Definition of a House Edge
The house edge is also known as the casino advantage. This feature is available on all table games, lottery games, and slot machines in brick-and-mortar and virtual casinos alike. Unbeknownst to many, it also reveals which games provide the best profits for players.
The house edge is built into the games and not set by the casino itself. So, it doesn’t matter how cautiously you play, the house always has an advantage.
How to Calculate the House Edge for Casino Games
The house edge is usually a small percentage, ranging from 1% to 16%, and varies with every game or bet type. For example, let’s look at the red/black bets in a European roulette game.
European roulette has 37 pockets, out of which 18 are black, 18 are red, and the 0 pocket is neither. So, the probability of getting a black or a red is 18/37, which equals 0.4865.
The casino has an upper hand because of the extra 0 pocket. So, the probability of getting a win is 19/37, totaling 0.5135. Next, you subtract both figures, which is 0.5135 – 0.4865 = 0.027. Multiply this answer by 100 to turn it into a percentage, and you have 2.7% – which is the house edge on a red/black bet.
Online Casino Games in the US with the Lowest House Edge
From the illustration above, the higher the house edge, the lesser your profits from the casino in the long run. That’s why playing casino games with the lowest house edge is important. These games and the casino advantage are listed in the table below.
| Casino Game | House Edge % | |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Pai Gow Poker | 2.5% |
| 2. | European Roulette | 2.5% |
| 3. | Slots | 2.0% – 10.0% |
| 4. | Video Poker | 1.5% |
| 5. | Three-card Poker | 1.5% |
| 6. | Baccarat | 1.5% |
| 7. | Craps | 1.4% – 5.0% |
| 8. | Blackjack (Single Deck) | 1.5% |
Blackjack
Blackjack depends partly on a player’s understanding of how to win and the cards dealt. Both online and land-based casinos in the United States offer different versions of the classic blackjack game.
If you use the standard rules and basic strategy, it has a house edge of 0.5%. However, the number of decks used and any rule of the game variations affect the blackjack house edge.
Lowering the House Edge in Blackjack
Blackjack is one of the best house edge casino games because of its low casino advantage. However, you can lower this advantage further by employing a few strategies.
One of these is memorizing blackjack charts to tell the possible outcomes of every card you hold. You could also try composite blackjack strategies, which involve using the values of the cards that have been dealt to determine the value of the cards that are left.
Roulette
The roulette house edge depends on which variant you’re playing. American roulette has the worst odds, beginning with a 5.26% house edge. European and French versions are better as the casino advantage is reduced to 2.7%.
Lowering the House Edge in Roulette
A few roulette strategies like the Martingale and Paroli systems can help lower the house’s advantage. However, these strategies are not fool-proof and could fail you.
The best way to beat the house edge in roulette is to play the French version. Thanks to the La Partage and En Prison rules, the casino advantage can be lowered to 1.35%.
Slots
The house edge casino on slots varies with the title you’re playing. Some have a house edge as low as 2%, while others could be as high as 10%.
Lowering the House Edge in Slots
With online slots, there are no strategies to boost your odds of winning. All you can do is choose how many paylines to play, play, and hope for the best outcome.
Poker
Online casinos have different poker variants, but the one with the lowest casino advantage is three-card poker. Although the house advantage varies based on how you decide to play your cards, it is still better than most variations.
Lowering the House Edge in Poker
In poker, you can use strategies like the Martingale system, where you increase your bet with every loss. However, remember that this is a game of luck, and there’s no way to tell what your cards are. So, your best bet is learning more about the game before wagering real cash.
Baccarat
Baccarat is one of the casino games with the lowest house edge, though this depends on your bet. The banker has a house advantage of 1.01%, while the player’s hand is 1.29% when the game is played with one deck of cards. The tie bet has a huge casino advantage of 15.75%.
Lowering the House Edge in Baccarat
One of the best house edge-lowering strategies in baccarat is to avoid the tie bet. Though the payout is higher, the risk is also higher, making it a less desirable option.
Other tips to boost your chances of winning are betting on the banker and playing games with fewer card decks.
Dice Games
Dice games like Craps have varying house edges, ranging from zero to a staggering 13.9%. The wagers you make ultimately determine how much money you’ll lose to the house over time.
Lowering the House Edge in Craps
The most effective strategy with dice games is placing bets with the lowest house edge. These include Don’t Pass, Don’t Come, and Pass in craps.
Conclusion
The house edge determines how much you earn and how much you lose to the casino over time. So, playing casino games like blackjack, roulette, baccarat, and three-card poker is essential. These games have a lower casino advantage, allowing you to make the most of your bets.