House Edge by Game
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The house edge is the percentage of every bet that a casino expects to keep over the long run. It is the single most useful number for comparing casino games: it tells you how quickly, on average, a game turns your stake into the casino's profit. A 1% edge means an average loss of $1 for every $100 wagered; a 15% edge means $15.
The table below compares the house edge of the main bets in every game covered on this site, followed by an explanation of what the numbers mean in practice and how to use them.
House Edge by Game and Bet
| Game and bet | House edge | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Craps: free odds bet | 0% | Only available behind a Pass/Come bet |
| Video poker: 9/6 Jacks or Better | about 0.46% | With optimal strategy and maximum coins |
| Blackjack: 3:2, dealer stands soft 17 | about 0.5% | With basic strategy |
| Ultimate Texas Hold'em | about 0.5% of total bet | About 2.2% of the Ante, optimal play |
| Baccarat: Banker | 1.06% | After 5% commission |
| Baccarat: Player | 1.24% | |
| French roulette: even-money with la partage | 1.35% | |
| Craps: Don't Pass / Pass Line | 1.36% / 1.41% | Before odds |
| Craps: Place 6 or 8 | 1.52% | |
| Blackjack: 6:5 payout | about 2% | Avoid 6:5 tables |
| Casino Hold'em | about 2.2% of the Ante | Calling with the right hands |
| European roulette: any bet | 2.70% | Single zero |
| Sic bo: Small / Big | 2.78% | |
| Online pokies | typically 3% to 6% | RTP 94% to 97%; check the help screen |
| Online keno | typically 4% to 10% | Depends on pay table |
| American roulette: any bet | 5.26% | Double zero |
| Caribbean Stud poker | about 5.2% | |
| Blackjack side bets | 3% to 10%+ | Perfect Pairs, 21+3 and similar |
| Sic bo: specific triple (180:1) | about 16% | |
| Baccarat: Tie (8:1) | about 14.4% | |
| Craps: Any Seven | 16.67% | One-roll proposition bet |
| Club and pub keno | about 25% | For comparison |
Figures are standard published values for the rules shown. Rule variations change them, so check the rules panel of any game before playing.
What the House Edge Means in Practice
The house edge applies to the total amount you bet, not to your deposit. Your expected loss over a session is roughly: number of bets × average bet × house edge. An hour of online blackjack at 100 hands of $10 is $1,000 wagered; at a 0.5% edge that is an expected loss of about $5. An hour of pokies at 600 spins of $1 is $600 wagered; at a 4% edge that is about $24. The faster a game plays, the more you wager per hour, so pace matters as much as the edge itself.
House Edge vs RTP
Return to player (RTP) is simply the other side of the same coin: a pokie with 96% RTP has a 4% house edge. RTP is the usual way pokies are described, while table games are usually described by house edge. Both are long-run averages over millions of bets; neither predicts an individual session, in which luck dominates.
Why Low-Edge Games Are Weighted Down for Bonuses
Casinos know which games give them the smallest edge. That is why blackjack, video poker and baccarat usually count only 5% to 10% towards bonus wagering, or are excluded altogether, while pokies count 100%. Use our wagering calculator to see how game choice changes the cost of clearing a bonus.
Using the House Edge Sensibly
- Prefer the lowest-edge bet within a game: Banker in baccarat, Pass with odds in craps, even-money bets on a French roulette wheel.
- Learn the strategy where it matters: blackjack and video poker edges above assume optimal play.
- Treat side bets and proposition bets as occasional entertainment.
- Remember that no game on this list has a player edge. The house edge is the price of entertainment; set a budget you are happy to spend on it. Our responsible gambling page has tools to help.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which casino game has the lowest house edge?
The free odds bet in craps has no house edge at all, but it can only be placed behind a Pass or Come bet. Among whole games, full-pay video poker and blackjack with basic strategy are around 0.5%, followed by the Banker bet in baccarat at 1.06%.
What house edge do online pokies have?
Typically 3% to 6%, which is an RTP of 94% to 97%. The figure is shown in each game's help screen and can vary between casinos for the same game.
Is RTP the same as house edge?
They describe the same thing from opposite sides. A 96% RTP is a 4% house edge. Pokies are usually described by RTP and table games by house edge.
How do I work out my expected loss?
Multiply the number of bets by your average bet and the house edge. For example, 500 spins at $1 on a 96% RTP pokie is $500 wagered times 4%, about $20.
Can I beat the house edge?
Not in the long run at online casino games. Strategy can reduce the edge in blackjack and video poker to around half a percent, but it cannot turn it into a player advantage.