Playing table games at a casino is about making informed decisions. If the aim is to keep a balance going for longer, understanding the house edge is a sensible first step. It shows how much the casino might keep over time, so choosing lower edge games can be a more measured approach than picking at random.
This blog post looks at the table games that tend to have the lowest house edge, how specific rules change the numbers, and what different bets mean in blackjack, baccarat, craps, and roulette. Key terms like house edge and return to player (RTP) are explained in plain language.
You will also find examples of higher edge bets to approach with care, plus practical pointers to help you compare options. Play should always be within personal limits.
Which Table Games Have The Lowest House Edge?
Some table games are known for offering a lower house edge than others. Over time, these games may return a higher percentage of money to players than games with a higher edge.
Blackjack is often one of the best options when standard rules apply and basic strategy is used. Tables that pay 3:2 for blackjack and allow sensible options such as doubling after splitting can sit around 0.5% or lower. If the payout is 6:5 or other restrictions apply, the edge rises.
Baccarat is another strong choice. The Banker bet typically sits around 1.06%, with a small commission on wins. The Player bet is close at about 1.24%.
Craps offers low-edge core bets. Pass Line, Don’t Pass, Come, and Don’t Come are commonly around 1.4% or slightly less. Adding Odds to these bets pays at true odds, so that portion has no house edge.
European roulette can be preferable to American roulette because it has a single zero. That usually puts the house edge at about 2.7%, compared to around 5.26% on double-zero wheels.
To compare games properly, it helps to be clear on what house edge and RTP actually measure.
Understanding House Edge And Return To Player
House edge is the built-in advantage a casino has on a game. It is shown as a percentage of each wager over the long run. If a game has a 2% house edge, the casino expects to keep about £2 per £100 wagered across many bets.
Return to Player (RTP) is the counterpart of house edge. It shows the share returned to players over time. A 98% RTP means that, on average, £98 of every £100 staked is returned, with £2 representing the house edge.
These are long-term averages, not predictions for a single session. They are most useful for weighing one game or bet against another.
With the basics in place, here is how the rules of each game shape the numbers.
Blackjack: Typical House Edge By Variant
Blackjack is often seen as one of the most player-friendly table games, but the house edge depends on the rules and the number of decks. Using basic strategy helps keep the edge as low as the table allows.
Single-Deck Blackjack
Single-deck games can be among the best options, often around 0.5% or slightly lower when paid 3:2 on blackjack and when standard player options are available. Be alert to rule changes that undo the benefit. A 6:5 payout on blackjack, limits on doubling, or a dealer hitting soft 17 can each push the edge higher, with 6:5 alone adding roughly a full percentage point.
Double-Deck and Shoe Games
Double-deck games usually land a touch higher, about 0.6% with common rules. Six or eight-deck shoe games can be around 0.7 to 0.8%. Specific rules swing these figures: allowing double after split, resplitting pairs, or the dealer standing on soft 17 will generally lower the edge, while the opposite settings increase it.
European Blackjack vs American Rules
In European blackjack, the dealer does not take a hole card until players finish acting. In American rules, the dealer takes a hole card and may check for blackjack before play continues. That early check can prevent additional player stakes from being placed into a losing hand, which is slightly better for the player. Rule packages vary, but European formats often range from about 0.6% to 0.9%, while American rules with 3:2 payouts and the dealer standing on soft 17 can be sharper.
Prefer a game with fewer decisions? Baccarat keeps things simple while still offering competitive edges.
Baccarat: House Edge For Banker, Player And Tie Bets
Baccarat revolves around three main bets: Banker, Player, and Tie, each with a different long-term return.
The Banker bet typically has the lowest edge, around 1.06%, with a small commission (often 5%) taken from winning Banker wagers to balance the maths.
The Player bet is next at about 1.24%. It does not have a commission on wins, but the expected return remains slightly lower than Banker over time.
The Tie bet pays more when it lands, but it has a much higher house edge, commonly around 14.4% at 8:1. Some tables pay 9:1, which still leaves a higher edge than Banker or Player.
If you prefer a livelier table with lots of activity, craps delivers variety without giving up strong core odds.
Craps: Low-Edge Bets And The Role Of Odds
Craps offers a large menu of bets, but only a handful are needed to keep the edge low and the game easy to follow.
Pass Line And Come Bets
Pass Line and Come bets each have an edge of about 1.41% and are among the simplest wagers on the layout. Their counterparts, Don’t Pass and Don’t Come, are similar and can be slightly lower in some rulesets.
Taking Odds Bets
Once a point is established, adding an Odds bet to a Pass Line or Come bet pays at true odds, so this part carries no house edge. Combining a base bet with Odds lowers the edge on the total amount at risk. The more Odds a table allows, the more the overall edge falls, subject to the table’s maximum.
For a game with fewer decisions to learn, roulette is next, but the version of the wheel matters.
Roulette: Why European Roulette Has Lower House Edge Than American
Roulette wheels differ mainly by how many zeros they include. European roulette has a single zero, giving 37 pockets, while American roulette adds a double zero, for 38 pockets. That extra pocket raises the house edge on every standard bet.
On European wheels, the house edge is typically 2.7%. American double-zero wheels sit around 5.26%. Some European tables also use rules like la partage on even-money bets, returning half the stake if zero lands, which effectively halves the edge on those specific bets.
Not every wager at these tables is created equal, so it helps to know which ones quietly carry a heavier cost.
Which Table Bets Carry The Highest Hidden House Edge?
Some bets look attractive but have a much higher house edge than the core wagers in the same game.
In American roulette, the five-number bet covering 0, 00, 1, 2, and 3 carries about a 7.9% edge, which is far higher than other options at the wheel.
Craps proposition bets, such as Any Seven or specific hardways and one-roll wagers, often range from roughly 9% to well above 16%, considerably higher than the line bets with Odds.
In baccarat, Tie typically sits around 14.4% at 8:1, and many side bets also come with increased edges despite large potential payouts.
In blackjack, side bets like Insurance or bets on particular pairs usually have a higher edge than the main game. Exact figures depend on the paytable and the number of decks.
Reading the paytable and comparing the long-term cost of each bet helps keep expectations realistic.
Can Players Reduce The House Edge?
The house edge is built into every casino game and cannot be removed, but players can minimise it by choosing lower-edge bets and, where relevant, using established strategies.
In blackjack, following basic strategy keeps the edge near the table’s best possible figure, especially on 3:2 payouts and player-friendly rules. In baccarat, prioritising Banker or Player over Tie avoids the largest built-in cost. In craps, sticking to Pass/Don’t Pass, Come/Don’t Come, and adding Odds keeps the maths on the leaner side.
Set personal limits that suit your circumstances, take breaks, and avoid chasing losses. If gambling starts to affect your well-being or your finances, seek support early. Independent organisations such as GamCare and GambleAware provide free, confidential help.
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**The information provided in this blog is intended for educational purposes and should not be construed as betting advice or a guarantee of success. Always gamble responsibly.