In essence, the "house edge" (also known as house advantage, vigorish, or margin) refers to the statistical edge casinos have over players in various games. It’s a built-in advantage that ensures casinos profit in the long term by using the math behind each game.
For players, understanding the house edge means knowing how much they’re likely to lose, on average, for every dollar wagered. This insight can guide strategic choices, helping players pick games that align with their goals—whether for entertainment, high odds, or more frequent winnings.
Get Familiar With House Edge of Casino Games
Note: The casino advantage comes from the games, not individual casinos. So the house edge is unavoidable wherever you play if you're betting on casino games.
As mentioned earlier, house edge is not a constant throughout the various casino games you can enjoy online. Different games have varying house edges due to their specific rules and play mechanics. Generally, games with simpler rules like slots have higher house edges, while skill-based games like blackjack offer more favorable odds. Below is a general table of house edges for popular games:
| Casino Game | House Edge (%) |
| Slots | 2-15 |
| Roulette | 2.7-5.3 |
| Blackjack | 0.5-1 |
| Video Poker | 0.5-5 |
| Baccarat | 1-14 |
| Craps | 1.4-5 |
| Keno | 20-35 |
Our Tips and Insights
Now that you clearly understand what house edge is and how you can calculate it, it’s time to move into some tips and tricks our team observed across their extensive experience in the iGaming sector. To make it easier for you to choose the tips you’re interested in, we’ve categorized them by casino game:
Slots
Despite being one of the most popular casino games out there, slots generally have a high house edge. It's often between 2% and 15%, depending on the game and provider. Although RTP (Return to Player) is typically published for online slots, it's still essential to know that games with more enormous jackpots often come with a higher house edge. For a better gaming experience, look for games with high RTP values (close to 96% or higher) and take advantage of bonuses, as these can extend playtime and slightly offset the house edge.
Roulette
Roulette offers different house edges depending on whether you play European or American versions. European roulette has a 2.7% house edge due to its single zero pocket, while American roulette has a higher 5.3% house edge because of the additional double zero. If you have a choice, the European version is statistically better for players. To optimize your play, focus on even-money bets (like red/black or odd/even), which reduce volatility, or consider combination bets for potential payouts with varied risk levels.
Blackjack
Blackjack boasts one of the lowest house edges, sometimes as low as 0.5%, with perfect strategy. Since it’s a game of skill, players who know basic blackjack strategy or can count cards (where allowed) have the potential to reduce the house edge further. Specific game rules impact this edge significantly, like the number of decks and the payout for a natural blackjack (3:2 is standard). Avoid side bets to keep the house advantage low, as they favor the casino more heavily.
Video Poker
Video poker is another favorable game for players, with an edge that varies depending on the game variant. Jacks or Better, for instance, can have a house edge as low as 0.5% if played with optimal strategy. Familiarizing yourself with the best plays for each hand will increase your chances of winning, so learning and using strategy charts is highly recommended. Avoid progressive or high-variance games if you focus on minimizing house edge rather than maximizing winnings.
Baccarat
Baccarat’s main bets—on the banker and the player—come with relatively low house edges (about 1.06% and 1.24%, respectively). However, side bets such as “tie” can carry much higher house edges, sometimes exceeding 14%. Banker bets are statistically the best choice for players interested in baccarat over the long run. The game’s simplicity and relatively low house edge make it attractive for beginners and those seeking steady, consistent results.
Craps
Craps is another game with a wide variety of betting options, each with its house edge. Basic bets, such as pass/don’t pass and come/don’t come, offer a low house edge of around 1.4%. These are generally the best bets if you're focused on playing optimally. However, proposition bets (e.g., any seven) have significantly higher edges and should be avoided for players seeking lower-risk gameplay.
Keno
Keno has one of the highest house edges of any casino game, often around 20-35%. Since it is essentially a lottery-style game, the odds of winning big are low, making it best suited for players looking for entertainment rather than those focused on optimizing their returns.
