Worst casino bets
Every game has a bet the casino hopes you will make. These are they.
By Ryan Jessop. Last checked .
Key takeaways
- Worst: Sic Bo triples, craps any seven.
- Baccarat tie: about 14%.
- Insurance: about 7%.
- Each has a cheap alternative on the same table.
AnswerThe worst common casino bets are Sic Bo triples, craps' any seven and the baccarat tie, each costing 14% or more. All sit on tables that also offer a bet under 3%.
Ranked on: House edge, highest first, among bets commonly offered.
The ranking
- House edgeAbout 16%
Sic Bo: specific triple
Pays 180 to 1.
- House edge16.67%
Craps: any seven
Pays 4 to 1.
- House edgeAbout 14%
Baccarat: tie
Pays 8 to 1.
- House edge5% to 15%
Scratch cards
Fixed prize table.
- House edgeAbout 10%
Baccarat: pair bets
Pay 11 to 1.
- House edge7.89%
American roulette: five-number bet
Pays 6 to 1.
- House edgeAbout 7%
Blackjack: insurance
Pays 2 to 1.
- House edgeAbout 7%
Three Card Poker: pair plus
Up to 40 to 1.
- House edge5.26%
American roulette: any bet
Standard payouts.
What to bet instead
| Instead of | Bet | Edge falls to |
|---|---|---|
| Sic Bo triples | Small or big | 2.78% |
| Craps: any seven | Pass line | 1.41% |
| Baccarat: tie | Banker | 1.06% |
| American roulette | A single-zero wheel | 2.70% |
| Insurance | Nothing | 0.5% on the main hand |
Why bad bets pay well
Long odds look generous and hide a large margin. As a rule, the bigger the payout on a table game, the bigger the edge behind it.
More rankings: Steadiest casino games, Best odds casino games and Best casino games for beginners.
Games and casinos: Blackjack UK, Slots UK, Ladbrokes Casino games review and Best live casino games.
Reading this ranking
The pattern is consistent enough to use as a rule. On any table, bets that pay more than about ten to one are funding the house at several times the rate of the plain bets beside them. They exist because a long-odds win is memorable and the cost is invisible. Side bets follow the same logic: they sit next to a cheap main game and carry a far larger margin.
Others worth knowing
Keno, where offered, commonly carries an edge of 20% or more. Progressive side bets on table games are often worse than they look until the jackpot is very large. Lottery-style draws inside casinos are priced like lotteries.
Go further: Slots vs roulette, Casino games for small budgets and No commission baccarat UK.
House edges and RTPs are standard published figures for common rules, and are long-run averages. Offer terms dated 5 October 2026. How we check. 18+. Free help: 0808 8020 133 or safer gambling.
Frequently asked questions
What is the worst bet in a casino?
Among common bets, Sic Bo triples and craps' any seven.
Is the baccarat tie bad?
Yes: about 14%.
Is insurance bad?
Yes: about 7%.
Are side bets bad?
Usually.