Best Casino Games that Require No Skill

Simple casino games that are easy on the brain.

If I had to divide the world’s sea of gamblers into just two categories, I’d have to classify them as those who like a good mental challenge, and those who do not. If mental fortitude is one of your strong points, odds are you’ll enjoy thought-provoking games that give you a better shot of winning for applying a proper strategy. If not, then you’re probably just in it for stress-free relaxation and entertainment value. And if that’s the case, you’ve come to the right place.

Earlier this week, we talked about casino games that require skill to maximize odds of winning. As promised, today’s topic will cover the opposing regimen of games. These titles present absolutely no mental challenge to play. There is no strategy to apply that will increase the theoretical return to player (RTP). Winning these games requires nothing more than dumb luck.

Simple Casino Games that Require No Skill

The following is a collection of easy casino games, best suited for players who enjoy them for their simplicity. If your the type who plays to shed the stress of a long day or work week, these are the games for you. I’ve listed them in order of ascending RTP; theoretically highest paying to lowest.

Baccarat

Isn’t baccarat the cosmopolitan of gambling games? Is it not the prime choice of James Bond and every other cultivated high-roller in the casino? You would assume it requires erudite skill to master. In reality, it’s the simplest game of all, requiring no thought or awareness beyond placing a bet. As for where to place that bet, the Banker has the best odds of winning with a 98.94% RTP, even with the 5% commission applied to all wins. The Player hand pays 1 to 1, but its RTP comes in slightly lower at 98.76%.

Roulette

Everyone knows this game. Pick a number or selection of numbers and cross your fingers! It really is that easy. Getting the best RTP is a matter of finding the right rules. The best are found in French Roulette, where all even-money bets (red, black, high, low, odd, even) have a 98.65% RTP. All other bets come in at 97.3%, matching the full spectrum of wagers in European Roulette. Just stay away from the double-zero American Roulette tables, where you’ll only get a 94.74% RTP at best, 92.11% at worst.

Craps

Craps is probably the most misconceived game in the casino. Everyone believes the rules are so complex, they never bother to learn them. I won’t argue that point – there are some convoluted bets in the mix. However, the simplest bets are the ones with the best odds of winning, and if you stick to these, you will naturally learn the rest of the game as you go. Betting against the shooter on the Don’t Pass Line comes with the highest RTP of 98.64%. It also comes with very nasty looks, so don’t do it unless you’re playing at an online casino. In a physical casino, bet with the shooter on the Pass Line; RTP 98.59%. If you enjoy the game, take the time to learn about placing odds to bring the edge down even lower. It’s not a strategy – just a smart bet.

Casino War

If you played card games as a child, you surely remember playing War with your friends or siblings. This is the exact same game. Each player flips a card, and the higher card wins. In this version, the casino gains the advantage when there’s a tie. Players must wager a second bet to “go to war”, or forfeit half of the original bet to surrender. But going to war means the original bet will push. Thus the casino gains its edge, resulting in an RTP of 97.72%.

Slot Machines

You knew these were going to pop up on here at some point, right? Those dastardly (but oh so entertaining!) one-armed bandits are still among the easiest games to play. Depending on where you enjoy them, the RTP could be decent, or really bad. Most of today’s online slots come with a standard RTP of about 95-97%. Play at a land-based casino, and you could be facing an RTP as low as 88-92%.

Big Six Wheel

This game gains its name from the fact that there are 6 different numbers on the wheel to wager on. The higher the number, the less it appears on the wheel, but the more it pays for a correct pick. Unfortunately, the odds increase faster than the payouts. The best you’ll get is an 11.11% RTP betting on the $1.

Keno

Like Big Six, Keno is one of the easiest casino games to play, but even more terrible on the pocket book. It’s the worst game most casinos have to offer. Selecting a single number that only pays 2 to 1 for a win comes with a 75% RTP (house edge 25%), and it only gets worse from there.