Vegas Q&A: Which Games Have Best Odds?
Updated: 10:57 a.m. EST March 17, 2003
Question: What games have the best odds of winning? Are there some casinos that are "easier" than others?
Linda in Eagan, Minn.
Answer: Without getting into a major mathematical discussion (because that would really hurt my head), games that involve a certain amount of skill, like blackjack, craps, and baccarat, offer the best odds in a casino. Those that rely strictly on chance, such as bingo, keno, or the wheel of fortune, offer the worst.
Of course it depends on how well and how wisely you play the games. In craps, there are dozens of possible bets with any given roll of the dice. Some, like the hard eight, offer terrible odds for the player, while others give you a little bit of an edge.
Video poker offers better odds -- if played well -- than slot machines, generally speaking.
As far as which casinos are "easier," there is no guaranteed answer to that. On paper, the neighborhood casinos located away from the heavily populated tourist areas usually pay better than those on the Strip. At least, that's what the Nevada Gaming Commission reports. But in practice it can really vary. Sometimes I do terrific in the neighborhood casinos and lousy on the Strip, and other times it is just the opposite.
It's all hit and miss and depends on what games you play, what limits you use, and even what day and time you go.
I guess that's why it's called gambling.
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