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What Is the Casino’s Advantage?

The Built-In Advantage of the Casino

You’ve likely heard the saying that the house always comes out on top. This refers to the “house edge,” a fundamental concept that is the basis of the entire casino industry. It is the casino’s built-in mathematical advantage over the player in any given game. For casino 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. Let’s use a simple example from Roulette:

The wheel has 37 numbers in total.
The actual probability of your number coming up is 1/37.
However, if you do win, the casino pays you out at 35 to 1, not 36 to 1.
The casino profits from this statistical difference.
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 Around 0.5% This low edge is only achievable when playing with perfect basic strategy. Poor play can increase it significantly.
Baccarat (Banker Bet) Around 1.06% The ‘Banker’ bet is one of the best bets in the entire casino due to its very low house edge.
Craps (Pass/Don’t Pass) Around 1.4% 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% A fixed edge that applies to almost every bet on the table. Consistent and predictable.
American Roulette 5.26% The addition of the double zero (’00’) pocket almost doubles the house edge, casino making it a much worse game for the player.
Slots 3% – 10% (or more) The edge on slots is generally higher than on table games.

Playing Smart

You can absolutely win in the short term; the house edge is a long-term mathematical expectation. Luck is the determining factor casino in any one visit to the casino. Playing games with a better statistical return is the smartest way to manage your gambling funds.