Quick definition: House edge is the casino’s built-in advantage on a game. It is the average loss rate on each bet over many bets. If a game has a 1% house edge, you will lose about $1 on each $100 bet in the long run.
This guide uses plain language. Hard terms are explained. Numbers can change by rules and paytables. Always check the table sign or help screen.
This page is all about understanding house edge. It explains what it is, why rule variations change it, and how much cash you lose because of it. Drills down into the math. Uses examples and charts. Lets you make choices about your bets. Check out the comparisons between holdem and roulette.
Gambling problem?: 18+ only. Check legal implications. Bet responsibly. BeGambleAware (UK). NCPG (US). Only gamble with what you can afford to lose.
The house edge is the casino advantage on a particular bet, expressed as a percentage. House edge of 2% means it will cost you two cents on average for every $1 you wager. In general terms:
Expected loss= [average bet] x [house edge]
The return-to-player (RTP) percentage is the inverse of house edge. RTP= 100% – [house edge]. A house edge of 2% is equal to an RTP of 98%. The house edge is NOT “hold.” The hold percentage is the casino profit divided by the the buy-ins or total amount bet for any session, game, or week. Players do not bet against the casino “hold.” The disadvantage of the game against the player is the house edge.
The house edge operates over time (or really, sample size). Therefore, in the short term there will be deviations from the house edge in both directions. We call this variance. Some days you’ll win a bunch, and some days you’ll lose a ton. But if you make thousands of bets those bets will tend to gravitate toward the house edge due to Law of Large Numbers. There is also a factor of time. You will have more opportunities to play per hour in some games as opposed to others. Therefore, a lower house edge can drain your money faster in certain lower edge games than others.
Game speed also matters. More decisions per hour mean more “edge events” per hour. So a small edge can still cost more if the game runs fast.
The numbers below are typical for common rules. Exact edges change by paytable and options. Check the felt sign, the help screen, or a trusted math source like Wizard of Odds for the exact version you play.
| Blackjack | Good rules, basic strategy | ~0.4%–1.0% | Rules matter a lot; see Wizard of Odds: Blackjack |
| Blackjack | “6:5” blackjack | +~1.39 percentage points worse | Avoid; pays 6:5 for a natural instead of 3:2 |
| Baccarat | Banker | ~1.06% | With 5% commission; see Wizard of Odds: Baccarat |
| Baccarat | Player | ~1.24% | Banker is slightly better over time |
| Baccarat | Tie at 8:1 | ~14.36% | Very poor value |
| Baccarat | Tie at 9:1 | ~4.85% | Still bad vs Banker/Player |
| Craps | Pass Line / Come | ~1.41% | Core line bets; see Wizard of Odds: Craps |
| Craps | Don’t Pass / Don’t Come | ~1.36% | Slightly better than Pass |
| Craps | Free Odds (behind line) | 0.00% | No house edge; lowers “element of risk” |
| Craps | Place 6 or 8 | ~1.52% | Decent value; avoid most prop bets |
| Roulette | European (single zero) | ~2.70% | See Wizard of Odds: Roulette |
| Roulette | French with la partage (even money) | ~1.35% | Half back on zero on even‑money bets |
| Roulette | American (double zero) | ~5.26% | Avoid if single zero is offered |
| Roulette | Five-number bet (0, 00, 1, 2, 3) | ~7.89% | Worst bet on double‑zero wheel |
| Pai Gow Poker | Player vs house | ~2.5%–2.8% | Many pushes → slow loss rate; see Wizard of Odds: Pai Gow Poker |
| Three Card Poker | Ante/Play (optimal) | ~2.0%–3.5% (element of risk) | Paytable affects it; see Wizard of Odds: 3CP |
| Three Card Poker | Pair Plus | ~7%+ (common paytables) | High edge on many layouts |
| Ultimate Texas Hold’em | Main game (optimal) | ~0.5%–0.6% (element of risk) | House edge vs ante ~2%+; see Wizard of Odds: UTH |
| Sic Bo | Big/Small | ~2.78% | Other bets can be 10%–30%+ |
| Let It Ride | Main game | ~3.51% | See Wizard of Odds: Let It Ride |
| Caribbean Stud | Main game | ~5.22% | See Wizard of Odds: Caribbean Stud |
| Casino War | Main game (surrender rule) | ~2.88% | Tie bet is very poor (~18%+); see Wizard of Odds: Casino War |
Note: different casinos and sites use different rules and paytables. Always confirm on the felt or “info” screen. In regulated markets, you can also check the casino’s license (e.g., UK Gambling Commission, Malta Gaming Authority, New Jersey DGE) and testing seals like eCOGRA.
s the quick equation when you want an estimate of how much a game will cost. Your average bet x decisions per hour x house edge.
Expected loss per hour = average bet × decisions per hour × house edge.
| Blackjack (good rules) | $15 | 70 | 0.6% | $15 × 70 × 0.006 ≈ $6.30 |
| European Roulette | $25 | 40 | 2.70% | $25 × 40 × 0.027 ≈ $27.00 |
| Baccarat (Banker) | $20 | 50 | 1.06% | $20 × 50 × 0.0106 ≈ $10.60 |
| Craps (Pass + odds) | $15 flat + $30 odds | 40 | 1.41% on flat; 0% on odds | Only the $15 flat has edge → $15 × 40 × 0.0141 ≈ $8.46 |
| Pai Gow Poker | $25 | 30 | ~2.5% | $25 × 30 × 0.025 ≈ $18.75 |
These are long‑term averages. Short sessions can swing up or down a lot.
house edge and
Before you sit down, compare rules and paytables. A good review site will show real table photos, rule notes, and license info. One helpful place to start is BedsteCasino.org, which highlights clear rules and fair tables in plain language.
Blackjack with good rules (and basic strategy) is often under 1%. Baccarat Banker is ~1.06%. Craps Pass/Don’t Pass are ~1.4% and drop in risk with free odds. European roulette is 2.70%. Always check the exact rules where you play.
Yes. European (single zero) has ~2.70% edge. American (double zero) has ~5.26%. If you can, choose single zero. French rules with “la partage” on even‑money bets can cut it to ~1.35% on those bets when zero hits.
No, but it gets close under good rules. Basic strategy can cut the edge to ~0.4%–1.0%. Without it, the edge can rise to 2%–3% or more. Card counting can flip the edge, but casinos do not allow it and it needs skill and discipline.
House edge is the edge on the main bet (like the ante). “Element of risk” divides expected loss by all money you put at risk during the hand (like raises or odds). It can be lower than the house edge number and shows the true cost per total risk.
Free odds have 0% house edge. When you add odds behind Pass or Don’t Pass, your total risk goes up, but the average cost per total dollar risk (element of risk) goes down. Your bankroll swings can be larger, so manage your limits.
Yes over time, Banker is ~1.06% edge (with 5% commission). Player is ~1.24%. Tie is poor value on most tables. Side bets often have high edge too. Pick Banker or Player and keep it simple.
Pai Gow Poker is slow and has many pushes. Live dealer games are slower than RNG. Full tables also slow the pace. Slower pace means fewer decisions per hour and lower expected loss per hour at the same bet size.
Author: Alex M., table game analyst. I have logged more than 300 live hours testing blackjack, roulette, baccarat, craps, and poker variants in regulated casinos. I cross‑check paytables with trusted math sources and note real table speed to build “per hour” cost guides. Last updated: 2025‑12‑15.
Legal and responsible gambling notice: Gambling has risk. You can lose your stake. Age and laws vary by country and state. Play only if it is legal for you and only with money you can afford to lose. For help, see BeGambleAware (UK), NCPG (US), or your local helpline.