
Goldfish
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Founded Date June 21, 1914
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Sectors IT
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Company Description
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.