Not all live casino games are created equal. Blackjack with basic strategy gives the house under 0.5%. Some live game show variants give them over 10%. Here's the full ranking.
The house always wins in the long run - that's the mathematical reality of casino gambling. But "the long run" can be very different depending on which game you play. Here are live casino games ranked by house edge from lowest to highest.
Blackjack with Basic Strategy: ~0.5%
Blackjack with perfect basic strategy is the lowest house edge game in any casino. Basic strategy is a mathematically derived set of decisions (hit, stand, double, split) based on your cards and the dealer's upcard. It's available on any strategy chart - memorise it and you reduce the house edge to around 0.5%. Live blackjack tables are ideal because you can have a chart open beside you.
Baccarat (Banker bet): 1.06%
Baccarat is entirely luck-based - no decisions to make - but the Banker bet carries just 1.06% house edge after the 5% commission. Always bet Banker, never bet Tie (house edge: 14.4%).
European Roulette: 2.7%
European roulette has a single zero, giving the house 2.7%. American roulette has a double zero, pushing the edge to 5.26%. Never play American roulette if European is available.
Three Card Poker (Ante/Play): ~3.4%
Three card poker with optimal strategy (play all hands of Q-6-4 or better, fold everything else) gives the house around 3.4%. The Pair Plus side bet runs at 7.3% - avoid it.
Live Game Shows (Crazy Time, Monopoly): 3–10%+
Live game shows like Crazy Time, Monopoly Live, and Deal or No Deal are built for entertainment, not odds. The top multiplier bets carry house edges above 10%. These are fine for occasional fun, but don't treat them as a strategy for winning.
The Practical Takeaway
If your goal is to play as long as possible with a fixed budget, blackjack or baccarat are the clear choices. If you want big wins from small stakes, game shows offer higher variance - but the maths works heavily against you over time.
