Our topic for today is: Best Casino Games. This is a question I have been asked often, and over many years. However, to answer it correctly, we must recognize that the problem is with the concept itself. Each game has its own merits, and suits different people differently. Consequently, just exactly what is “best” is often dependent on what each player desires out of the experience of playing such casino games.
Nevertheless, there are some generalities which we can explore, and identify. So, for the remainder of this article, I will focus on some of the most popular casino games, and try to describe – in general terms – what I think makes them “best” – or, perhaps, not so best.
Roulette
My Mom loved Roulette! She passed on in 2017, but I always fondly remember her sitting at the Roulette table at the Mirage in Las Vegas in the 1990’s, thoroughly enjoying herself at this game. So, for my Mom, Roulette was – most definitely – the “best” casino game. And so it is for most Europeans. Less so for Americans.
European Roulette is traditionally played with only one “0” zero, the “house number” mostly marked on the layout and wheel in Green. This gives the game a mere 2.7% house edge, and, therefore, makes this version of the game the “best.”
The American version of the game has two “house numbers” – the single “0” zero, and the double “00” zero, also usually marked in Green. This gives this game a house edge of 5.27% and, therefore, this is not as “best” as the game can be. And then there are also some other games which add a third house number, the triple “000” zero, and this game then sports a hefty 7.69% house edge. So that makes this game very much “not best.”
Blackjack
By far the world’s most popular casino table game, Blackjack – or 21 – is outwardly a simple game, but one which belies an underlying complexity. How “best” this game is, very much depends on the casino where you are playing it, and on the rules which that casino applies to it. There are many variations of such rules, and most make the game “less best” than it can – optimally – actually be.
For example: In recent times, many casinos have begun to pay the Natural 21 – known as Blackjack – at rates of 6:5 instead of the traditional 3:2. Sadly, most people don’t know what this means, or don’t pay attention to it, and, therefore, they are giving up an extra 1.39% house edge, and consequently are losing money even when they win! Let me explain:
On a 3:2 table, the Natural 21 – Blackjack – will pay you 3 units for every two bet. So, if you bet $10 – two red chips – you will get back $15, which is 3 red chips … 3-to-2. Get it?
But on a 6:5 table, the same hand with the same wager will only pay you $6 for your $5, and so for your $10 wager, you only get paid $12. Not the $15 to which you are entitled! And this means you just handed $3 to the casino for nothing. In fact, you just gave the casino $3 of your winnings. So, even when you won, you lost. And THAT is the difference, and that’s why 6:5 Blackjack is, in reality, “not so best.”
Slots – Pokies – Fruit Machines
These are the coin-in-the-slot machines, which are known by many names worldwide. These days, of course, they are almost always “credits” instead of “coins.” But the concept and principle is the same. But what makes a “best” slot machine? Well, that depends.
Do you want to spend little, and last long? Then choose the Low Volatility games. These are those that hit some kind of a “pay” almost every spin – but don’t hit big wins very often. And thee “pays” are so in name only, because they are usually very much lower than the cost of that wager and that spin.
Do you have a bigger budget and like a bigger win, with a bigger risk? Then choose the Medium Volatility games. These don’t pay as often, but when the do, they usually pay equal to or more than that base wager it cost you for that spin. And these games also often hit decent medium jackpots – more like the “look what I won!” kind.
Finally, if you like a lot of risk, and you have a big bankroll to back it up, then choose the High Volatility games. These don’t pay very often at all, but when they do hit, these wins are usually quite high, and significant. These are the kind of “life-changing” hits that even some very lucky casual gamblers can also often hit.
So – how can you tell which is which?
Well, mostly if you see lots of pays with little actual value in them, then this is the Low Volatility machine. Not always, but mostly so. And if you see fewer pays, but with bigger amounts, then this is most likely the Medium Volatility game. And if you have the bankroll for it, just step into the High Limit Lounge, and most of the games there will be the High Volatility games. Generally speaking, of course.
And if you want to know which games are such, then look them up in one of my books.
So, until next time,
Best of Luck!
Vegas Vic
September 2022
