Players are repeatedly advised to avoid bad casino games like 6/5 blackjack, triple zero roulette, and video poker with short paytables. The thought is that the house advantage on these games is much higher than on ones with better rules. However, there are some times when you should choose a worse game based on the minimum bets because those games have a lower expected loss, even with the higher house edge.
As you see from the expected loss numbers below, bad games and higher limits create excess losses. It is best for your bankroll to find casinos that offer better lower limit games. However, it is understandable to want to play on the Strip or to take advantage of offers available at casinos with worse games. This guide should help you navigate those situations.
6/5 versus 3/2 blackjack
A 6/5 blackjack table pays $12 for every $10 wagered on a natural 21. A 3/2 blackjack game pays $15 for every $10 bet. The house edge is about 0.66% for a typical 3/2 blackjack game that hits soft 17 and does not allow surrender and re-split aces.
The 6/5 version of this game holds about 2%, around triple that of its 3/2 counterpart. The general rule is to play 3/2 when the minimum bet is less than three times the 6/5 game. For example, Excalibur has $5 6/5 blackjack and $25 3/2. In this instance, play the 6/5 game at $5 a hand for the lowest expected loss. However, most Caesars properties have $15 6/5 and $25 3/2. At these casinos, play the 3/2 game.
Single, double, and triple zero roulette
Many Las Vegas Strip casinos have single, double, and triple zero roulette. The cheapest triple zero roulette table in Las Vegas is $10. We have never seen the game for over $50.
Triple zero roulette expected loss
- $10: $0.77
- $15: $1.15
- $20: $1.54
- $25: $1.92
- $50: $3.85
Casinos offering double and triple zero roulette typically start at $10 for the double zero option. Here are the expected losses for those minimum bets.
Double zero roulette expected loss
- $10: $0.53
- $15: $0.79
- $20: $1.05
- $25: $1.32
- $50: $2.63
A $10 triple zero roulette game holds about the same as a $15 double zero one. If the options are $15 triple zero and $25 double zero, you lose more slowly at the $15 triple zero table. A $25 triple zero game is the right choice when double zero is $50. In many cases, the minimum bets are the same between the games. Always play double zero in this scenario, if you are inclined to play and not look elsewhere.
Single zero roulette tables start at $25 on the Strip at The Strat. It is $50 and higher at all other casinos. Here are the expected losses at bets $25 and higher for single zero roulette.
Single zero roulette expected loss
- $25: $0.68
- $50: $1.35
- $100: $2.70
The expected loss is about half that per dollar wagered at single zero compared to double zero. The general rule here is to play it when it falls within your bankroll requirements if the minimum bet is no more than double that of double zero. This is especially true if you bet even money outside spots and la partage is offered, which cuts the house edge to 1.35% on these wagers.
Craps versus crapless craps
Crapless craps installations have exploded since 2020. It is a much worse game than standard craps. Oddly, we often see crapless craps have a higher minimum bet than traditional craps. However, there are instances where traditional craps is higher. The minimum bets and holds on the Pass Line below do not account for odds. However, the same theory applies on a percentage basis, as the expected losses are identical. The house pays 100% back on odds.
Craps Pass Line
- $5: $0.07
- $10: $0.14
- $15: $0.21
- $25: $0.35
- $50: $0.71
Crapless craps Pass Line
- $5: $0.27
- $10: $0.54
- $15: $0.81
- $25: $1.35
- $50: $2.69
As these comparisons show, there is probably never a time to play crapless craps over craps. The minimum bet spreads are probably never that wide.
Video poker paytables
Video poker paytables drastically change between casinos and denominations. Here are some examples of the expected loss per hand at different popular games and paytables at certain denominations. Note that the calculation assumes five coins are wagered.
Legend
- Denomination: Expected loss per hand
9/6 Double Double Bonus
- $0.25: $0.013
- $0.50: $0.026
- $1: $0.051
- $2: $0.102
- $5: $0.255
9/5 Double Double Bonus
- $0.25: $0.027
- $0.50: $0.053
- $1: $0.107
- $2: $0.213
- $5: $0.533
8/5 Double Double Bonus
- $0.25: $0.04
- $0.50: $0.08
- $1: $0.161
- $2: $0.321
- $5: $0.803
If your options are $0.25 8/5 Double Double Bonus, $0.50 9/5, and $1 9/6, you will lose the slowest at the worst game at the lowest denomination by about a penny per hand. The swings will also not be as large, and a smaller bankroll is sufficient.
9/6 Jacks or Better
- $0.25: $0.006
- $0.50: $0.012
- $1: $0.023
- $2: $0.046
- $5: $0.115
9/5 and 8/6 Jacks or Better
- $0.25: $0.019
- $0.50: $0.039
- $1: $0.078
- $2: $0.155
- $5: $0.388
8/5 Jacks or Better
- $0.25: $0.034
- $0.50: $0.068
- $1: $0.135
- $2: $0.27
- $5: $0.675
In Jacks or Better, there are fewer spots where an inferior paytable is the answer when the 9/6 paytable is available. However, there are times to play the 8/5 version at lower denominations over higher ones with 8/6 or 9/5 paytables.
8/5 Bonus Poker
- $0.25: $0.01
- $0.50: $0.021
- $1: $0.042
- $2: 0.083
- $5: $0.028
7/5 Bonus Poker
- $0.25: $0.025
- $0.50: $0.05
- $1: $0.10
- $2: $0.199
- $5: $0.498
6/5 Bonus Poker
- $0.25: $0.039
- $0.50: $0.078
- $1: $0.157
- $2: $0.313
- $5: $0.783
Bonus Poker is often the best video poker game in a casino. When $1 Bonus Poker is 8/5 and $0.25 and $0.50 are 7/5, play $0.25 7/5. If $0.25 is 6/5, $0.50 is 7/5, and $1 is 8/5, play the $0.25 6/5 game for the lowest expected loss.
