Believe it or not, there are hundreds of casino games. If you can bet on it, it’s a casino game somewhere. A whole crowd of them assaults you every time you walk in a casino door. A few specific games, though, catch on with the majority of players. Excitement, game play, payback—all of these draw people in or drive them away.
So, which games in this crowd stand out? We’ve done the research for you to compile the list of the most popular casino games.
1. Slots
By any measure, slot machines head the popularity list. Almost HALF of all casino players (49% to be exact) rank slots as their favorite casino game, which is more than triple the percentage of the closest competitor. A jaw-dropping 58% of casino revenue comes from slots alone.
It’s easy to figure out why:
What’s to lose? Well, money.
Of the seven most popular casino games, slots have the highest house edge, somewhere between 5% and 10%. Still, if you find a machine with the right payout structure, the entertainment value of slots is easily worth the cost. Add in comps and bonuses, and there’s a reasonable chance you’ll come out ahead!
2. Blackjack
Around 15% of casino-goers rank blackjack as their favorite casino game, making it by far the most popular casino table game. Why?
Blackjack is also a game of skill—a skill that can be mastered by memorizing a hand-by-hand strategy. Playing with a strategy reduces the house edge enough to make the game profitable if you factor in bonuses and comps.
However, blackjack’s simplicity is the downfall of many players. Thinking winning will come easy is a sure-fire way to lose money. If you’re going to sit at a blackjack table, prepare yourself:
3.Poker
Six percent (6%) of players rank poker as their favorite casino game. There are many versions of the game. The most popular versions are:
When survey-takers say poker is their favorite game, they usually mean one of these lower-skill versions.That being said, every version of poker involves some level of skill. Players must be good at knowing poker hands and their probability, even if they’re playing alone and not against other people.
Just like any multiplayer game, you should not go near a low-skill poker game until you’ve mastered an appropriate hand-by-hand strategy
4.Roulette
Close to poker in popularity is roulette, the game of choice of 5% of casino game players. Roulette offers excitement and fast game play. The opportunity for a big payout, as high as 36 to 1, makes the game a destination for players looking for an adrenaline rush.
It’s also a game of pure chance and requires no skill. Place a bet and you’re done. Be warned, however. The house edge in roulette is high – a whopping 5%. While skill is not a factor, learning roulette betting strategies can help you take a chunk out of that house edge.
5. Video Poker
Coming in at 5th popularity is video poker, preferred by 5% of casino players. When you consider video poker’s benefits, it’s surprising that it’s not higher on the list (though it is growing in popularity).
Video poker is a standard five-card-draw poker game. The player’s only goal is to form the best five-card poker hand. While luck is involved, video poker rewards players who consistently use a hand-by-hand strategy optimized for the payouts specific to that machine.
So do your homework. Find the machines with payouts that produce the lowest house edge. Then go online and find a hand-by-hand strategy for the machine you’re using. If you are entertained by winning money, then video poker is hands down the most entertaining casino game you’ll find
6. The Final Two Most Popular Casino Games
Rounding out the top seven most popular casino games are craps (4%) and sports book betting (2%).
Like roulette, craps is a game of pure chance. However, it’s not an easy game to learn. The rules can be confusing and the outcomes hard to sort out. As a result, betting in craps involves knowledge and skill.
Similarly, betting on sports takes significant knowledge to do right. Unlike most casino games, sports betting involves a very slow turnaround—sometimes days. So why are sport books so popular?
Keep in mind, though, that you must deposit money to join an online sports book, so that money can be tied up for quite some time.
Slot machines dominate casino floors, favored by 49% of players, primarily due to their simplicity, fast gameplay, and no skill requirement. Even first-time visitors find slots engaging due to their exciting graphics and frequent payouts. Despite a higher house edge of 5% to 10%, the entertainment value, combined with comps and bonuses, often makes playing slots worthwhile.
The most played table game at casinos is blackjack, with about 15% of players choosing it. Its popularity is driven by the ease of learning, simple betting, and the swift pace of gameplay that delivers wins at regular intervals. Moreover, blackjack is a skill-based game where strategic play can significantly reduce the house edge, making it profitable when combined with bonuses and comps.
Poker, particularly versions like 3-card Poker, Caribbean Stud, Pai Gow, and Texas Hold 'em, is favored by 6% of casino players. It requires an understanding of poker hands and their probabilities. Mastering a hand-by-hand strategy is crucial, especially in low-skill games where knowing the odds and playing strategically can greatly enhance winning chances.
Roulette, preferred by 5% of casino goers, offers high-speed gameplay and the thrill of potential big payouts, with odds as high as 36 to 1. It's a game of chance with no skill involved and a significant house edge of about 5%. However, learning specific betting strategies can help mitigate some house advantages.
Video poker is unique among casino games as it offers a chance to beat the house and makes it probable for skilled players. With some machines presenting a negative house edge, the game rewards players using effective hand-by-hand strategies tailored to specific payout structures. It's growing in popularity due to its blend of skill and potential profitability.
Craps and sports betting, though less popular with 4% and 2% of players respectively, offer unique attractions. Craps is a complex game of chance requiring an understanding of its intricate rules and betting strategies. Conversely, though, sports betting mixes the thrill of sports with the analytical challenge of betting, requiring deep knowledge of the sport and patience due to its slow turnaround.
Your guide to the best pokie games. Latest Pokie Tournaments, Jackpots and Promotions.