The house edge is the mathematical advantage the operator holds on a bet, expressed as a percentage of the amount staked.
House edge sets the expected cost of play. It lets you compare games on the same basis before you sit down.
On European roulette the house edge is 2.70 percent. Stake 100 euro across straight bets and the expected loss is 2.70 euro. On American roulette the same 100 euro staked has an expected loss of 5.26 euro.
A European roulette wheel has 37 pockets. A straight bet on one number pays 35 to 1. The true chance is one in 37, so a fair payout would be 36 to 1. The gap between the payout and the true chance is the entire edge, 2.7 percent of every euro staked.
| Game / Bet Type | Typical House Edge (Approx.) | Notes (Key Assumptions) |
|---|---|---|
| Blackjack, basic strategy | about 0.5% | Depends on deck count and dealer rules |
| Baccarat, banker bet | 1.06% | After the standard commission |
| Craps, pass line | 1.41% | Before odds bets |
| European roulette | 2.70% | Single zero wheel |
| French roulette, la partage | 1.35% | Even money bets only |
| American roulette | 5.26% | Zero and double zero wheel |
| Keno | 20% to 35% | Varies widely by paytable |
Figures are published house edge values for standard rule sets. Individual tables and paytables vary, so check the rules of the game in front of you.
No. A low house edge means the expected cost per euro staked is smaller. The expected result is still a loss over a large number of bets.
They are the same figure stated from opposite sides. A 96 percent RTP is a 4 percent house edge.