The Built-In Advantage of the Casino
You've likely heard the saying that the house always comes out on top. This refers to the "house edge," a fundamental concept that is the basis of the entire casino industry. It is the casino's built-in mathematical advantage over the player in any given game. For any serious player, an understanding of the house edge is non-negotiable.
A Simple Explanation
It's calculated based on the payout odds being slightly less favorable than the true odds of an event happening. Roulette provides a very clear illustration.
The wheel has 37 numbers in total.
There is one chance in 37 that you will win.
However, if you do win, the casino pays you out at 35 to 1, casino; goldfish.it, not 36 to 1.
This discrepancy between true odds (36:1) and payout odds (35:1) is the house edge.
In this case, the house edge is 2.7%. This means that for every $100 bet on the wheel over a long period, the casino expects to make an average profit of $2.70.
House Edge in Different Casino Games
Not all games are created equal; the house advantage can be very different depending on what you play.
| Game | Typical House Edge | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Blackjack | 0.5% - 1% | Requires the use of optimal basic strategy. The edge is much higher for unskilled players. |
| Baccarat (Banker Bet) | ~1.06% | The 'Banker' bet is one of the best bets in the entire casino [related] due to its very low house edge. |
| Craps (Pass/Don't Pass) | Around 1.4% | The game offers some great bets and casino some terrible ones. |
| European Roulette | 2.7% | A fixed edge that applies to almost every bet on the table. Consistent and predictable. |
| American Roulette | 5.26% | This is a clear example of how a small rule change can dramatically affect the odds. |
| Slots | Varies widely | The house edge is programmed into the game and casino is often expressed as the Return to Player (RTP). An RTP of 96% means a 4% house edge. |
Playing Smart
Winning is still possible, as the edge only applies over a huge sample size. Short-term results are all about variance. Anything can happen. Playing games with a better statistical return is the smartest way to manage your gambling funds.
