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Introduction to House Edge in Casino Games

House Edge by Game

When stepping into the vibrant atmosphere of a casino, it’s crucial to understand the concept of House Edge. This term represents the mathematical advantage that the casino holds over the players. While the allure of big wins tempts many, it’s the House Edge that ensures casinos continue to thrive. In this article, we’ll delve into the intricacies of House Edge, helping you to comprehend its role in your gaming experience and how it varies across different casino games.

Understanding the House Edge

Defining House Edge

  • The House Edge is defined as the ratio of the average loss to the initial bet.
  • It does not account for additional bets placed during a game, such as splits or doubles in Blackjack unless these are mandatory bets.
  • The calculation is based on the original bet to simplify understanding the potential losses over time.

Why the House Edge Matters

  • Every casino game is designed to favor the house, ensuring profitability.
  • Strategies can reduce the House Edge, but it’s impossible to eliminate it completely.
  • The House Edge varies not only between games but also within different bets in the same game.

 

The Impact of House Edge on Gameplay

Factors Influencing House Edge

  • The presence of a Tie option in games like Baccarat or Craps can affect the House Edge calculation.
  • Player’s mindset, concentration, and financial threshold can indirectly influence the practical House Edge they experience.

Choosing Games Wisely

  • Games with a lower House Edge offer a better chance of winning in the long run.
  • Understanding the House Edge helps players make informed decisions about which games to play.

 

Game Statistics

GameBetting RulesHouse Edge
BlackjackVegas Rules0.28%
PontoonStandard Bet0.32% – 0.65%
Dealer Stands on Soft 170.40%
Spanish 21Dealer Hits on Soft 170.76%
Blackjack SwitchStandard Bet0.58%
Atlantic City BlackjackStandard Bet0.35%
Vegas Strip BlackjackStandard Bet0.35%
Progressive BlackjackStandard Bet0.28% – 0.76%
Super Fun 21Standard Bet0.94%
European RouletteSingle Zero1.35% – 2.70%
American RouletteDouble Zero5.26%
French RouletteSingle Zero1.35% – 2.70%
BaccaratPlayer1.24%
BaccaratBanker1.06%
BaccaratTie14.36%
Punto BancoPlayer1.24%
Punto BancoBanker1.06%
Punto BancoTie14.40%
EZ Baccarat1.01%
3 Card Baccarat17% – 20.8%
European BaccaratPlayer1.24%
European BaccaratBanker1.06%
European BaccaratTie14.40%
Banque BaccaratPlayer1.24%
Banque BaccaratBanker1.06%
Banque BaccaratTie14.40%
Chemin De FerN/A
CrapsPass Line/Come Bet1.41%
CrapsDon’t Pass/Don’t Come Bet1.40%
CrapsPass Line Odds/Comes Bet Odds/Buy Bets – 4 or 104.76%
CrapsPass Line Odds/Comes Bet Odds/Buy Bets – 5 or 94.76%
CrapsPass Line Odds/Comes Bet Odds/Buy Bets – 6 or 84.76%
CrapsDon’t Pass Odds/Don’t Come Bet Odds/Lay Bets – 4 or 102.44%
CrapsDon’t Pass Odds/Don’t Come Bet Odds/Lay Bets – 5 or 93.23%
CrapsDon’t Pass Odds/Don’t Come Bet Odds/Lay Bets – 6 or 84.00%
CrapsField Bets – 3, 4, 9, 10 or 115.50%
CrapsField Bets – 2 or 125.50%
CrapsPlace Bets – 4 or 106.70%
CrapsPlace Bets – 5 or 94.00%
CrapsPlace Bets – 6 or 81.52%
CrapsHardways – 6 or 89.09%
CrapsHardways – 4 or 1011.10%
CrapsOne Roll Bets – Any 716.90%
CrapsOne Roll Bets – Any Craps11.10%
CrapsOne Roll Bets – 2 Craps or 12 Craps13.90%
CrapsOne Roll Bets – 3 Craps or 11 Craps11.10%
CrapsOne Roll Bets – Big 6 or 89.09%
3 Card PokerAnte Bet3.37%
3 Card PokerPair Plus7.28%
Pai Gow Poker1.50%
Let It Ride3.51%
Caribbean Stud5.22%
Video PokerJacks or Better0.46%
Video PokerBonus Poker0.83%
Video PokerJoker Poker1.91%
Video PokerDeuces Wild1.09% – 5.03%
Video PokerAces & Faces0.74%
Video PokerPick’em Poker0.5% – 10%
Video PokerAces & Eights0.22% – 2.51%
Video PokerTens or Better0.86% – 2.04%
Casino WarGo to War on Ties2.88%
Casino WarSurrender on Ties3.70%
Casino WarBet on Ties18.65%
Keno25% – 29%
Sic Bo2.78% – 33.33%
Red Dog2.80%

