Casino Games with the Best Odds

The best odds in casino play come down to two figures: return to player (RTP) and house edge. RTP is the percentage of every wager a game is theoretically set to return over a very large sample of rounds. At the same time, house edge is the mirror share the operator retains on average, built into the game's mathematics. Whether you prefer a card table, a spinning wheel, a dice game, or a slot reel, some casino games are set to return more than others across the long run. 

This guide ranks best odds casino games by product category, from blackjack and baccarat through to roulette, craps, video poker, and high-RTP slots. Every payout percentage is published alongside each game across our selection of online casino games. 

Casino Games with the Best Odds at A Glance 

Here's how the top online casino games compare on RTP and house edge across categories, based on optimal play where strategy applies: 

Figures reflect theoretical long-term averages. Individual round outcomes are determined by RNG software or wheel and dice physics, independent of past results. 

Blackjack: The Card Game Sitting at the Top 

Blackjack holds the highest odds in casino play among traditional table games. Single-deck blackjack played with basic strategy can reach an RTP of around 99.5%, which puts the house edge as low as 0.5%. That figure is one of the leanest in any casino library, and the reason is straightforward: your decisions shape the round.  

Standing on a hard 17, doubling down on 11, splitting a pair of Aces: each move interacts with the dealer's fixed rules, and choosing the mathematically stronger option lowers the house edge across many rounds. The RNG still decides which cards appear on any given hand. 

Card games sit at the top of Virgin Games' best online casino games ranked list for that same reason, with Blackjack Single Deck a firm favourite for players who want strategic depth rather than passive play. Side bets like 21+3 and Perfect Pairs are offered alongside the main hand, but they carry a higher house edge than the base game. Reviewing the paytable before you add them keeps the odds in view. 

Baccarat: Simple Play, Sharp Numbers 

For a card game that asks nothing of you strategically, baccarat delivers surprisingly strong odds. The Banker bet carries a house edge of just 1.06%, giving an RTP of 98.94% even after the standard 5% commission on winning Banker hands. The Player bet is close behind at 1.24%. Both rank among the lowest-edge wagers you'll find anywhere. 

The Tie bet is a different story. Its house edge sits above 14%, so it's the one to skip. Stick with Banker as your default, and baccarat becomes one of the strongest casino games with the best odds for players who want clean gameplay without a strategy chart in hand. 

Roulette: French, European, and American Compared 

Not every roulette wheel is set up the same. French Roulette leads the wheel-game pack with an RTP of 98.65%, thanks to the ‘la partage’ rule that returns half your even-money stake when the ball lands on zero. European Roulette follows at 97.30% with its single zero, while American Roulette drops to 94.74% because of the added double-zero pocket. 

Roulette is also the most common casino game online in the UK. Gambling Commission research on online casino play (excluding slots) found virtual roulette to be the most-played title in the category, cited by 36% of respondents, with live dealer roulette close behind at 29%. If you're leaning into odds, French Roulette is the strongest option where it's stocked, and European Roulette offers the next-best maths and is available at almost every UK online casino. Even-money bets on red/black or odd/even keep variance low across a session.  

Craps: The Dice Game with Standout Bets 

Craps looks busy but plays clean once you know where to place your chips. The Pass Line bet carries a 1.41% house edge (98.59% RTP), and Don't Pass sits better at 1.36%. Layer an Odds bet behind either wager, and the house edge on that portion drops to zero, since the Odds bet pays true mathematical odds with no built-in operator margin. 

That combination puts craps firmly among the casino games with best odds when you stick to the base wagers. The proposition bets in the middle of the layout carry house edges in the double digits, which is why the Pass Line and Don't Pass wagers remain the stronger option. 

High-RTP Slots: Best Odds in the Reels 

Slots span a wide RTP range. Most sit between 92% and 96%, while the highest-RTP slots reach 97%, 98%, and in a small number of cases 99%. Payout percentage is only part of the picture: volatility (how a slot balances win frequency against win size) shapes how those returns land, with high-volatility slots delivering less frequent but larger wins and low-volatility games paying smaller amounts more often. 

Every UK-licensed operator, including Virgin Games, publishes the RTP of every slot in its library. That's a Gambling Commission requirement, and it lets you check the maths on any slot game before you spin. Individual spin results are independently decided by certified random number generator (RNG) software, so RTP describes the long-term average, not any single session. 

Video Poker: Card Odds Sharpened by Strategy 

Video poker rewards players who learn the paytable. Jacks or Better with a full-pay 9/6 paytable and optimal strategy returns around 99.54% RTP, and Deuces Wild on the right paytable can approach a similar figure with flawless play. Actual paytables vary between games and operators, so it's worth checking each game's published RTP before you play. 

What sets video poker apart is control. Every hold-and-discard decision matters, and the maths behind each choice is fixed and knowable. For players who found their footing in blackjack and want another card game with a low house edge, video poker is worth exploring. 

Odds in Theory, Play in Practice 

Understanding RTP and house edge gives you a sharper way to pick between games, but the figures describe long-term averages across enormous sample sizes. Any single session, hand, or spin is decided by the RNG or by the physics of the wheel and dice, independent of what came before. Picking a lower-edge game tilts the maths, not the outcome of the next round. 

If you want to explore the numbers on your own terms, the Virgin Games mobile casino app puts the full online and live casino selection in your pocket, with published RTPs, spend-limit tools, and session reminders built-in. Play on your terms, at stakes that suit you. 

Frequently Asked Questions 

Which casino game has the best odds overall? 

Single-deck blackjack played with basic strategy has the best odds in casino play, with an RTP of around 99.5% and a house edge as low as 0.5%. Video poker played to strategy on the right paytable can reach a similar range. 

What is the highest RTP slot game? 

Most slots return between 92% and 96%, but the highest-RTP slot games reach 97% to 99%. Payout percentages are published against every slot at UK-licensed casinos, so you can compare before you play. 

Are the odds better in online casinos than in land-based ones? 

Online casino games often publish slightly higher RTPs than their land-based equivalents, because operators save on floor and equipment costs. UK-licensed sites are required to display the RTP for every game. 

Does strategy improve your odds in every casino game? 

No. Strategy improves your odds in blackjack, video poker, and some baccarat and craps bets. Roulette and slots are decided by RNG or wheel physics, so the RTP is fixed regardless of how you place your chips. 

What is the worst-odds bet in a casino? 

Keno usually carries the highest house edge in the casino, ranging from 25% up to 35% or more. The Tie bet in baccarat and side bets on the Big Six wheel also carry very high house edges compared to core table wagers. 

Ready to play the casino games with the best odds? From blackjack and baccarat to roulette, craps, video poker and high-RTP slots, Virgin Games has the numbers on every title. Play on our mobile casino or grab the Virgin Games app for gaming on the go. Your next favourite game is waiting. Join today.

All offers mentioned correct at the time of writing but may be subject to change.