Your first time playing online casino games might be a confusing one. With so many games at your disposal, choosing one might be challenging. For example, blackjack and roulette are two of the most popular online games.
They play out very differently and share very few similarities. If you beat the dealer at blackjack, you win a 1:1 payout. Usually, the same goes for even money bets made at the roulette table.
So, which game has better odds, blackjack or roulette?
What Are The Odds of Winning In Blackjack?
Blackjack features 2 cards per hand, with the goal being to get closer to 21 than the dealer and not surpass it. Sounds simple enough, right? However, one factor might stand in your way, i.e., the house edge.
The house edge always has an advantage over players. It’s a percentage that the casino wins back over a long duration of playing the game. Players are likely to lose about 28% of the time, while blackjack has a 0.5% house edge.
Every player hopes the dealer goes bust while we have the lowest chance. For example:
- If the player’s hand value is worth 11 and under, your odds of landing a bust from a hit are 0%.
- For a hand worth 12, the overall odds of landing a bust from a hit are 31%.
- With a hand of 13, the odds of landing a bust from a hit are 39%.
- If the cards total 14, there’s a 56% chance of landing a bust from a hit.
- With a hand worth 15, the odds of landing a bust from a hit are 58%.
- For a hand worth 16, the player has a 62% chance of landing a bust from a hit.
- If the player has a hand of 17, the odds of going bust from a hit are 69%.
- A hand of 18 has a 77% chance of landing a bust from a hit.
- A 19 hand has 85% odds of landing a bust from a hit.
- A player’s hand worth 20 has a 92% chance of landing a bust from a hit.
So, how often can you win in blackjack? Players have 42.22% odds of winning, while the dealer has a 49.10% chance of winning. In addition, there’s an 8.48% chance of a draw.
However, note that these percentages are merely a measure, not a guarantee. They’re calculations made over long periods of playtime using basic blackjack strategy.
What Are The Odds of Winning In Roulette?
Roulette has several variants, like blackjack. However, European roulette and American roulette are the most popular versions. In addition, the game’s basis is betting on a number or set of numbers you think the ball will land on.
Here are the winning odds of roulette in both versions for the range of bets possible:
- Single Number: Single number bets are also called straight up bets. They offer a 35:1 payout. For example, European roulette has 2.7% odds, while American roulette has 2.6% odds.
- Two-number Combinations: A two-number combination/split bet is when you put a chip(s) on the border of the last two numbers on the row. These bets offer a 17:1 payout. European roulette has a 5.4% chance of landing, while American roulette has a 5.3% chance.
- Three-number Combinations: Also known as a street bet, these bets are possible on 3 numbers in a row. You can place a three-number bet by laying your chip(s) on a single horizontal line or row. Street bets have 11:1 payout odds. European roulette has an 8.1% chance for this bet to land, while American roulette has a 7.9% chance.
- Four-number Combinations: Four-number combinations, square bets, or corner bets are bets on 4 adjacent numbers. It has an 8:1 payout. European roulette has 10.8% odds of a win, while American roulette has 10.5% odds.
- Five-number Combinations: With a 6:1 payout, a five-number combination bet or basket bet works for numbers 0, 00, 1, 2, or 3. The basket bet isn’t available in European roulette because it doesn’t have a double zero. However, it has a 13.2% chance of winning in American roulette.
- Six-number Combinations: A six-number combination or a line bet is possible for two consecutive rows. Put your chip(s) where the two numbers on the outside corners meet. Line bets have a 5:1 payout. European roulette has 16.2% odds, while American roulette has 15.8% odds.
- Column Bets: This bet is possible for any 3 columns of numbers. They can offer a 2:1 payout. European roulette has a 32.40% chance for column bets to land, while American roulette has a 31.6% chance.
- Dozen Bets: Dozen bets are possible on 3 sections of 12 numbers. For example, numbers 1 to 12, 13 to 24, and 25 to 36. Dozen bets have a 2:1 payout. European roulette has 32.4% odds on this landing, while American roulette has a 31.6%.
- Even Money Bets: Even money bets are possible for red or black numbers, high or low, and odd or even. These bets offer a 1:1 payout. For example, European roulette has a 48.6% chance of these landing, while American roulette has a 47.4% chance.
Is Roulette The Worst Odds In The Casino?
Roulette has one of the worst odds in online casinos due to the high house edge. For example, betting on a single number has a 1 in 37 chance to land in European roulette and a 1 in 38 chance to land in American roulette, yet both pay out at 35:1 odds.
However, winning is never a guarantee, especially. Playing European roulette might offer better chances with its low 2.7% house edge, compared to the high house edge of 5.26% in American roulette, but it’s still a game of chance.
Is It Better To Play Blackjack or Roulette?
If you’re going by casino advantage, blackjack offers better odds than roulette with a lower house edge. However, many argue that roulette offers more than blackjack with the variety of bets available and the novelty of the wheel and ball. But, with a house edge of 0.5%, blackjack offers slightly better odds.
Conclusion
Blackjack may seem statistically better than roulette, but ultimately, the player decides which game they want to play. They are very different games, with different bets and payouts available. However, knowing the odds may go a long way in helping you decide which game you want to play.
*All values (Bet Levels, Maximum Wins etc.) mentioned in relation to this game are subject to change at any time.