Conclusion: Navigating the House Edge

The concept of House Edge is a fundamental aspect of gambling that shapes every game in the casino. While it guarantees that the house always has an advantage, savvy players can use knowledge of the House Edge to their benefit, choosing games that offer a higher probability of success. Remember, the House Edge is a guide, not a guarantee, and the unpredictability of gambling means anything can happen in the short term. So, choose your games wisely, understand the odds, and enjoy the thrill of the casino with an informed perspective.

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About the author

Richard Grant
Say hello to Richard Grant! Armed with a Law and Business degree and 17 years of industry experience, he launched this platform in 2007 to be your ultimate guide to the casino world. Specializing in game guides, reviews, and strategic insights, Richard is devoted to helping you hit the jackpot. Come join us on this exciting journey toward big wins!

FAQ

faq

What does house edge mean in a casino?

It is simple. The phrase refers to the advantage that a casino has over the player/s in a certain game.

faq

Why do casinos have a house edge?

Well, a casino is a business. That means that their goal is to make money. So, in order to make money, the casinos need to have the advantage over the player, otherwise, they might just eventually go bankrupt.

faq

Does the house edge mean that casino games are fixed?

Well, yes and no. Casino games are not fixed in the sense that some people might imagine. However, the rules of the games are stacked against the players. Meaning that a player can win, but it is more likely that the casino will come out on top.

faq

What is a good house edge for the player?

It depends on the game you are playing. If we take Slots (the most popular casino game) as an example, then most have a house edge between 5% and 10%. So, anything over 10% would be too far, and anything under 5% is a game worth jumping on. When looking for a good Slot, try to find something closer to 5% than to 10% though.

faq

What game has the lowest house edge?

Most gamblers know that Blackjack is the best game for players.

faq

What is a good house edge in Blackjack?

Blackjack has a staggeringly low house edge percentage. There are games with a house edge as low as 0.40%, and the highest house edge in a game of Blackjack will never go beyond 2%. So, from that perspective, a standard Blackjack house edge is around 1%. Much lower than Slots, or pretty much any other game.

faq

What games have the best house edge for non-Blackjack fans?

If you don’t like Blackjack, there are quite a few games to pick from. Pontoon, for example, is an excellent game for those looking for a lower house edge. Usually, a game of Pontoon will have a house edge similar to Blackjack. Anywhere between 0.5% to 2%. Other games with good player odds include Baccarat (usually around 1%), French Roulette (around 1.3%), and some versions of Craps.

faq

Which Roulette version has a lower house edge?

If you are a Roulette fan, then it would certainly benefit you to seek out casinos that feature the French Variant. The French Roulette wheel has 37 slots, whereas the American version has 38. Many believe that this difference is insignificant. However, when we tell you that French Roulette’s house edge is around 1.35%, and American Roulette’s is over 5%, the difference will not seem as insignificant.

faq

What games have the highest house edge?

For low-risk players, these are the games to avoid: Live Keno, Penny Slots, a lot of variants on Craps and the Big Six Wheel. All of these games have quite the high house edge.

faq

What is the house edge in Poker?

Poker is where we throw everything we learned about house edge away. Unlike other casino games, Poker is skill-based. Meaning, there is no house edge. The only edge goes to the person who has played more Poker. Casinos make money off of poker by charging a small ā€œcompetition feeā€. And the rest is all up to the players themselves. This is why most pro-gamblers dedicate a lot of their time becoming great Poker players.

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