Every casino game is built to make money for the casino. That is not a scandal, it is math, and it has a name: the house edge.
The house edge is the casino’s built-in statistical advantage, expressed as a percentage of each bet it expects to keep over time. The number changes a lot from game to game. On one table you might be handing the house half a cent per dollar. On a nearby machine, you could be giving up a quarter of every dollar you wager.
Knowing those numbers is the most useful thing a casual player can learn. It will not make you win, but it tells you which games stretch your money furthest. This guide lays out the house edge by game, explains the math in plain terms, and shows how to play the friendlier odds.
What is the house edge, exactly?
The house edge is the theoretical cost of playing a game over a long period. It represents the share of total wagers the casino keeps, with the rest returned to players as winnings.
A simple way to see it: in a game with a 5% house edge, a player who wagers $1,000 over time can expect to lose about $50 on average. Short-term luck creates wins and bigger losses along the way, but over enough hands or spins, results converge toward that edge.
One point trips up beginners. The house edge applies over the long run, meaning hundreds of thousands or millions of rounds. In a single session, anything can happen. That gap between short-term variance and long-term math is what keeps the games exciting and keeps the casino profitable.
House edge by game: the full comparison
Here is the number you came for. This table ranks common casino games from the lowest house edge (best for players) to the highest (worst). Figures assume standard rules, and where skill applies, optimal strategy.
| Game | Typical house edge |
|---|---|
| Blackjack (basic strategy, classic rules) | ~0.5% |
| Craps (odds bet behind pass line) | 0% on the odds portion |
| Baccarat (banker bet) | 1.06% |
| Video poker (full-pay, correct play) | often under 1% |
| Baccarat (player bet) | 1.24% |
| Craps (don’t pass) | 1.36% |
| Craps (pass line) | 1.41% |
| Texas Hold’em (casino version) | ~2.19% |
| European roulette (single zero) | 2.7% |
| Three Card Poker | 3.4% to 7.2% |
| Let It Ride | ~3.5% |
| American roulette (double zero) | 5.26% |
| Caribbean Stud Poker | ~5.22% |
| Slots | 2% to 15% (often 5% or higher) |
| Baccarat (tie bet) | ~9% and up |
| Big Six / Wheel of Fortune | 11% to 24% |
| Keno | 25% to 35% |
A few takeaways jump out. The best odds sit at the tables, not the machines. And within many games, the specific bet matters enormously. Craps ranges from 0% on the odds bet to over 10% on center proposition bets. Baccarat runs from about 1% on banker to 9% or more on the tie.
Why is blackjack the lowest house edge game?
Blackjack leads the pack at roughly 0.5% with basic strategy and favorable rules. That means for every $100 wagered over time, the theoretical cost is about 50 cents.
The reason is skill. In blackjack, your decisions change the outcome. Learning basic strategy (when to hit, stand, split, and double) keeps the edge at its lowest point. Play by instinct instead, and the edge climbs well above that figure. The same is true of video poker, where correct play on a full-pay machine can push the edge under 1%.
Contrast that with roulette and slots, where the odds are fixed and no decision you make changes them.
Why do slots and keno cost so much?
At the other end sit the games of pure chance with steep math.
Slots typically run a 2% to 15% house edge, often 5% or higher. Research into slot returns finds most titles land in an 85% to 97% return range. There is no skill factor. A random number generator decides every spin, and high volatility creates the illusion of hot and cold streaks. Progressive jackpot slots usually carry a higher edge, and if you are not chasing the jackpot, the base game return can drop sharply.
Keno is the harshest common game, with a house edge often between 25% and 35%. Because outcomes come entirely from random draws, no strategy improves your results. For every dollar wagered, the expected return is far lower than table games or even slots.
Big Six wheels (the tall vertical wheel of fortune) belong in the same worst-odds category, ranging from about 11% to 24% depending on the segment you bet.
How does the house edge relate to RTP?
They are two sides of one coin. RTP (return to player) is the average share of wagers a game returns to players over the long run. The house edge is what stays behind.
The formula is simple:
RTP + House edge = 100%
So a slot advertised at 96% RTP carries a 4% house edge. A blackjack game with a 0.5% edge returns 99.5% RTP. When you see an RTP figure, you instantly know the house edge, and vice versa.
This is worth checking before you play. For many online games you can look up the RTP, and if an exact number is not published, you can usually find a narrow range.
Does any strategy beat the house edge?
Short answer: no betting system beats it. But two things genuinely help.
Game and bet selection. Choosing European roulette over American, banker over tie in baccarat, or blackjack over slots meaningfully lowers your expected loss. This is the biggest lever a casual player controls.
Correct strategy in skill games. In blackjack and video poker, playing your hand correctly holds the edge at its lowest. A strategy chart is essential here.
What does not work is changing your bet size to chase wins. The Martingale system (doubling after every loss) is a classic example. Neither dice nor a roulette ball has a memory. If nine blacks land in a row, the next spin is exactly as likely to be black as ever. Systems can help you manage a bankroll, but they cannot bend the underlying math.
As players repeatedly point out on gambling forums, the phrases like “bet the tie after a tie” were almost certainly invented by the house.
A smart player’s checklist
To keep the odds as friendly as possible:
- Head to the tables before the machines.
- Learn basic strategy for blackjack, or a paytable for video poker.
- Pick the low-edge bet within a game (banker in baccarat, pass line plus odds in craps, single-zero roulette).
- Avoid the worst-odds games: keno, big wheels, and high tie or side bets.
- Check the RTP on any slot before you spin.
- Use flat betting to preserve your bankroll and play longer.
Understanding the edge is not the same as beating it
Here is the honest bottom line. The house edge guarantees the casino profits over time, on every game, no matter how you play. Understanding it does not remove it. What it does is let you choose games where your entertainment budget lasts longer and your odds are fairest.
Treat gambling as paid entertainment, not a way to make money, because the math is not on your side over the long run. Set a budget, pick the low-edge games, and walk away when you hit your limit. If gambling ever stops feeling fun, take a break and reach out to a support service in your region.
Frequently asked questions
What casino game has the lowest house edge? Blackjack with basic strategy, at around 0.5%. Baccarat’s banker bet (1.06%), full-pay video poker (under 1%), and the craps pass line with odds are also excellent.
What game has the worst odds? Keno, with a house edge often between 25% and 35%. Big-wheel games and high side bets are also among the worst.
Is the house edge the same as RTP? They are opposites that add to 100%. A 96% RTP means a 4% house edge. Both describe the same long-term math from different angles.
Can I beat the house edge with a betting system? No. Systems like Martingale cannot change a game’s fixed odds. Only game selection and correct strategy in skill games reduce your expected loss.
Why is European roulette better than American? European roulette has a single zero and a 2.7% edge. American roulette adds a double zero, raising the edge to 5.26%. The extra pocket nearly doubles the cost.