One thing most gamblers know is that the odds are always in the casino’s favor. What casual or novice bettors might not realize is that some casino games have better odds than others, especially among the table games. This page is your guide for learning about odds at NJ online casino table games, including which games offer the best and worst odds to players.
Why knowing table game odds is important
Understanding a casino game’s odds is not necessarily a requirement, but the odds are smart to bear in mind. Odds can help you determine which game to play or how long you want to try a certain game.
It’s important to note that odds are never a guarantee. You could win big on a game with mediocre odds or lose big on a game with favorable odds. For this reason, when choosing New Jersey online table games, the odds should be one of the factors you consider. Knowing odds also greatly helps you manage your risk while understanding the potential rewards a game is offering.
How do casinos set odds for table games?
New Jersey state law requires NJ online casinos to have fair odds on their slot games within set parameters. New Jersey online table games work a bit differently because they can involve a small amount of skill when played in the most mathematically advantageous way. Even so, with table games the odds are set equitably and made clear to the players, ensuring correct and fair payouts for winning wagers.
The New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement sets minimum odds and the payout structure for each table game. Table games operate with specific mathematical models that determine both the odds and house edge, but casinos cannot pay out anything less than the odds put forth by the DGE.
Casino games with the best odds
Looking for the casino games in NJ with the best odds? Here are some of the top games in terms of the odds they provide as well as their house edges. The house edge ranges listed are approximate, and some game variants may change the odds slightly.
With baccarat, for example, the odds listed refer to the “player” and “banker” bets and not if you wager on a tie (which has much longer odds and a bigger house edge). Meanwhile, for games like blackjack and video poker (and others) that involve a skill component, the percentages listed refer to the edges when playing correct strategy.
Baccarat
Game odds: 1.06% to 1.24%
Blackjack
Game odds: 0.28% to 1.5%
Craps
Game odds: 1.3% to 1.5%
Pai Gow Poker
Game odds: 1.5% to 2.5%
Single Zero (European) Roulette
Game odds: ~2.7%
French Roulette
Game odds: ~1.4%
Video Poker
Game odds: 0.5% to 5%
Ultimate Texas Hold’em
Game odds: ~2.2%
The three best table games to play in NJ
Players who want the best odds have three clear choices at NJ online casinos: blackjack, baccarat, and French Roulette.
New Jersey online blackjack has so many variants, side mechanics, and differing rules that exact odds are hard to pin down. However, it is almost always among the games with the lowest house edge at online casinos.
Baccarat online in New Jersey is somewhat distinct in that its house edge changes based on the bet you place. A bet on the player side has a house edge of 1.24%, while a banker bet has a house edge of 1.06%. (A bet on a tie, meanwhile, has a whopping house edge of more than 14%.)
Finally, French Roulette is the most player-friendly iteration of online roulette in NJ. Some forms have a house edge as low as 1.3% thanks to the single zero format and En Prison or La Partage rules.
Casino games with the worst odds
While some casino games offer somewhat favorable odds, others give the house a much higher edge. Below we list some of online table games with the worst house edges.
Note again that in some cases the percentages listed below refer to certain bets. Craps, for example, offers ways to bet for which the house edge is quite low, but there are other bets (including some with very long odds and big potential payouts if they hit) that give the house an inordinately big edge.
Caribbean Stud
Game odds: ~5%
Craps (certain bets)
Game odds: up to 15%
Let it Ride
Game odds: ~3.5%
Double Zero (American) Roulette
Game odds: ~5%
Sic Bo
Game odds: Between 2.8% and 33.33%
Three Card Poker
Game odds: up to 7.3%
The two casino table games with the worst odds
Caribbean Stud is the first game to earn marks in this category. It’s a poker game, but you play against the house instead of other players at the table. Despite its fun format, Caribbean Stud has a 5% house edge, making it one of the worst table games as far as odds go.
Double zero roulette is also known as American Roulette. The game features two zero spaces (as the name says), which raises the house edge significantly higher than those of its European or French counterparts. If you find an online casino with all three options, go for French Roulette if you want better odds to win.
