Table Games vs. Slots: Which Offers Better Odds?

Short answer: most table games give you better odds than slots. Games like blackjack, baccarat (Banker bet), and craps with odds can have a house edge near or under 1%. Many slots have a house edge from 3% to 12% or more, and they are very swingy. Below, I explain the numbers in simple words, show clear examples, and link to trusted sources so you can check the math yourself.

Quick Answer

Best odds in most casinos: blackjack with basic strategy (about 0.5% house edge with good rules), baccarat Banker bet (about 1.06%), craps Pass/Don’t Pass with free odds (odds bet has 0% edge; total effective edge under 1%).
Typical online slots return (RTP) is about 95–97% (house edge 3–5%). Many land slots return about 88–94% (house edge 6–12%). Sources: UK Gambling Commission, Wizard of Odds.
Slots have high variance. You can win big or lose fast. The long-term math still favors the house.
Please play only if you are of legal age in your area. If gambling causes harm, get help at NCPG (US) or BeGambleAware (UK).

Odds 101: RTP, House Edge, and Variance

RTP means “Return to Player.” It shows how much money a game pays back over a very long time. If a slot has 96% RTP, it keeps about 4% over the long run.

House edge is the casino’s side of that same idea. House edge ≈ 100% − RTP. A 96% RTP game has a 4% house edge.

Variance (also called volatility) tells you how swingy the game is. High variance means long dry spells and rare big wins. Low variance means more steady small results. Variance changes how your session feels, but it does not change the long-term edge.

Some games also use “skill.” In blackjack and video poker, correct play lowers the house edge. But even with perfect play, the house edge stays above 0% in normal casino settings. The casino still has the advantage in the long run. Good sources on this math: Wizard of Odds, Gaming Laboratories International (GLI), eCOGRA.

Table Games by the Numbers: Best to Worst

Blackjack

Typical house edge with basic strategy: about 0.3% to 1.0%. A common number is ~0.5% with fair rules.
Rules matter a lot. Better rules: dealer stands on soft 17 (S17), late surrender, double after split, fewer decks. Worse rules: dealer hits soft 17 (H17), 6:5 blackjacks, no double after split.
Skill matters. Use basic strategy charts. Even small mistakes can add 0.5% to 2% to the edge. Learn with free tools from Wizard of Odds.
Pace: about 50–70 hands per hour at a live table, faster online. Source: game speed notes.

Baccarat

Banker bet: ~1.06% house edge (includes the 5% commission). Player bet: ~1.24%. Tie: ~14% (avoid).
Almost no skill. Just pick Banker or Player. Best long-term choice: Banker.
Pace: about 60–80 decisions per hour live; online can be faster.
Source: Wizard of Odds – Baccarat.

Craps

Pass Line: ~1.41% edge. Don’t Pass: ~1.36%.
“Odds” bet has 0% house edge. When you add odds to your line bet, you lower the effective edge on your whole wager. With 3-4-5x odds, total effective edge can drop near ~0.37% on total money at risk. Details: Wizard of Odds – Craps.
Avoid high-vig “prop” bets (like Any 7). Many have edges well over 10%.
Pace: about 40–50 decisions per hour live.

Roulette

American (double zero, “00”): 5.26% edge on most bets.
European (single zero): 2.70% edge on most bets.
French rules on even-money bets (la partage or en prison) can cut that to about 1.35%.
Pick single zero if you can. Source: Wizard of Odds – Roulette.

Video Poker

Some paytables are very strong. “9/6 Jacks or Better” returns ~99.54% with perfect play (house edge ~0.46%).
But many casinos offer weaker paytables. Small changes can drop the RTP a lot.
Skill matters. Use a chart or trainer. Source: Wizard of Odds – Video Poker.

Poker (player vs. player)

The house does not bank the game. The poker room takes a “rake” or fee.
Your results depend on skill vs. other players, plus the rake. Strong players can win; most casual players will lose over time.
Good basics: start tight, learn position, manage your bankroll. See American Gaming Association stats for the industry view.

Keno and Big Six Wheel

These often have very high edges (10–35%+). They are fun and simple, but bad on odds.
Source: Wizard of Odds – Keno and Big Six.

Slots: RTP, Volatility, and Why They Feel Different

RTP is often 95–97% online. Many land slots pay less, often 88–94%.
Slots are high variance. You can spin 200 times and hit nothing big, then hit one bonus and get a big chunk back. This swing is normal.
Game makers set the math. You cannot change slot RTP with “strategy.” Only game choice, bet size, and session length are your tools.
Some online sites show slot RTPs in the help page. This is common in markets under the UKGC rules. Land casinos rarely show the exact number.
Progressive jackpots can lift the “total” RTP when the jackpot is huge. But these games often have lower base RTP, and the big hit is rare.
Fairness and RNG testing are handled by labs like eCOGRA and GLI. Regulators like the UKGC and the Nevada Gaming Control Board set rules and standards.

