We can evaluate casino games based on several characteristics, including their gameplay and payouts. However, the house edge is also crucial when checking out the worth of every potential bet or win.
Typically, casinos will include the house edge in their games. While that’ll help you decide which ones to play, you still consider other aspects like complexity, variety, bonus features, etc.
Take your time to compare the games, regardless of how overwhelming they might be. This guide will help you identify crucial characteristics to get games that match your preferences.
How the House Edge Works for Different Casino Games
You’ve probably heard the famous statement, “The house always wins.” What that means is that the “house edge” will always profit the casino. It is the casino’s statistical advantage over time.
Some games, like slots and crash games, prefer return-to-player (RTP) rates. This shows how much you will take from the winnings over time.
The house edge doesn’t only show the casino’s potential profit for every bet. It also shows the true odds of winning the game.
Take European Roulette as an example. The wheel has 37 numbers you can bet on, meaning you have true odds of 1 in 37. However, casinos pay 36 to one.
A simple formula for house edge is equal to the following:
- House edge = [true odds – (casino odds/true odds)] * 100%
Using the above formula, we can calculate a house edge of 2.7% for European Roulette. That means the casino will take 2.7% of your bets as its average profit.
The house edge does not affect a game’s outcome. However, it shows us the odds of winning and how much the casino will take as we play.
Different game variants can have different house edges. For example, American Roulette has a 5.26% house edge. French Roulette has a 1.35% house edge, making it the best variant for the highest returns.
Variety
If you hope to get as much variety as possible, then look no further than slot games. These options come in different designs and themes. Furthermore, they add several bonus features, including free spins, multipliers, expanding wilds, money collect, respins, etc. Most casinos have their special bonus for slots, too. In Wunderwins, for example, they give you 300 free spins for registering an account (not to mention the free cash you get as a new player).
Roulette, baccarat, and blackjack have multiple variants with slight gameplay variations and features. However, they don’t have as many slot games.
Crash games and instant win options have a wide variety. For example, Aviator and Jet XY have similar gameplay.
One thing about slot games is that their broad variety does not require learning new gameplay. You’ll be fine regardless of which slot you play. That includes regular 3-reel slots, megaways, and others.
Complexity
Slots are your best bet for simplicity and fun. That is because they require only one bet type per spin. The best you can do is adjust your bet size.
Besides having one bet type, slots do not require a steep learning curve. They might have several bonus features you can learn about. A good RTP rate for slots is typically that of 96% and above. For example, most games from Game Beat have an RTP of 96% and many of them have one of 97% and higher. You can see these titles at https://slotspeak.com/gamebeat/.
Crash games are also simple to play. All you need to do is cash out before the game crashes. We can’t say the same about table and live casino games with multiple bet types.
Roulette is an ideal example, as it has several bet types. These include outside and inside bets. As a result, you can adjust your bet size and pick your preferred bet types.
Table and live dealer card or dice games, like roulette, blackjack, and baccarat, require learning curves. You need to understand the rules when playing, especially with the variants. Some variants add new bet types or bonus features.
Here’s a quick comparison of game complexity:
| Game | Complexity |
| Slots | Low |
| Crash games | Low |
| Instant wins | Low |
| Table games | Medium |
| Live casino games | Medium |
| Poker | High |
Choosing from the Comparison
Here are a few things worth considering when comparing casino games to play:
Skill Level
Beginners are better off with slots, crash games, and instant wins. These games require little-to-no learning curve and are easy to play. Most importantly, they are available in most casinos and are often the largest collection.
As you gain more skills, you can proceed to the table and live casino games. Understand the rules and play a few demos, and you should be good to go.
Bet Size
Again, slots are ideal for casual gaming with single figures. They can still take bets in the hundreds but not as high as table or live casino games. Pick the latter if you want to play like a high roller.
Conclusion
The house edge is your ticket to knowing the true odds in a game while revealing the casino’s advantage. Read the game’s information in the casino to find the house edge. Alternatively, you can visit the provider’s website to find out more.