Protect your bankroll by knowing these 5 Terrible Casino Games to Skip Always. From Keno to American Roulette, these games offer the worst odds in the casino!
Why You Should Know These 5 Terrible Casino Games to Skip Always
When hitting the casino floor or logging into your favorite online gambling site, not all games are created equal. In fact, some are downright terrible for your bankroll. These 5 Terrible Casino Games to Skip Always can drain your funds faster than you can say “bust.” While casinos are designed to give the house an edge, some games take this advantage to extreme levels, offering terrible odds that even the luckiest players struggle to overcome. Whether you’re a casino veteran or planning your first gambling adventure, knowing which games to avoid is just as important as knowing which ones to play. This guide to the 5 Terrible Casino Games to Skip Always will help you make smarter decisions with your gambling budget and increase your chances of walking away a winner. Let’s dive into the worst offenders and explore why they deserve a permanent spot on your “do not play” list.
1. Keno: The Bankroll Killer
Topping our list of 5 Terrible Casino Games to Skip Always is Keno, a lottery-style game that offers some of the worst odds in any casino. With a house edge ranging from 20% to a staggering 35%, Keno practically guarantees player losses over time. For comparison, games like blackjack or baccarat offer house edges below 1.5% when played optimally.
In Keno, players select numbers, typically between 1 and 80, hoping their choices match the randomly drawn numbers. While the potential payouts look impressive on paper, the probability of hitting enough numbers to secure a significant win is astronomically low. According to Casino.org, the odds of hitting all 20 numbers on a 20-spot ticket are roughly 1 in 3.5 quintillion—making it virtually impossible.
Despite its poor odds, Keno remains popular because it’s easy to understand and requires minimal concentration. The slow pace and low minimum bets create an illusion of harmless entertainment, but don’t be fooled—this game will steadily erode your bankroll like few others.
2. Big Six Wheel: 5 Terrible Casino Games Star Attraction
The Big Six Wheel (also called Wheel of Fortune) earns its place among the 5 Terrible Casino Games to Skip Always due to its flashy appearance but abysmal odds. This carnival-style wheel attracts attention with its bright colors and simple betting structure, but it hides one of the highest house edges on the casino floor—between 11% and 24% depending on the specific bet.
The game involves a large vertical wheel divided into segments containing dollar amounts or symbols. Players bet on which segment the wheel will stop at after a spin. The lowest house edge (11.1%) comes from betting on the $1 symbol, while specialty symbols like jokers or the casino logo can push the house advantage above 24%.
What makes Big Six truly deserving of its spot on our 5 Terrible Casino Games to Skip Always list is how much faster it drains your bankroll compared to almost any other casino offering. The rapid pace means you can easily make 15-20 bets in the same time it would take to play a few hands of blackjack, multiplying your expected losses dramatically.
3. Slot Machines with Low RTP
Not all slot machines are created equal, and those with low Return to Player (RTP) percentages have earned their spot among the 5 Terrible Casino Games to Skip Always. While some premium online slots offer RTPs above 96%, many physical casino slots—especially those in airports, convenience stores, and tourist destinations—may have RTPs as low as 75%.
What makes low-RTP slots particularly dangerous is the lack of transparency. Unlike table games where the rules clearly indicate the odds, slot machines rarely advertise their RTP percentages on the machine itself. This information asymmetry benefits the casino while players pump money into games that are mathematically designed to keep a large portion of every dollar wagered.
Adding to the problem is the rapid pace of play. Modern slot machines can facilitate hundreds of bets per hour, meaning even a seemingly small house advantage gets magnified through volume. If you absolutely must play slots, research games with confirmed high RTP percentages (96% or above) and avoid the “looser looking” machines strategically placed in high-visibility areas.
4. Casino War: Childhood Nostalgia Gone Wrong
The simplest card game on our 5 Terrible Casino Games to Skip Always list is Casino War, a game that exploits childhood nostalgia while hiding a surprisingly large house edge. Based on the children’s card game “War,” this casino variant pits the player against the dealer in a battle of high card wins.
What makes Casino War particularly insidious is its apparent simplicity and familiarity. Many players underestimate the 2.9% house edge on the main bet, which is substantially higher than many other card games. The real trap comes with the “tie” bet option, which carries a massive 18.5% house edge—one of the worst bets available in any card game.
Casino War belongs on the 5 Terrible Casino Games to Skip Always list because it combines poor odds with rapid play. Each hand takes just seconds to complete, resulting in more decisions per hour than almost any other table game. This combination of bad odds and fast pace creates a perfect storm for your bankroll.
5. American Roulette: The Double-Zero Trap
Completing our 5 Terrible Casino Games to Skip Always is American Roulette—or more specifically, any roulette variant with a double-zero wheel. While roulette itself isn’t inherently terrible, the American version carries a 5.26% house edge compared to European Single-Zero Roulette’s 2.7%, nearly doubling the casino’s advantage.
This significant difference stems from the addition of the “00” slot on the American wheel. This seemingly small change has a dramatic impact on the odds, making American Roulette a substantially worse bet than its European counterpart. What’s particularly deceptive is that both games look identical to casual players who may not realize they’re choosing the worse option.
Many casinos, especially in Las Vegas and Atlantic City, prominently feature American double-zero wheels while relegating the better European version (if they offer it at all) to high-limit areas. Always seek out European Single-Zero Roulette if you want to play this classic game, and avoid American Roulette entirely.
Conclusion: Better Alternatives to the 5 Terrible Casino Games to Skip Always
Now that you know the 5 Terrible Casino Games to Skip Always, you might be wondering what you should play instead. Here are some better alternatives:
- Instead of Keno, try Video Poker, which often offers house edges below 1% with optimal play
- Skip the Big Six Wheel in favor of Craps, where the Pass Line bet has a house edge of just 1.41%
- Rather than low-RTP slots, look for games with published high RTPs or try Blackjack with its house edge as low as 0.5% using basic strategy
- Instead of Casino War, play Baccarat, which has a house edge of just 1.06% on Banker bets
- Always choose European Single-Zero Roulette over American Roulette if you enjoy the spinning wheel
Remember, the key to extending your gambling entertainment isn’t just knowing the 5 Terrible Casino Games to Skip Always—it’s also about embracing games that give you a fighting chance. By avoiding these bankroll-draining games and focusing on those with better odds, you’ll not only play longer but also significantly increase your chances of leaving the casino with money in your pocket.
