If you’ve come to Las Vegas casinos to gamble, you might be wondering what games offer the best odds for winning. This question can be a complicated one, as it has much to do with the individual’s talent level and knowledge of any game. In simple terms the best gambling games in Vegas can be split into two categories: professional odds, and chance odds.

Professional odds games include poker (not including video machines) and blackjack. Both games largely factor in the talent of the player at the table. In a game of blackjack, most casinos have no rake (a percentage of that hand that is taken directly by the casino), and so players are competing directly with the dealer. Those who know the rules of blackjack and have the discipline to bet intelligently should never leave without at least breaking even. To improve the odds of a game, look for single deck tables.

Table poker includes a casino rake, as it is the only way the establishment makes money on the game. Experienced players still tend to win significantly while playing at a table. Poker is arguably the most skill-required game in-house, and players will win to the degree that they know how to play their cards. Professionals fold upwards of 80% of their hands, and anyone who follows that smart lead should do well. Chasers and bluffers lose money. The turnover at the table will prevent smart players from being affected by the rake, as fresh money is coming in all the time. Poker games are a good way to gradually accumulate cash, and newer players should seek lower stakes tables—1/2 no-limit, or 2/4 no-limit for a more thrilling edge.

Chance odds games are the most popular casino draws. These games include video poker, slot machines, keno, craps, roulette, and more. Among games of chance, playing Keno is the worst choice. The casino keeps a minimum of 25% on bets. By contrast, craps, the best odds in the house, keeps only .08% of its table. Most slot machines range between these two odds at around 2-7%.

Smart players who enjoy games of chance should spend the majority of their time learning the craps table and enjoying the occasional Roulette wheel. By reading some literature on these games, even the greenest players can leave the casino with small- to medium-sized winnings. Strategy figures highly in craps and roulette, even though both are still specifically chance-geared games. Never enter the casino without a defined “acceptable loss,” never play past that predetermined amount, and you’ll have a great deal of fun in Las Vegas casinos.