House Edge Explained
If you are a casino player, you have probably heard of the term “house edge”. But do you know what it means, how it works, and how it affects your chances of winning? In this blog post, we will explain the concept of house edge and give you some tips on how to reduce it and increase your odds of beating the casino.
What is House Edge?
House edge is the mathematical advantage that the casino has over the player in any gambling game. It is expressed as a percentage of the casino player’s bet that the casino expects to keep as profit in the long run. For example, if a game has a house edge of 5%, it means that for every $100 bet, the casino expects to win $5 on average and return $95 to the player as winnings.
The house edge is not a fixed number, but it varies depending on the game, the rules, and the strategy that the player uses. Some games have a higher house edge than others, and some bets have a higher house edge than others within the same game. The house edge is also affected by the number of rounds played, the amount of money wagered, and the randomness of the outcomes.
How Does House Edge Work?
The house edge works by giving the casino a slight edge over the player in every possible outcome of the game. This edge is achieved by manipulating the odds of the game, the payouts, or both. For example, in roulette, the house edge is created by the presence of zero (or double zero) on the wheel, which reduces the odds of winning for the player.
If the wheel had only 36 numbers, the odds of winning a single number bet would be 1/36, and the payout would be 35 to 1, which would make the game fair. However, with the zero (or double zero), the odds of winning are reduced to 1/37 (or 1/38), while the payout remains the same at 35 to 1. This gives the casino an advantage of 2.7% (or 5.26%) on every single number bet.
Similarly, in blackjack, the house edge is created by the fact that the dealer plays last and can win by default if the player busts. If the dealer played first, the game would be fair. However, by playing last, the dealer has an advantage of about 0.5% on every hand, assuming the player follows the basic strategy.
How to Reduce House Edge?
The house edge is inevitable in any casino game, but it can be reduced by choosing the right games, the right bets, and the right strategies. Here are some tips on how to lower the house edge and increase your chances of winning:
Choose games with a low house edge. Some games have a lower house edge than others and offer better returns to the player. For example, blackjack, baccarat, and craps have a house edge of less than 2%, while keno, slots, and sic bo have a house edge of more than 10%. You can use our web search tool to find the house edge of different casino games.
Choose bets with a low house edge. Within the same game, some bets have a lower house edge than others and offer better odds to the player. For example, in craps, the pass line bet has a house edge of 1.41%, while any seven bet has a house edge of 16.67%. You can use our web search tool to find the house edge of different bets in different games.
Choose strategies with a low house edge. The way you play the game can also affect the house edge and your chances of winning. For example, in blackjack, following the basic strategy can reduce the house edge from about 5% to about 0.5%, while counting cards can give you an edge over the casino. You can use our web search tool to find the best strategies for different games.
In Conclusion
House edge is the mathematical advantage that the online casino has over the player in any gambling game. It is expressed as a percentage of the player’s bet that the casino expects to keep as profit in the long run. The house edge is not a fixed number, but it varies depending on the game, the rules, and the strategy that the player uses.
The house edge works by giving the casino a slight edge over the player in every possible outcome of the game. Also the house edge is inevitable in any casino game, but it can be reduced by choosing the right games, the right bets, and the right strategies.
