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What Is the Casino’s Advantage?

The Built-In Advantage of the Casino

The old adage “the house always wins” is well-known for a reason. It’s a direct reference to the house edge, the mathematical advantage that ensures casino profitability. The house edge is a term for casino the statistical advantage the casino holds in every game offered. For any serious player, an understanding of the house edge is non-negotiable.

The Math Behind the Advantage

The edge comes from the gap between a bet’s actual probability and the payout the casino gives for a winning bet. Roulette provides a very clear illustration.

A European Roulette wheel has 37 pockets (numbers 1-36, plus a single 0).
There is one chance in 37 that you will win.
A winning bet is rewarded with a 35-to-1 payout.
That small difference is where the casino gets its edge.
This results in a 2.7% house edge, meaning the casino will, on average, retain $2.70 of every $100 wagered.

House Edge in Different Casino Games

It’s important to know that the edge changes based on the game and the specific bet you make.

Game Typical House Edge Notes
Blackjack 0.5% – 1% Requires the use of optimal basic strategy. The edge is much higher for unskilled players.
Baccarat (Banker Bet) Just over 1% Betting on the Banker offers one of the lowest house advantages available in any casino game.
Craps (Pass/Don’t Pass) Under 1.5% The basic bets in Craps offer excellent odds. The “sucker bets” in the middle of the table have a much higher edge.
European Roulette 2.7% The advantage is the same for nearly all wagers on the layout.
American Roulette 5.26% The addition of the double zero (’00’) pocket almost doubles the house edge, making it a much worse game for the player.
Slots Usually 4% to 8% The house edge is programmed into the game and casino (https://goldfish.it/) is often expressed as the Return to Player (RTP). An RTP of 96% means a 4% house edge.

Playing Smart

Winning is still possible, as the edge only applies over a huge sample size. Short-term results are all about variance. Anything can happen. However, knowing about the house edge allows you to make smarter choices. By choosing games with a lower house edge, you are mathematically giving yourself a better chance of having a winning session and making your bankroll last longer.