Most players talk about “luck.” The casino talks about edge. House edge is the built-in average cost of playing a game over the long run. Not a prophecy for your next 20 spins — a slope the math leans toward if you keep placing bets.
This page is a fast reference: a house edge table for common games, plus the small rules and choices that change the edge, plus a simple way to translate edge into expected loss. No hype. No “beat the casino.” Just numbers that help you leak less.
Important: RTP is an “as advertised” long-run model. It’s not a break-even guarantee. And provably fair means you can verify the randomness, not that the game is profitable. Verify first, bet second.
The goal is not to find a “winning” game. The goal is to identify where you’re paying the smallest tax, and then control exposure with sensible session rules.
“Roulette” isn’t one game. European roulette and American roulette are different products with very different edges. Same story with blackjack rules, video poker paytables, and baccarat side bets.
Some edges assume optimal play (blackjack basic strategy). Some are fixed by the math (roulette main bets). Side bets are often a separate, uglier number.
Expected loss is your “cost of action.” It’s the cleanest way to compare games and promos. Use this guide: How to Calculate Expected Loss.
Even low edge games can produce brutal short-run swings. Manage survivability with unit sizing and a session rules template.
For games where RTP is published (slots, some instants, some provably fair originals), the conversion is simple:
House Edge = 1 − RTPExample: RTP 96% → house edge 4%.
That 4% is the long-run average cost per unit wagered, not a guarantee you lose 4% in a short session. If you want the intuition behind that mismatch, read: Variance & Volatility Explained.
If you want the full explanation of RTP vs edge (with common misconceptions), this is the cornerstone: RTP vs House Edge.
These are typical reference numbers under common rules. Your actual edge can be higher or lower depending on rules, paytables, and player decisions. Use this as a compass, not a contract.
| Game (variant) | Typical house edge | Notes (what changes it) |
|---|---|---|
| European Roulette (single zero) | 2.70% | Main bets are fixed by math. Check it’s truly single-zero. |
| American Roulette (double zero) | 5.26% | Same main bets, worse wheel. This edge is “quietly expensive.” |
| Blackjack (with basic strategy) | ~0.3%–1.0% | Rules matter a lot (dealer hits/stands soft 17, splits, double rules). Misplay raises edge fast. |
| Baccarat — Banker bet | ~1.0%–1.1% | Commission structure matters. Usually the best main bet in baccarat. |
| Baccarat — Player bet | ~1.2%–1.3% | Usually slightly worse than Banker. |
| Baccarat — Tie bet | High (often 10%+) | Classic trap: rare hit, ugly edge. |
| Craps — Pass Line | ~1.4% | Odds bets reduce effective edge on total action, but rules vary. |
| Sportsbook (typical vig) | Varies | Depends on market and pricing. Don’t assume it’s “low edge.” |
| Slots | Varies by RTP | Edge = 1 − RTP. Volatility can be extreme even at high RTP. |
| Video Poker | Varies by paytable + play | Paytables change everything. Correct strategy matters. |
| Side bets (any table game) | Often high (5%–25%+) | Most side bets are “entertainment purchases.” Price them like one. |
If you want a deeper explainer of what a “house edge table” is and how to read it, use the Learn version: What Is a House Edge Table?.
House edge becomes meaningful when you translate it into money. The clean model is:
Expected Loss ≈ Total Amount Wagered × House EdgeExample: You wager $1,000 total on a 2.7% edge game.
Expected Loss ≈ 1,000 × 0.027 = $27This doesn’t mean you’ll lose $27 today. It means that if you repeated similar play many times, $27 is the average cost per $1,000 wagered.
If you want a more complete version (including pacing and why “how long you play” matters), see: How to Calculate Expected Loss.
Two games can have the same edge and still feel totally different because one lets you place far more bets per hour. More bets = more exposure to house edge and more variance opportunities. This is why a “fast” game can drain a bankroll even if the edge isn’t outrageous.
Expected Loss per Hour ≈ (Bets per Hour × Bet Size) × House EdgeThis is not exact, but it’s extremely useful for budgeting your session and comparing formats.
Want to keep exposure sane? Pair this with unit sizing and a timebox rule set.
This is where most bankroll damage happens: not from ignorance, but from tiny assumptions that quietly raise edge or exposure.
Promo math help lives here: Wagering Requirements Explained.
Provably fair verification is about proving the randomness wasn’t tampered with. It doesn’t change the house edge, it doesn’t reduce volatility, and it doesn’t make a negative EV game positive. It simply lets you audit fairness.
If you want the practical walkthrough, use: How to Verify Provably Fair Bets.
No. House edge is a long-run average cost per amount wagered. In the short run, variance dominates. That’s why you can win big on a high-edge game or lose fast on a low-edge game. The edge shows up over volume.
Because they often combine rare hits with big payouts, and the price is a higher edge. If you enjoy them, treat them like a paid entertainment feature, not “value.”
Choose lower-edge variants (where you can), reduce volume, and control exposure with units and a timebox. If you want a survival-focused framework, start with: Risk of Ruin.
They usually don’t change the game’s edge, but they can change your effective EV depending on the contract terms. Promos often increase required volume, which increases variance exposure and can raise the chance you hit a stop.
If RTP isn’t clearly published or independently verifiable, be cautious. Use conservative assumptions and limit exposure. If it’s provably fair and exposes RTP/parameters, verify what you can and still manage variance with session rules.
This page is about clearer decisions and harm reduction, not encouraging play. If gambling stops being fun, if you’re chasing losses, or you’re betting money you can’t afford to lose, pause and get support. Resources are here: Responsible Gambling.