Everyone who has ever visited an online casino has wondered: is it really possible to earn real money playing poker or other games? Most people view gambling solely as entertainment and a way to test their luck. However, there is a category of users who approach their hobby strategically and want to make a steady profit from it. This is where the dilemma arises: choose poker, where you have to compete with the system or other participants, or stick with classic, most profitable casino games, where the project always has a certain advantage.
The main difference between poker and other forms of entertainment is that you are not competing with the casino system, but with other users of the pokerlistings.com website. The project itself receives a commission (rake), but does not directly influence the outcome of the hands. In roulette, slots, or baccarat, the situation is completely different: the project always has a mathematical advantage called the house edge.
That is why many professionals choose online poker as a long-term source of income. Other games are more suitable for short-term entertainment. In this article, we will look at the key differences between poker and other games, study the mathematics of winnings, general principles of bankroll management, and the main risk factors.
The Key Difference – Skill vs House Edge
In poker, not only luck but also skill plays a key role. Of course, chance affects the outcome of a single hand, but in the long run, the winner is the one who better understands the mathematics of the game, knows how to read opponents, and apply strategy.
The main components of success in poker are knowledge of probabilities and combinations, the ability to use positions and hand ranges, control of emotions, and psychological work.
In roulette, slots, baccarat, and other games, however, the house edge principle applies—the casino's mathematical advantage over users. This term refers to the percentage that the casino team expects to receive in the long run from each player's bet.
Let's look at the approximate house edge figures for popular activities to compare poker vs casino games:
| Game | House Edge | Features |
|---|---|---|
| European roulette | 2.7% | Single zero, which gives better chances of winning |
| American roulette | 5.26% | Two zeros, giving the casino a greater advantage |
| Blackjack | 0.5–1% | One of the most profitable games |
| Baccarat | 1.06% | The best choice for frequent wins |
| Slots | 4–10% | High variance, random results |
It is clear that with poker profitability, you can create a long-term advantage unlike other games.
Poker as a Long-Term +EV Game
The term EV (expected value) in casino games refers to the “expected mathematical value.” If a player's strategy yields a positive result over time, it is referred to as a +EV game.
Professional poker players win thanks to strict bankroll management, the use of mathematical models (e.g., calculating pot odds and implied odds), understanding the poker edge over the house, analyzing hands using software and databases, and continuous learning.
It is also important to understand what the metrics Winrate and long-term ROI in poker mean:
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Winrate is the average winnings of a player per 100 hands, which is usually measured in big blinds;
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ROI (Return on Investment) is an indicator of return on investment that is relevant for tournaments.
For example, if an amateur plays with a win rate of -5 bb/100, they will inevitably lose money in the long run. A professional with a winrate of +7 bb/100 will earn consistently, especially when playing large volumes.
This difference is especially noticeable over time. Anyone can win a single tournament, but after thousands of hands, only those who play better will win. For example, in one variation of poker variance, an amateur will lose $200 over 10,000 hands, while a professional will earn $500-1000 over the same number of hands.
How Other Casino Games Compare
Let's consider the features of other games:
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Blackjack – many users consider this game to be the most honest and transparent, since with the right basic strategy, the house edge is reduced to 0.5%;
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Slots – the casino game RTP (Return to Player) indicator usually varies from 90% to 96% and is accompanied by high dispersion, which can result in a large win with a small probability;
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Baccarat – betting on the banker is the best choice for creating an advantage, with a house edge of about 1.06%;
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Craps – some bets have a low house edge (about 1.4%), but most novice users choose less profitable options.
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Video Poker – depending on the rules, the RTP can reach 99.5%, which is quite close to the advantages of poker game, but you will still depend on chance.
Not all online casino games offer the same advantages and chances of profit as poker.
Risk and Bankroll Management Across Games
The ability to competently distribute your available budget within a gaming session is the key to success in any game. Let's look at the main features of this strategy, applicable to different categories of entertainment, comparing blackjack vs poker or slots vs poker.
Poker
Successful poker players strictly control their bankroll. For example, for cash games, it is recommended to have a minimum of 20-30 buy-ins, and for tournaments, 100 buy-ins. This reduces the risk of complete bankruptcy. However, poker is characterized by a phenomenon known as tilt, an emotional state in which the user makes irrational decisions.
Other Casino Games
In slots or roulette, bankroll management is practically ineffective. Even with perfect discipline, the user risks losing in the long run due to the disadvantages of player skill vs house edge. The influence of emotions also creates even higher risks: impulsive bets after losses lead to a complete loss of the deposit.
Using Trusted Resources to Learn Poker
To win at poker, you need to constantly learn and test new strategies. A strong theoretical foundation and constant practice allow you to increase your win rate and achieve a stable income.
We recommend that you regularly study:
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Basic and advanced strategies from experienced experts;
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Probability mathematics with calculations for different combinations;
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The psychology of the game and emotion control skills;
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Key principles of bankroll management;
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Analysis of professional hands.
Many of these useful materials are available to regular readers of the specialized website Pokerlistings, which contains educational articles, step-by-step guides, and comparisons of strategies for different formats (cash, tournaments, Sit&Go). You can also calculate the results for different combinations using probability calculators. But remember that their results are relative and may not always reflect the real picture at the table.
An approach that combines knowledge with continuous learning and skill development allows you to turn poker from a regular pastime into a +EV activity with probable profits.
Conclusion – Where Is the Real Profit?
It is impossible to say unequivocally which form of entertainment is best suited to a particular gambling enthusiast. But we can clearly distinguish between them thanks to one key difference: in poker, you can create a stable advantage through skill, while in casino games, the project team always receives a guaranteed percentage of each participant's bet.
So where is the real profit? Slots or the European version of roulette are suitable for entertainment and occasional big wins. For a stable income and skill development, it is better to choose only poker. Today, it is the only game of chance where a participant can count on long-term profits with a sufficient level of skill.
However, behind every successful case there is preparation and strategy, based on maintaining discipline, the ability to manage your bankroll competently, and constant self-education.
But remember that you can always resort to classic casino games when you perceive the process as entertainment rather than a source of income.