Understanding the House Edge

The house edge is the built-in mathematical advantage that ensures casinos profit over time. It represents the average percentage the casino expects to keep from each bet.

For example, a 5% house edge means that, in the long run, the casino earns $5 for every $100 wagered. While players might win in the short term, understanding the house edge helps you make smarter choices and stretch your bankroll.

Key Insight: The lower the house edge, the higher your chances of walking away a winner—especially when using the right strategy.

Why the House Edge Matters

Every casino game has different odds. Games of skill—like blackjack and video poker—often have the lowest house edge, while games of pure chance—like keno or certain slot machines—carry much higher ones.

By choosing games with favorable odds, you:

• Maximize your potential returns.
• Reduce the impact of luck swings.
• Extend your playtime without overspending.

Even small percentage differences can make a big impact over thousands of hands, spins, or rolls.

Blackjack: The King of Low House Edge

Average House Edge: 0.5% (with basic strategy)

Blackjack consistently offers the best odds in the casino when played correctly. Your goal is to beat the dealer by getting as close to 21 as possible without going over.

How to Keep the Edge Low:

• Learn basic blackjack strategy—available in free charts online.
• Avoid side bets like “Perfect Pairs” or “Insurance.”
• Choose tables that pay 3:2 for blackjack instead of 6:5.

Pro Tip: Card counting isn’t illegal but can get you banned in physical casinos. Stick to strategic play for steady, long-term wins.

Baccarat: Simple and Smart

Average House Edge:

• Banker Bet – 1.06%
• Player Bet – 1.24%
• Tie Bet – 14.4% (avoid this one!)

Baccarat is a favorite among high rollers because of its simplicity and low house edge. The smartest move is always to bet on the Banker, as it statistically wins just over 50% of the time.

Strategy:

• Always stick to Banker or Player bets.
• Ignore side bets—they increase the house’s advantage.

Craps: Great Odds When You Know What to Bet

Average House Edge:

• Pass Line / Don’t Pass Bets – 1.36% / 1.41%
• Taking Odds Bets – 0% (yes, zero!)

Craps looks intimidating, but the key to winning is knowing which bets to make. Avoid the flashy proposition bets in the center of the table—they carry high house edges.

Best Bets in Craps:

• Pass Line / Don’t Pass Line
• Come / Don’t Come
• Take Odds bets (no house edge at all!)

These bets give you some of the fairest odds in the entire casino.

Video Poker: Skill Pays Off

Average House Edge: 0.5% or lower (with correct strategy)

Video poker combines luck and skill. Games like Jacks or Better and Deuces Wild can even tilt the odds in your favor if played perfectly.

Winning Tips:

• Learn the correct paytable—full-pay Jacks or Better (9/6) offers the best return.
• Use a video poker strategy chart to make optimal decisions.
• Avoid progressive versions with reduced payouts.

Some versions of video poker can return over 99.5% RTP, making it one of the smartest choices in any casino.

European Roulette: Better Than American

Average House Edge:

• European Roulette – 2.7%
• American Roulette – 5.26%

Roulette is a casino classic, but choosing the European version gives you significantly better odds. The difference lies in the number of zeros—European wheels have one (0), while American wheels have two (0 and 00).

Strategy:

• Stick to even-money bets like Red/Black or Odd/Even for steady returns.
• Avoid “five-number bets” (on American wheels)—they have the worst odds.

Pai Gow Poker: Slow and Steady

Average House Edge: 1.5% – 2.5%

Pai Gow Poker offers slower gameplay and one of the lowest-risk experiences in the casino. You play against the dealer, building two poker hands from seven cards.

Smart Play:

• Follow the casino’s “house way” when unsure how to set your hands.
• Avoid unnecessary side bets—they carry higher house edges.

The slower pace makes your bankroll last longer—perfect for players who like strategy and longevity.

Casino War: Simple and Fair

Average House Edge: 2.8%

Casino War is one of the simplest games in existence—just beat the dealer’s card. While luck-based, it has a lower house edge than most other quick games.

Tip: Always “go to war” instead of surrendering—it keeps the house edge lower.

Games to Avoid: High House Edge Traps

Not all casino games are created equal. Some may seem fun but have terrible odds.

Games with the Worst House Edge:

• Keno – up to 25%
• Big Six Wheel – 11% to 24%
• Some Slots – 10%+ (depending on the game)
• Tie Bets in Baccarat – 14%+

If your goal is to play smart, skip these games or enjoy them casually with small bets.

How to Lower the House Edge Even More

Regardless of the game you play, a few habits can further minimize your losses and maximize enjoyment:

Smart Habits:

• Learn and practice strategy before betting real money.
• Manage your bankroll—set win and loss limits.
• Take advantage of loyalty rewards and cashback offers.
• Play slower to extend your time and lower losses per hour.

Pro Tip: Stick to games where skill influences outcome—that’s where players can truly reduce the house advantage.

Conclusion

Choosing the right games makes all the difference between smart gambling and reckless play. Blackjack, Baccarat, Craps, and Video Poker consistently offer the lowest house edges, giving you the best chance to win—or at least play longer.

Always combine good strategy with responsible gambling habits to make your casino experience both exciting and sustainable.

Check out our list of top-rated online casinos featuring low house edge games and expert-approved strategies for every player.