The Built-In Advantage of the Casino
You've likely heard the saying that the house always comes out on top. It's a direct reference to the house edge, the mathematical advantage that ensures casino profitability. The house edge is a term for the statistical advantage the casino holds in every game offered. Grasping this concept is essential for anyone who wants to gamble intelligently.

The Math Behind the Advantage
The house edge is derived from the difference between the true odds of winning a bet and the odds that the casino pays out for casino that win. Roulette provides a very clear illustration.

The wheel has 37 numbers in total. There is one chance in 37 that you will win. But, the payout for a winning single-number bet is 35:1. This discrepancy between true odds (36:1) and payout odds (35:1) is the house edge. In this case, the house edge is 2.7%. This means that for every $100 bet on the wheel over a long period, the casino expects to make an average profit of $2.70.

Which Games Offer the Best Odds?
It's important to know that the edge changes based on the game and the specific bet you make.

Game Typical House Edge Notes

Blackjack Less than 1% Requires the use of optimal basic strategy. The edge is much higher for unskilled players.

Baccarat (Banker Bet) ~1.06% The 'Banker' bet is one of the best bets in the entire casino due to its very low house edge.

Craps (Pass/Don't Pass) Under 1.5% Stick to the fundamental bets for a low house edge. Avoid the proposition bets.

European Roulette 2.7% A fixed edge that applies to almost every bet on the table. Consistent and predictable.

American Roulette 5.26% The addition of the double zero ('00') pocket almost doubles the house edge, making it a much worse game for casino the player.

Slots Varies widely The edge on slots is generally higher than on table games.

Playing Smart
Winning is still possible, as the edge only applies over a huge sample size. Short-term results are all about variance. Anything can happen. By picking low-edge games, you improve your long-term prospects and stretch your entertainment budget.