edge against you.
- Surrender Rule: If it is allowed, it can help you lose less in tough situations.
A Note on Card Counting
Card counting can help players win in the long run. However, it is hard and needs perfect basic strategy. Also, it does not work online or at live tables where cards are shuffled all the time. Think of it as an advanced skill, not an easy trick for beginners.
2. Baccarat – Low Effort, High Efficiency
If you want good chances without needing to memorize anything, Baccarat is a great choice. The Banker bet has a 1.06% house edge, which is one of the lowest available.
Best Bets
- Banker – 1.06% chance to win ✅
- Player – 1.24% chance to win
- Tie – 14.36% ❌ Stay away from this one, always
There’s no need to make a choice here—just bet on Banker and keep it. Baccarat is also a game with low changes, so it’s a good option for longer, steadier times.
3. Craps – Use the Odds Bet to Beat the House Edge
Craps may seem messy, but its Pass Line and Don’t Pass bets are some of the best in the casino. If you add the Odds Bet behind them, you get the closest to “fair” betting available.
Key Bets & Edges:
- Pass Line – 1.41%
- Don’t Pass – 1.36%
- Odds Bet – 0.00% (true odds!) ✅
- Any 7 – 16.67% ❌
- Hard 8 – ~9.09% ❌
How the Odds Bet Works:
Once a point is set (for example, the shooter rolls a 5), you can make an extra bet behind your Pass Line bet. This Odds Bet gives you true odds (like 3:2 for a point of 6 or 8). This means the casino does not have an edge on this part.
Using full odds with your Pass Line can lower your overall house edge to below 1%.
4. Video Poker – Low Edge for Skilled Players
Many people forget to mention Video Poker when talking about the best table game odds. However, it definitely deserves a spot in that discussion.
Best Version:
Full-Pay Jacks or Better (9/6)
- 9 times for Full House
- 6 times for Flush
- House edge: about 0.46% with perfect play ✅
Why It Matters:
- Most games display their paytables clearly.
- You can use strategy charts for each hand combination.
- Unlike slots, you can affect the result by using skill.
💡 Tip: Always look at paytables. If the Full House pays 8 instead of 9, or if the Flush pays 5 instead of 6, it’s not “full pay.” This will lower your chances of winning.
Table Poker Variants – Understand the Rules, Understand the Advantage
Casino Hold’em and Texas Hold’em are great options when you want real card fun but don’t want to play against other people.
Popular Games & Edges:
- Casino Hold’em – ~2.16%
- Texas Hold’em – ~2.19%
- Three Card Poker (Pair Plus) – ~7.3% ❌
Stay away from fun-sounding side bets like “Trips” or “AA Bonus.” They often have a house edge of more than 5%.
Video Poker vs Table Poker?
- Table poker means more chances to interact and bluff, but the house has a bigger edge.
- Video poker offers the best odds. There’s no bluffing; it’s all about the math.
Bad Bets That Ruin Good Games
Even the top games have side bets and traps. These can ruin your chances of winning.
| Bad Bet | House Edge |
|---|---|
| Blackjack Insurance | ~7.5% |
| Baccarat Tie | ~14.4% |
| Craps Any 7 | 16.7% |
| American Roulette 5-number bet | 7.89% |
Always look at the RTP or house edge before trying a new side bet. If it seems too good to be true, it likely is.
Variance: Not All Table Games Feel the Same
Even in simple games, there are different levels of risk. This affects how long your money lasts when you play.
Risk Profile Summary:
- Low: Baccarat (Banker), Blackjack, Jacks or Better
- Medium: Craps, Casino Hold’em
- High: Side bets, roulette, aggressive doubling or splitting in blackjack
If you want to save money, play low-risk games and use simple betting methods.
Play Smart: Responsible Gaming & Strategy Tips
Even when the odds are in your favor, gambling is still risky. These tips can help you keep the risk under control:
- 🎯 Create a budget and don’t go over it.
- 🧠 Follow simple strategies in skill games.
- 🚫 Stay away from betting on feelings or trying to win back losses.
- 🕹️ Try out free games or practice programs.
- 🔍 Search for licensed, trustworthy online casinos.
Need help finding them? Check out our list of trusted online casinos with verified licensing. These casinos offer fair odds, fast payouts, and several payment methods.
Want to get the most bonuses at casinos? Our bonus hunting guide shows you how to find VIP deals, daily promotions, and deposit matches that are really valuable.
Final Take: Choose Odds, Not Flash
Here’s your cheat sheet:
- 🎯 Blackjack – Has the best odds when played perfectly.
- 🎯 Baccarat – Has the second-best odds and needs no strategy.
- 🎯 Craps – Can be great if you use the Odds Bet.
- 🎯 Video Poker – Offers great returns with the right strategy.
- 🎯 Table Poker – Has good odds, so avoid side bets.
Slots can seem exciting, but they really offer you a chance to win. Understand the rules, practice your approach, and stick to your limits. This way, you will enjoy the game more and increase your chances of leaving a winner.
