The answer is simple - you rely on expert opinions and do research. In our review of the top 10 worst odds and payouts, we encompassed both of these things with the purpose of helping our readers. In the text below, we'll not only list and explain the top 10 worst online casino game odds, but we'll also explain another important blackjack, roulette, baccarat, poker, and slot machine game features. Additionally, we'll look into the numbers and characteristics to ensure that you can understand the game mechanics and beat the odds next time you play for real money. You'll be able to beat the odds for many top 10 rated games like baccarat, roulette, poker, blackjack, and more!
Our experts at Top 10 Casinos are dedicated to providing the most seamless experience for our readers and gambling enthusiasts. We do this by thoroughly reviewing casinos, discussing their features, and ultimately, comprising lists of the best offers and games like blackjack, roulette, poker, baccarat, etc. However, we also want to make sure that our readers avoid shady casinos and games that will only take their money, giving nothing in return. So, if you want to have the time of your life playing online without worrying, here is a list of the games that aren't worth your time and money. For the best casino game odds, click here.
Keno
Keno Odds & Payouts:
- Odds to Win: 1550.57:1
- Payout Percentage: 60% - 80%
Keno is a pretty interesting game, in fact, it is amongst the top 10 most popular online casino games, alongside poker, baccarat, blackjack, and roulette. However, the chances of making a significant win by playing keno are pretty low. Winning on one number has odds of 4:1. Winning on two numbers has odds of 16.63:1, on four numbers 326.43:1, and on five numbers, your odds are 1,550.67:1, which are very slim chances, considering the efforts needed to get here. Also, keno's payout rates are very low, ranging from 60% to 80% in most online casinos.
Scratch Cards
Scratch Cards Odds & Payouts:
- Odds to Win: 700.000:1
- Payout Percentage: 93% - 96% (2020)
Although the payout percentage from scratch cards is high, similar to slots, they aren't the smartest choice if you intend to grab a jackpot. For instance, for a $1 scratch card with a top prize of $10,000, you have odds of 1 in 700,000 of winning the top prize. Of course, the chances of winning a lower prize are as high as 4:1 for these scratch cards. For scratch cards with a jackpot of $200,000 that you pay for with, $20 for example, you have odds of 1 in 300,000 to win the jackpot and 2:1 of getting a lower prize amount.
Casino War
Casino War Odds & Payouts:
- Odds to Win: 10:1 and 12.5:1
- Payout Percentage: 82.25% (2020)
With a very low payout rate, Casino War deserves its place amongst the list of the worst casino game odds and payouts. However, this doesn't mean that you can't win playing it. In fact, with the proper strategy, you can easily grab a prize. For example, there are odds of 10:1 if you bet that the first two cards will tie, but the tie odds are based on the number of cards used. You should also know that with six-deck games, the odds are higher. According to our research, the odds are 12.5:1.
Big Six / Wheel of Fortune
Big Six / Wheel of Fortune Odds & Payouts:
- Odds to Win: 40:1 up to 1:1
- Payout Percentage: 75.93% up to 88.89% (2020)
The reason why Big Six Wheel and Wheel of Fortune is on the worst casino game odds and payouts list, is because of the significantly low payout percentage that gets as low as 75.93% - as low as the worst casino game odds and payouts for the least-favorable slots games. Additionally, players have odds of winning 40:1 up to 1:1 for a $1 bet. Another thing you should know about this game is that the lowest percentage and the highest house edge comes from the Logo or Joker bet since this one pays out at 40:1.
Sic Bo
Sic Bo Odds & Payouts:
- Odds to Win: 62:1 up to 1:1
- Payout Percentage: 81.48% up to 97.22% (2020)
Sic Bo is a very popular casino game, often found on lists alongside blackjack, baccarat, roulette, video poker, and slots. However, Sic Bo is a game with one of the worst casino game odds and payouts. Sic Bo has a payout percentage that ranges from as low as 81.48% to 97.22%, and the lowest payout rate is for the two-face domino bet. The odds for winning a total of 4 and 17 are up to 50:1 in Macau, 60:1 in Atlantic City, and 62:1 in Australia.
Craps
Craps Odds & Payouts:
- Odds to Win: 5:1
- Payout Percentage: 83.33% up to 98.59%, (2020)
Craps is also one of the top 10 most popular online casino games. However, it is also one of the games with some of the worst casino game odds and payouts. The Any 7 bet in Craps has the lowest payout rate and the highest house edge of up to 16.67%. The odds that players have at winning the Any 7 bet are 5:1.
American Roulette
American Roulette Odds & Payouts:
- Odds to Win: 5:38
- Payout Percentage: 92.11% up to 94.74%, (2020)
Although American Roulette is on our top 10 list of the best casino game odds and payouts, it is still found on this list too because of the 5 number bet- where the payout rate is as low as 92.11%. Also, the probability of winning the 5 number bet in roulette is 5:38. Basically, American Roulette can have both the best and the worst online casino game odds and payouts, depending on your playing strategy. American Roulette is very popular, alongside blackjack, baccarat, and poker.
