You’ve likely heard the saying that the house always comes out on top. This saying describes the house edge, the core principle upon which all casinos operate. It is the casino’s built-in mathematical advantage over the player in any given game. Understanding it is crucial for any smart gambler.
The edge comes from the gap between a bet’s actual probability and the payout the casino gives for a winning bet. Let’s use a simple example from Roulette:
A European Roulette wheel has 37 pockets (numbers 1-36, plus a single 0).
The actual probability of your number coming up is 1/37.
However, if you do win, the casino pays you out at 35 to 1, not 36 to 1.
That small difference is where the casino gets its edge.
This results in a 2.7% house edge, meaning the casino will, on average, casino retain $2.70 of every $100 wagered.
Not all games are created equal; the house advantage can be very different depending on what you play.
Game | Typical House Edge | Notes |
---|---|---|
Blackjack | Less than 1% | This low edge is only achievable when playing with perfect basic strategy. Poor play can increase it significantly. |
Baccarat (Banker Bet) | ~1.06% | Betting on the Banker offers one of the lowest house advantages available in any casino game. |
Craps (Pass/Don’t Pass) | ~1.41% | The basic bets in Craps offer excellent odds. The ”sucker bets” in the middle of the table have a much higher edge. |
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 | 3% – 10% (or more) | The edge on slots is generally higher than on table games. |
Winning is still possible, as the edge only applies over a huge sample size. Luck is the determining factor casino (her response) in any one visit to the casino. However, knowing about the house edge allows you to make smarter choices. By choosing games with a lower house edge, you are mathematically giving yourself a better chance of having a winning session and making your bankroll last longer.
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