Built into every casino game is a little pay-as-you-play tax known as the house edge. It doesn’t matter whether the player is playing a table game – like craps, baccarat, blackjack, or poker – or a machine game – like video poker or slots. It doesn’t matter if the player is playing chance-based games – like slots or roulette – or strategy games – like blackjack or craps. It also matters not if the player is playing online or at a land-based casino: the house edge is inescapable, and every gambler learns to live with it. So what exactly is house edge? House edge, also known as a casino advantage, is a mathematical edge that a casino has over players playing any game. It ensures that casinos can profit over the long run, regardless of whether players lose their bets or win.
House Edge Versus RTP
The term is closely related to another important term in gambling: RTP. RTP is short for Return to Player, the middle portion of the total wagered money a game pays back to players as prizes for winning bets. The house edge is, therefore, practically the opposite of RTP. Calculate the casino advantage by subtracting the RTP percentage from 100%. In some places, especially in Australia and the UK, casinos must make house edge info available to players before they play. It allows players to get two vital pieces of data:
- How much, on average, is the game expected to pay out to players in the long term
- And which games provide the best returns on wagers
Typical House Edge Values For Different Games
Below are typical house edge percentages for games popular in US online casinos. Notice that some of these values are ranges because it depends on the bets the player chooses to make, their skills (for strategy-based games) and if they’re playing standard versions of games (like slots and roulette) or novel versions.
| Casino Games | House Edge |
| Let it Ride | 4.29% |
| Sic Bo | 2.78%-30% |
| Blackjack | 0.4%-2% |
| Super Fun 21 Extreme | 1.30% |
| American Roulette | 5.26% |
| Baccarat | 1.06%-14% |
| European Roulette | 2.7% |
| Craps | 0%-17% |
| Pai Gow | 1.5% |
| Ultimate Texas Hold’em | 0.7% |
| Online slots | 1%-10% |
Here are the most efficient ways a player can counter the casino advantage and enhance their chances of making good profits.
#1: Choose Low House Edge Games
This first tip is self-explanatory: if a player wants games that offer the best chances of making good profits, they should favor games with a low casino advantage. Good examples from the list above include blackjack, baccarat, Pai Gow poker, and European roulette. When it comes to slots, seek out those with the highest RTP. For roulette, I always prefer the European version (which has a single “0” pocket) over American or triple-zero roulette, both of which have a much higher house advantage.
#2: Apply Strategy
This tip applies to skill-based games, such as blackjack or craps, not luck-based games like slots. A player must understand the game to use the strategy effectively by playing plenty of practice games before stepping into the real thing. Take blackjack, for instance. Players experienced enough at blackjack can apply a basic strategy that cuts the house edge from 2% to as low as 0.4-0.5%.
#3: Choose Bets Wisely
Some games like roulette have a widely variable casino advantage solely determined by the player’s wagers. For instance, even money wagers on American roulette have a casino advantage of 5.26%, compared to the first five bets, which have 7.89%.
Frequently Asked Questions About Online Casino
Online casinos use Random Number Generators (RNGs) to ensure fair play. RNGs are algorithms that generate random numbers, which are used to determine the outcome of games such as slots, blackjack, and roulette. These RNGs are regularly tested and certified by independent auditing companies to ensure that they are truly random and not manipulated in any way. Online casinos also use secure SSL (Secure Socket Layer) encryption to protect player's personal and financial information. This ensures that the players' data is safe and cannot be accessed by any unauthorized parties.
Additionally, many online casinos are licensed and regulated by reputable gaming authorities, such as the Malta Gaming Authority, the United Kingdom Gambling Commission, and the Gibraltar Gaming Commission. These organizations ensure that the online casinos are operating within the laws and regulations of the jurisdiction and that they are providing a fair and safe gaming experience for players.
Online casinos use Random Number Generators (RNGs) to ensure that the games are fair and not rigged. RNGs are algorithms that generate random numbers that are used to determine the outcome of games such as slots, blackjack, and roulette. These RNGs are regularly tested and certified by independent auditing companies to ensure that they are truly random and not manipulated in any way. Furthermore, many reputable online casinos are licensed and regulated by gaming authorities such as the Malta Gaming Authority, the United Kingdom Gambling Commission, and the Gibraltar Gaming Commission. These organizations ensure that the online casinos are operating within the laws and regulations of the jurisdiction and that they are providing fair and safe gaming experience for players.
However, it's worth noting that not all online casinos are fair or safe, it's important to do research, read reviews, and check the reputation of an online casino before depositing money and playing. Also, it's important to check if the online casino is licensed and regulated by a reputable authority.
In general, the odds in online casinos and land-based casinos are similar, as both types of casinos use the same types of games and the same mathematical algorithms to determine the outcome of the games. However, there can be some variations in the odds depending on the specific casino or game. Online casinos generally have lower operating costs than land-based casinos, which allows them to offer higher payout percentages and better odds to players. This means that the player's chances of winning are slightly better in online casinos than in land-based casinos.
However, it's worth noting that the odds of winning can also vary depending on the specific game and the stakes you play, as well as the casino itself. Some online casinos may offer better odds on certain games or at certain stakes than others. It's important to check the payout percentages and odds of a specific game before you start playing, whether it's an online or land-based casino.
Many online casinos offer the option to play their games for free, also known as "practice play" or "demo mode." This allows players to try out the games without risking any real money. This is a great way for players to become familiar with the games and learn the rules before playing for real money. Keep in mind that some features like bonus rounds or progressive jackpots might not be available in the free version of the game. Also, the payouts in the free version might not be the same as in the real money version.
Also, some online casinos also offer free bonuses or free spins as part of their promotions, which can be used to play the games for free and still have the chance to win real money. It's important to always check the terms and conditions of the promotion before accepting it.
It's important to note that while it's possible to play for free in most online casinos, not all games may be available in the free version. Also, it's important to check the terms of the casino regarding the free version, as some casinos may have restrictions on the number of times you can play for free or the amount of time you can spend in the free version.
Yes, we do offer bonuses for new players, such as welcome bonuses, referral bonuses, and loyalty bonuses. These bonuses can be in the form of free bets, deposit matches, or cashback.
When choosing an online casino, you should consider factors such as the casino's reputation, customer service options, game selection, bonuses, and banking options. It is also important to ensure that the casino is licensed and regulated by a reputable gaming commission.