European Roulette
European Roulette Odds & Payouts:
- Odds to Win: 36:1
- Payout Percentage: 97.3%, (2020)
European Roulette, just like to American Roulette, can also be on the worst online casino game odds and payouts list because of the very reason that you can make a lot of different bets. For instance, the odds of winning inside bets are 19:18, which is a 48.65% chance of winning, making them somewhat good odds. Single odds have even worse odds of 36:1, whereas split bets are 17.5:1. Street bets in European Roulette are at 11.33:1, corner bets at 8.25:1, and six line roulette bets are at 5.17:1.
Video Poker
Video Poker Odds & Payouts:
- Odds to Win: 2.37:1 to 649.740 to 1
- Payout Percentage: 99.54%, but some versions have as low as 95% (2020)
Video poker is fascinating - it is often amongst the top 10 most popular online casino games, alongside roulette, baccarat, blackjack, and other games. However, video poker's payout rates can vary significantly depending on the different video poker versions, which is why it qualified for our worst online casino odds and payouts list. For instance, the full video poker version called Jacks or Better (9/6) has an RTP of 99.54%, whereas 8/5 versions have a payout rate of 97.3%. Additionally, the odds of having a pair are as low as 2.37:1, whereas the odds of having a royal flush in video poker and winning with it is about 649.740 to 1.
Mega Moolah Isis Microgaming - The Worst Casino Game Odds & Payouts
Mega Moolah Isis Microgaming Odds & Payouts:
- Odds to Win: 1:24.918.016
- Payout Percentage: 88.12% (2020)
Considering that Microgaming's Mega Moolah slots game is amongst the top 10 most popular progressive jackpot slots in the online gambling world, it doesn't come as a surprise that you have chances of winning the slots jackpot at about 1 to 24.918.016. However, this top 10 rated slots game also has a low payout percentage of 88.12%. Slots like Mega Moolah are trendy, but some of them have very slim chances of making players rich - which is why they might often show up on the worst online casino game odds and payouts lists.
High vs Low Payout Percentages - Which are the Worst Casino Game Odds & Payouts?
To avoid the top 10 online casino game payout odds, you must understand the meaning of payout percentages in the first place. RTPs apply to all casino games. By definition, payout percentages or RTP (return to player) is the percentage that implies the average amount of money that returns to the players in the form of winnings, compared to how much the players wagered on the game - any game, baccarat, roulette, blackjack, poker. If it's an even-money game without any casino advantage, the payout percentage would be 100%. However, it never is 100%, not even in the top 10 best online casinos in the world.
Let's exemplify it:
Your favorite slot has an RTP or a payout percentage of 96%. During a certain period of time, you play this slot and wager $10,000 playing it. On average, the machine should return $9,600 to you, as wins. Of course, in reality, there are few people who will spend long enough on a slot to see this come to fruition. This is because the average is usually calculated (when testing for fair gaming) over the course of around 100,000 spins. So, a player might wager $1,000,000 today, and the jackpot might drop next week, next month, or even next year. However, if a slot game has a high RTP of payout percentage of 96%, it means that 96% of all money that goes in will eventually go out - as either a bigger or smaller cash prize.
However, it is important to note that the RTP or payout percentage is a statistical average, and this means that even the games with the worst odds can give out wins that can change a player's life.
High vs Low Volatility Online Casino Game Slots - How To Avoid The Worst Payouts & Odds
Besides RTP, another thing that players need to consider when staying away from the casino games with the least valuable odds and payouts is volatility or variance in slots. Unlike other games that only have relevant odds such as roulette or blackjack, slots have volatility or variance, which is very important. By definition, it represents the payout frequency, or how often a slot pays out jackpots. It also encompasses the size of the winnings given by the slot game.
Slots volatility can be categorized into three types:
- Low Variance - Slots that give out wins frequently, but the prize pool amounts are usually small.
- Medium Variance - Games from which players can often win, with a combination of both big and small prizes.
- High Variance - Slots that don't often give out wins often, but the slot machine winnings are massive when they do.
Online casinos, even the top-best ones, don't always publicly state the volatility in a slot game. However, this doesn't mean that it is impossible to find out. In fact, players can take advantage of demo plays for these games and test them for free. For example, if in a playing session of 100 spins, one triggers the paylines often, and the amounts were about x2 the original wager - the slot is a low-variance one. On the other hand, if they don't trigger the paylines often and get higher wins when they do, it is a medium or a high-volatility slot.
From the top-most popular slot machines in the world, we can say that low variance games are found on penny slots and usually have small jackpots. On the contrary, games with progressive jackpots, like Mega Moolah, for example, have high volatility.
Online Casino Game Odds and Betting Strategies For Payouts- Avoid The Worst Casino Games
To ensure that you avoid the bad game odds and payouts, you must practice different betting strategies for top 10 rated games like roulette or blackjack, or even less common classics like poker and baccarat, etc. Almost all famous casino games that are based around skill have dedicated strategies that can help you maximize your winning chances
It is wise to use free online casino bonuses to play slots and other casino games because that way, not only do you avoid the unflattering odds and payouts, but you also get to practice strategies at a lower risk. To play games like blackjack, baccarat, roulette, video poker, make sure to use free cash or a match bonus. On the other hand, if you want to play slots, look for no deposit free spins bonuses. Keep in mind that you'll need to clear the bonus wagering requirements too. Usually, in all the top 10 best-rated online casinos, slot games have a higher wagering contribution. In contrast, online casino classics have lower or no wagering contribution.