How to win at the Casino with $20

Walking into a casino (or firing up Joe Fortune on your phone) with just $20 might sound like you’re not getting very far. But the truth is, a clever player with patience, discipline, and a bit of strategy can turn that small note into a decent session and maybe even walk away with a tidy little profit.

Winning big with $20 isn’t guaranteed, of course. But stretching that twenty, making smart decisions, and putting yourself in the best position to win? That’s absolutely within reach. Let’s walk through the smartest ways to make the most of a tiny bankroll, the games that give you the best chance of winning, and the mindset that helps you enjoy the experience rather than burning through your cash in minutes.

Low stakes strategies to make your buck last longer

The first and most important goal when playing with $20 is simple: make it last. With a small stake, your biggest enemy isn’t bad luck, it’s high-risk decisions. When you place big bets, even a short cold streak wipes you out instantly. Smaller bets mean you can survive unlucky patches and still have a shot at turning things around when the cards or reels swing your way.

A few low-stakes strategies include:

Avoiding games with high minimum bets
Sticking to wagers under 5% of your bankroll (so about $1 bets)
Choosing games where you get lots of playtime for your money
Playing slowly, not hammering the spin button or betting too quickly
Focusing on games with lower house edges

You’re not chasing a jackpot here, you’re trying to play smart, stay in the game, and let opportunity come to you.

A 3D illustration of a hand holding a green yo-yo labeled “RTP” in front of a bright yellow arch on a bright green background.

Know the RTP

No matter what amount you’re playing with $20 or $2,000 the Return to Player (RTP) percentage is one of the biggest factors affecting your chances of walking away ahead. RTP is a long-term percentage that shows how much money a game returns to players on average. For example:

A pokie with 96% RTP returns $96 for every $100 wagered over millions of spins.
A game with 94% RTP returns $94 per $100.

In practical terms, higher RTP means better value for your $20 and lower losses over time.

Choose games like blackjack, video poker, craps, or baccarat. Some casino games naturally offer much higher RTP (and lower house edge) than others. These are the best picks when you’re working with a small bankroll.

Blackjack. When played with basic strategy, blackjack has a house edge often below 1%, making it one of the best value games in the casino.

Video Poker. Many variations (like Jacks or Better) can have RTP above 99% when played correctly.

Craps. The “Pass Line” and “Don’t Pass” bets offer fantastic odds for players who prefer table games.

Baccarat. Simple, low-risk, and perfect for stretching $20 as long as possible. Betting the “Banker” gives the best RTP.

If you’re sticking with pokies at Joe Fortune, look for games boasting RTP values of 95% or higher. That doesn’t guarantee wins but it gives your money a fighting chance.

Know the payouts and odds of different types of bets

Understanding how bets work is one of the most underrated skills in any casino.

Here’s the thing, two different bets might look equally exciting, but one could be two or three times worse for your bankroll.

For example, in roulette:

Betting red/black gives you close to a 50/50 chance.
Betting a single number has a tiny chance of winning.

In blackjack:

Sticking to basic strategy gives you great odds.
Going wild with hunch-based decisions increases the house edge dramatically.

When you’re playing with $20, you can’t afford to take unnecessary risks. You want bets with:

Low house edge
Frequent payouts
Predictable risk

This is how you turn small bets into long sessions and long sessions are how the wins happen.

A 3D illustration of a hand holding a gold coin between its fingers against a green arch on a bright yellow background.

Place the minimum bet size possible

You might feel tempted to “go big or go home” with a $5 or $10 bet to kick off your session. But with a $20 bankroll, one or two large bets can end your night before it even starts. Minimum bets are your best friend. At Joe Fortune many pokies let you adjust your wager down to small amounts, even 25 cents or 50 cents. Table games often allow low minimums as well, especially in digital versions. By placing minimum bets:

You survive longer
You play through more cycles
You give yourself more chances to hit that lucky run
You maintain control instead of letting emotion dictate your bets

The longer you stay alive, the more likely you are to catch a winning streak or a hot bonus feature.

Leave out the side bets

Side bets might look exciting; big multipliers, huge potential payouts, flashy graphics but most of them come with terrible odds. They’re designed to be tempting, not practical. Some examples:

Blackjack side bets like Perfect Pairs or 21+3
Baccarat side bets like Dragon/Tiger
Craps bets like hardways or proposition bets
Pokie “double-or-nothing” gambles

When you have a small bankroll, you simply can’t afford to take chances on these high-risk options. If your goal is to make your $20 last and stay in the best possible position to win, skip every side bet you see. Stick to the main game; it always has better odds.

Choose a slower paced game

Some games burn through money faster than a jet ski on the Brisbane River. Others give you plenty of breathing room and stretch your bankroll nicely. A slower-paced game is perfect when you’re trying to win with $20. Good choices include:

Pai Gow Poker

This is one of the slowest games in the casino. Lots of pushes (ties), low volatility, and a relaxed pace mean your $20 lasts far longer than in most games.

Craps

Yes, craps is wild and loud, but betting on the safer lines can last surprisingly long. If you play slowly, you can stretch your twenty easily.

Blackjack

A steady pace, low volatility, and small consistent wins help your bankroll stay alive. Even in pokies, slower-playing games with fewer animations and bonus triggers can reduce how quickly your balance drops. The more time you spend between bets, the more value you squeeze out of your $20.

A 3D illustration of a person in a suit carrying a large yellow money bag with a dollar sign, walking through an open door from a dark brick room into a bright outdoor landscape.

Know when to cash out

One of the biggest mistakes small-bankroll players make is failing to recognise a good time to walk away. With $20, you don’t have the luxury of giving winnings back. A few smart cash-out rules:

If you double your money, cash out
If you hit a rare bonus round, consider stopping afterward
If you reach your session target, bank the win
If you fall below $5, reassess your bets before continuing

Winning with $20 isn’t always about hitting huge payouts sometimes, a clean $20 to $50 run is a big success.

Focus on enjoyment over winning

This might sound strange in an article about winning, but it’s the most important tip of all. When your bankroll is small, your main goal should be to enjoy the experience and if a win comes along the way, consider it a bonus.

Chasing big winnings with a tiny bankroll often leads to frustration. But approaching the casino with the mindset of:

Getting good value
Stretching your playtime
Having fun
Making smart decisions
Staying in control

…will give you a much better experience overall, and ironically, better results too. Keep the mood light, play smart, and remember the goal here at Joe Fortune is entertainment first.