Several casino games are available online, including slots, blackjack, roulette, and craps, which have become increasingly popular in recent years.
Blackjack
The most popular casino game, both online and off, is blackjack. The classic game pits a player against the dealer in a contest to see who gets closest to 21 without going over. When playing standard blackjack with six decks and following a basic strategy, the house edge is about 0.5%. It means for every $100 wagered, the average loss to the player will be 50 cents. The odds of winning any given hand are about 42%. However, variations in blackjack rules affect the odds. Games with fewer decks or favorable rules like allowing late surrender, doubling after splits, or re-splitting aces result in lower house edges. Multi-hand blackjack usually has less favorable rules that increase the house’s advantage. Those playing blackjack should consider the specific blackjack variant to determine their best odds.
Roulette
Roulette has simple gameplay – players bet on where they think the ball will land on the spinning roulette wheel. Payouts vary based on the likelihood of that outcome occurring. In European roulette, there are 37 total numbers (1-36 plus 0). If bets cover at least half the numbers, the house edge is a low 2.7%. On an even-money red/black, odd/even, or high/low bet, the odds of winning are 48.6%. American roulette wheels have an extra 00 slot, bringing the total number to 38. It tilts the odds further in the house’s favor. The house edge increases to 5.26% and the odds of winning an even-money bet drop slightly to 47.4%. The sequencing of numbers on prior spins does not affect the odds of future spins. Each spin is an independent trial.
Craps
Craps is a dice game with various complex betting options. The basic gameplay involves rolling a pair of six-sided dice for 7 or 11 on the first roll to win. Rolling 2, 3, or 12 on the first roll loses. Any other number becomes the “point” that must be rolled again before a 7 to win.
- Pass line bet – 1.41% house edge, 49.29% odds of winning
- Don’t pass bet – 1.36% house edge, 49.29% win odds
- Come/Don’t come bets – 1.41%/1.36% house edge, 49.29% win odds
- Place bets on 6 or 8 – 1.52% house edge, 48.60% win odds
- Field bets on 3, 4, 9, 10, 11 – 2.78% house edge, 47.37% win odds
The wide range of available bets makes craps odds highly variable. However, the basic gameplay remains the same online as it does in best real money casino australia.
Baccarat
Baccarat has a tiny house edge, especially on the banker bet. Players don’t make strategic decisions, simply betting on either the player or banker’s hand to end up closest to nine when the dealt hands are tallied.
- Banker bet – 1.06% house edge, 45.84% win odds
- Player bet – 1.24% house edge, 44.62% win odds
- Tie bet – 14.36% house edge, 9.53% win odds
The banker bet has the lowest house edge in the casino. Combined with simple gameplay, online baccarat’s odds attract novice gamblers. The catch is the 5% commission charged on winning banker bets, negating much of the odds advantage.
