Better Than Blackjack: Overlooked Table Games With Superior Odds

Everyone knows blackjack offers some of the best odds in the casino—if you use perfect strategy. But several table games beat blackjack’s numbers while requiring far less skill to play optimally.

So why aren’t these games crowded with players? Mostly because casinos don’t promote them. These high-value options remain hidden in plain sight, often tucked away in remote casino corners with minimal advertising.

Let’s expose the table games that give you more bang for your gambling buck.

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The Problem With Blackjack (That Nobody Mentions)

Before exploring alternatives, let’s address blackjack’s dirty secret: the theoretical 0.5% house edge only applies to players using perfect basic strategy—something fewer than 5% of casual players actually achieve.

Most recreational blackjack players make regular strategy errors that inflate the house edge to 2-4%, placing it in the same range as games casino executives dismissively call “sucker bets.”

Reality Check: If you’ve never memorized a basic strategy chart—or you occasionally hit that 12 against a dealer’s 6—your blackjack odds are significantly worse than the games below.

Game #1: Baccarat (Banker Bet)

Baccarat carries an undeserved reputation as a high-roller game, but it offers exceptional odds for any budget.

House Edge: 1.06% on Banker bets

Skill Required: Zero. Unlike blackjack, optimal baccarat requires no strategy decisions after placing your bet.

The Secret Edge: The Banker bet in baccarat beats the realistic house edge most players face at blackjack tables, with no strategy memorization required. Simply bet on Banker repeatedly and ignore the other options.

Game #2: Craps (Pass Line with Odds)

Despite its intimidating layout, basic craps betting offers exceptional value—especially when taking the “odds” bet.

House Edge: 1.41% on Pass Line, reduced to 0.8% effective edge when combined with full odds

Skill Required: Minimal. Just understand two bets: Pass Line and taking odds after a point is established.

The Secret Edge: The odds bet in craps is the only major casino wager with zero house edge—it pays true mathematical odds. This dilutes the overall house advantage when combined with your Pass Line bet.

Game #3: Pai Gow Poker

While not boasting the lowest raw house edge, Pai Gow Poker offers something equally valuable: extended play time for your bankroll.

House Edge: 1.5% (effectively lower due to pushes)

Skill Required: Basic poker hand knowledge plus one key decision: how to split your seven cards into a five-card and two-card hand.

The Secret Edge: Roughly 40% of Pai Gow hands result in pushes (ties), meaning your money stays in play longer. The game’s pace is also roughly half the speed of blackjack, further extending your bankroll.

While Pai Gow Poker strategy is simple, other games require specific approaches. Players can find guides like Dancing Drums slot strategy to learn optimal betting and feature triggers, though slots still have higher house edges than these table games.

Game #4: Spanish 21

Spanish 21 modifies traditional blackjack by removing the 10s (but keeping face cards) and adding player-friendly rules that more than compensate for this disadvantage.

House Edge: 0.4% with basic strategy (better than traditional blackjack)

Skill Required: Moderate. Spanish 21 basic strategy differs somewhat from regular blackjack, but most key principles transfer.

The Secret Edge: Spanish 21 allows late surrender, doubling after splitting, and player 21 always wins (even against dealer blackjack). It also offers bonus payouts for specific hand combinations like five-card 21s.

Game #5: Casino Poker Variants (When Played Correctly)

Several poker-based table games offer surprisingly strong odds for knowledgeable players:

Three Card Poker (Pair Plus):

• House Edge: 2.7%
• Optimal Play: Only continue with Q-6-4 or better

Mississippi Stud:

• House Edge: 1.37% with optimal strategy
• Value Feature: Progressive betting allows multiplying your wager as favorable cards appear

Ultimate Texas Hold’em:

• House Edge: 2.2%
• Strategy Edge: Allows 4x initial bet with strong starting hands

Crucial Distinction: These games offer good value only when played with correct strategy. Most casual players make costly errors that double or triple the effective house edge.

Why Casinos Hide These Games

If you’re wondering why casinos don’t promote these better-odds games, the answer is simple economics:

1. Lower House Edge = Lower Profit Per Hour: Games with better odds generate less revenue per table.
2. Slower Game Pace = Less Volume: Several of these games (like Pai Gow) proceed at half the speed of blackjack or slots.
3. Limited Upside for the House: These games typically have more contained variance, limiting the massive losses players can experience in short timeframes.

From the casino’s perspective, they’d rather you didn’t know these options exist—or at least didn’t understand their superior value proposition.

The Bottom Line

The most popular casino games—slots, roulette, and standard blackjack—generally offer worse odds than the overlooked alternatives detailed here.

By understanding these hidden gems, you can extend your entertainment value, reduce your expected losses, and play like the small percentage of gamblers who truly understand casino mathematics.