7 Low-Volatility Casino Games for Avoiding Sudden, Major Losses

Winning is the primary objective for the majority of people that walk into a casino. Or, perhaps, breaking even or losing only a few bucks.

Sadly, sometimes the house edge kills those hopes pretty quickly. Still, if you stick to casino games with low volatility, you can win enough incremental gains to eventually put you on the winning side.

However, playing the most suitable games can be challenging for several reasons. You’ll need to look in places you may not immediately think, and it’ll take a little educated guessing.

If you’re determined to start winning in the casino, you’ll need to learn advantage gambling techniques. The seven low-volatility games outlined below will help you avoid major losses – and pick up some steady wins along the way.

How Does Volatility Affect You?

First of all, let’s clarify: What does volatility mean in casino terms?

Volatility refers to the manner in which games pay players relative to the house edge. A game with high volatility will award players with sparse wins of more considerable size.

For example, a slot machine with high volatility may load up its return-to-player (RTP) percentage with large jackpots or big wins. Players won’t get the thrill of consistently winning, but it’s typically a bigger payout when they do.

Low-volatility casino games pay players at a much steadier pace with small incremental wins. Sometimes these may even be losses disguised as wins.

Finding games with low volatility can do wonders for your casino gambling bankroll. The games will keep you close to the black by paying out small wins to offset the losses.

Eventually, the mathematical advantage will slide in the casino’s favor. So, you’ll still lose, given a long enough stretch.

However, you’ll stand to lose less during short sessions. Occasionally, you’ll even walk out of the casino a winner.

7 Low-Volatility Casino Games

This is more than just a list of the most profitable casino games. It’s also a guide to consistent results.

The low-volatility games we recommend are:

3 to 2 Blackjack

Blackjack is the antidote to volatility in gambling.

Blackjack is one of the world’s best games because it combines a couple of my favorite elements. That being strategy and a low casino advantage.

Blackjack’s house edge is below 2%, already making it one of the best games in the casino for the player. When players use the basic blackjack strategy, the house edge can be cut to as little as 0.5% on the right table.

Having a house edge that’s so diminished essentially turns blackjack into a coin toss. You may not win every trip, but you’re guaranteed to lose much less than many other games.

It’s vital that you play the tables that pay 3 to 2 for a natural blackjack. The 6:5 games will have roughly the same volatility, but you’ll be winning significantly less for a natural. If you’re learning how to play blackjack online, check the site’s rules for each variation if offers.

Savvy casino gamblers around the globe flock to blackjack tables for the slow draw the game has on their bankroll. Plus, they understand how they can influence probabilities and win more casino games in the long run. This all allows them to squeeze the most from their bankroll and gamble for longer.

Sports Betting

Most players don’t immediately think of sports betting when it comes to low volatility in gambling. They assume that because making a sustained profit sports betting is challenging, the volatility must be off the charts.

I disagree, and I’ll tell you why. With any gambling game of skill, volatility goes out the window in many regards.

A sharp sports bettor is only accounting for volatility as it pertains to the line. Since every contest is a unique endeavor with its own variables, the volatility is that you either win or lose.

Skilled advantage gamblers are already winning above 53%. So it’s moot. But what about the recreational gambler?

These bettors have a lot less to lose by only betting a small number of games. You can place one wager and enjoy the game live on TV right in the sportsbook, or at home if you gamble on sports betting websites.

Because the games take several hours to complete, your making fewer wagers. You only need to be right once to be a winner for the day.

Since you’re only making the one wager, you don’t stand to lose much when you’re wrong. Sports betting doesn’t fit the standard mold for low-volatility games, but you’ll have a chance to hold onto more of your money.

Craps

Craps is one of the most electric games in the casino. You’ll often find that the craps table is the liveliest place on the casino floor as players cheer the dice shooter. I pine for the day online craps games are available in live-dealer mode.

I’ve watched a lot of novice gamblers become lost at the craps table as they attempt to navigate through the game’s extensive selection of wagers and multi-roll hands.

Luckily, the two most straightforward craps bets are also the wagers that carry low volatility. The pass line and don’t pass line are the only wagers novice craps players need to know.

The pass line is betting with the shooter. So, when the shooter rolls a 7 or 11, you’re an instant winner. Otherwise, the shooter needs to make the point established on the come-out roll to win.

It’s effortless to follow; when the shooter wins, you win.

Each of the bets comes with an extremely inviting house edge. Since it sometimes takes several rolls to conclude the role, you’ll also play fewer hands per hour.

A game with a minute house edge of 1.46% (pass line) or below (1.36% don’t pass) means you’re going to win a lot of small bets either way. This ratio will sometimes make you a winner, but you’ll permanently lose less than other games.

Baccarat

Baccarat still isn’t seeing the love it deserves in the United States. The game is wildly popular in Macau, where the baccarat tables have replaced blackjack as the top casino game.

Even the slot machines can’t compete with the low house edge and pure luck element of baccarat. The trend is growing in the U.S., but still has a long way to go.

Baccarat is as close to a coin flip as you can get in the casino. The player and banker wagers each have an edge below 1.3%.

You could learn how to play baccarat online in a marathon session betting on the banker, and not see a terrible dent put in your chip stack. Even as a newcomer.

Single-Zero Roulette

Roulette gives players several opportunities to make even money wagers on a game where the casino doesn’t hold a considerable edge over players.

Players can stretch a bankroll much farther than you might anticipate by playing smart and sticking with only the even money bets.

The caveat is that you need to find a roulette wheel with a single zero. European roulette slashes the 5.4% casino edge of American or double-zero wheels.

These single-zero wheels are tough to find, but those learning how to play roulette online will have little trouble locating the low-volatility single-zero games.

Texas Hold’Em

Texas Hold’Em (aka casino hold’em games) is a low-volatility game in the same manner as sports betting. In fact, Texas Hold’Em is probably even better.

The game of poker requires skill to overcome your opponents, but you’ll also be folding away a ton of hands waiting for the right cards. In that way, poker leans toward a high-volatility game.

However, you’re really only losing anything when you fold away a blind or bet and are beaten. Most good players will win more hands than they lose in a standard cash game.

When you can get an opponent head to head, the volatility drops significantly. You’ll have a hard time going heads up in a casino game, but online real-money poker rooms are filled with 1-on-1 matches.

Find the games where you’ve got a skill advantage, and you’re virtually guaranteed to lose less in the casino.

Some Slot Machines

Slot machines are hit or miss when it comes to volatility. Some games will load wins up sporadically and award more significant wins. Some players will even tell you there are pros and cons to high-volatility slot machines.

In my experience, you’re best off sticking to low-volatility slots games where you earn incremental wins that keep your bankroll afloat. Locating these games may be tricky because casinos don’t tend to parade around the volatility logic of their games.

Online slots players are always happy to share their experiences with other players. Finding low-volatility slot machines can also be done right in the casino. Still, it requires patience and a ton of playing and observing.

Slots volatility can best be pinned down through online research before you head to the casino for the typical casino gambler.

If you’re looking for the ultimate low volatility games, online slot machines regularly payout over 99%. Many of these games will pay players slowly over time rather than throw a colossal payday to a few lucky players.

Finding Low-Volatility Casino Games

Getting the most bang from your casino buck is a must for having the most fun in a casino. These seven low-volatility gambling games will have you walking out a winner more often.

To learn more about online casino game variations and improving your RTP, see our strategy hub below: