How House Edge Works in Different Casino Games
Table of Contents
Casino house edge – what’s up with that?
Even if you’re new to online gaming, you must have heard the term all over the web. But what does house edge mean in the gaming world?
Can you calculate the house edge? Is the house edge identical for all casino games?
The amount of questions is getting overwhelming.
Long story short, in the following article, you will learn the whole shebang about house edges. After reading, you will know what they mean in casino games and how and why they differ among game types.
What is House Edge?
House edge in gambling refers to the precedence that casinos have over gamblers.
Another term for the house edge is the house advantage. Perhaps this one describes the concept better than “edge”.
There are three main groups:
- High house edge
- Medium house edge
- Low house edge
We aim to explain all three kinds and refer you to the one that works best for you.
High House Edge
High house edges are typically linked with high-risk games such as Keno and some slots. Ambitious players usually go for high house edges. Simply, the “high” attribute allows greater shots for the casino to win over you.
A high house edge goes hand-in-hand with games based on luck. When playing Keno or slots, there is little you can do to affect the outcome.
Slots can’t always be trusted due to their unstable volatility. With slots, software providers typically focus on the RTP value rather than the house edge. This approach can be misleading. That’s why you can always calculate the house edge.
Here’s how you can calculate the house edge in slots:
100% – RTP (Return to Player) = House Advantage
For instance, if a slot comes with a Return to Player estimation of 88.12%, the edge totals a whopping 11.88%. This example refers to Microgaming’s Mega Moolah jackpot slot.
On the other hand, there are slots with incredibly high RTPs, such as NetEnt’s Mega Joker (99%) and Jackpot 6,000 (98.90%).
Therefore, the house edge on slot machines swings between 1% and 15%.
Medium House Edge
If you are after a medium house edge game, your choice is limited to Roulette. If you play single zero Roulette (European Roulette), the house edge can go as low as 2.56%.
Generally speaking, any house edge value that goes below 3% is considered decent. However, Roulette can be tricky, so make sure you are applying the appropriate Roulette strategy. And always play European Roulette if you want to keep that house advantage small.
Low House Edge
This segment will be discussed in detail within the section “House Edge in Different Casino Games”.
Be that as it may, the house edge is a phrase as old as gambling itself. Casinos invented this notion to retain a portion of the stakes regardless of the outcome. To put it bluntly, casinos will always win. That’s the harsh truth. Nevertheless, you can reduce the casino’s funds and increase your own.
Knowing how the house edge works will help you develop the right house edge strategy. As a result, you can rely more on your knowledge than just pure luck. And this, our friend, makes a smart punter.
“Knowledge is power.”
―Francis Bacon
Once you understand the function of the house edge, you’ll know what casino game pays out the best.
What does House Edge Mean?
For many players, the house edge determines what casino game they will play. In the iGaming field, which is a combination of luck and logic, there are two types of players.
The first kind will play a certain casino game for its looks or mechanics. The second sort will solely follow logical thinking and consider only the house edge. Which one are you?
Those who find themselves in the middle of the two player profiles need to learn about the house edge. So, for everyone’s sake, let’s see how the house edge works.
The house edge matters because it dictates the tempo of the game. If you play a low house edge game, you can be more relaxed and don’t have to think as much. On the other side, high house edge titles require complete immersion and focus.
You can look at the house advantage as built-in profit that casinos reserve in case players get a lucky streak.
To exemplify, let’s take Roulette. If you play American (Double Zero) Roulette, the house advantage is 5.26%. Let’s see how we calculate this house edge. There are 38 pockets on the wheel. In other words, your chances of winning are one in 38. Place a €1 bet and the casino will pay you 35 for it. So at this point, you have your initial €1 plus €35 = €36. The total number of pockets is 38, minus €36; that makes it 2. Divide the €2 by 38 and you’ll get the casino advantage – 5.26%.
House Edge in Different Casino Games
Now that we have established the role of the house edge in casinos, let’s see it in practice.
Here are top 5 casino games with the lowest house edge:
- Blackjack (Single Deck)
- Craps
- Baccarat
- Three-Card Poker
- Video Poker
Blackjack House Edge (Single Deck)
King of all house edges is Blackjack. The house edge for Blackjack is dominantly low and floats around 1.5%. It can be further lowered by applying card counting and similar tactics. Match made in heaven is the house edge with the perfect basic strategy in Blackjack.
Play Blackjack Single Deck at Mr Green Casino
Craps House Edge
The house edge for Craps ranges from 1.4% to 5%. This is arguably the most thrilling game in both online and land-based casinos. Compared with other online casino games, Craps offer an extraordinarily low house edge. However, don’t let the allure trick you; make sure to follow our master online casino tips.
Play Craps at Planet 7 Casino
Baccarat House Edge
Baccarat has always had a strenuous relationship with Blackjack. That’s why many players compare and contrast them to date. Casino enthusiasts still discuss the house edge Baccarat vs. Blackjack to date. That’s why they share the average casino advantage of 1.5%. The perfect example of a low Baccarat house edge is Punto Banco.
Play Baccarat at Spin Rio Casino
Three-Card Poker House Edge
Three-Card Poker is a snappy, fast game perfect for bettors who have no time to waste. The house age for three-card poker is 1.5%. The ace up this poker variant’s sleeve is surely its speed.
Play Three-Card Poker at Casumo Casino
Video Poker House Edge
Last, but not least, video poker is particularly inclined towards low house edge seekers. It has been reported that the house edge jacks or better can be narrowed down to 0% in. Naturally, this is correct only if you apply the appropriate video poker strategy.
Play Video Poker at Revolution Casino
How to Reduce Casino House Edge
There are ways to reduce every casino game’s house edge. First and foremost, knowing how house edges work and how you can get around them.
Secondly, never gamble more than you can afford to lose. No matter how low a house edge is, you can still lose your funds if you are not careful. Remember, it is you against the casino.
To maximise winnings and get the house edge as low as possible, there are a few tips to follow.
At all times, make sure you are gambling responsibly.
Conclusion
All in all, you can get away without knowing much about house edges, but we do not recommend it. In that case, you rely on luck only, which is not a sustainable resource. Getting into a casino game with no knowledge about casino advantages is like bringing a knife to a gunfight.
Let’s sum up all that we’ve learnt today about house edges for casino games. Casino advance is the guarantee a casino retains so it always wins, one way or another. To keep that house edge low, you ought to play selected casino games.
Blackjack house edge with basic strategy is the perfect combination. The edge is the lowest of them all, and the application of the Blackjack strategy will do wonders to your gameplay. The house edge in Blackjack is similar to one for Baccarat. If you want a 98.5% chance of winning, play one of these two casino games.
For a medium house edge, stick to Roulette. In case you do, make sure you apply a Roulette tactic that agrees with your bankroll. Keep a neat balance between your wins and losses in Roulette.
Lastly, the greatest house advantage is found on slots and Keno. While your hypothetical winning chances vary in these games, you can still win. A pivotal piece of advice for risk-takers who love low house edge casino games is to hold the reins tightly. Enjoying online gambling as a hobby is a matter of self-control. Happy punting!
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