What You’ll Likely Lose Per Hour (Simple Math)

Here is an easy formula:

Expected loss per hour = average bet × decisions per hour × house edge

Blackjack example: $10 average bet × 60 hands per hour × 0.5% ≈ $3 per hour.
Baccarat Banker: $10 × 70 decisions × 1.06% ≈ $7.42 per hour.
Craps Pass with odds: total edge on all money at risk can be ~0.4–0.8% depending on odds size. If your total at risk averages $20 per decision × 45 decisions × 0.6% ≈ $5.40 per hour.
Slots example: $1 per spin × 500 spins × 5% ≈ $25 per hour. If the edge is 8%, loss is ~$40 per hour at the same pace.

These are long-term averages. Real sessions can be up or down a lot because of variance. But the formula helps you plan your budget.

Strategy and Skill: Where You Can Do Better

Blackjack: Learn basic strategy. It cuts the edge to near 0.5% with good rules. Free charts: Wizard of Odds.
Video poker: Use a correct strategy chart for your exact paytable (for example, 9/6 Jacks or Better). Small errors can cost a lot over time.
Craps: Use Pass or Don’t Pass and take odds. Avoid “prop” bets with high edge.
Roulette and Baccarat: No betting system can beat the edge. Pick the better rules (single zero, la partage; Banker bet in baccarat).
Slots: No strategy changes the math. Pick higher RTP games if shown. Keep bets small. Take breaks.

Online vs. Land-Based: Rules, RTPs, and Live Dealer

Online blackjack can have better rules, but check if it is H17 or S17, how many decks, and if you can double after split.
Online slots often show RTP in the help page in regulated markets. Land slots mostly do not.
Live dealer games use the same math as the rules. They are slower than RNG games, so you make fewer decisions per hour. That can lower your hourly loss even if the edge is the same.
Check your local laws and regulator. Examples: UKGC, Nevada GCB, iGaming Ontario.

Choosing the Right Game for Your Goals

Best odds: blackjack (good rules), baccarat Banker, craps with odds, or full-pay video poker.
Simplest choice with slow bankroll drain: baccarat Banker or low-volatility games with fair rules.
Chasing big jackpots and accept big swings: progressive slots (know the risk).
Want more control and skill: blackjack and video poker (learn the charts).

Where to Find Verified RTPs, Fair Rules, and Trusted Sites

Before you play, check the game math, the rules, and the terms. Look for clear RTPs, rule cards, and fair bonus rules. In regulated markets, you can also check test lab seals like eCOGRA and GLI, and the regulator’s license page (for example, UKGC public register).

Want side-by-side reviews with banking notes and RTP checks? See our review hub. For example, payment by phone bill info for Switzerland is here: Casino Handyrechnung schweiz. Always read fees, limits, and withdrawal rules first.

Note: If we link to partners, we may earn a commission. This never changes our facts or our math.

Common Myths About Odds

“Slots are due to hit.” False. Results are random. A slot does not “remember” your last spin. See UKGC – How games work.
“A betting system beats roulette or baccarat.” False. Systems do not change house edge. They only change bet size and risk path.
“All blackjack is the same.” False. Rule changes (like 6:5 blackjack or H17) raise the edge a lot. Always check the rules.
“Taking odds in craps is a trick.” False. Odds bets have 0% house edge. They lower your total edge on the full wager.

FAQs

Which casino games have the best odds?

Blackjack with good rules, baccarat Banker, craps Pass/Don’t Pass with odds, and full-pay video poker like 9/6 Jacks or Better (with perfect play). See Wizard of Odds for tables and proofs.

Do slots ever offer better odds than table games?

Not often. Some online slots post very high RTP (near 97–99% in rare cases), which can be close to good table games. But many slots have lower RTP and higher variance. Table games with good rules still win on average for odds.

Does skill matter for slots?

No. You cannot change slot RTP by how you play. You can only pick the game, bet size, and stop time. In blackjack and video poker, skill does help.

Is European roulette much better than American?

Yes. European roulette has a 2.70% house edge. American double zero has 5.26%. With French rules (la partage/en prison) on even-money bets, the edge can drop to ~1.35%.

How much should I budget for a session?

Use the simple formula: average bet × decisions per hour × house edge. Then add a buffer for variance. Set a loss limit and a time limit. Only use money you can afford to lose.

Sources and Further Reading

Wizard of Odds (game math for blackjack, baccarat, craps, roulette, video poker, keno)
UNLV Center for Gaming Research
UK Gambling Commission
Nevada Gaming Control Board
eCOGRA (testing lab) and GLI
National Council on Problem Gambling (US), GamCare (UK), BeGambleAware
American Gaming Association

Responsible Gambling and Safety

Gambling is for adults only. Check the legal age in your country or state.
No strategy can remove the house edge. Treat gambling as paid entertainment, not income.
Set a budget and time limit. Do not chase losses.
If you feel harm, seek help: NCPG (US), GamCare (UK), or your local service.

Editorial Notes

Author: Editorial Team (casino math explained with public, cited sources)

Method: We check rule sheets, paytables, and regulator and lab pages. We link to sources so you can verify every claim.

Disclosure: We may earn from some links. This does not change our facts or our advice.

Last updated: 2026-02-03

Bottom line: For better odds, table games win. Blackjack with good rules, baccarat Banker, and craps with odds are the standouts. If you play slots, pick higher RTP when shown, use small bets, and keep sessions short. Always play safe.