Playing casino games is a fun way to relax, have fun and socialise with friends at the same time as being a chance to win big. To consistently win on casino games requires a good amount of skill and a bit of luck too, but different games have different house edges, with those at the lower end more profitable than others. Play the right games and you can make a profit.
Play online or offline
Online casinos usually offer a slightly better house edge for players, particularly with Blackjack. Online, there are more slot machines than in a brick-and-mortar casino and online sites also have a better house edge for players. There are dozens of online casinos India to choose from to find the best games. As a beginner online wins are easier since there are guides to help whilst in play, which makes the game feel less pressured.
House edge
Casinos pay out less money than they take in. Games are fair, but the rules are set up to statistically favour the casino. This advantage, or house edge, is the casino’s profit margin. Not all house edges are the same, making some casino games more profitable than others. The more popular table games, including baccarat, roulette, and blackjack, usually have the same house edge across the casinos, but minor changes in the rules can make a big difference. For example, European roulette has a decent house edge of 2.70% but that number jumps to 5.26% for the US version because of an extra number on the wheel, which reduces the chances of a win.
Casino games to play
Whilst some casino games offer better returns to players than others, it is wise to learn the rules of the game and practice before playing with real money. Online casinos have demo sites where you can practice without risking any cash, or you can go straight to the tables if you are confident you understand the rules of the game.
Baccarat
Baccarat is usually the biggest revenue earner for casinos. Players simply choose whether to bet on the “Player” or “Banker” hand, then wait for the dealer to do the rest. The object of the game is to get closer to nine than the other hand. If your cards total above nine, the first digit is dropped. For example, an eight and a six would result in a 14, which is dropped to a four. Cards with a face value of 10 are worth zero, an ace counts as one. Dealers follow a fixed set of rules which determine whether a third card is drawn, so the player simply decides which hand to bet on, and how much to wager. The game has a low house edge of just 1.06%, the lowest house edge of the main casino games. With high minimum bets, players can win big.
Blackjack
The aim of the game is to hit Blackjack (21) or as close as possible to beat the dealer’s hand. The house edge is generally 1.5%, making it both profitable and popular choices for punters. Since there is a limited number of situations you can face in a game of Blackjack, the correct mathematical strategy for each situation is easy to memorise, giving you a good chance of a win.
Slot machines
A staple of casinos everywhere, slots vary by machine, but usually have better payout rates than many table games, such as the Mega Joker slot which has a 1% house edge (99% return to player rate), though other slots can have a house edge up to 5%. If lucky enough to win a slot jackpot, winnings can be worth millions of dollars.
Video poker
With an average house edge of around 2%, (you can find house edges between 0% and 5%). video poker attracts players who statistically win one in two hands played, though the wins are often the same or smaller than the original stake. It is a profitable game to play if you understand its rules. A player receives five cards after pressing ‘deal’ to let the game commence. The player then chooses two cards to keep. The machine then discards the other three cards and draws more cards. If you are lucky and form a strong poker hand (straight, flush, four of the same), you win. Whether you win or lose depends on good use of strategies and skills, with some luck too.
Bonuses, promotions and loyalty programmes
You can reduce the house edge of many games by taking advantage of bonuses, promotions, and loyalty programmes. These rewards were regularly used to "reduce" the house edge, but most of these programs now have specific terms and conditions to ensure the casino is not being overly generous.
