House Edge by Game (Easy Reference)
A quick, practical guide to typical house edges in common casino games – and which bets are less punishing on your bankroll over the long run.
How House Edge Works (in Plain English)
House edge is usually written as a percentage. A 2% edge means that, on average over many bets, the house keeps $2 out of every $100 wagered on that game.
- It doesn’t tell you what happens in one session – only the long run.
- Small differences matter. 2% vs 5% is the difference between a slow leak and a quick drain.
- Some bets inside the same game can have wildly different edges.
At-a-Glance: House Edge by Game
Use this as a quick reference. Exact edges vary by casino, rules and paytables – but these ranges are typical for common bets.
| Game / Bet Type | Typical House Edge | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Blackjack (basic strategy) | ~0.4–1.0% | One of the lowest-edge games if you use basic strategy and friendly rules. Bad rules (6:5 payout, no DAS, etc.) push the edge higher. |
| Baccarat – Banker | ~1.0–1.2% | Very simple, relatively low edge. Player bet is slightly worse; Tie bet is much worse. |
| Baccarat – Player | ~1.2–1.3% | Still reasonable for casual play, just not quite as good as Banker. |
| Baccarat – Tie | ~10–14%+ | Looks tempting due to big payout but is one of the worst regular bets at the table. |
| European Roulette (single-zero) | 2.7% | All standard even-money and straight-up bets share the same edge. |
| American Roulette (double-zero) | 5.26% | House edge almost doubles versus single-zero; avoid if you have access to European wheels. |
| Craps – Pass/Don’t Pass | ~1.4–1.6% | Basic line bets are relatively fair; adding free odds bets can lower your effective edge. |
| Craps – Place 6/8, Come/Don’t Come | ~1–3% | Some of the “less bad” bets on the table; check specific rules. |
| Craps – Proposition / One-roll bets | ~5–16%+ | Flashy centre-table bets with high payouts – and very high house edges. |
| Video Poker – Full-pay Jacks or Better | ~0.5–1% | Only with correct strategy and full-pay paytable; many “short-pay” versions are much worse. |
| Other Video Poker (short-pay) | 2–5%+ | Reduced payouts on key hands quietly raise the house edge. |
| Slot Machines | ~4–10%+ (varies) | House edges vary widely by game and jurisdiction. Volatile games can feel very swingy. |
| Progressive Slots | Can be higher | Part of each bet feeds the jackpot; base game can have a higher edge unless the jackpot is unusually large. |
| Blackjack Side Bets | ~5–20%+ | Pairs, 21+3 and similar side bets often have much higher edges than the main hand. |
| Casino War, Keno, some novelty games | ~5–25%+ | Generally some of the worst edges in the house; fine for occasional fun, but expensive long term. |
Ranges are approximate and can change based on specific casino rules, paytables and jurisdictions. Always check game info where available.
Choosing Games with Your Bankroll in Mind
A smaller house edge doesn’t guarantee you’ll win – but it does mean your bankroll should last longer on average, especially if you combine it with good bankroll management.
Simple Rules of Thumb
- Prefer blackjack with good rules, baccarat (Banker/Player), and fair video poker over high-edge novelty games.
- Pick European roulette instead of American whenever possible.
- At tables, stick to the “boring” main bets; avoid fancy side bets unless you treat them as pure entertainment.
What About House Edge in Sports Betting?
In sports betting, there isn’t a “fixed” house edge like in roulette. Instead, the sportsbook builds a margin (vig) into the odds on each market.
Example: Standard Point Spread
On many point spreads you’ll see both sides at around -110. If you convert the odds on both teams to implied probabilities and add them, you’ll usually end up above 100%.
That extra “over 100%” is effectively the house edge in that market.
Common House Edge Mistakes to Avoid
- Assuming all bets in a game are equal. In craps, roulette and blackjack, different bets can have very different edges.
- Ignoring small rule changes. Blackjack rules like 6:5 payouts on blackjack quietly increase the edge.
- Chasing big jackpots. Progressive and lottery-style bets usually have higher edges than base games.
- Thinking “fun bets” are harmless. Side bets with 10–20%+ edges add up fast, especially with repeated play.
A low house edge doesn’t protect you from gambling harm if you overspend, chase losses or use gambling to escape problems. If things ever stop feeling like entertainment, stop and visit our Responsible Gambling page for support.
Next Steps: Use House Edge as a Filter
You don’t need to memorize every number in the table. Use house edge as a simple filter:
- Pick games with lower edges when you want your bankroll to last.
- Combine that with a written plan from Bankroll Management.
- Use Odds Explained and Expected Value to understand the math behind risk and return.
- Keep checking in with yourself emotionally – the math is only half the story.
The casino always has an edge, but you decide how much you want to pay for that entertainment and which games give you the slowest, most controlled ride.