Average Casino Odds in Las Vegas: House Edge by Game
The average casino odds in Las Vegas depend almost entirely on the game. House edge runs from around 0.5 percent on blackjack played with basic strategy to about 5.26 percent on double zero roulette, and many slot machines keep somewhere between 5 and 15 percent of the money wagered over time. Table games generally give you the best shot, while keno and low denomination slots sit at the expensive end.
House edge is simply the built in mathematical advantage the casino holds on every bet. It does not decide any single session, but over thousands of wagers the numbers always show up.
Typical House Edge by Game in Las Vegas
These figures are widely published averages, and individual tables and machines vary. Rules matter enormously, especially in blackjack.
- Blackjack: around 0.5 percent with good rules and basic strategy, but 6:5 payout tables push it well above 1.5 percent.
- Craps: the pass line bet carries roughly a 1.41 percent edge, and free odds bets behind it carry none at all.
- Baccarat: about 1.06 percent on banker and 1.24 percent on player, which makes it quietly one of the best deals in the building.
- Roulette: about 5.26 percent on the standard double zero wheel, less on the rarer single zero tables.
- Video poker: certain full pay machines approach 100 percent return with perfect play.
- Slots: returns commonly fall in the high 80s to low 90s percent, with higher denominations usually paying better.
- Keno and the Big Six wheel: often 20 percent or more, the worst mainstream odds in Vegas.
Why the Strip and Downtown Pay Differently
Location changes the math. Downtown and off Strip casinos have long been reported to offer friendlier blackjack rules and slightly looser slots because they compete harder for local players. On the Strip, 6:5 blackjack has spread widely, which quietly triples the house edge for anyone who sits down without checking the felt.
Denomination matters too. A dollar slot typically returns several points more than a penny slot in the same room. For comparison, online slots usually publish return to player figures around 94 to 97 percent, and at a licensed crypto casino like Blaze Spins you can check the RTP in each game's info screen before you bet.
How to Get the Best Casino Odds in Vegas
You cannot erase the house edge, but you can shrink it dramatically with a few habits.
- Learn basic blackjack strategy and only play tables that pay 3:2.
- In craps, stick to pass or don't pass and take the free odds.
- Skip side bets, which often carry an edge many times higher than the main game.
- If you play slots, prefer higher denominations and slow your pace.
- Avoid keno and the Big Six wheel entirely.
- Set a budget before you walk in and treat losses as the cost of entertainment.
FAQ
The short answers on Las Vegas casino odds.
- What game has the best odds in Vegas? Blackjack with good rules and basic strategy, along with baccarat banker bets and craps with odds.
- What has the worst odds? Keno and the Big Six wheel typically carry the highest house edge on the floor.
- Are slots looser downtown? Downtown casinos have long been reported to return slightly more than Strip slots.
- Can you beat the house edge long term? Not on pure chance games, though skill in blackjack and video poker narrows it to almost nothing.