Every casino game, from the flashing lights of the slot machines to the felt of the blackjack table, is built on a mathematical foundation. This concept is known as the house edge, casino and it's vital for any gambler to grasp.

What is the House Edge?
The house edge is the long-term mathematical advantage that the casino has over the player in any given game. This is typically shown as a percentage figure. To illustrate, with a 2% house edge, the casino's expected long-term gain is $2 on every $100 wagered.

This is not a guarantee of results in the short term, but a mathematical certainty over a massive sample size. In the short term, players can and casino do win significant amounts of money—that's the nature of gambling. Yet, the law of large numbers guarantees the casino will profit in the end.

Comparing the Advantage in Different Games
Different games have vastly different house edges. Opting for casino low-edge games is a key strategy for any savvy player.

Game House Win % Important Information

Blackjack Around 0.5% This low edge is only achievable when using perfect basic strategy.

Baccarat (Banker Bet) Just over 1% The Banker bet is one of the best bets in the entire casino.

Craps (Pass/Don't Pass) Around 1.4% The basic Pass Line and Don't Pass Line bets have a low edge.

Roulette (European) 2.7% The single zero on the wheel gives it a much lower edge than the American version.

American-Style Roulette 5.26% The "00" pocket dramatically increases the casino's advantage.

Fruit Machines Varies widely (3-10% is common) Can have one of the highest house edges in the casino.

Knowing about the house advantage empowers you to make smarter choices. It helps you choose the right games, manage your expectations, casino and ultimately, have more fun by making your money last longer.