If you’ve recently entered the world of casino games, you may have encountered the term “casino house edge.” At first glance, it sounds like an advantage for the house. But what does it really mean? Who is the “house,” and how do they maintain this advantage?
Join us as we explore the concept of house edge, highlight games with lower margins, and help you get the most out of your gaming experience!
Expert in analyzing casino games and bonuses
Expert in analyzing casino games and bonuses
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.
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 |
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:
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 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 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 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’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 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 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.
We recommend to choose games with a lower house edge for better long-term results and always check if the casino publishes Return to Player (RTP) rates, as these can provide insight into a game’s fairness and payout potential.
In online gaming, players frequently see both RTP and house edge percentages. RTP (Return to Player) shows the portion of total wagers a game returns to players over time, while the house edge is the inverse—representing the casino’s share. For example, if a game has an RTP of 95%, the house edge is 5%. Together, RTP and house edge give players insight into their expected returns, helping them make informed choices to maximize enjoyment and manage potential losses.
It may seem that calculating the house edge is a task that only mathematicians or people good with numbers can do. However, knowing which formula to apply is all required, and anyone can do it.
To determine the house edge, you need to compare the true odds of an event to the payout offered by the house. For instance, in American roulette, there are 38 pockets, so the odds of correctly predicting a single number are 38:1. However, the house only pays out at 35:1. On a $1 bet, this gives a $36 return, $2 short of true odds. This $2 difference represents the house edge, calculated as:
House edge= 2 (the difference between your win and the maximum win) x (1(your stake)/38(number of pockets))=5.26%
Online casino games are not the only ones with a house edge. Any gambling has it, and it’s something you just can’t avoid - like taxes or death, as one joke perfectly puts it. However, the fairness and trust of big bookmakers over time have made players try their luck despite knowing the house always wins in the long run.
In sports betting, the house edge is known as the “vig” or “juice”—the commission sportsbooks take to handle bets. Vig is typically added to odds, subtly favoring the house. For example, a sportsbook may offer -110 odds on both sides of an even game, meaning bettors must risk $110 to win $100. Comparing odds across sportsbooks can reduce the effective house edge, allowing bettors to maximize returns by seeking more favorable lines.
While devising your house edge strategies, one vital aspect to keep in mind is always to choose fair and trustworthy online casinos. Fairness and trust are fundamental if you want to ensure the house edge remains at the levels established by the games.
In other words, if you don’t stick to a licensed casino with a good reputation, you may find yourself in a situation where a slot game has a house edge of 30% because the casino lowered the RTP.
Trusted regulatory authorities like the UKGC, MGA, and many others prevent casinos from having such a low RTP. However, if you play at unlicensed operators, there are no rules to follow and no penalties for those who steal your money by offering a rigged game.
Always go for licensed casinos that offer top-tier software providers, such as NetEnt and Microgaming, that indicate a commitment to quality, as these developers often adhere to industry standards. Additionally, prioritize casinos that publish game RTPs and offer transparent terms for bonuses. Reviews and player feedback are valuable resources for gauging a casino’s reputation.
Before we wrap this up, we want to share one final piece of advice with you on navigating the house edge. It comes down to three things you need to be aware of:
Admittedly, it’s not the most straightforward topic to deal with, especially if you’ve just joined an online casino. However, just like anything else in life, the casino journey is filled with learning and improvement opportunities.
Understanding house edge is fundamental to making informed decisions in both online casinos and bookmakers. By familiarizing yourself with the house edges of different games, you can tailor your gameplay to match your goals—whether playing for fun, seeking long-term gains, or minimizing losses. Good luck!
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