Honorable mentions here go to craps and Sic Bo. As noted above, some bets at the craps table are better than others when it comes to odds and house edges. Sic Bo earns a mention because it can have a very high house edge.
Best table game odds: baccarat, craps, or blackjack?
In general, these three games tend to make any list of casino table games with the best odds. Thanks to low house edges and near-50% chances to win (on some bets), they are some of the best games to play as measured by the odds.
- Blackjack’s house edge can go as low as 0.28%, though you’re more likely to find closer to 1% based on the mechanics on offer at NJ online casinos.
- Baccarat carries a house edge of only 1.06% on a banker bet and 1.24% on a player bet, putting it in second place on this list of three popular games.
- New Jersey online craps is a mixed bag. Basic bets, like the pass line, tend toward the 1.3% to 1.5% mark in terms of house edge. However, the house edge for spicier bets can reach as high as 15%.
Don’t forget about video poker, either, for which some variants can have a house edge of less than 1% if you play a correct strategy.
Tips for finding the best and worst odds on casino table games
First and foremost, understand how odds and house edge are related. A game’s house edge indicates the overall advantage of the casino. Games with a low house edge give you a better chance to win than games with a high house edge. Games have a high house edge when the payouts don’t match what the odds suggest they should be (which is quite common).
Second, play the games you know best if you want to increase your odds. This tip is best for seasoned players. Blackjack, for example, has an element of skill in its decision-making. Playing “by the book” will increase your odds of winning.
Our third tip is somewhat counterintuitive: don’t pay too much attention to the odds. They can be a helpful aid in understanding your chances of winning, sure. However, the point of online casino gaming is to have fun. Play the games you like even if they don’t have the best odds.
Table game odds vs. RTP
The odds for table games are generally understood through the lens of the house edge calculating the casino’s advantage over the players. Meanwhile, a game’s return to player (RTP) percentage is a measure most often ascribed to slots. RTP and house edge are inherently related, though.
For example, if a game has a house edge of 3%, the RTP is 97%. This means that if a player plays that game for a long time, their theoretical winnings will trend toward $0.97 for every dollar bet.
Importance of responsible gambling and table game odds
While understanding odds is beneficial, this should never stop you from playing table games responsibly. Whether a table game has good odds or bad, you should treat gambling as a form of entertainment and stop when you meet your limit (spending or time) or are no longer having fun.
If you or someone you know struggles with problem gambling, there are various resources for responsible gambling in New Jersey (and beyond) that can help.
- Substance Abuse And Mental Health Services Administration website and hotline: 1 (800) 662-4357
- New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement Self-Exclusion Program
- New Jersey Attorney General Responsible Gambling Hub
- Gamblers Anonymous
- National Council on Problem Gambling
Other things to know about the odds for table games
We’ve covered most of the basics. Keep the odds in the back of your mind when you play online casino games. The house edge is particularly helpful in understanding how much of an advantage the online casino has.
You can check with individual casino sites for more information on their odds. If you ever encounter an issue playing table games, online casino customer service is there to assist you. Play responsibly and keep it fun!
Casino table game odds FAQ
No. By law, the odds for table games stay the same whether you win or lose. Some casinos may ask players to stop playing if they win too much.
Sports betting odds are malleable. They change based on many external factors, wagers that are placed, and the bookmaker’s need to make money. Table games have relatively rigid odds. They can adjust slightly in certain games based on savvy decision-making from the player, but otherwise, they stay the same for any given game.
Almost every New Jersey online casino has blackjack in some form. With smart play, blackjack players can enjoy a house edge as low as 0.5%, making it one of best for any online casino game.
Blackjack has the best odds, especially if you play “by the book” and make the best decisions according to the game’s math. Other games with low house edges include baccarat and craps.
Caribbean Stud Poker and Double Zero (American) Roulette both have house edges of about 5%. That’s not an advantageous number for the player.
