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Table Game House Edge: A Practical Breakdown

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.

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This guide uses plain language. Hard terms are explained. Numbers can change by rules and paytables. Always check the table sign or help screen.

• Introduction
• What is house edge (and RTP)?
• Why house edge matters in real play
• House edge by table game
• Rules that change the edge
• Edge vs expected loss per hour
• Skill and strategy
• Online vs live tables
• How to choose where and what to play
• Common myths and mistakes
• Bankroll and responsible play
• FAQs
• Sources and further reading
• About the author

Introduction

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.

What is house edge (and RTP)?

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.

Why house edge matters in real play

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.

• Blackjack: ~60–80 hands/hour (live), faster online.
• Craps: ~35–50 decisions/hour (depends on table pace).
• Baccarat: ~40–60 decisions/hour.
• Roulette: ~35–50 spins/hour (single-zero wheels are often slower).

House edge by table game (practical list)

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.

Rules that quietly change the edge

• Blackjack: 3:2 pays are good. 6:5 pays are bad (+~1.39 p.p.). More decks raise the edge. “Surrender,” “double after split,” and “re‑split aces” lower the edge. Check the felt. See Blackjack calculators to model rules.
• Roulette: Single zero (2.70%) is better than double zero (5.26%). “La partage” or “en prison” on even‑money bets cuts the edge to ~1.35% when zero hits.
• Baccarat: Tie payout matters (8:1 is ~14.36% edge; 9:1 is ~4.85%). Side bets often have high edges.
• Three Card Poker / UTH: Paytables change edges a lot. Small pay cuts can add 1–3 p.p. to the house edge.
• Craps: Free odds are 0% edge. More odds lower your “element of risk,” but your bankroll swings get bigger.

Edge vs expected loss per hour (simple math)

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.

Skill and strategy: how much can you lower the edge?

• Blackjack: Use basic strategy. This can cut the edge to ~0.4%–1% with good rules. You can find free charts on reputable sites like Wizard of Odds. Card counting needs skill, a big bankroll, and is often not allowed by the house.
• Craps: Stick to low‑edge bets. Pass/Don’t Pass with odds. Place 6 and 8. Avoid one‑roll prop bets.
• Baccarat: There is no play skill after you bet. Banker is best over time. Avoid Tie.
• Ultimate Texas Hold’em / Three Card Poker: Strategy matters. Small errors add up. Use trusted charts (see links above) and avoid weak paytables.
• Pai Gow Poker: Learn basic “house way” set rules. Many pushes lower your hourly loss even with a higher edge.

Online vs live tables (speed, rules, trust)

• Speed: Online RNG tables deal very fast. More hands per hour means a higher hourly cost at the same edge. Live dealer online is slower and closer to a real table pace.
• Rules: Online often shows rules and paytables in the help screen. Some sites offer good rules like single‑zero roulette or 3:2 blackjack. Always read the info page.
• Trust: Pick licensed sites. Check the regulator (e.g., UKGC, MGA, NJDGE) and testing labs like eCOGRA. In Nevada, see the Nevada Gaming Control Board. Industry facts are at the American Gaming Association. Research links are at the UNLV Center for Gaming Research.

How to choose where and what to play

house edge and

• Rule quality (3:2 blackjack, single‑zero roulette, fair baccarat payouts)
• Table minimums (can you play small and stay longer?)
• Paytables (small cuts can add big edge)
• Game speed (live dealer is slower than RNG)
• Limits, comps, and loyalty terms
• License and testing seals

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.

Common myths and mistakes

• “This roulette number is due.” No, spins are independent. Past spins do not change the next spin.
• “6:5 blackjack is almost the same.” No, it adds ~1.39 p.p. to the edge. That is huge.
• “Tie in baccarat is secret value.” No, it is a high‑edge bet on most tables.
• “Hot” or “cold” tables. Streaks happen, but they do not change the math.
• Chasing losses. This raises risk fast and does not change the edge.

Bankroll and responsible play

• Set a loss limit and a time limit before you start. Keep them.
• Use small bets to stretch time. Take breaks. Drink water.
• Only use money you can afford to lose.
• Know your local laws and age limits (often 18+ or 21+).
• If gambling stops being fun, stop. Get help: BeGambleAware.org (UK) NCPGambling.org (US) International Center for Responsible Gaming
• BeGambleAware.org (UK)
• NCPGambling.org (US)
• International Center for Responsible Gaming

• BeGambleAware.org (UK)
• NCPGambling.org (US)
• International Center for Responsible Gaming

FAQs

What table games have the lowest house edge?

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.

Is European roulette better than American roulette?

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.

Does basic strategy remove the house edge in blackjack?

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.

What is “element of risk” vs house edge?

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.

How do odds bets in craps help me?

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.

Is Banker always the best bet in baccarat?

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.

Which table games are slow, so my money lasts longer?

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.

Sources and further reading

• Wizard of Odds (game math and rule calculators)
• UNLV Center for Gaming Research (industry research)
• American Gaming Association (industry data)
• UK Gambling Commission (licensing and player info)
• Malta Gaming Authority (licensing)
• New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement (US state regulator)
• eCOGRA (testing and standards)

About the author

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.

Method notes for this guide

• House edges use standard rules from cited sources. Your table may differ.
• “Expected loss per hour” uses: average bet × decisions/hour × house edge. This is a guide, not a promise.
• Game speeds are typical live ranges. Online RNG is often faster; live dealer streaming is slower.

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.